The correct way to water Lithops

The potting soil should be moist in winter and spring

As autumn and winter come to an end, heating starts in the north and the indoor temperature feels like a ' spring ' . This is when Lithops start to grow happily! Always observe the dryness and wetness of the soil in the pot, especially the size of the pot and the speed of drainage. Water when the topsoil is dry, until water seeps out from the bottom of the pot. If the drainage of the substrate is too good, you can use a basin to absorb water. However, this will often cause salt to accumulate on the soil surface, so try to use it as little as possible.

During this period, the soil in the pot is too dry, the flowers of Lithops are small and dull in color, and the fruit set rate after flowering is also very low. Starting from December , the temperature will drop, so just keep the soil in the pot dry, but don't ignore factors such as dry weather, indoor heating, and rapid evaporation of water. As for January , you need to start taking anti-freeze measures. When watering, pay attention to the water temperature and air temperature to avoid freezing.

Mid-February is early spring, the temperature has risen, and the sun is shining brightly. Lithops need more sunlight and the watering should be restored to the state at the beginning of winter, with potting method being the main method. However, at this time, the new leaves of most plants begin to crack. When watering, do not sprinkle water on the leaf opening to avoid causing the Lithops to rot.

After February , just make sure the soil in the pot is moist.

Spray more often and water less in summer

After mid-June, the temperature rises sharply, and some varieties of Lithops begin to grow slowly or not grow at all, and a very few varieties have gone dormant. In addition to reducing the amount of sunlight, the frequency and amount of watering should be gradually reduced, and this will be maintained until early September. Watering is very important for Lithops to survive the hot summer. For non-dormant species, water them as usual, but in small amounts and not too often. Those that have already gone dormant (with many wrinkles on the epidermis) can be watered thoroughly and then placed in a cool place for maintenance.

Remember: During the dormant period of Lithops, whether it is winter dormancy or summer dormancy, any fertilizer application must be avoided.

Increase watering in autumn

After the beginning of autumn, the weather gradually becomes cooler, and non-dormant and semi-dormant Lithops regain vitality, and dormant Lithops also begin to revive. At this time, the plants are relatively fragile, so do not water them immediately. Use the water spray method, but do not increase the amount gradually. After mid-September, most species begin to grow and you can start watering again, but the intervals between watering will be slightly longer. After National Day, start watering thoroughly, applying fertilizer, and spraying fertilizer on the leaves to make the soil in the pot moist but not wet. After mid-October, plants that have been cared for for more than four or five years begin to show flower buds. As November approaches, Lithops begin to bloom.

Precautions

• Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings, and do not water again if the soil is still wet;

• On rainy days and other conditions with insufficient sunlight, the soil is best kept dry;

•If it is difficult to judge whether the soil is dry or wet, you can wrinkle it before watering;

•When the seasons change, you can add disinfectant when watering to reduce the chance of death.

•You can apply fertilizer during the growing season, but keep it light and don’t use too much.

•For new plants, especially those grown in greenhouses, it is recommended to be conservative in terms of watering and shading in summer - most plants grown in greenhouses are overgrown and bloated.