Succulents attract many growers with their interesting forms and unpretentiousness. Of particular interest are plants from the genus of lithops, so similar to pebbles. Find out what kind of plants are lithops and how they can be grown from seeds, what mistakes should be avoided.
Botanical description of the plant
Lithops belong to the Aizov family. They grow in the rocky deserts of the southern African continent. This plant consists of two fused leaves, between which there is a gap. During flowering (August-November), a flower stalk 2.5-3 cm in diameter appears from it. Some flowers have a pleasant smell. They can be white, yellow or orange. The size of the lithops itself is about 1.5–5 cm. New leaves also appear from the gap in the spring, while old leaves nourish and dry them.
About 30 species of succulent plants of the genus Lithops are known.
How to grow lithops from seeds
At home, seed propagation of these succulents is common. With its help, you can get many new plants that will bloom in 3-4 years.
The timing
The reproduction of lithops in nature occurs in the fall, but at home, experts recommend that the procedure be carried out in March - thus, seedlings will appear six months earlier. If March turned out to be cold, the procedure is carried out in April.
In general, the time when you can safely sow seeds into the ground for growing these succulents covers the period from late autumn to late spring. However, it should be borne in mind that these plants need a temperature difference for normal functioning, which is naturally achieved in the off-season.
Did you know? About lithops world for the first time recognized in 1811 thanks to the British botanist Bourcell. Traveling through the arid region of South Africa, Karu, near a pebble, he found a plant very similar to it - lithops turbiniformis.
Landing tanks and soil
The soil and capacity for planting should be prepared before planting. The soil mixture can be purchased, but it is better to cook it yourself.
The mixture is prepared as follows:
- 1 part of crushed brick;
- 2 parts of sheet land;
- 2 parts of coarse sand;
- 1 part clay.
Pot for planting is better to take from natural materials, clay is good. It should be shallow, in the form of a bowl, 5–10 cm high. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the container for planting - at least 25% of the total volume. Then the prepared soil is filled up, leaving 1-2 cm to the end of the tank.
Seed preparation
Lithops seeds retain their germination for 10 years. For seeding, it is recommended to use seed material that is at least three years old.
Seed material can be prepared (but not required) before sowing. It is soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate at room temperature for 6 hours, and then immediately sown. For soaking, you can take a solution of a stimulant (for example, "Kornevina") or just water.
Important! Seeds do not need to be buried in the soil, because they need light to germinate.
Sowing seeds
Soaked seeds are placed on a well-leveled surface of moistened soil with an interval of 5 mm. For convenience, you can use a toothpick or needle, because the seeds are very small. The root system of these plants grows down, and not in width, so this distance is enough. From above they are lightly sprinkled with a thin layer of river sand.
Video: How to grow lithops from seeds
Initial Care
Lithops are quite demanding in the care after planting seeds in the soil. After planting the seeds, in the container to accelerate the appearance of sprouts, a greenhouse effect should be created. For this purpose, the container is covered with a transparent plastic bag or glass and left in a warm, illuminated place. Every day, the airing bag is lifted for 5-15 minutes. The optimum temperature during this period is + 22 ... + 25 ° C, and at night - + 12 ... + 15 ° C. An important point for the emergence of seedlings are temperature fluctuations day and night. Usually they peck after 7-10 days.
After emergence, the package is not immediately removed, but the airing time is increased. Young sprouts begin to air 3 times a day for 20 minutes. Shelter can be removed approximately 3 weeks after emergence; at first it is removed only at night in two-week-old sprouts.
The air temperature in the room during the warm period should be above + 20 ° C, and in the cold - below + 18 ° C. Watering is carried out as the soil dries, avoiding moisture on young sprouts and trying not to waterlog the earth.
Important! Avoid contact with young shoots in direct sunlight. To do this, they are shaded during periods of active sun.
In winter, when the heating system is turned on, the air becomes too dry for the plant. To eliminate this unfavorable factor, you can put a container of water near the plant. Watering during this period should be carried out more often. The soil between waterings should dry only in the upper part, no more than 2-3 cm, because the root system is not yet formed or poorly developed, so the plant receives moisture only from the upper soil layer. Watering is carried out every 2-3 days. During the leaf change period (6 months of age), watering is reduced to a minimum until the old leaves dry out.
A pick is carried out after wintering only when necessary, when the plants become too crowded. Fertilizing young plants are not needed.
Transplanted Strong Lithops
Seedlings are transplanted into separate containers at the age of about one year. For this purpose, it is better to choose ordinary medium-sized ceramic pots.
A mixture of soil is best done independently. To do this, mix 1 part of crumb brick, 2 parts of river sand, 1/2 part of clay and sheet soil. At the bottom of the tank for planting, a drainage layer of at least 3 cm (gravel, expanded clay) must be placed. Together with the soil, the seedling is removed from the tank and planted in a prepared pot. The surface of the soil from above after planting is sprinkled with fine gravel to prevent the process of decay of the root neck.
Important! Lithops grow best in a group, so they must immediately be planted several pieces in one container, otherwise flowering can not wait.
Further transplantation, as it grows, occurs in early spring (in March). This usually happens every 3 years. The transplant pot is taken deeper, since the root system does not grow in width, but in length.
Video: Landing of the lithops
Frequent mistakes of beginners
When growing lithops from seeds, novices due to lack of experience can make the following mistakes:
- Too wet soil. Overmoistening can lead to the appearance of fungi that cause the process of decay. This leads to the death of the plant.
- Lack of drainage when landing. It can also lead to decay of the root system.
- Temperature violations. Temperature drops less than 3 ° C can adversely affect the plant. The young sprout still has weak immunity and it will not be able to go into hibernation to include protective functions from this phenomenon.
- Do not shade. These are desert plants that are drawn into the ground in the hot sun. In indoor conditions in the summer they must be protected from direct rays.
- High humidity. Given the place of growth, lithops need a dry climate. They do not need to be sprayed regularly from the spray gun.
Did you know? Lithops can mimic the background of the surrounding area. Against the background of gray pebbles, they themselves become grayish.
So, lithops can be grown by themselves from bought and gifted seeds. The seeds of these succulents have good germination and are stored for a long time, but in order to obtain new plants from them, certain rules must be observed.
