L i t h o p s C u l t i v a t i o n
under tropical conditions
In their natural habitats Lithops have warm or hot days but cold nights
down to freezing point and day length is short in winter and long in
summer. This is what Lithops naturally are adapted to. Here in Germany
it is similar. The main difference is that in South Africa and Namibia
where Lithops grow it is sunny most every day but here a sunny day is
an exception and winters have times of strong frost.
Although I have no experience myself growing Lithops in tropical countries
where it is hot day and night, humidity is high and day length is similar
winter and summer. I have several customers in different tropical countries
who have tried. It turns out that Lithops rather easily adapt to very
different conditions.
They do need a period of short days once a year that should last for two
months at least. This can rather easily be achieved by giving normal
daytime conditions for some hours and covering them for the rest of the
day to make it dark. For doing so start at the given 12 hours daylight
and reduce this by one hour per week until you reach 8 hours daylight.
Keep this for a few weeks and increase again by one hour per week until
you are back at normal conditions. This simulates a winter and makes
sure that there is the needed resting time. It also ensures that
flowering occurs. If you have 12 hours daylight all year round your
plants will always grow but they will not survive this for longer
than 2 – 3 years and it is unlikely that you will see flowers.
The most difficult aspect is high night temperatures. Lithops are used
to night temperatures between zero and 10°C all year round. You do not
have this at all. I know of someone who puts his Lithops into a
refrigerator during night. This works but if you hold a large collection
this of course is rather a joke than reality.
Try at least to give as much air circulation and use the coolest place
you have. Some light spray with water also makes it colder for the
plants. This however again increases air humidity and this is too high
anyway. Be creative as there is no limit for ideas. For any other
aspect of cultivation I see no difficulties.
Lithops live in arid conditions so they will need rain protection. Take
care not to increase temperatures and humidity by giving this. Just some
roof, no side glazing. Make sure soil dries out before next watering.
Shading might be necessary especially if you acquired new plants grown
under different conditions. Protect them from too much direct sunlight
until they got used to.
Sowing might be difficult as germination decreased as temperatures get
higher than 20°C. (shady place, 15°C)
A plant usually tells you what is wrong. If bodies burst it is too wet
all the time. Make it as dry as you can. If the new bodies push through
the old ones before they have dried out they grow too fast and the
dormant period is missing or too short. If no flowers occur it again
is a matter of day length.
If rotting is a frequent occurrence, do all you can to reduce humidity.
Give best possible air circulation and avoid any organic matter in your
potting mix. Any fine stone gravel will do as long as its salt-content
is not too high. Using fungicides should only be done if any improvement
of conditions fail.
There is one main advantage that you have. You don’t need any greenhouse
that needs most of your income to heat them through long dark frosty winters.
There is no reason not to try these plants and I would be very glad for
any communication on whatever experience you have made.
Uwe Beyer
Netterhöfe
Dorfstr. 10
56729 Arft
Germany
Fon: +49 2655 3614
Fax: +49 2655 941510
E-Mail: info2008@conos-paradise.com
Internet: www.conos-paradise.com
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