Lithops fulviceps are a special type of succulent, also called “living stones”. These plants are miniature, do not require any care at all and grow in a simple substrate. Lithops flowering is a rare, enchanting phenomenon that also deserves the attention of sophisticated gardeners.
Origin and botanical description of the plant
This close relative cacti, a plant of the genus Aizaceae, a representative of the succulent family. “Living stones” (lithops) arrived in temperate latitudes from the hot, dry, rocky deserts of Africa. All external features of this plant are directly related to the place where it grows.
Lithops succulent most often consists of two (less often - three or more) fleshy leaves, which are fused at the base and form one whole with the stem. In nature, this feature helps the plant hide among stones, which protect it from wind, sand and sun rays. This is also a necessity for camouflage and protection from wild birds and animals.
Flowering living stones form buds in the hollow between two fleshy leaves. There, the newly formed flower is at first absolutely protected from external irritants, so it grows quite large and bright.
During the flowering period, large yellow inflorescences (less often white or pink) appear on the lithops. The petals are long and narrow, but quite dense. The flowers themselves are shaped like daisies. The pistil and stamens are not clearly expressed and grow in the same color scheme, as petals.
Color varies from gray-green to bright emerald. The shape and color depend on the type of lithops, of which there are a great variety. Many of them have specific light patterns on the upper leaf plate. Choosing your variety is quite simple, given that their conditions of detention are practically the same.
Main varieties
There are many types of living stones in nature. They differ from each other in the color of leaves and flowers, size, number of joints, and their shape. Not all lithops that grow in wildlife, can grow in apartment conditions. Domestic varieties and varieties are distinguished by names of predominantly Latin origin:
- Lithops aukamp- one of the largest types of living stones. In addition to its size, it differs from its counterparts in color (its upper part is not green, but Brown). In addition, the aucamp has large, bright yellow flowers, which the succulent produces two to three times per season.
- Lithops leslie- the direct opposite of the subspecies described above. This variety is rich green in color. The leaves are quite compact. The color range of flowers is varied and can vary from pale white to lemon yellow.
- similar to aukampa, but unlike this variety, not only the upper leaf plate, but the entire articulated leaf and stalk are colored reddish-orange. This variety blooms with yellow and pink pastel flowers.
- Gracilidelineate- one of the most exotic subspecies. This living stone does not bloom. Outwardly, it looks more like a mushroom and has a round shape. Visually, it seems that its joints are fused into a single layer, but in fact, the gracilidelineate has a small gap, it is simply located in the lower part and therefore is not visible.
- Lithops mix– this is not a special type of living stone, but a collection of seeds various types. Most often, the description for the assembly indicates which plants are inside, but sometimes surprise sets are also sold. Only those subspecies that have identical care features are combined.
Gracilidelineate 
Necessary conditions for cultivation
Lithops is an unpretentious plant; it does not require special maintenance conditions. Live pebbles grow in almost any substrate that is loose and rocky. Also, this type of succulent takes root well in temperate climate, does not require additional irrigation and, under properly created living conditions, blooms more often than in nature.
Location and lighting
Living stone loves light, because centuries of living in the desert have accustomed it to this. In addition, the plant does well in direct sunlight.
When choosing a place to place a succulent, you need to choose the most lit place in the house. A window sill on the sunny side of the apartment would be a good idea. In such conditions, lithops blooms brighter and more often, and it will be more difficult for pests and diseases to attack the plant.
Air humidity
Care and maintenance of lithops does not involve spraying. This type of succulent loves dry air. IN summer period time, “stone flowers” are suitable for a temperate climate, but in winter, due to the beginning heating season they need a little extra moisture. You still can’t spray them, but it’s worth pouring a little liquid into the tray of the pot. It is worth replenishing the amount of water as it evaporates.
Soil and pot requirements
The soil for lithops is quite simple, the main thing is to keep it loose and rocky. Regular all-purpose soil for succulents can ruin it exotic plant. You need to either purchase a special substrate or assemble it yourself. The correct soil mixture should consist of:
- Leaf or turf soil (2 parts).
- River coarse sand (2 parts).
- Leaf humus or peat (1 part).
- Clays (1 part).
- Red brick crumbs (1 part).
Lithops flower also needs correct selection drainage To cover the bottom of the pot, it is best to use small pebbles or specially prepared stones. The width of the drainage layer should be at least 2-3 centimeters.
Features of care
Watering requirement
Lithops are desert dwellers, so they do not need to be watered often. Ideal scheme Irrigation systems can only be built independently by checking the soil moisture level. At first, you can use standardized care regimens, the main thing is to gradually individualize it over time to suit your lithops.
In summer, live rocks need to be watered approximately once a week. By winter, the duration of the break between irrigation sessions increases to 1 time per month. Overwatering lithops is dangerous because high levels of humidity can quickly lead to root rot.
At the same time, overdrying the soil also negatively affects living stones. IN in this case The problem is caused not so much by the lack of moisture, but by the fact that the soil begins to clump and clump.
Feeding
In indoor conditions, lithops does not need regular feeding. This plant is accustomed to harsh conditions deserts, so it is necessary to apply fertilizer to the soil infrequently, only to maintain the overall nutrient level of the soil.
In summer and spring, fertilizer should be mixed into water for irrigation no more than 2 times a month. During the flowering period, the frequency of fertilization increases to 1 time per week. In winter, the plant needs to be fed once a month.
Diseases and pests
Living stones have a unique immunity. Due to the structure of its above-ground part, the fused stem and leaves are absolutely immune to diseases and harmful insects. This plant becomes vulnerable only when it begins to bloom.
The main enemy of lithops is a mite that settles in the roots. It begins to absorb them during the flowering period, when the plant is most vulnerable. In order to get rid of this scourge, you need to treat the soil with insecticides. The treatment period takes approximately two weeks. During this time, the plant should be watered abundantly to wash away toxic substances from the soil.
Reproduction methods
Lithops propagation is a complex process that only an experienced gardener can carry out at home. Cuttings are not a suitable method for living stones because their regenerative function does not allow the growth of new leaves.
These succulents reproduce by sowing seeds. The dried seeds are removed from the capsule, which ripens on the leaf blade, and after soaking in water, they are placed in a greenhouse for germination.
Timing and technology of transplantation
Lithops are rarely replanted because they consume few useful substances from the soil and for a long time do not deplete it. Additionally, this plant is quite miniature, so it takes several years to grow out of its pot.
Lithops only needs a transplant after purchase if it was sold in a plastic pot. A clay vessel is much better suited for containing this kind of plant.
Living stone needs to be replanted every 2-3 years of cultivation. This allows you to maintain a sufficient level nutrients in soil in which the lithops will grow and develop at a healthy pace.
To change the place of residence of a living stone, you need to choose a substrate similar to the one in which it grew previously. The size of the pot increases only if the gardener wants to create compositions from lithops or increase its size.
Possible difficulties and typical mistakes when growing
Caring for lithops at home can cause a number of difficulties even for experienced gardeners. The most common of them are:
- Excess moisture. If there is too much liquid in the soil, the leaves of the flower become watery and soft. This makes the plant more vulnerable to diseases and pests.
- Wrong soil. A high nitrogen content in the soil or insufficient looseness of the soil leads to the fact that the leaves become clogged, harden and cease to perform their natural functions.
- Excess fertilizer. A living stone that grows in soil oversaturated with fertilizers becomes too large, and in the future this destroys its immunity.
Lithops is an excellent choice for those who love exotic plants, but do not know how to take care of them. No living stone required special conditions care, is as unpretentious to the microclimate as possible and takes root well in the temperate zone.
Lithops are charming little creatures that have adapted to survive where other plants are not found at a distance of hundreds of kilometers. The homeland of “living stones” is the rocky deserts of the south and southeast of the African continent. You can grow lithops at home, but in order to achieve flowering and long life, you need to follow a number of rules.
Description of the plant
Lithops is a succulent perennial with a very developed root system. Its volume is several times greater than the above-ground part of the plant. Tenacious roots are able to gain a foothold on any rock or among a scattering of stones. There are 2 small fleshy leaves above the ground surface. They have thick skin and flat surface. Such appearance formed due to the need for camouflage. There is very little food in the desert, so any lush, swaying greenery runs the risk of being quickly eaten. From a distance, lithops can be mistaken for ordinary pebbles, whose color is even similar to the neighboring pebbles.
The height of the thick leaves is 2-5 cm. They are separated by a transverse stripe and diverge slightly to the sides. The color of living stones can be green, bluish, brown, or purple. Sometimes there is a slight pattern or relief of winding lines on the skin. Over time, the old pair of leaves wrinkles and dries out, and new leaves appear from the hollow.
At the end of August, the hollow between the leaves begins to widen slightly and a small flower appears from it. In structure it is similar to cactus flowers and has many narrow petals of yellow or white. The divided petals converge in the center into a narrow, elongated tube. Flowering lasts up to two weeks. In this case, the open flower often exceeds the diameter of the plant itself.
Types of Lithops
There are 37 species recorded in the Lithops genus. Many of them are found in culture, but flower shops rarely delights with variety. Therefore, flower growers are looking for interesting samples in online stores and on thematic forums.
Fleshy malachite-colored leaves grow together almost to the very top. Their diameter does not exceed 2 cm. There are rare whitish spots on the surface of the leaves. Appears at the beginning of autumn yellow flower.
The leaves, divided almost from the base, have a more rounded shape and are colored light green or grayish. There are varieties with purple leaves. The height of the plant is 2 cm.
The plant is 3-4 cm high and covered with gray-green skin. There is a darker, brownish spot on the surface. Blooms yellow flowers up to 4 cm in diameter.
The tiny plant, only 1-2 cm tall, has bright green leaves, which are covered with a darker, marbled pattern at the top. Blooms with white fragrant flowers.
The leaves are gray in color with a darker marbled pattern at the top. The plant expands upward and has a smooth, rounded shape. It blooms with white flowers up to 5 cm in diameter.
A fleshy cylinder cut in half with a flattened top is colored brownish-brown. Orange and brown dots are visible on the skin. Sprouts small yellow buds.
Life cycle
At the beginning of summer, Lithops begins a dormant period. At home, it coincides with the onset of drought. This means that indoor flower stop watering. The soil should not be moistened; only if the leaves begin to wrinkle, you can pour a few teaspoons of water along the edge of the pot. Only the surface of the soil needs to be moistened.
At the end of August, the plant begins to wake up and requires more abundant, although rare, watering. The soil is well moistened, but completely dried between irrigations. You can notice that the gap between the leaves begins to widen and a flower bud is already visible in it. In autumn, after flowering, a new pair of leaves begins to appear in the gap.
From late autumn to early winter, the growth of lithops slows down. Old couple the leaves gradually wrinkle and dry out, exposing young shoots. The air temperature at this time should be within +10...+12°C, watering should be stopped completely.
At the end of February, the old leaves dry out completely and young shoots with colors characteristic of the species appear. Watering is gradually resumed to saturate the plant.
Features of reproduction
Flower growers often practice growing lithops from seeds at home. To do this, at the beginning of March, the seeds are soaked in a manganese solution for 6 hours, after which, without drying, they are distributed on the surface of the soil. To grow seedlings, mix sand, crushed red brick, clay soil and peat.
It is convenient to use a flat and wide box in which the calcined and moistened soil mixture is placed. The bowl is covered with glass and kept at a temperature of +10…+20°C. To speed up seed germination, it is necessary to create fluctuations in night and day temperatures. The difference between them should be 10-15°C. Within a few minutes every day you need to ventilate the greenhouse, remove condensation and spray the soil with a spray bottle.
Shoots become visible after 6-8 days. They stop spraying the soil and water it with great care. Ventilation is now carried out more often, but the shelter is not completely removed. After 1-1.5 months, the seedlings sprout to permanent place, it is recommended to plant several tiny plants in one container at once.
Growing and care
To plant lithops, you need to choose the right pot. Since the plant has a highly developed root system, it must be quite voluminous and deep. A thick layer of drainage material must be poured onto the bottom of the container. Flower growers claim that in group plantings, lithops develop more actively. The soil for them should contain the following components:
- clay;
- small pieces of red brick;
- coarse river sand;
- leaf humus.
After planting, it is worth laying a layer of small pebbles on the surface.
Lithops prefer bright rooms. They are not afraid of direct sunlight. Living pebbles react poorly to changing places and even turning the pot. After such actions, the plant may become sick.
The air temperature should be moderate, no more than +27°C. In the summer, it is good to take the flower pot out into the fresh air, but it should be properly protected from drafts and precipitation. Wintering must be cool (+10…+12°C).
The succulent does not need high air humidity, but occasionally spraying water nearby from a spray bottle is useful. It is important to do this at a short distance so that drops of water do not fall on the delicate leaves.
Lithops should be watered moderately and monitored for dormancy and active growth. Water should not come into contact with above-ground parts of the plant. Excess liquid must be poured out of the pot immediately. Rising watering is preferred. It is important to thoroughly dry the soil between irrigations.
Lithops are able to survive even on poor soils, so they do not need fertilizers. Excess fertilizing can only harm the plant. Instead, it is healthier to refresh the soil in the pot more often (every 1-2 years).
With the correct watering regime, lithops do not suffer from diseases. If rot has damaged the plant, it is practically impossible to save it. During the wintering period, they can settle at the roots mealybugs. To avoid this, at the end of autumn you need to carry out preventive treatment insecticide.
Lithops are succulent plants from the Aizaceae family. Lithops, formed by two fleshy leaves fused at the base, is without a doubt capable of decorating any home oasis, becoming its highlight. This is what largely determines the popularity of this exotic plant and the countless number of people who want to grow a stone-like flower at home.
Did you know?Translated from Greek language the word “lithops” is translated as “stone-like” (“stone-like”), which truly fully conveys the essence and appearance of the plant.
How to choose the right lithops when purchasing
Before going to a specialized store for such an exotic plant, it is advisable to study what lithops are and what type they look like. This can be explained simply: taking advantage of people’s ignorance, unscrupulous sellers ordinary dwarf ones are often passed off as lithops.
When purchasing, you should carefully inspect the entire surface of the plant for any stains, traces of mold and rot, as well as mechanical damage. Even small spots and scratches can be disastrous in the future, so it is better not to buy lithops with such defects.
The degree of development of the root system also needs to be checked before purchasing. Fortunately, this is quite simple to do - you need to slightly rock the plant and assess the condition of the shoots protruding to the surface. They must be strong and extend from the leaves by at least 2-3 cm in radius (for young shoots).
You also need to lightly touch the surface of the lithops leaves. Its softened structure indicates the beginning of rotting, that is, a complete violation of the prescribed conditions of detention. It is better to avoid purchasing such “blooming stones”.
What conditions should be created for growing lithops at home?
According to reviews from experts and experienced flower growers, lithops are unpretentious, however, as for any other house plant, for “blooming living stones” it is imperative to create optimal conditions content. For this purpose, you should correctly place the pot with the plant, provide it with proper lighting and temperature regime.
Location and lighting
Most important factor home maintenance of “living stone” is its location and lighting. In the wild, lithopses grow exclusively in open, sunny areas, so at home the plant should receive enough natural light. For “flowering stones”, a place in the house that receives sunlight for three to four hours a day is best suited.
Experts recommend placing a pot of lithops to the south or west windows of the house, as close to the glass as possible (so that the sun's rays are not refracted). IN winter period, when natural light becomes significantly less, it should be compensated by installing it above “living stones” artificial lighting. Generally, lamps are best suited daylight. The height of their attachment is from 10 to 15 cm (depending on the power of the lamp and the size of the lithops).
Did you know?Modern craftsmen and lovers of this plant often practice the option of automatically creating lighting conditions. To do this, the pot with lithops is placed under a fluorescent lamp, and it, in turn, is connected to a controlled regulator– he turns on the lamp during the daytime and turns it off at night. This greatly simplifies the process home grown.
Temperature
Thanks to its nature, this exotic plant is much better tolerates dry weather than frost. Moreover, Lithops react very sensitively to a decrease in atmospheric pressure.
IN spring-summer period, when the root system of “living stones” is actively growing, the temperature of their home maintenance should vary within +20...+25 °C. In the autumn-winter period, when flowering does not occur, the pot with lithops should be kept at +12...+15 °C.
It is noteworthy that mature plant, like small seedlings, loves temperature changes, so in summer it is advisable to change the temperature from +25 °C during the day to +15 °C at night. To do this, just move the pot from the windowsill to the floor. In winter and during the rest period such procedures are not required.
Did you know? Lithops is home to the hot deserts of South Africa: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa. The climate of these regions is quite harsh and monotonous, since the complete lack of life-giving moisture is aggravated by the fact that no precipitation falls, and the heat reaches +50 °C. These are the conditions that are optimal for the growth of Lithops in the wild. However, for home growing, softer, more gentle conditions must be created.
How to care for “living stone” at home
Along with the unusual appearance of the “living stone”, many people are attracted by its unpretentiousness, as well as the fact that lithops can be productively grown at home, the care and maintenance of which is timely and sufficient. correct placement a pot with a plant and the correct “flowering stone”.
Watering
Despite the fact that lithops can easily tolerate some lack of moisture, receiving it from reserves in the leaves, excessive watering and stagnant water, as a rule, quickly lead to destruction, weakening and rotting of the roots. Therefore, the mode must be correctly determined.
So, from mid-spring to late autumn, lithops require watering every 7-10 days. It is important to pay attention to the condition of the plant - if the incoming moisture is not enough, then during the daytime the leaves will wrinkle. If such situations occur, the frequency of watering should be increased.
On particularly hot and dry days, the care of “living stones” should change: in addition to the main watering, the leaves of the lithops should be sprinkled with warm water every evening. At the moment when the plant is preparing to change leaves or form, watering is increased. Along with watering at this time, you can also add some, diluting them in water.
With the beginning of the dormant period, which occurs in winter, watering should be stopped. It is advisable to restore it only in February, and the frequency and volume of watering should be reduced. So, it is enough to moisten the soil in the pot with a sprayer once every 2-3 weeks. The frequency of watering should be increased only if the opening of the gap between the leaves of the “living stones” is delayed.
When watering, it is strongly recommended to avoid direct moisture entering the gap formed by the leaves and not leaving it on the side surfaces of the “living stones”. This can cause severe sunburn and the onset of tissue rotting.
It is noteworthy that with regular moderate watering It is permissible to generously fill the pot with the plant once every 1-2 months, simulating its natural rainy season. In general, this has a beneficial effect on the development of the root system.
It is worth understanding that it is watering that determines not only the viability of the lithops at home, but also its appearance. Thus, when there is an excess of incoming water, it accumulates in old, outdated leaves, as a result of which they do not die off, which significantly worsens general form"blooming stones"
Air humidity
Lithops, care for which at home is quite simple and straightforward, does not require special conditions regarding air humidity. This eliminates the need for additional spraying and moistening. Moreover, this exotic plant easily tolerates long stays in rooms with dry air.
The only determining factor is the freshness of the air, so regular frequent ventilation a room where there is a pot of lithops is strictly necessary.
Important! Lithops at all stages of cultivation are quite demanding in terms of regular ventilation of the room. However, along with this, you should carefully ensure that the container with the plant is not in a draft, as this can be detrimental to it.
Feeding
“Flower stones” can be fed with any of the available ones intended for cacti. However, you should not overuse them, since the root system of the plant absorbs the added components rather slowly, and an excess of them in the soil can destroy lithops. Therefore, during the process it is recommended to apply only half the dose prescribed on the package.
There is no need to fertilize unless absolutely necessary. The only exception is the situation when the plant has been growing in one place for more than two years without replanting - in this case, fertilizing will strengthen it and saturate it with minerals.
Features of care during the rest period
Lithops go through a dormant period twice during the year. The first occurs at the change of leaves, when all the life processes of the plant slow down significantly, and the main forces are spent on the growth of new leaves.
The second occurs in parallel with the shedding of buds, as the lithops rebuild and reconfigure their nutritional system. The rest period lasts, usually 2-3 weeks. At this time, the plant needs special care.
First of all, during this period, categorically prohibited feed lithops, watering should also be stopped. This is due to the fact that the slowdown in vital processes primarily affects the suction capacity of the root system.
Due to this, substances and excess water concentrate around the roots of the plant and gradually destroy them, leading lithops to death. At this time, it is most advisable to place the pot with “live stones” in a bright, dry and ventilated place, but reliably protected from drafts.
Lithops transplantation: choosing a pot and soil
Transplantation should be carried out only if the root system of the plant no longer fits into the volume of the pot and, as a result, a noticeable slowdown in the growth of lithops begins.
Before transplanting a lithops, its condition should be carefully checked, as this determines whether the plant will tolerate such manipulations. There should be no stains or plaque on it, and the color should be normal.
It is extremely important that the soil for lithops at the new planting site does not differ much in composition from the one in which it was originally sown. This is due to the plant’s poor adaptability to new conditions.
It is best to transplant “flowering stones” into pots with a large diameter but small height. For lithops, the most suitable is clay dishes. Transplantation should be carried out in whole families (a group of plants), since a single plant develops weaker and, as a rule, does not bloom.
The planting substrate for planting lithops in a new place must be multicomponent, but not contain minerals and useful material in high concentration. The best option is self-study substrate. So, to 1 part of turf humus add 1 part of peat (or clay), 1.5 parts quartz sand with coarse fraction and 2 parts fine brick chips(no more than 2 mm). The presence of limestone in the soil is unacceptable.
The bottom of the pot should be tightly laid over the entire surface with gravel to ensure the drainage of excess water and ventilation, and after replanting upper layer cover with pebbles or gravel to recreate a natural growing environment for lithops.
Did you know? In the process of home cultivation, the growth rate of the root system is deliberately slowed down, limiting the volume of the pot. In real conditions, the roots of lithops can extend from the plant at a distance of up to a meter. Therefore, by planting a flower in a larger pot, you can grow a larger plant.
Blooming "living stones"
Lithops, which bloom for the first time only in the third year after sowing or planting, usually bloom in the fall .
Moreover, initially only some specimens from the plant family bloom, and the rest gradually join this process with each subsequent year. It is noteworthy that It may not be the oldest and largest representative that blooms first families. 
“Living stones” produce a white or yellow flower of amazing beauty between the leaves. Its size can even exceed the size of the listops itself and, as a rule, reaches 3-4 cm in diameter.
Under natural growing conditions, as with optimal home maintenance, flowering lasts 10-15 days. In this case, the flower opens only at noon, and with the onset of night the petals close. It is worth noting that under the influence of the scorching sun, a flower can change its color: from white to pink and from yellow to red.
Control of possible diseases and pests
Due to various reasons, lithops (living stones) can be exposed to and. A situation often arises when the lithops has shriveled, what to do in this case? This reaction occurs due to an attack by an arachnoid. It attacks plants kept in poorly ventilated and polluted areas. Fortunately, getting rid of ticks is very easy.
To do this, prepare a mixture based on 1 part laundry soap, 0.2 parts alcohol, 0.2 parts water and 0.2 parts washing powder. The resulting pulp must be carefully applied to the leaves of the lithops and after 10-15 minutes wiped with a soft cloth. As a rule, two or three procedures are enough.
The root bug is also a lover of succulents, plant-infecting during the dormant period, when “living stones” are most vulnerable. To protect against such attacks, before the dormant period, it is recommended to treat lithops prophylactically with Dantop and Mospilan (or their analogues).
Important!As a rule, diseases and pests affect lithops when its care is not adequate. In order for the plant to gain strength, after processing it is strongly recommended to place the pot with lithops in the required conditions.
Growing Lithops from Seeds
You can grow lithops from seeds yourself at home quite simply, To do this, you just need to follow some recommendations and tips.
It is better to sow in March; the substrate for planting “living stones” should be poor in mineral composition, but include several main components: brick chips, turf or leaf soil, quartz sand, or clay. It should be dominated by sand and broken bricks, and the remaining components should be taken in equal proportions.
After preparing the substrate, it is steamed (filled with boiling water), mixed thoroughly and loosened again. When pouring into a pot, first of all, a layer is formed from fine gravel or pebbles, and only after that the substrate is placed in it.
Immediately before planting, the seeds need to be soaked in water for 6-8 hours. During this time, the seed is saturated with moisture and opens, which significantly increases germination and growth rate. Seeds should be sown wet, without drying.
Lithops, propagation of which is carried out without prior soaking planting material, usually, demonstrate lower germination.
Lithops should be sown on the surface, without sprinkling or seeds. Immediately after this, the container with the seedlings is tightly covered with glass or garden glass and placed in a warm, well-lit place, thus creating conditions close to the natural habitat of the “flowering stones”.
After this, the success of growing and developing young lithops at home depends entirely on proper care.
Temperature conditions are very important for seedlings. Thus, the temperature of +25...+30 °C, required by lithops during the day, should be replaced by a lower and softer temperature at night - +15...+18 °C. In this case, every day the container should be opened for 5-10 minutes.
It is necessary to moisten the soil with seedlings only if it is completely dry and exclusively using a sprayer, since a regular stream will “clog” the seeds, which will slow down their growth.
Seed germination and the first appearance of seedlings can be expected within 7-10 days after planting.
With the emergence of seedlings, you should increase the frequency and time of airing the pot (4-5 times a day for 10-15 minutes). At the same time, you need to make sure that the container with the sprouts is not in a draft. Greenhouse conditions For germination, “living stones” must be preserved, but the air in the greenhouse must not be overheated above +40 °C. Lithops should also be protected from direct sunlight.
When the size of the seedlings of “flowering stones” reaches 1 cm in height, the surface of the planting soil should be carefully mulched with small pebbles. At this time, it is permissible to treat the soil with a weak solution as a preventative measure to protect the plant from mold.
Despite the possible difference in the growth rates of individual lithops, with proper home care and creating the required conditions, already six months after planting the plant begins to change leaves. During this period, it is necessary to sharply reduce or completely stop watering, which can only be restored after the old leaves die off.
It is advisable to plant “flowering stones” for the first time no earlier than a year after sowing. In this case, it is very important that the composition of the soil in the new place does not differ much from the one in which the plant was originally located, and that the volume of the pot is sufficient for the growth of the root system. It is best to survive lithops in families, because in this case they develop faster and bloom better.
Important! Root system plants are extremely susceptible to various types ofmanipulationTherefore, any damage to small or large roots can be detrimental to lithops. During the process of care and replanting, it is strongly recommended to treat the roots with trepidation and accuracy.
Lithops is a stunning exotic plant that is increasingly grown at home, just like the usual ones. A large number of people who choose to grow lithops is easily explained by the originality of the plant and its appearance.
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Lithops belongs to the Aizov genus. They are distinguished by types, sizes, subspecies and colors. Plants are so similar to each other that often only specialists can determine their relationship to any subspecies.
Since “living stones” perfectly adapt to their environment, they can change their color and withstand significant temperature changes. Botanists identify about 37 varieties of lithops, but only ten of them can be grown at home.
General information
In the wild, the plants grow in the South African rocky desert. They can also be found in southwest Africa. They grow on rocky slopes or areas with clay soil. They often have a gray tint and are difficult to distinguish among the rocks where they hide from the heat.
Lithops have good survival rate. They can grow even where there are no other plants. During the daytime, they are able to withstand up to fifty degrees of heat, and at night there is a significant decrease in temperature, so they are not afraid of temperature changes.
Even a novice gardener can grow these unique “living stones”. Therefore, if you decide to get lithops, be sure to do so. They will decorate your flower collection and give it an exotic touch.
Varieties and types of lithops with photos and names
- is the most popular variety for home cultivation. It is a small species of lithops with a pair of small fleshy leaf plates with a diameter of up to 2 centimeters. The plant can have pinkish, reddish, gray and coffee shades. The upper part of the “living stone” is decorated with an elegant ornament reminiscent of a star. Large inflorescences have a delicate, pleasant aroma and white or yellow petals.
is a type of succulent named after South African biologist Juanita Aukamp. The lobes of the leaf plates reach a width of up to 3 centimeters. Lithops has a rounded upper part. The leaves have a green, brown or gray-blue tint. The upper part of the leaf blades is covered with colored spots. The gap between the lobes of the plant is deep. Large yellow inflorescences with a faint aroma appear from it.
– the leaf plates of this lithops variety reach 2 centimeters in length. They do not close completely and have a deep cleft. The succulent can have a light or gray green tint. There are also varieties of raspberry shade. The inflorescences are large, white with light aroma.
– the leaves of the plant have a diameter of up to 3 centimeters, while the succulent itself grows up to 4 centimeters. The leaf blades may be pink, brown or gray. They are decorated with elegant patterns of lines and dots. Between the lobes of the plant there is a deep cleft, from which a large, yellow inflorescence appears during flowering.
– the plant reaches up to two centimeters in height, as well as in diameter. The leaves are dull and may have an olive or brown tint with specks or streaks. From a deep crevice located between the two halves of the succulent, large yellow inflorescences appear, vaguely reminiscent of chamomile.
This name for this variety was chosen because the surface of the leaf plates has an unusual marble pattern. The plant has a gray-green tint. The leaf blades grow up to 2 centimeters wide. The inflorescences are white, large and lightly fragrant.
– in appearance resembles a real stone. The leaf blades are round in shape and brownish-brown in color with spots and dots on their surface. The trunk of the succulent reaches a height of 3 centimeters. The flowers are large, yellow, chamomile-shaped.
– the size of the plant is 2.5 centimeters. The two thick leaf blades are reddish-brown in color. The upper part of the leaf blades has many grooves and papillae. The yellow or orange variety of the flower has a diameter of 4 centimeters. With age, the succulent begins to grow, releasing side shoots.
– The diameter of the plant is 5 centimeters and the height is 3 centimeters. The color of the succulent is yellowish-brown. The upper part of the leaf plates is convex. A shallow groove runs between the lithops lobes. In September, the crop begins its flowering period and large, fragrant, white inflorescences appear on it.
– the plant reaches a height of up to 4 centimeters. The leaf blades have a diameter of up to 4 centimeters. Their shade varies from gray and brown to pink tones. The surface of the leaves has an unusual pattern of lines and dots. The crevice between the leaf plates is deep. The inflorescences are large, golden in color.
The leaf blades of this species are not the same as those of other lithops; they are separated by a deep cleft. They have a green tint with speckles gray. The surface of the leaves is beveled. The height of the plant reaches 2.5 centimeters. In September, small yellow inflorescences appear on the lithops.
– the diameter of the leaf plates reaches 3 centimeters, and its height is 2.5 centimeters. The top of the succulent is flat and has an olive tint with dark speckles. The inflorescences are white, large with a light pleasant aroma.
is a composition of lithops of several varieties. A group of succulents looks very impressive thanks to the variety of colors of the leaf plates and patterns on them.
– is a compact perennial with virtually no stem. Its leaf blades are cone-shaped, flat-topped, and green-brown, green, reddish, or whitish in color. The tops of the leaves are covered with small specks. The inflorescences are bright yellow, large and have a pleasant aroma.
– the plant reaches a height of up to 3 centimeters. Its dense leaf blades have a sandy tint with dark brown specks. The inflorescences are large, yellow with a light, pleasant aroma. The succulent blooms in September.
– half-leaf blades have a green tint with light whitish streaks. The inflorescences are large with unusual petals that have yellow edges and a white center.
The plant has fleshy leaf blades of a gray-green hue with a cleft in the middle. The surface of the leaves is covered with dark specks and thin lines. The inflorescences are large, golden in color.
– this type of succulent has leaves different sizes and up to 3 centimeters high. The top of the leaf blades is beveled and covered with large gray-green specks. The inflorescences of the plant are large, golden in color with a pleasant aroma.
- is a miniature variety of lithops. The succulent reaches a height of up to 1 centimeter. The leaf blades are similar to feldspar or quartz, among which the plant grows. During flowering, large bright yellow flowers appear between the leaf blades.
– the plant reaches a height of 4 centimeters and has dense, fleshy olive-colored leaves with mustard specks on top. The succulent blooms in September with white or yellow large inflorescences with a pleasant aroma.
- grows wild in the Namib desert. It has greenish-brown cylindrical leaves, on the upper part of which it has a convex pattern consisting of brown specks. The inflorescences are large, white or yellow.
– the plant reaches a height of up to 3 centimeters. It has whitish-gray leaf blades with an unusual brown pattern on their upper part. Large, bright yellow inflorescences appear from a small crevice between the leaves at the beginning of autumn.
Lithops care at home
Lithops are unpretentious crops, but in order for them to grow and develop, they must create the necessary microclimate. To do this, you should know where exactly you can place the pot with the plant, how it should be watered, what kind of light and temperature Lithops prefers, and many other secrets for caring for this exotic succulent.
Perhaps the most important factor in growing “living rocks” is the lighting and location of the pot. Since in the natural environment lithops grow in sunny open areas, at home they should also have enough light. For succulents, it is best to choose a location that receives light for about four hours a day.
Flower growers recommend placing pots with “living stones” on southern or western windows, closer to the glass, so that the rays are not refracted. In winter, when there is less sun, you should use a phytolamp to provide additional lighting.
Lithops do not tolerate humid air well, so they do not need to be sprayed or humidifiers placed next to them. However, the influx fresh air vital for them. Therefore, the room where the plants are located should be regularly ventilated.
Temperature conditions for live rocks
It is easier for lithops to tolerate drought than a decrease in temperature. Succulents also do not like the decrease in atmospheric pressure. In spring, summer and until mid-autumn, when the plant exhibits active growth and flowering, the temperature should be from +20 to +25. From mid-autumn to the end of winter, the temperature should be reduced to +12 +15 degrees.
Since succulents like temperature changes, comfortable temperature in summer in the daytime it should be +25, and at night +15. This is very simple to do; just remove the flower pots on the floor at night. IN winter time years when Lithops enters a period of rest, such procedures will not be necessary.
The exotic appearance of the plant and its unpretentiousness make it attractive to many gardeners. Moreover, create comfortable conditions for the growth and development of “living stones” there will be no difficulty. Therefore, if you want to acquire this interesting crop, feel free to purchase it and grow it, as it will take you a minimum of effort and time.
Aptenia is also a member of the Aizaceae family. It can be grown with care at home without much hassle if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. All necessary recommendations You can find information on growing and caring for this plant in this article.
Watering lithops
Despite the fact that lithops are drought-resistant plants, since they accumulate moisture in the leaf blades, excessive dryness of the soil can lead to the death of living stones, just like its waterlogging. For this reason, the watering regime should be strictly observed.
From mid-spring to late autumn, plants should be watered once a week. If the leaf plates begin to wrinkle during the day, it means the succulent does not have enough moisture. If this problem occurs, the frequency of watering should be increased.
During hot summer days, it is necessary to carefully monitor the soil moisture and prevent it from drying out. When changing leaf blades and laying buds, watering should be increased, adding mineral fertilizers along with them.
With the onset of the dormant period, that is, throughout the winter, the plant does not need to be watered. Watering should be resumed in mid-February, however, its regularity and volume should be reduced. It is enough to moisten the soil with a spray bottle once every two weeks.
The frequency of watering should be increased only if the crevice between the leaves does not open. When watering, you must ensure that water does not get into the crevice and on the sides of the succulent, otherwise it will lead to sunburn and rotting.
With regular moderate watering, the lithops should be flooded once a month, simulating the rainy season, which is typical for natural conditions. This regime has a beneficial effect on the development of roots.
You should also take into account the fact that watering affects the appearance of the plant. If there is a lot of moisture, then it begins to accumulate in old leaf plates that have already outlived their useful life. As a result, they will not die off and will deteriorate the overall appearance of the plant.
Soil for lithops
If you purchase substrate in a store, you should choose soil for succulents or cacti. When preparing it yourself, you need to mix leaf and turf soil in equal parts, add ½ part clay and one part coarse soil. river sand.
Drainage must be provided at the bottom of the pot, and the ground around the plant must be covered with fine expanded clay, which prevents rotting of the root system and the plant itself as a whole.
Lithops transplantation
It is necessary to replant succulents only when the roots no longer fit into the pot, as a result of which the plants stop growing. Before transplantation, it is necessary to check the condition of the “living stone”, since it determines whether it will be able to endure the procedure.
Lithops should have a uniform shade without spots. When replanting, the soil should be the same as it was before. If it is different, the plant may die, since it adapts very poorly to new conditions.
The substrate for planting succulents must consist of many components, as well as be healthy and nutritious. It is best to prepare the soil mixture yourself. For this purpose, you need to take one part of peat and turf soil, one and a half parts of river sand and two parts of small brick chips. There should be no limestone in the soil.
You need to put fine expanded clay at the bottom of the pot for drainage; it will allow the roots to breathe and prevent water from accumulating. After transplantation, the top layer of soil must be covered with small pebbles to recreate the “living stones” natural environment growth.
Lithops pots
Lithops should be planted in a pot with a large diameter and small height. It would be better if it was a clay container.
Transplantation is carried out in groups, since individual plants develop weaker and do not bloom.
Lithops fertilizer
Lithops are fed with fertilizers for cacti. However, the gardener must take into account that the abuse of fertilizers is dangerous, since “living stones” absorb them very slowly, and excess fertilizer in the soil can destroy them. For this reason, fertilizing should be applied strictly in the dose indicated on the package.
With the help of fertilizing, you can save the plant when the leaf plates begin to wither and change shape. There is no need to fertilize the plant unless necessary.
The only exception is when the succulent long time grows in one place without transplanting. In this case, feeding will give it everything it needs for growth and development.
Lithops flowering
“Living stones” begin to bloom only in the third year after sowing or planting; flowering time occurs in early autumn. First, some plants from the group bloom, and every year new succulents begin to join them.
Inflorescences appear from the crevice between the leaf blades. They are usually large, vaguely reminiscent of chamomile in appearance, have a white or yellow tint and a light, pleasant aroma. Lithops bloom for fifteen days.
The buds open in the afternoon and close at night. It should be noted that under the influence of sunlight, white lithops can turn pink, and yellow lithops can turn red.
Lithops pruning
“Living stones” do not need pruning.
However, in order to maintain decorative look plants, faded inflorescences and dead leaf blades should be removed.
Caring for lithops in winter
Lithops have a dormant period twice a year. The first begins when changing sheet plates. At this point, the plant slows down its growth and development, leaving reserves for growing new leaves.
The second occurs after flowering. At this time, the “living stones” adapt to a different nutrition system. This period lasts for a month.
During these two periods, one of which falls in late autumn and winter, lithops need to be cared for in a special way. Fertilizing and watering should be completely abandoned. This is necessary in order to relieve the load on the root system, whose suction abilities during this period are reduced to a minimum. And if you do not stop watering and fertilizing, the plant will die either from rotting roots or from an excess of fertilizer.
In order for the crop to rest properly, the pot with it must be moved to a bright, ventilated and dry room, protected from drafts.
Lithops growing from seeds at home
Lithops are propagated in most cases by seeds, but if desired, the gardener can separate the daughter shoot from the large mother plant, transplanting it immediately to a permanent place of growth.
For seed propagation, lithops are sown in March in a soil mixture consisting of brick chips, leaf soil, turf, quartz sand and clay. Most of all in the ground there should be brick chips and sand, the remaining components are taken in equal parts.
After the substrate is prepared, it is poured with boiling water, mixed and loosened. In the seeding container seed material make a drainage layer of fine expanded clay, then fill in the finished substrate.
Sowing Lithops seeds
Before planting the seeds in the ground, they should be soaked in water for 8 hours. Thanks to this, the seeds will germinate faster and grow better. They must be sown wet; drying is not necessary. If you refuse to soak, the lithops will not sprout well.
Sow the seeds on the surface of the ground without covering them with a layer of soil. After completing the procedure, the container with lithops should be covered with film and put in a warm place.
The temperature regime for seedlings during the day should be from +25 to +30, and at night from +15 to +18. Every day, the container with lithops should be ventilated for 10 minutes. The soil must be moistened using a spray bottle only when it is completely dry. Seeds begin to germinate 10 days after planting. After the sprouts appear, the plants will need to be ventilated for 15 minutes a day.
You should also avoid drafts and direct sunlight on young animals. When the height of the “living stones” reaches 1 centimeter, the surface of the earth needs to be mulched with fine expanded clay. To prevent mold from developing, the soil should be treated from time to time with a weak solution of manganese.
After six months, the plants will begin to change leaf blades. At this time, it is necessary to completely stop watering. Transplantation can be carried out after a year, planting young plants in the same soil composition in which they were sown. The pot should be large and low. It is best to transplant lithops in groups, so they will grow faster and bloom more abundantly.
Diseases and pests
As a result improper care Lithops often become victims of pests such as spider mite and root worm.
If the grower notices that lithops began to shrink , it means they were affected by spider mites. It settles on the plant if it is in a dirty or poorly ventilated area. You can get rid of the pest by treating lithops with the Aktara insecticide according to the instructions on the package.
The attack on “living stones” by root insects occurs during the dormant period, when the plants are very vulnerable. To protect the crop from this pest, it must be treated with Mospilan as a preventive measure, since Lithops infected with worms are almost impossible to save , as a result of which they simply die.
Conclusion
“Living stones” are a unique exotic crop that can easily be grown at home, adhering to a number of specific rules.
By creating an optimal microclimate for the plant, you can easily add this unusual crop to your flower collection, which will become its highlight and the gardener’s pride.
Lithops discovered in 1811 by William Burchell, a botanist from England.
This happened completely by accident. While traveling through the hot desert region of the Cape Province in southern Africa, Burchell sat down to rest on rocky ground and among the small stones on which he sat, he saw tiny plants, almost invisible against the background of the surrounding landscape.
This is how plants called lithops were discovered.
Lithops grow in entire colonies in South and West Africa, in places where there is practically no water, they can grow in the most impossible soil for plants: quartz, limestone, granite.
Or they can grow right in narrow cracks and rock chips. Lithops are constantly exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, easily tolerating temperatures up to +50 degrees.
Create garden of "living stones" open ground or in a greenhouse it is impossible: capable of withstanding heat and drought, lithops die at slight drops in temperature, up to +5 degrees.
Description
Leaves
The plant has underground and above ground parts. Ground - these are two thick, fleshy leaves fused together; they contain a supply of moisture.
There is a gap between them. It may not be deep, or it may actually cut the plant in two, reaching all the way to the ground.
That's where they come from new leaves and peduncle. Every year the plant grows a young pair of leaves.
At favorable conditions a plant may have more than one pair of leaves and branch, but that rarely happens. Typically, lithops always have one pair. Often, a young lithops shares a common root with an old mother plant until it dies.
If the drought continues for a long time, then the old leaves dry out, but as soon as it rains, new ones appear in their place.
Plants are very small, stemless, their size is on average up to 5 cm in both width and height. The shape of the lithops resembles a small hoof.
Mimicry
Lithops do not differ from each other either in size or shape. But they are incomparably varied in color and pattern on the leaves, which repeats the pattern of stones or soil of the area where lithops - “living stones” - grow. Most often, the color of the leaves varies from light brown to purple and orange. This coloring saves them from animals.
The leaves are spotted at the top. Through these spots, the lithops plant absorbs sunlight when it buries itself in the ground to avoid evaporation of moisture from the leaves.
Root
The underground part of the plant "living stones" It is a short stem and a taproot, quite long, which goes far into the depths in search of water.
In severe drought, the roots can pull the entire plant into the soil.
Photo
Living stone plant:
Lithops flower:
Flower "living stones":
Bloom
Lithops blooms with chamomile-like flowers, most often white or yellow, rarely pink and orange, the flowers are usually larger than the leaves.
Flower "living stones" interesting in everything. And in the characteristics of flowering too. In young plants, the flowers close at night and open only in the afternoon, but in older plants they do not.
This is explained by the fact that young plants suffer more from the heat and close their flowers in the hottest midday sun. The first flowering occurs at the age of three years. They bloom from late August to November for about five days.
Pollination
The plant has a cross pollination method. The seed pods ripen for a long time, until spring. Then they burst and spill out onto the ground, where they germinate after a few months.
Growing
Today you can see numerous types of lithops on our window sills. In total, there are 37 species in nature, and almost all of them are now cultivated.
In nature, lithops grow in entire colonies, closely huddled together.
Lovers indoor plants They often make the mistake of buying or growing lithops from seeds and planting them in separate pots, trying to provide them with maximum comfort.
But it is precisely in such conditions that they grow poorly, do not bloom and even die.
Living stones should be grown in a low (no higher than 7 cm) wide bowl., With good drainage at least two centimeters high. The soil should consist mainly of coarse sand with a small amount of standard soil, with pebbles or pebbles covered on top of the ground.
Several lithops are planted in such a bowl at once and placed on the south window. Replant only when the plants densely fill the entire bowl.
Water them no more than twice a month. It must be borne in mind that lithopses come from the southern hemisphere, so our dormant period for them begins in the summer, the flowering period in the fall, and the growth of new leaves in the winter.
But many lithops have already adjusted at the genetic level to the rhythm of our hemisphere, and their flowering period has shifted closer to summer. Generally, Lithops care is not difficult. You just need to remember the rule, expressed in a joke: when you want to water the lithops, find out if it has rained in the desert.
Lithops are also grown to create compositions.. They create cacti from them decorative corners, imitating a desert landscape. They are used to plant tall, erect cacti and other succulents.
Useful video
You can learn more about “living stones” - lithops by watching a short video: