Lithops bromfieldii var. insularis
Lithops, commonly known as "Living Stones," are succulent plants from South Africa and Namibia. While they are primarily grown for their interesting form and color, (they indeed look like small, colorful stones), they also produce attractive flowers. Lithops are "short day" plants. They produce their flowers in the late summer through late fall, as the hours of daylight grow shorter and shorter. As September comes to a close it's the species Lithops bromfieldii, and its varieties, that are in the midst of their flowering period.
The plant shown above is actually two 4-headed plants I potted together to fill a 4 inch square (10 x 10 cm) pot and provide a more attractive display. I grew the two 4-headed plants from seed sown in 2004. My lithops spend the summer outside in full sun, but under a cover of clear plastic to control the amount of water they receive. In the winter they all come inside the house to a sunny, south facing windowsill. I've been growing lithops for quite a few years, but it is always a great thrill to watch them produce their bright, cheerful flowers in the fall.
Lovely markings. Not using a greenhouse does not seem to be any problem at all. I am not sure I would find the time to move my collection.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alain. I don't have a greenhouse, but I do have three acres (1.2 hectares) of sunny yard. In spring, after risk of frost is past, I move most of my cacti and other succulents outside. Now, as risk of autumn frost gets closer, I have to move them back inside. I call this "The Great Plant Shuffle." It does take a lot of time and work, but the extra sunlight they receive outside in summer really does make a difference in their appearance and flowering.
DeleteThe great plant shuffle must give you the chance to look closely at each plant which is nice.
DeleteYou make a good point Alain. I actually do enjoy handling and looking over one plant at a time as I shuffle them into their winter quarters. The key is beginning the shuffle early enough and avoid having to do it the evening there's a predicted freeze that night! I've done a few of those hurry up emergency shuffles and they are not as much fun. :)
DeleteLovely flowers! I have just one flower at the moment. My Lithops are in my window the whole year. ;) I don't move them to the balcony. No space left. ;)
ReplyDeleteWill you pollinate them to get seeds?
Thanks Sanny. Yes, I think most growers of indoor plants, know about "No space left." My south facing windows will all be full of plants in a few weeks as they come in from their summer outside. I'm checking them closely now for ants in the soil. Sometimes during the plants' stay outside, ants build nests in the pots, and I don't want to bring these into the house. Keeping plants inside all year has advantages, but so does giving cacti and succulents more light.
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