How to cultivate Lei Tong
The editor provides everyone with some small experiences on how to cultivate the succulent plant Lei Tong. Here are the specifics:
Lei Tong is a succulent plant from the Aizoaceae family, genus Drosanthemum. It is native to the low hills and plateaus of the southern, eastern, and central parts of South Africa. Also known as刺叶露子花 (spiny dewflower), the plant is a perennial, fleshy herb. The stems are thin and have tiny thorns. The plant is highly branched, with opposite leaves that have a longer distance between them. The leaves are elliptical or ovate, highly fleshy, 1.5 cm long, green, and covered with dense white, fleshy warts on the surface. Under strong sunlight, the leaves will slightly turn red. The flowers are solitary, small, white, with a yellow center, and bloom in summer.
Lei Tong requires a sunny and cool, dry environment. It can tolerate semi-shade but is afraid of waterlogging and dislikes hot, humid conditions. It has the habit of growing in cool seasons and dormant in high summer temperatures. The plant is not picky about soil and can grow well in a mix of peat and coarse sand that maintains good drainage. From September to June of the following year is the growing period (which can vary depending on different environments). Insufficient light can cause the plant to elongate, with the distance between leaves becoming longer, making the plant look more sparse, the stems fragile and tender, the leaves stretched out, and the color turning lighter green. Plants grown in full sunlight tend to be shorter and stockier, with leaves arranged more closely together. Lei Tong grows at a moderate pace.
During the growing period, keep the soil slightly moist and avoid积水. The soil mix includes coal slag mixed with peat and a small amount of perlite, in a ratio of approximately 6:3:1, with river sand spread on the surface. Lei Tong can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°C when the potting soil is dry, which is the indoor temperature, not in the open air. Watering is almost stopped throughout the winter, and should be gradually reduced when temperatures drop below 5 degrees. When summer temperatures exceed 35°C, the plant's growth basically stops. During this time, reduce watering to prevent root rot due to overly wet soil. Increase ventilation, provide some shade, and avoid direct sunlight exposure. This is the basic care throughout the summer. It's worth noting that in summer, the plant is not completely watered, but only given a small amount of water, otherwise, the old leaves will easily dry out. Watering is done on the side of the pot, about 2-4 times a month, between 7-9 pm when the sun has already set, which will not affect the plant's roots.
When cultivating Lei Tong, avoid long-term rain to prevent root damage and yellowing and rotting of the branches. Since Lei Tong grows relatively quickly, repotting every 1-2 years is sufficient. Repotting is done in early spring before the first watering. The plant does not grow too large but has branches and can be propagated by cutting and dividing. Branch cuttings are very simple; just take a healthy old branch, let it dry, and plant it in slightly moist sandy soil. In a shaded and ventilated area, roots will generally grow in more than 20 days. Do not water too often during the cutting process, as it can easily cause stem rot. Cuttings should be done in spring and autumn.
The above are some small experiences on how to cultivate Lei Tong, hoping to provide help in your life!