Repotting Time for Lithops
Are you curious about the experience of repotting the succulent plant Lithops, specifically when to repot them? Let's find out together.
Lithops is a winter-grower, which means it grows during the cool period and dormant during the hot period. Therefore, repotting should be done at the end of the dormant season and the beginning of the growing season. Due to the vast territory of our country, the timing for repotting Lithops varies by region. In the north, repotting is done in autumn, while in the south, it should be delayed by 1 to 2 months.
When repotting Lithops, first shake off the old soil from the roots, trim the small branches with scissors, leaving 0.5 cm of the main root, and remove the dry, old, and rotting roots without damaging the fibrous roots. Let the plant dry in a well-ventilated area for 3 to 5 days until the wounds heal before potting. Place a layer of large particle planting material at the bottom of the pot, such as cinders, pumice, ceramsite, etc., to improve drainage and aeration, then add soil. Use a new mixture of potting soil, combining humus soil, vermiculite, mountain soil, fine-grained red jade soil, and a small amount of bone meal and sterilants like thiophanate-methyl (or rice husk charcoal). This substrate is loose, breathable, well-draining, nutritious, and has a coarse particle size. Fill the soil to 4/5 of the pot, and use forceps (preferably round-headed, as pointed ones can easily injure the plant and cause infection) to hold the roots and insert them into the soil, ensuring the roots are covered; for the remaining 1/5 space, you can place small stones or other particles according to your preference for both aesthetics and splash prevention. Then place the plant in a semi-shaded, well-ventilated area and do not water immediately. Only water when the old skin becomes thin and brittle due to growth and can be easily removed with forceps.
Watering should be gradual, start with a small amount near the pot edge, and water more once the soil is dry, and a few times will make it thoroughly wet. If the chosen planting material has good water permeability, you can water thoroughly at once. If using new clay or ceramic pots, soak them in water for a day to remove the fire (not necessary for plastic pots); old pots should be cleaned and sterilized. Lithops should be cared for in a well-ventilated, sunny location all year round. Do not water too much, avoid sprinkling or watering excessively to prevent rotting.
The above [] introduces some small experiences about the repotting time for Lithops, hoping to bring you help in your life!