Living stones. Lithops - amazing plants similar to stones

Today at flower shops you can find so many plants that literally run up the eyes. And some of them are so unusual and even outlandish that they will surprise the most avid grower. Do you want to see something unusual on your windowsill? Then get "living stones"!

What it is?

"Living Stones" is high succulent plants belonging to the Aizov family, which includes about 120 species. But the most common are conophytum and lithops. The name "lithops" can literally be translated as "looking like a stone" or "resembling a stone."

And there really is such a resemblance, because the leaves of lithops are so dense, fleshy and at the same time hard that they look like stones in the photo and in life. There are no stems. Each plant has two leaves of gray, green or reddish color (some are speckled), having a diameter of about 2-3 centimeters and a height of about 1.5-5 centimeters. They are connected, and a flower (white or yellow) appears from the hollow between them during the flowering period.

Africa is considered the birthplace of lithops. And despite the fact that in wild nature they grow in extremely unfavorable and seemingly unsuitable conditions for plants, they require special care, without which they can simply die.

By the way, some confuse lithops with the so-called living stones for the aquarium. But the latter are corals, so they have nothing in common with the plants in question.

Content Features

So, how to care for lithops?

pot and soil

Not only the soil is important, but also the container in which lithops will grow. Perfect option- This is a wide and almost flat pot about 7-10 centimeters high. It is advisable to plant several specimens at once, since in the wild they grow in close quarters, and they do not like and do not tolerate loneliness.

As for the soil, you can purchase ready ground for cacti, or prepare a mixture consisting of coarse sand and ordinary soil (1: 1) or one part sand, one part pumice stone and two parts clay soil.

At the bottom of the pot, drainage must certainly be present, and solid (about 1.5-2 centimeters). Only part of the root neck should be immersed in the ground, while the leaves should remain free. It is advisable to sprinkle the surface of the soil with small pebbles.

Appropriate place

Even having decided on the choice of capacity, do not rush to rejoice, as you also need to find a suitable place. In summer, the plant needs plenty of light and dry air, so a window sill or even a balcony, moreover, located on the south side, would be an ideal place.

But in winter, the pot should be moved to a cool place, but the lighting during this period should be sufficient. If it is not enough, you can use additional lighting.

Temperature regime

Living stones are heat-loving plants. AT summer period optimal temperature will be 22-27 degrees. But during the dormant period, which lasts from January to March, the temperature should be lowered to 12-15 degrees. But still, in any case, it should not fall below 5 degrees, this will lead to the death of the plant.

Humidity

Humidity should be medium, with its increase, the plant may begin to rot. Living stones love Fresh air, so that the room must be constantly ventilated. Lithops are not at all afraid of drafts.

Watering

How to water living stones? Immediately it is worth noting that the abundance of moisture for them can be fatal. They tolerate drought much better. During the period active growth and flowering, that is, from about April to September, lithops need to be watered about once every two weeks, and not in the usual way, but through the pallet.

After about a couple of hours, it is advisable to drain the remaining moisture so that it does not stagnate (during this time, the plant will have time to get as much as required). The soil must dry completely. Avoid getting water on the leaves. Spraying is not required.

During the dormant period, watering is not required at all, at this stage the plant will use the moisture that it has managed to accumulate in the leaves. By the way, in winter the leaves can darken and wrinkle.

You should not be afraid, such changes are quite normal and natural and they only say that water is gradually being consumed, and its reserves are decreasing. Gradually, the leaves wither completely and disappear, and new ones begin to appear in their place, that is, some kind of renewal occurs.

top dressing

During the period of active growth, live stones can be fed with fertilizer for cacti, but not often: about once every three or four weeks.

Transfer

Lithops grow very slowly, so they rarely need to be transplanted, namely once every four years. When transplanting, care should be taken, as any damage to the delicate root collars can lead to death. It is advisable to carry out such a procedure before the growing season, but you can do it at other times.

When transplanting, do not touch the root collars and allow them to get wet. To separate the soil, an earthen ball must be carefully pierced and separated with a toothpick. After that, carefully shake off the neck and move the plant to a new pot. By the way, some of the roots may be removed during the procedure, but they will quickly recover, so you should not worry.

reproduction

At home, "living stones" are propagated either by seeds or by division. The second option is simpler, since the plant simply needs to be divided into two parts in such a way that roots remain on each. It is advisable to sprinkle the incision site with sulfur. Next, each part must be placed in a pot and put away for several days in a cool place. Watering at this stage is carried out according to the schedule, that is, once every two to three weeks.

At seed propagation seeds are first soaked for 5-6 hours, after which they are sown literally on the surface of the soil and covered with a film for about one to two weeks.

The container is placed in a dark, but warm enough place. When the first shoots appear, you can expose the pot to the sun, but at first only for two or three hours. When the shoots are strengthened, start growing them in the usual way, observing all the conditions of care.

Problems

Diseases occur in lithops very rarely. They can be affected by some types of pests, in which case treatment is required. It must be carried out very carefully: with a cotton pad slightly moistened with a special agent.

With an excess of moisture, the plant may begin to rot, and, unfortunately, it will be extremely difficult to save it, since the leaves are affected, and it is completely impossible to cure them. And if they fall off in other plants, then the “living stones” in this case simply die.

Take care of the plant properly so that it pleases you.

Lithops are succulent plants from the Aizov family. Lithops, formed by two fleshy leaves fused at the base, without a doubt, is able to decorate any home oasis, becoming its highlight. This is what largely determines the popularity of this exotic plant and the myriad of people who want to grow a flower that looks like a stone at home.

Did you know?Translated from the Greek language, the word "lithops" is translated as "similar to a stone" ("similar to a stone"), which really fully conveys the essence and appearance plants.

How to choose the right Lithops when buying

Before going to a specialized store for such an exotic plant, it is advisable to study what lithops are and what kind they look like. This is explained simply: taking advantage of people's ignorance, unscrupulous sellers often pass off ordinary dwarfs as lithops.

When buying, 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 foci and scratches can be fatal 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 buying. Fortunately, this is quite simple to do - you need to slightly shake the plant and assess the condition of the shoots that have come to the surface. They must be strong and move away from the leaves by at least 2-3 cm in radius (for young shoots).

It is also necessary to slightly feel the surface of the leaves of lithops. Its softened structure indicates the beginning of decay, that is, a complete violation of the prescribed conditions of detention. Buying such "blooming stones" is best avoided.

What conditions to create for growing lithops in the house

According to experts and experienced flower growers, lithops are unpretentious, however, as for any other home plant, for "blooming live stones" it is necessary to create optimal conditions content. To this end, you should correctly place the pot with the plant, provide it with proper lighting and temperature regime.

Location and lighting

The most important factor in the home maintenance of "living stone" is its location and lighting. In the wild, lithops grow exclusively in open sunny areas, so the plant should receive enough at home. natural light. For "blooming stones" the place in the house where the sun's rays fall for three to four hours a day is better suited.

Experts recommend placing a pot with lithops to the south or west windows in the house, and as close as possible to the glass (so that the sun's rays are not refracted). AT winter period when there is much less natural light, it should be compensated by installing it over "live stones" artificial lighting. As a rule, fluorescent lamps are best suited. The height of their fixation 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 automated creation of lighting conditions. To do this, a pot of lithops is placed under a fluorescent lamp, and this, in turn, is connected to a controlled regulator.- it turns on the lamp during the daytime and turns it off at night. This greatly simplifies the process home growing.

Temperature regime

Due to its nature, this exotic plant much better tolerates dry weather than frost. Moreover, lithops are very sensitive to a decrease in atmospheric pressure.

In the spring-summer period, when the root system of "living stones" is actively growing, the temperature of their home content should vary between + 20 ... + 25 ° С. In the autumn-winter period, when flowering does not occur, the pot with lithops should be kept at + 12 ... + 15 ° С.

It is noteworthy that mature plant, like small shoots, loves temperature changes, so in the summer it is advisable to change the temperature of the content from +25 ° C during the day to +15 ° C at night. To do this, it is enough to rearrange the pot from the windowsill to the floor. In winter and during the dormant period, such procedures are not required.

Did you know? Lithops are native to the hot deserts of South Africa: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa. The climate of these regions is quite harsh and monotonous, since the complete absence of life-giving moisture is aggravated by the fact that no precipitation also falls, and the heat reaches +50 °C. It is these conditions that are optimal for the growth of lithops in the wild. However, for home cultivation, milder, 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 comes down to timely and sufficient. correct placement a pot with a plant and the correct "blooming stone".

Watering

Although Lithops can easily tolerate some lack of moisture, getting it from the reserves in the leaves, excessive watering and stagnant water, as a rule, quickly lead to the destruction, weakening and decay of the roots. Therefore, the mode must be correctly defined.

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 in the daytime the leaves will wrinkle. In case of such situations, the frequency of watering should be increased.

On especially hot and dry days, the care of "living stones" should change: in addition to the main watering, every evening the leaves of lithops should be sprinkled with warm water. At the moment when the plant is preparing for a change of leaves or formation, watering is increased. Along with watering at this time, you can also make some by diluting them in water.

With the beginning of the dormant period, which occurs in the winter, watering should be stopped. It is desirable to restore it only in February, and the regularity and volume of irrigation should be reduced. So, it is enough to moisten the soil in a pot with a spray bottle 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.

During watering, it is strongly recommended to avoid direct contact with moisture in the gap formed by the leaves, and not to leave it on the side surfaces of the "living stones". This can lead to severe sunburn and the onset of tissue decay.

It is noteworthy that with regular moderate watering, it is permissible to pour a pot with a plant abundantly every 1-2 months, imitating the rainy season natural for it. In general, this favorably affects the development of the root system.

It should be understood that it is watering that determines not only the viability of lithops at home, but also its appearance. So, with an excess of incoming water, it accumulates in old, obsolete leaves, as a result of which they do not die off, which significantly worsens general form"blooming stones"

Air humidity

Lithops, home care for which is quite simple and understandable, does not require special conditions regarding air humidity. This eliminates the need for additional spraying and wetting. Moreover, this exotic plant easily tolerates a long stay in rooms with dry air.

Only the freshness of the air is decisive, therefore regular frequent airing of the room where the pot of lithops is located is strictly mandatory.

Important! Lithops at all stages of cultivation are quite demanding on regular ventilation of the room. However, along with this, care should be taken to ensure that the container with the plant is not in a draft, as this can be fatal for him.

top dressing

"Stone-flowers" can be fed with any of the available ones intended for cacti. However, they should not be abused, since the root system of the plant absorbs the introduced components rather slowly, and their excess in the soil can destroy lithops. Therefore, in the process it is recommended to make only half the dose prescribed on the package.

It is not necessary to make top dressing without urgent need. The only exception is the situation when the plant has been growing in one place for more than two years without a transplant - in this case, top dressing will strengthen it and saturate it with minerals.

Features of care during the rest period

Lithops go dormant twice during the year. The first falls on 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 one runs in parallel with the bud drop as the Lithops rearrange and reconfigure the feeding system. The period of rest continues, as a rule, 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 of vital processes primarily concerns the suction capacity of the root system.

In view of this, the substance and excess water are concentrated around the roots of the plant and gradually destroy them, leading lithops to death. It is most expedient to put at this time a pot with "living stones" in a bright, dry and ventilated place, but reliably protected from drafts.

Transplanting lithops: choosing a pot and soil

A transplant 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, you should carefully check its condition, as this determines whether the plant will tolerate such manipulations. It should be free of stains and plaque, and the color should correspond to normal.

It is extremely important that the soil for lithops at the new landing site does not differ much in composition from that in which it was originally sown. This is due to the weak adaptability of the plant to new conditions of detention.

Transplant " flowering stones» best in pots with large diameter but low height. For Lithops, earthenware is the most suitable. Transplantation should be carried out by 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 should be multicomponent, but not contain minerals and useful material in high concentration. The best option is an self-training substrate. So, for 1 part of soddy humus, 1 part of peat (or clay), 1.5 parts of quartz sand with a coarse fraction and 2 parts of fine brick chips (no more than 2 mm) are added. The presence of limestone in the soil is unacceptable.

The bottom of the pot should be tightly packed with gravel over the entire surface to ensure the outflow of excess water and ventilation, and after transplanting, the top layer should be strewn with pebbles or gravel to recreate the natural habitat for lithops.

Did you know? In the process of home growing for the root system, growth is deliberately slowed down by limiting the volume of the pot. In real conditions, the roots of lithops can move away from the plant at a distance of up to a meter. Therefore, planting a flower in larger pot, you can grow a larger plant.

Flowering "living stones"

Lithops, which bloom for the first time only in the third year after sowing or planting, usually bloom in autumn . 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 the first to bloom may not be the most adult and largest representative families.

"Live stones" release white or yellow flower amazing beauty. Its size can even exceed the size of the leafops itself and, as a rule, reaches 3-4 cm in diameter.

AT vivo growth, as well as with optimal home maintenance, flowering lasts 10-15 days. At the same time, the flower opens only by noon, and with the onset of night, the petals close. It should be noted that under the influence scorching sun the flower can change its color: from white to pink and from yellow to red.

Fight against possible diseases and pests

Lithops (living stones) due to various reasons can be exposed to and. Often a situation arises when the lithops wrinkled, what to do in this case? Such a reaction occurs as a result of a web attack. It attacks plants that are kept in poorly ventilated and polluted areas. Fortunately, getting rid of a tick is very easy.

To do this, prepare a mixture based on 1 part laundry soap, 0.2 parts of alcohol, 0.2 parts of water and 0.2 parts of washing powder. The resulting slurry must be carefully applied to the leaves of lithops and wiped with a soft cloth after 10-15 minutes. As a rule, two or three procedures are enough.

A lover of succulents is also a root scale insect that infects the plant during the dormant period, when the “living stones” are most vulnerable. To protect against such attacks, before the dormant period, lithops are recommended to be treated prophylactically with Dantop and Mospilan preparations (or their analogues).

Important!As a rule, diseases and pests affect lithops when care is not up to the required. In order for the plant to gain strength, after processing it, it is strongly recommended to place the pot with lithops in the required conditions.

Growing lithops from seeds

It is quite easy to grow lithops from seeds at home, To do this, you just need to follow some recommendations and tips.

Sowing is best done in March, the substrate for planting "live stones" should be poor in mineral composition, but include several main components: brick chips, turf or leaf ground, quartz sand, or clay. It should be dominated by sand and brick battle, and the remaining components are taken in equal proportions.

After preparing the substrate, it is steamed (poured with boiling water), mixed thoroughly and loosened again. When falling asleep in 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 should 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, the reproduction of which is carried out without pre-soaking planting material, usually, show lower germination.

Lithops should be sown on the surface, without sprinkling and not seeds. Immediately after this, the container with 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 "blooming stones".

After that, the success of growing and developing young lithops at home depends entirely on the correct care.

The temperature regime is very important for seedlings. So, the temperature of +25…+30 °С, necessary for lithops in the daytime, at night should be replaced by a lower and milder temperature - +15…+18 °С. In this case, every day the container should be opened for 5-10 minutes.

It is necessary to moisten the soil with seedlings only in case of its complete drying and exclusively with sprayer, because a normal jet will “clog” the seeds, which will slow down their growth.

Germination of seeds and the first emergence of seedlings can be expected within 7-10 days after planting.

With the emergence of seedlings, the frequency and time of airing the pot should be increased (4-5 times a day for 10-15 minutes). At the same time, you need to make sure that the container with the sprouts does not stand in a draft. Greenhouse conditions for seedlings of "living stones" it is necessary to save, but not to allow overheating of the air in the greenhouse above +40 ° C. Lithops also need to be protected from direct sunlight.

When the size of seedlings of "flowering stones" reaches 1 cm in height, the surface of the planting soil must be carefully mulched with small pebbles. At this time, it is permissible to treat the soil with a weak solution for preventionto protect the plant from mold.

Despite the possible difference in the growth rates of individual lithops, with due 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 drastically reduce or completely stop watering, which can be restored only after the death of old leaves.

It is advisable to plant "flowering stones" for the first time no earlier than a year after sowing. At the same time, it is very important that the composition of the soil in the new place does not differ much from that in which the plant was originally located, and 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. In the process of care and transplantation, it is strongly recommended to treat the roots with trepidation and accuracy.

Lithops is a stunning exotic plant that is increasingly being grown at home, like the usual ones. A large number of people who choose to grow lithops for themselves can easily be explained by the originality of the plant and its appearance.

53 times already
helped

Lithops got the intriguing name "living stones" for a reason. The natural habitat of these curious plants of the succulent family is the rocky deserts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Lithops grow on rocks and disguise themselves as rocks to avoid being eaten. The appearance of the plant is unusual: a pair of fleshy, fused leaves, about 2 cm in size. They really look like a flat stone, split in half. A peduncle emerges from the “gap”. Flowers are yellow, white, less often - orange. They are a bit like daisies. Their flowering period: July - October.

Like all desert plants, lithops have long roots that go deep into the depths, which is due to evolution: after all, they have to extract water from the depths.

During a drought, lithops "hide" in the ground, trying to save the moisture stored in the leaves.

What lithops are, photos of live stones

In nature, there are more than 40 types of lithops, but only 15 can be grown at home, and some of them are artificially bred hybrids.

So: what kind of lithops can be grown at home:

A plant with small, 2-3 cm, rounded leaves of green, brown or bluish hue with dark spots on the upper part. The "fault" between the leaves is deep. Lithops Aukamp flower is bright yellow, fluffy.

Small, about a centimeter and a half leaves, as a rule, brown with a pinkish, gray or white tint. But there are also red-green. These babies bloom large, 5 cm, yellow flowers and not too strong, they smell good.

A photo. Lithops Aucampiae (Lithops Aucampiae)

It looks like Lithops Leslie, but the color of the leaves is gray with a bluish tint, and the pattern on them resembles the veins on marble, hence the name. It blooms with the same large, but white flowers.

A photo. Marble Lithops (Lithops Marmorata)

Tall, up to 2 cm, rounded leaves of very different colors: from greenish-gray to crimson. Deep gap between leaves. The flowers are white, small, daisy-like.

Tall, rounded leaves olive color with a pattern of white strokes and specks on top. The flowers are yellow and slightly "shaggy".

A photo. Lithops Optics (Lithops Optica)

What is Litops Mix

As the name suggests, it is a mixture of either different varieties lithops, or from "living stones" and other succulents. Selected with taste, it looks very stylish, and will be a true decoration of the interior.

Growing lithops at home

Despite the outward exoticism, live pebbles do not require special care.

However, some rules are better to follow.

Lithops, like deciduous trees, "dump" the old foliage and grow a new one. Young leaves appear from the same "fault" as the peduncle, and, developing, over time completely replace the old ones, which dry out and fall off. This is the natural development cycle of lithops.

Attention! Live stones should be purchased when young leaves are just beginning to form.

In the store, the plant is sold together with a peat mixture briquette. This is unsuitable soil for lithops, whose natural environment is a quartz-granite rock, open to the hot African sun. Therefore, the peat mixture must be carefully removed, trying not to damage the roots. In young Lithops, they are very fragile.

Before planting, be sure to check for damage to the root collar.

If the plant was “overwatered” in the store, then the root must first be dried so that it does not rot.

What kind of soil will “like” living stones

For lithops, the soil is suitable as for cacti.

Even in a specialty store, there may not be a mixture "for lithops". In this case, calmly use the soil for cacti. Or make your own soil mix according to the recipe: 1/1/1/2, where 1 part is a mixture of clay and turf, 1 is leaf humus, 1 is brick fragments and 2 is coarse sand.

Watering

The homeland of "living stones" is an arid desert, so their need for water is minimal. If an absent-minded florist forgets about his pets for a couple of months, they will survive it. But from abundant watering they will quickly die.

Lithops need water mainly during the period when young leaves are formed, and even then it is enough to add it to the pan and spray the plants from time to time. In winter, when the Lithops have a “rest period” (usually from January to March), watering is not needed at all.

Attention! With the advent of the ovaries of flowers, watering is completely stopped, and when the flowers bloom, it is resumed, but very carefully. The soil should dry out between waterings.

top dressing

It is needed only if the plants have not been transplanted for more than two years. But even then they are enough twice a year ( in early spring and early autumn) feed with fertilizer for cacti. The dose indicated on the package must be halved.

Site selection and lighting

Lithops are best placed on lighted windows.

If your home has a window that looks out onto sunny side, then his window sill will be the most suitable place for lithops: as much as possible natural light as close to the glass as possible. in winter African plants will miss the sun. To help them, install a fluorescent lamp at a height of about 15 cm above the pots.

Temperature and Humidity

The desert is a place where intense heat gives way to cold. Plants are used to this, so no temperature fluctuations indoors will seem extreme to them. Unless, of course, the fantasy comes to your mind to put them on the balcony in winter. However, if the balcony is glazed and insulated, and the temperature there does not fall below + 5, then this will not be fatal either. But excess moisture is guaranteed to kill them.

Trimming "living stones" is not required.

Transfer

Lithops are transplanted every two to three years, when young leaves appear. But if you have just purchased a plant, you need to transplant it immediately, regardless of the season and the condition of the flower, for the reasons already mentioned above.

How to choose the right pot

You can plant lithops in a separate pot, no more than 10 centimeters in diameter, but deep enough (the roots of these plants do not spread along the top, but go deep into).

A pot for lithops is best to choose a deep one.

But it is better to make a lithops mix. Live pebbles are social plants and love company. In nature, they grow in colonies, like mushrooms. Lithops will feel great together with senecio repens, oscularia, jade, rebutia, echinopsis. When creating a "rock garden", be guided by the fact that other plants do not obscure the sun for Lithops.

In this case, only neighboring plants will need to be watered, and the water that seeps from the sides will be enough for the lithops.

Attention! Most often, at home, living stones die from excess moisture.

When a lithops grows alone, it is quite difficult not to "overwater" the flower. And in the "garden" he himself will take as much moisture as he needs.

There is one more important point: in the "garden", as a rule, the earth at the roots breathes, and the risk that the root system will rot is minimal.

Diseases, pests and how to deal with them

During the dormant period, lithops can be struck by a worm. It is easy to deal with it, just lightly grease the leaves with a porridge of soap, garlic and water. You can spray lithops with yarrow infusion. It is prepared as follows: 100 grams of dried and crushed plant is poured with a liter of boiling water, closed with a tight lid and infused for two days.

Growing lithops from seeds is not so difficult.

If you are seriously interested in living stones, you can make an interesting experiment: grow lithops from seeds at home.

It's not hard. When your lithops have finished blooming, harvest the fruit and carefully remove the seeds.

The capsule must be crushed and put into water. The seeds will sink, but the husk will remain. This procedure cannot be neglected, if you plant seeds with the remnants of the husk, they may rot and not sprout.

Prepared (removed from the husk) seeds are soaked for 6 hours in a growth stimulator.

A wide tray is best suited for planting. The soil mixture (1 part of peat and 2 sand-perlite) must be spilled with boiling water.

Slightly deepen the seeds (not much, in order for them to sprout, the seeds need the light of the sun) and tightly cover with polyethylene.

If everything is done correctly, then shoots will appear in 10 days.

If the sprouts are very stretched, they should be lightly sprinkled with sand.

Attention! Lithops should be planted in separate pots after they have survived their first winter.

Lithops seeds have good germination, so this interesting experience will be quite capable of even a novice florist.

Living stones are a real miracle. And with a minimum of effort on your part, they will decorate your apartment, give it personality and style and, of course, deliver many happy hours.

Hello dear readers!

Today I want to tell you about unusual indoor flowers. The name of these original plants as unusual as their appearance - living stones, lithops, or pleiospila. I suggest reading the main simple rules caring for this desert dweller.

My first and unsuccessful acquaintance took place with them last winter. I bought these stones as a curiosity that I did not have yet. Brought home and began to care for them, as for ordinary flowers. This is what ruined them. There was no computer in the house, and she could not find the rules for caring for them in magazines.

Opening

This plant was first discovered in 1811 by the English botanist Burchell while traveling through the desert region of Great Carro. One day he decided to rest and sat down next to a pile of pebbles. And looking closely, he discovered plants among these stones, which, in pattern and shape, almost completely merged with the pebbles. So they discovered ortops turbiniformis.

The word "lithops" comes from two Greek words"lithos" - stone and "opsis" - look or "stone" and "appearance", that is, outwardly similar to a stone. Now 37 species have been studied in nature. This plant grows in the rocky and sandy deserts of South Africa, Botswana and South Africa, Namibia.

Appearance

The ground part is two fused thick sheets, which are separated by a shallow gap, new leaves and a peduncle appear from it. The plant grows up to 5 cm in height and width.

The flowers are yellow, white (rarely orange), 2.5 - 3 cm in diameter, can sometimes be fragrant. Lithops blooms in August, rarely in November.

Care and transplant rules

Home specimens of living stones are grown in Holland and sold along with pots, where the plants sit in compressed soil. They cannot live in this soil for a long time, therefore, after purchase, they must be immediately transplanted.

Before transplant, like any succulents, they do not need to be watered. During this period, they need a dry regimen, so the wounds on the roots heal faster. The pot should have drainage holes and obligatory drainage (a layer of expanded clay or broken brick). The bottom of the pot should be wide surface and not very small. It is better if the pot is made of ceramic, which allows excess moisture to evaporate through the pores.

The best substrate: clay-turf land, sheet, coarse-grained sand and broken brick (1:1:2:1).

• It is necessary to release the lithops from the ground with extreme care so as not to damage the root collar and the long root stem.
• It is impossible to wet the roots during transplantation, so it is necessary to carefully release them from the soil - carefully pierce the earthen lump with a toothpick so that it becomes loose, then the peat itself crumbles from the roots.
• The root neck of living stones is not buried in the ground, but covered with small pebbles, in order to avoid its suppuration.
• All species of this plant are friendly and do not like loneliness, so they should be planted in one bowl, putting stones of different sizes between them.

Watering is carried out only during the period of growth and flowering. Water through the pan, draining the remaining water in it after a couple of hours. For irrigation, it is best to use filtered tap or rain water.

During the dormant period, watering categorically !!! contraindicated. Even one drop greatly harms the plant. Do not be alarmed: dried and wrinkled leaves are the norm, not a pathology.

Lithops love hard water, but will not tolerate getting it on the leaves.

During the winter dormancy, these pebbles need a cool air temperature, in the range of 15–17 ° C, and some even lower - 5–7 ° C. Live stones should not be placed near glass, as in summer the roots are afraid of overheating .

These are simple, more like Spartan living conditions, rules for caring for living stones. As a gift for my readers, I found a video with an amazing miracle. I'm not going to jump ahead and see for yourself. I think it deserves attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s6EslBw0QGI

Lithops are one of the most amazing representatives of the genus of succulents belonging to the Aizaceae family, the plant is also called "living stones". Find out more about what such an unusual lithops is, home care does not require it close attention and will be within the power of novice growers. Despite its exotic appearance, this succulent is very unpretentious, tolerates drought, temperature extremes and other adverse factors well.

About Lithops

The plant was first discovered in South Africa. It is also found in western African regions and in the southern latitudes of America. The succulent grows in arid deserts, on stony soils, among mountains and rocks.

Lithops is stemless and consists of a pair of fleshy smooth leaves fused at the base. The color of the leaves is very diverse and unusual. There are red, brown, purple, brown, blue, yellow and even pink lithops. This is a representative of the dwarf type of succulents and in height it does not exceed 3-4 cm.

"Living Stone" blooms annually. Its flowers are similar to chamomile, often exceeding the shoot itself in diameter.

Not many species have been cultivated; at home, the plant can live 15-18 years.

Site selection, lighting

These unusual flowers came to us from very hot and sunny countries. Lithops just need to get a lot of light, sun. The best place for them there will be a south window. The plant tolerates the sun's rays well, so you do not need to create any shading for it.

In winter, with prolonged cloudiness, the succulent may need additional intensive artificial lighting.

Air temperature

Tiny creatures from the world of flora can withstand heat even at 50°C. Of course, in such conditions the plant has a hard time, but it will be able to survive by consuming moisture from its fleshy leaves.

A comfortable temperature for lithops at home will be the range from + 20 ° C to + 30 ° C.

It is desirable that the air in the room is always fresh, not stagnant.

In winter, you can send the plant into hibernation by lowering the temperature for it to + 12-15 ° C. This will allow him to rest and gain strength by spring. But it is permissible to keep the pot warm all winter, there will be nothing terrible, just lithops, most likely, will not bloom.

Humidity

"Living Stone" tolerates dry air well. Too much high humidity(more than 70%) is dangerous for him - the base of the shoots may begin to rot.

It is not necessary to spray it, even on the hottest days. Do not keep it near moisture-loving plants.

Watering

Water this succulent very sparingly. Between irrigations, the soil should dry out by 90%.

The flower will easily survive underfilling, but overflowing is dangerous for it. Irrigate the soil all year round. In summer, water regularly (about 1 time in 10 days). By autumn, watering is halved, and completely stopped for the winter.

Irrigation water should be warm and soft, preferably purified.

Fertilizer

Top dressing begins in the spring, during the active growing season. Fertilizer is applied at intervals of 1 time in 20 days, and in the fall it is completely stopped.

Transplantation, soil selection

Young shoots are transplanted every year. Although the flower looks very small, its roots grow widely. Each time you need to increase the size of the flowerpot so that the roots are not cramped. Adult plants can be transplanted less often - once every 2-3 years.

The land is chosen typical for cacti or succulents.

At self-cooking soil must be mixed in equal parts leaf ground, soddy, add to the composition 1 part of river coarse sand and 1/2 part of clay.

Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the pot, and a little fine gravel or expanded clay should be poured onto the surface of the soil. This will prevent rotting of the shoot and roots.

reproduction

Home care for lithops also involves its reproduction.

The easiest way to propagate a succulent is to separate the daughter shoot from the mother plant. It is not even necessary to keep it in a temporary nutrient substrate, but you can immediately plant it in permanent soil. Separated shoots take root very well and quickly.

You can propagate the "living stone" and seeds.

• In early spring, they are sown in a mixture of sand and peat to a depth of 1 cm.
• The container is covered with a film or glass and placed in a warm place.
• The soil is irrigated when it dries out by 80%. Watering should be done from a spray bottle so as not to erode the top layer of the earth and not expose the seeds.

When shoots appear on the surface, the container is opened and placed in a well-lit place, observing a stable temperature regime. After a month and a half, the sprouts can be dived into separate pots.

Diseases, pests

You can notice him by the white threadlike traces that he leaves, getting out periodically. You can destroy the pest with the help of a special pesticide. Any flower shop offers poisons for most common pests.

Succulents also rarely get sick. From overflow, the plant can pick up black rot, which multiplies rapidly during humid environment. If you water a flower too often, it will die.

Features of growing lithops

This plant has one feature that everyone who decides to start it should know about. Lithops changes its skin almost every year. This occurs mainly after flowering, but sometimes before it. The flower may begin to fade suddenly, on top layer small cracks appear. There is no need to be afraid of this, he does not get sick, but is updated.

Having noticed such signs, you should stop watering until the moment when the old skin does not completely peel off. After its reset, the shoots acquire a fresh bright color and live like this until the next vegetative period.

Such an unusual lithops, the home care of which we examined, can live on your windowsill. This flower does not like to grow alone, it is better to plant several shoots in a pot at once or create compositions from different species.