Germinating lithops

4 years ago

I am trying to germinate lithops but the bag I am germinating them in keeps steaming up. Today I have cleared the bag 4 times from condensation and they have steamed up again. I am a total beginner and do not have a South facing window which is recommended for succulents. In the morning I have to put them in the garden so they get some light as the west window where they get light in the afternoon does not have light for 6 hours before moving them. I don't know what is best for them as like I said I am complete novice with no experience. I have had quite alot of sun beaming on them so I need help woth where to put them. And how long will it take to germinate them as I need them for christmas

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Comments (5)

elucas101
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Lithops usually germinate pretty quickly, how long ago did you plant and where are you, what are your temperatures and growing conditions like?
Polypompholyx
4 years ago
I've never germinated Lithops but I have germinated plenty of other things. Why are you concerned about the condensation in the bag? It won't stop anything from germinating as far as I know. However, too much sun can make the temperature in a bag or sealed container too high, basically cooking the seeds.
Josie thanked Polypompholyx
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The most important factor for getting good germination with Lithops, in my experience, is making sure it is done the right time of year and that the mix stays moist while maintaining good air circulation. The best time of year by far is late summer/ early fall. Sowing in the spring or early summer results in quick germination but poor growth and easy casualties during heat waves. I would encourage you to wait until September to avoid disappointment. Sowing in the winter or early spring results in seedlings often not being large enough to withstand the summer dormant period (depending on species). The moisture/ air issue is a simple one to address. I keep my pots standing in a small amount of water so the mix stays constantly moist, while at the same time I make sure the top of the pot is not covered and I place a small fan nearby to keep the air moving. Most any soil mix will do, but something like "Al's Mix" has the advantage of keeping the seedlings in it longer if need be, and also a gritty mix makes it easier to pull out seedlings for transplanting. x
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I've never had success with lithops, but after a lot of reading and figuring out what I did wrong, I planted about 20 seeds. It was over a month ago (late, I know). Nothing happened. Not even ONE of them! I think I was so worried about too much water, I didn't keep them moist enough. There was condensation on the cover, but perhaps not enough in the soil. It also gets about 45 minutes of direct sun where it's sitting, and I thought maybe that did it. About two weeks ago, I just threw caution to the wind and watered the little pot thoroughly, then went on vacation. Lo and behold, there are three or four little green specks! I'm still not 100% convinced they are actual plants, but we'll see!
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s g
4 years ago
Open the bag little to allow air circulation. Have the pot standing in a saucer with a little water to keep the pot moist. Lithops are very prone to damping off which is what your conditions are encouraging with the closed bag. Once germinated, I remove any enclosure around the pot and mist daily.
Josie thanked s g
Josie
Original Author
4 years ago
I planted them 2 days ago now and the pots are biodegradable so they are turning very squishy and drenched. Yesterday I think it was about 20 degrees centigrade but now it is very cloudy and colcold so they are still inside but now for some reason the big pot has water which is brown.
stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I've never grown Lithops from seed, but have grown lots of other stuff - cactus, Hoodia, Edithcolea, Pachypodium, Adenium, and others. I always enclose mine in bags or clear plastic boxes at least until they germinate. In the case of cactus a lot longer. I don't worry about the condensation; you don't want them to dry out at that stage.

Don't put pots enclosed in bags/boxes in direct sun or they'll cook. Indirect light, filtered sun, or under lights is good.

Edited to say... if Lithops are very prone to damping off (as s g says) give them a bit of air circulation. You just want to make sure to keep the potting medium damp until they germinate.
Josie thanked stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a

Germinating lithops

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elucas101

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Germinating lithops

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elucas101

Polypompholyx

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s g

JosieOriginal Author

stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a

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