Summer Survival Tips for Lithops
For most women, knowledge about Lithops, such as summer survival tips, will be discussed together in the following content.
Many players consider surviving the summer with Lithops to be a terrifying experience, and with some新手 players following the trend, a considerable number of players believe that getting through the summer is like passing through the gates of hell. However, this is not the case. Based on a few things I've learned from playing for several years, I'd like to discuss them with everyone. Please correct me if there are any mistakes.
Here are a few points to consider:
Watering:
Watering has always been the most concerning issue for everyone. Let's first talk about home watering. Many so-called experts say that watering must be thorough, but what does "thorough" mean? Is it when the soil looks dry to the naked eye, or when a toothpick inserted into the soil is still moist?
You should know that the plant's ability to find water is beyond what these two methods can measure. Therefore, whether the soil is thoroughly dry or not is something the plant itself decides. A simple way to tell is that after a few days of the stone being plump, wrinkles start to appear, indicating that the stone is slightly short of water. This means the soil's dryness has reached an appropriate level, and the roots' absorption can no longer meet the stone's own consumption (of course, this is under the condition of healthy roots).
Let's also talk about the amount of watering. Many people say to water thoroughly, which I find quite frustrating. I especially dislike the method of immersion in home cultivation. Putting aside soil configuration, watering thoroughly or immersing the pot cannot dry out quickly. The result of not drying out is known to everyone: either death or leggy growth. Therefore, the only drawback to less watering is slower growth. The specific amount depends on different environments and soil types. I have a pot of stones indoors, 2 years old, about 1 centimeter in size, and it doesn't need watering for more than a month. It grows well without leggy growth and is very plump, indicating that stones consume very little indoors. Therefore, I personally think we should observe the stone's condition more before watering. There's no need to water when the stone is in good condition, just like with people. If you're not hungry, there's no need to force down a pound of steamed buns. The consequences will be obvious! Stones with healthy roots can quickly recover from wrinkles, within a day or two. After a couple of days, the absorbed water will be used for growth. Insufficient light will cause leggy growth. Watering should be followed by timely ventilation, and it's best to water in the evening.
Light:
Stones need long periods of consistent light, not necessarily the stronger the better. The strong ultraviolet rays of the summer sun can easily burn or kill the stones, so proper shading is an essential measure for players with good lighting conditions. I believe there's no need for shading when growing indoors, as glass can block a significant amount of ultraviolet light. Also, due to the tilt of the sun during the summer, there won't be long periods of light indoors.
Dormancy:
Many friends may think that stones go dormant in the summer and winter, but in fact, under home cultivation temperatures, stones do not go dormant. It's just that during the summer, players are afraid of rot and give very little or no water, causing the stones to grow slowly. Dormancy is a self-protective behavior. Stones can tolerate high and low temperatures much better than most people think. I water normally during the summer, and the mortality rate of stones in my care is the lowest. Generally, after each watering in the summer, the stones grow by nearly 1 millimeter.
Root Rot:
Mentioning root rot is the most frustrating thing for all players. However, I believe that what everyone calls root rot is actually the rotting of the growth point at the junction of the stem and root. The reason is well known to everyone: too much watering. But why does too much watering cause so-called root rot, and why does it always happen in the summer? I understand it this way: the surface of the stone is its outer skin, which is like a balloon with elasticity. When stones are often kept plump, this outer skin becomes very thin. During the next watering, the outer skin may expand and come into contact with sharp objects in the soil, causing an injury below the soil surface. Everyone knows that after watering, the humidity is high, and the summer temperature is also high. Under conditions of high temperature and humidity, it's a paradise for bacteria to multiply. Bacteria will invade the wound and gradually expand the erosion until it reaches the growth point. Since it's below the soil surface, it's hard for everyone to notice. By the time it's discovered, it's usually too late. Therefore, it's important to keep the stone's outer skin strong. If there are signs of bacterial erosion above the soil surface, the affected area can be cleaned and then treated with fungicide powder. Let the wound dry and then plant it.
The above are my views on surviving the summer with stones. If there are any mistakes, please point them out. In the end, I hope all players can raise healthy and beautiful stones!
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