Lithops TERRICOLOR 'SPRINGBOKVAKA'

Lithops TERRICOLOR 'SPRINGBOKVAKA' - Earth-colored lithops 'Springbokvaka', Lithops terricolor.

'Living Stones' seed series.

Lithops is a unique and distinctive succulent in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae), possessing unmistakable ornamental qualities. The native habitat of the plant comprises sandy and stony deserts of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia in southern and southeastern parts of Africa.

Lithops have adapted to growing under the scorching sun on quartz, granite, or limestone soils in the harshest conditions of an arid desert climate. Despite extreme conditions, they form extensive colonies, sometimes completely submerged in sand or gravel. Possessing the ability to mimic their surrounding environment, lithops use the coloration of their leaf surface to imitate the stony soil of their native habitat to avoid being eaten by animals.

The above-ground part of a lithops consists of a pair of dense, fleshy leaves fused together, sitting on a short thick stem that is sometimes entirely absent, with the leaves attaching directly to the root. The leaves are separated by a fissure, at the base of which are meristem cells that form new leaves and peduncles. The fissure can reach the stem or be quite shallow. Size, shape, and coloration of the plant vary depending on the species. Width and height range from 1.5 to 5 cm (0.6 to 2.0 in), and the shape may resemble an inverted cone or cylinder. In the upper part, greenish-gray, beige, or mauve leaves have translucent leaf windows covered with spots or patterns, through which photosynthesis and gas exchange take place. The root system significantly exceeds the size of the plant itself, penetrating deeply into the soil; during drought, through a specialized contractile mechanism, it is capable of pulling the plant completely into the ground, leaving only the leaf windows on the surface.

Every year, leaf renewal takes place. At the base of the old pair of leaves, a new one originates, growing by consuming the nutrients of the old pair. The fissure of the new leaf pair is always perpendicular to that of the old one. Occasionally, instead of a single new pair, two appear, united by a shared root system, resulting in a single pair expanding into an entire clump over several years. Under indoor conditions, a lithops can live for 15-20 years; however, in a British botanical garden there is a clump that is already over a century old.

From August to October, buds begin to appear in the fissures between the leaves. Lithops flowers are comparable in size to the plant itself and outwardly resemble daisies of white, yellow, orange, or pink color. Between 1 and 3 flowers measuring 2.5-5 cm (1.0-2.0 in) in diameter with a faint pleasant fragrance may appear from a single fissure. In young plants, to conserve moisture, the flowers open in the middle of the day and close at night, a habit that ceases with maturity. Due to this characteristic, lithops were previously called "mesembryanthemum", which translates from Greek as "plant flowering at midday". Flowering lasts 7-12 days, after which a capsule fruit appears.

Earth-colored lithops is one of the most widespread species. This species is hardly related to any other species in the genus. The leaf pair is usually small and compact, oval when viewed from above, convex in profile. The sides are gray or brown, the top face is smooth, ranging from grayish-brown to purplish-green or warm bronze with an orange tint. Windows appear as numerous dots on the top face; shoulders are usually dark. Flowers are yellow, rarely white, appearing in early autumn.

Before sowing, seeds are soaked for 5-6 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide with added stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminosol, Epin, or Zircon). The sowing container is sterilized for 24 hours in a saturated solution, and the sowing mix is scalded with boiling water or baked in an oven. Next, seeds are sown into a shallow dish with a mixture of 1 part leaf mold and 2 parts coarse sand and perlite at intervals of 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 in), lightly pressed in, and sprinkled with a thin layer of sand no more than 1 mm (0.04 in). They are moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a mini-greenhouse or covered with film, and germinated in light, but not under direct sunlight, at a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F). Emerging seedlings require ventilation and watering. Moistening continues to be carried out with a spray bottle. Overwatering and complete desiccation of sowings must be avoided. To prevent prolonged condensation buildup, the container is aired 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes.

Seedlings emerge within 7-20 days. The maximum germination period can exceed 30 days. After the first seedlings emerge, greenhouse conditions are maintained, but the frequency and volume of moistening are reduced so that the top soil layer periodically dries out. The frequency and duration of airing are increased to 4-5 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Drafts, direct sunlight, and overheating of the air above 40 °C (104 °F) must be avoided. When seedlings reach 1 cm (0.4 in) in height and 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in) in diameter, the sowing container is opened and placed in a well-lit location, under conditions close to adult plant culture. The soil surface is mulched with coarse sand or fine pebbles. Seedlings fallen on their side are straightened to a vertical position using a toothpick and gently pressed in.

Seedlings develop slowly; the first true leaves appear only after six months. For the first year they are left in the sowing container, and after they survive their first winter, the first pricking out is performed: seedlings are planted closely at equal distances from one another into the same soil with the addition of 1 teaspoon of granular superphosphate per 3 liters (0.8 gal) of mix. The root system is carefully spread out, covered with soil and fine pebbles that prevent mold from appearing. The seedlings are covered with film for a month and regularly aired, watered less frequently than sowings, allowing the soil to dry to the bottom of the container. After one year, a second pricking out into individual pots with soil for adult plants is carried out with corresponding care.

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Growing lithops under home conditions is not a difficult task if the natural cyclic growth of the plant is taken into account. A lack of understanding of the succulent's biology leads to improper care and consequently to its demise. The unusual annual growth cycle of lithops consists of four periods, each corresponding to its own rules of care and watering: growth period, dormancy period, flowering period, renewal period. The most important factor for keeping lithops is proper watering in accordance with the periods of its life cycle.

During the dormancy period from June to August (in nature, the dry season with long daylight hours), the lithops does not grow, does not bloom, and sometimes sinks completely into the ground. At this time, being in dormancy, the plant needs no watering and utilizes the moisture accumulated during the growth period. If the leaves wrinkle, careful moistening of the top 1 cm (0.4 in) of soil is permitted. In early August, fine misting of the plant during morning hours is allowed. Under natural conditions, lithops withstand temperatures up to 50 °C (122 °F), but the optimal range during this period is 23-28 °C (73-82 °F).

During the flowering period from August to October (in nature, the rainy season with decreasing daylight hours), the lithops awakens, begins intensive growth, pushes a peduncle out of the cleft between the leaves, blooms, and begins ripening fruit, which lasts several months. From mid-August, watering is resumed and increased. The plant is watered generously but infrequently, with mandatory complete drying of the soil. Plentiful watering stimulates flowering in lithops older than 3 years. When flowering ends, watering is reduced for a smooth transition into the next period of the cycle. During this period, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of no lower than 20 °C (68 °F).

During the renewal period from October to March (in nature, the dry season with short daylight hours), after flowering ends, the lithops transitions into a state of slow growth that many mistakenly call a second dormancy. The plant continues to develop slowly, though this process is visually unnoticeable; moreover, it may seem that the plant is dying, but in fact a new pair of leaves is beginning its vegetation, forming at the growing point of the old pair. New leaves grow inside the old ones, drawing out their nutrients. Over time, the old pair wrinkles, dries up, thins out, and splits, releasing the young leaves. During this time, the plant does not need watering or misting, but requires good lighting and keeping at a temperature of 10-15 °C (50-59 °F), not below 7 °C (45 °F). Watering is stopped completely until early March.

During the growth period from March to June (in nature, the rainy season with increasing daylight hours), the new pair of succulent leaves that replaced the old one begins active vegetation. The appearance and development of new leaves begins a new life cycle for the lithops, while the dying old leaves complete the previous one. Watering is cautiously resumed and gradually increased during March, brought to a maximum by mid-April, and scaled back toward late May. The plant expands in volume by storing moisture. From early spring, an optimal temperature is around 20 °C (68 °F).

Watering must be cautious and moderate, with complete drying of the soil between waterings. Excess moisture can lead to rot of leaves and roots. Experienced growers water from the drip tray or by immersion, draining excess water after 10 minutes. For beginners, these methods are not recommended; it is better to use a fine spray bottle to moisten the soil and air, but it is very important that moisture penetrates deep into the container, as lithops have a long taproot. Water must not enter the groove between the leaves, as this can provoke rot or sunburn. Filtered or settled, soft and warm water is used. Lithops are indifferent to air humidity; misting can be used as moistening during transition stages between periods. The plant requires fresh air and regular room ventilation without drafts.

Lithops require bright sunlight throughout the year. Being under direct sunlight for 4-5 hours during the first half of the day on a south, southeast, or east window with subsequent partial shade in the afternoon will be sufficient. As an alternative, 12-hour artificial illumination with fluorescent or LED lamps situated at a distance of 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) from the plant is acceptable. West and southwest windows are less acceptable, while northern windows must not be used at all, nor should plants be placed deep inside a room. In early spring, lithops growing on a south window should be shaded for 1-2 weeks to avoid sunburn. Plants deprived of light for 4-5 days become thin, stretch out, lose color brightness, and can perish. With systematic lack of light during the summer period, the plant will not bloom. Changing the location is not recommended.

Lithops grow slowly and need repotting once every 3-5 years in spring or summer. Wide, light-colored containers 6-8 cm (2.4-3.1 in) deep are chosen for planting, with a mandatory drainage layer on the bottom about 2 cm (0.8 in). In clay pots, adding drainage is not strictly necessary. Container size is chosen slightly larger than the root system. They are planted in groups of 3-5 plants, as in solitary placement they develop much more poorly and rarely flower. The top soil layer is mulched with various decorative pebbles and gravel as a preventive measure against root collar rot.

The substrate should be stony, poor, loose, and possess neutral acidity. Due to high peat content, using ready-made cactus mixes is not recommended. A mixture of light turf soil with coarse sand or fine gravel in equal parts is used. A more complex mix can also be used, consisting of 2 parts turf soil, 1 part leaf humus, 3 parts coarse river sand, and 2 parts crushed brick. The prepared substrate must be disinfected before planting.

Lithops are capable of obtaining all necessary nutrients from water and soil; consequently, fertilizing is not mandatory. But if the plant has not been repotted for more than 2-3 years, special fertilizers for cacti and succulents at half dose can be used during watering. Fertilizer can be applied twice a year: in early May and in late August.

With proper care, lithops rarely fall ill and are rarely subject to pest attacks. During the winter period, plants can be damaged by fungus gnats, spider mites, and mealybugs. Various folk remedies exist for controlling these pests, but it is more effective to use commercial insecticidal preparations according to instructions. Lithops fall ill and perish most often from rotting of stems and roots due to excess moisture resulting from improper watering and poor drainage. In case of disease, watering must be sharply curtailed and the plant treated with fungicides against fungi.