Lithops cultivation methods and precautions

Soil requirements

Lithops are not very demanding on environmental conditions and are relatively easy to cultivate and manage. Ordinary succulent planting soil can be used. Usually, 4 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of calcareous material ( shell powder, eggshell powder, old lime wall chips, etc. ) , and 3 parts of river sand are mixed and prepared.

Repotting requirements

The repotting and planting of Lithops are both done in autumn. When repotting, take the plant out of the soil, shake off the soil at the roots, and try not to damage the capillary roots. Cut off the old roots that have rotted and dried up, and then plant them in new culture soil. Lithops are highly adaptable, and different varieties do not exclude each other, so different varieties can be planted in the same pot.

Water and fertilizer requirements

February to April in spring is the molting period of Lithops. At this time, fertilization should be stopped and watering should be controlled to allow the original old skin to dry up as soon as possible. Some people like to peel off the old skin of Lithops with their hands when it shows signs of shedding, so that the small plants inside can receive sunlight as soon as possible, promote their growth, and make them short, strong and sturdy. However, inexperienced growers may damage the plants, so be careful when operating. Apply compound fertilizer once after the plant molts to promote healthy growth of young plants.

The best time to water is at night or in the early morning when the temperature is lower. Do not water when the temperature is higher during the day to avoid damaging the plants due to a sudden drop in temperature. During cultivation, avoid rain, especially long-term rain or heavy rain, otherwise the top of the plant will crack due to excessive water absorption. Avoid keeping the potting soil in a humid environment for a long time, as moss will easily grow in the pot.

Light and temperature requirements

Lithops like sunlight, but cannot tolerate strong light. In summer, if you keep it in semi-shade or provide it with 50% shade, the leaf color will be more beautiful. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is not very high, it is necessary to give it direct sunlight to facilitate photosynthesis and accumulation of nutrients. In winter, keep it indoors in bright light.

The most suitable growth temperature for Lithops is 15 ℃ ~ 25 ℃. It is afraid of high temperature and stuffiness, and will enter a dormant state when the temperature in summer is above 33 ℃. The winter temperature must be controlled above 10 ℃ to survive the winter safely. If the winter temperature drops below 7 ℃, it will enter a dormant state. If the ambient temperature is close to 4 ℃, it will die from frostbite.

Precautions

Since the root system of Lithops is not well developed, it is best to grow it in a small pot. The pot should not be too deep, 8 to 10 cm is enough.

The best growth period for Lithops is from late autumn to the following spring, which is the most critical period for maintenance and also the growth period. The high temperature in summer is not suitable for its growth, so it is in a dormant period. Therefore, pay attention to water and temperature control during the growth and dormancy periods when maintaining the plant.