Classic popular plants now have many homes. But the real exotic is unusual flowers, which amaze with their shapes and beauty. These include lithops. The care and maintenance of these plants does not cause particular difficulties. They will perfectly decorate the interior and make it special. Lithops are called "living stones." This is due to their appearance. Their homeland is the deserts of South Africa. We will talk in this article about how to care for lithops so that they please with their beauty and impress with originality.
Appearance
What are lithops? Care and maintenance of flowers will not become burdensome even for novice lovers of exotic plants. Lithops have thick, very fleshy leaves. They are connected in pairs, separated by a deep hollow. They can be confused with stones lying nearby. Each spring, the lithops have a new pair of leaves, and the old ones dry out.
The maximum height of the plant can reach 10 centimeters. Flowering begins in September and ends in November. An inflorescence appears between the leaves. The bud opens only for a few hours in the middle of the day. Such features are due to the natural habitat of the plant. In the sultry
desert, the flowers chose the best time to show their beauty.
Lithops development
During the long daylight hours, when the driest time begins, lithops are in a calm state. In the fall, with the advent of the rainy season, they begin active growth. Within a few months, an adult plant produces a flower, and subsequently forms a fruit. In winter, the flowers go into a state of false dormancy. Outwardly, no changes are occurring. Inside the plant, new leaves begin to form.
They feed on substances from the old couple. In the spring, the skin of old leaves bursts, and a young couple takes their place. From this moment begins the active growth of young shoots. They significantly increase in volume. It may happen that in place of an old plant several pairs of new leaves form. So a flower can create a colony.
Types of lithops
Lithops (care and maintenance are discussed below) have about 30 species and 60 subspecies. They may differ in leaf shape and color of flowers. The color scheme depends on the variety. Marble lithops are distinguished by a special coloring of the leaves. It resembles a marble pattern on a gray-green background. White flowers have a pleasant delicate aroma. Leslie lithops have white or yellow flowers and brown speckled leaves. Plants with brown leaves, yellow and orange flowers are referred to as pin-shaped lithops.
Lithops (care and maintenance at home are quite possible), despite the exotic, are with green leaves and yellow flowers. This view is called split. And finally, lithops are saltos, which have gray leaves with dark spots and white flowers. External features, similarity with stones allow plants to escape from wild animals in the natural environment. They can imitate the coloring of the environment.
Seat selection
Lithops (care and maintenance require certain conditions) like warm and well-lit areas. This is due to their natural habitat. Therefore, for breeding, it is better to choose the south side of the house. It is advisable to determine the place immediately. This flower does not like change. Even a simple turn of the pot has an adverse effect on it. It is better to choose a suitable place and do not touch the plant anymore.
Choose a pot
For planting a lithops, judging by the reviews, it is better to choose a pot no less than average. This plant has a good root system, which should optimally fit in the proposed container.
Another feature that lithops have, which is easy to care for at home, is "sociability." Plants do not like to grow alone. In such conditions, they can stop blooming. Therefore, they must be planted in groups, several copies in one pot.
Priming
Each plant requires its own conditions of detention. Lithops prefer rocky soil. This is their natural habitat. Therefore, traditional soil with peat content will not be entirely appropriate. To prepare a suitable soil, you need to mix coarse sand, small pieces of brick and decayed leaves.
The last component can be collected under trees with a small amount of soil. On top of the pot we put small multi-colored pebbles. No matter how funny it may sound, but under such conditions, lithops (care and maintenance, reviews about them are described in the article) grow more amicably.
Temperature and watering
Lithops, according to gardeners, do not like sudden changes in conditions of detention. For them, a moderate temperature regime will be more comfortable. Lithops, care and maintenance in the winter of which is slightly different from other periods, love freshness. In cold weather, the temperature will be about 10-12 degrees. In the summer, it is better to keep these plants in the fresh air. No sharp temperature fluctuations should be allowed. No plant likes such stresses. Lithops do not tolerate excessive watering. This can be detrimental to the flower. Watering is necessary only as necessary. Moisture should not fall between the leaves. Excess fluid leads to rotting of the roots and death of the lithops. In the dormant period, when the plant slows down and development stops, watering is strictly prohibited.
Transfer
According to experts, these flowers do not like frequent changes of place. Therefore, transplantation should be done only in case of emergency, when the root system is no longer placed in the pot. To do this, select a larger container and provide very good drainage. Before you place the plant in a new pot, you should trim some of the roots.
This applies to old and damaged processes. However, there is no need to get involved in this process. If there are traces of salinity on the roots, they must be placed in a container with slightly acidic water. The top layer in the pot after planting must be laid with small stones. This will provide better oxygen permeability and good drainage.
Top dressing
Unlike many plants, lithops do not require additional feeding. Their natural habitat is so scarce that they are used to extreme conditions. An exception can only be the case when the lithops did not transplant for a very long time. Then you can once use special fertilizers for succulents, which include this flower. It is strictly forbidden to use top dressing during the rest period.
Breeding
Lithops (care and maintenance, photos and descriptions are presented in this article) are propagated by seeds that must be soaked before planting for at least 6 hours. Then, without drying, they are planted shallow, on the surface of the soil. Then the container is covered with a film. Creating the effect of a greenhouse. Every day you need to spray the seeds with water and arrange ventilation for 2-3 minutes. The optimum temperature for germination is no more than 30 degrees during the day and at least 15 degrees at night. Shoots will require better lighting, high humidity and fresh air.
Afterword
If you have such an exotic plant, then do not be afraid of the difficulties associated with caring for it. All actions are reduced to ensuring the desired temperature, lighting, heat and moderate humidity. With such minimal efforts, you can decorate your house with an unusual plant, which will be the envy of many gardeners.