About the Simple Seed Propagation of Lithops and Conophytum
This article brings you some knowledge about Lithops, a type of succulent plant, focusing on the simple seed propagation of Lithops and Conophytum. Next, the editor of this site will introduce these methods to you.
I am passionate about cacti and succulent plants, constantly exploring and researching during the planting and sowing process, and summarizing some experiences. Here is the simple method of "Lithops and Conophytum seed propagation" introduced as follows:
Lithops and Conophytum are native to the arid regions of South Africa and the southwestern part of Africa, where there is abundant sunshine, winter temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius, and summer temperatures around 30 degrees. However, the ground is mostly covered with stones and gravel, with surface temperatures reaching over 50 degrees. They are summer-dormant plants. When harvesting Lithops seeds, they should be sown immediately if the climatic conditions allow, as delayed sowing can reduce germination rates.
1. Sowing Time: Spring sowing should be after mid-April, and autumn sowing should be in early October (practitioners have proven that autumn sowing is the most beneficial). Winter sowing requires increased temperatures, with the optimal sowing temperature controlled between 10-25 degrees.
2. It is best to use earthenware pots for sowing, as they are breathable and allow for better water drainage, which is beneficial for seed germination and growth. However, attention should be paid to observe and water in a timely manner. I introduce using transparent disposable cups as seedling trays, which I find more beneficial for maintaining moisture and humidity during the seedling stage, making it easier to observe the dryness of the soil, and ensuring that the seedlings get plenty of sunshine. The soil needs to remain moist and the air humidity high during the seedling stage; otherwise, the roots will shrink immediately upon dehydration and will not recover. The disadvantage is poor breathability, so more holes should be made at the bottom for drainage and to increase air circulation at the bottom of the pot.
3. Soil: The soil for sowing should be loose, breathable, and have good water retention. I use the simplest soil mixture method: 1 part Akadama soil, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part coarse sand. Generally, it is not advisable to use pure sand or soilless growing media, as the seedlings are very small after germination and will not grow well without nutrients.
Akadama Soil:
Vermiculite:
Coarse Sand:
4. The soil should be sterilized in advance. I use the most primitive method of high-temperature steaming for sterilization, which is the simplest and most economical method for general seed sowers and has an ideal disinfection effect. The steaming time should be controlled at 30 minutes, which can basically kill harmful bacteria and eggs.
5. Potting Soil: After the soil has cooled down after sterilization, the potting can be done.
Step 1: Place a sand net at the bottom of the disposable cup to prevent pests from invading from the bottom of the seedling tray and causing damage.
Step 2: Sieve the mixed soil, with the coarser soil placed at the bottom of the seedling tray, occupying about one-third of the soil layer.
Step 3: Sprinkle some "Kebaiwei" insecticide (follow the instructions) on the coarser soil to ensure that there will be no pests eating the seedlings for a period of time.
Step 4: Then spread the remaining soil, which is a mixture of fine and coarse soil, as the "total planting soil layer only needs to be 5 centimeters" and does not need to be separated again, which is beneficial for the seedlings to take root and absorb nutrients from the soil.
Step 5: Soak the seedling tray with the watering method, completely wet the soil, and wait for half an hour or an hour before preparing for sowing.
6. Sowing: The seeds can be directly sown on the seedbed without the need to sprinkle fine sand on top. The seeds of Lithops and Conophytum are very small, so they should be evenly scattered on the seedbed during sowing, or mixed with dry fine sand and scattered in the pot. I use the "folded paper and tweezer tapping sowing method," with seeds sown densely enough, and it's not recommended to sow just a few seeds in a pot. I sowed 100 seeds in this cup. After sowing, spray the surface of the pot soil with a carbendazim solution (follow the instructions) to ensure the disinfection of the side walls of the disposable cup and the seeds. If you are not skilled in this "folded paper and tweezer tapping sowing method," you can practice with fine salt, fine sand, or other small particles.
Seed:
Folded Paper:
Tapping with Tweezers on Folded Paper:
Seeds Placed in the Folded Paper:
Aiming the Folded Paper at the Seedbed:
Carbendazim Powder:
Spraying the Medication on the Seedbed:
7. Film Covering: Immediately after sowing, cover the pot with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. During the day when the temperature is high, you can open a small corner for ventilation, and cover it tightly in the afternoon to maintain the humidity of the small environment. Sowing is generally done on sunny days, and it's best not to sow during rainy weather. If continuous rainy weather occurs after sowing, germination will be delayed. After sowing, place the seedling tray in a place with scattered light, preferably outdoors, to increase the temperature difference, which is beneficial for uniform seedling emergence. Although seedlings can emerge well without sunlight, they are relatively weak and more difficult to manage later. Placing the seedling tray in direct sunlight does not seem to produce uniform seedlings, so I choose to grow seedlings in a scattered light environment, which I find ideal.
Can you see the seedlings evenly scattered on the seedbed?
Covering with Plastic Wrap, Secured with a Rubber Band:
8. Seeds generally germinate and emerge in 3-10 days. Special attention should be paid to management after germination, and do not expose the seedlings to direct sunlight too quickly. Gradually increase the light after a week, and after 10 days, you can open a corner of the plastic wrap or make several soybean-sized holes in the film to gradually increase ventilation. After a month, you can completely remove the plastic wrap, but the soil must remain moist. Gradually increasing sunlight has the following benefits: sunlight can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the air in the pot, help the natural evaporation of water to increase air content in the soil, prevent幼苗 from adapting to sudden strong light, increase the resistance of seedlings, and help the seedlings grow stronger later on.
One-week-old Conophytum seedlings:
Twelve-day-old Lithops seedlings:
9. Seedling Management: Water the soil only when the surface is dry, using the watering method to moisten the soil. Wait until the soil dries again before the next watering. Check the roots of the seedlings to see if they are exposed on the soil surface. If so, gently straighten them and sprinkle some medium to coarse sand around them. Seedlings prefer a warm, humid, and sunny but not intense environment. They need to be shaded during the summer and well-ventilated. In winter, try to expose them to more sunlight, and the soil should not be too dry. Transplanting seedlings is best done when they enter the growing season, and fertilizing should be done 2-3 months after germination. Fertilizer should be light and not too concentrated and can be applied with the watering method. Do not fertilize hastily; the soil has some nutrients, and I usually apply a light fertilizer two months after repotting.
One-year-old Lithops:
The detailed explanation of the simple seed propagation of Lithops and Conophytum (with illustrations) shared above is hoped to bring you some help in green plant management!