Not only older lithops seedlings but actually 6 years old lithops seedlings. Can you believe that? These are the guys from the so-called "pumice experiment" back in 2010 which is now my standard procedure (oh my, they are so tiny there). I was disappointed for a very long time that they didn't look like "mariae" I wanted them to be - all dotty. Instead they looked like regular lesliei. However, now, 6 years later, the proper looks are apparent. The fine dotty lines and the sandy color. I remember reading that "mariae" are the largest among lesliei but mine are rather compact.
It's always amusing to develop plants from seed. Regardless of the possibility that you know roughly what's in store you never comprehend what their development example will be or how the seedlings will turn out at last. It is significantly more enjoyable to develop something from seed that you have not developed some time recently. Of course, more often than not you are simply think about how to administer to such seedlings. What's more, you do commit errors. Be that as it may, this is all piece of the enjoyment of revelation and will enable you to comprehend the plants later.
I have had a go at developing Conophytums from seed earlier however they either didn't grow or kicked the bucket directly after. Thus I consider my most recent endeavor the real initially attempt. They experienced several leaf changes and they are as yet alive. Being one year old, they rested in the spring simply like grown-ups. In any case, they were so exceptionally little! I truly would not like to give them a chance to do that, reasoning they have to get greater first. They didn't tune in, obviously, and were simply doing their thing. I woke them up again as of late and fortunately every one of them appear to be alive underneath the sheaths. Possibly it wasn't a smart thought to wake them up a month early but on the other hand that is a piece of the experience.
L. lesliei ssp. lesliei v. mariae (C141)
Removing seed from capsules
I have discovered that there are most likely three methods for extricating seeds from dry containers. Lithops seed containers, as other Mesemb cases are hydrochastic – essentially implying that they just open when they end up plainly wet. This is a defensive seed sparing system that lone enable seeds to be uncovered and wash out amid stormy climate. At the point when the container winds up plainly dry once more, it shuts again and secures the rest of the seed until the following downpours. It is entrancing to see this out of the blue.
Learners tends to hook onto this characteristic to extricate the seed – wet the container and when it opens, select the seed onto espresso channel paper with a toothpick and permit to dry. While I will concede this has some remedial impact, it remains a horribly ease back procedure to process substantial amounts of seed.
A somewhat quicker approach is to pound the container on a sheet of paper with a strong question, and dispose of any husks. Ensure every one of the seeds have been expelled from the husk. Choose the staying ones with a toothpick.
When you get into genuine sowing, you will require a quicker approach. I have adjusted this from a trap Flip Bornman showed me. Splash the seeds for a few hours in water to diminish them. They will likewise open up and discharge seeds yet this isn't imperative for this strategy – simply ensure you recoup any seeds that were discharged amid this time.
At the point when the cases have doused for two or three hours and the husk are delicate, toss them in a 20cm profound compartment and cleave them up with a stick blender. Try not to stress – you won't harm the seeds. The seeds (in any event the practical ones) rapidly drop to base and the trash drifting can be tapped and disposed of. In the event that there is fine flotsam and jetsam that are hard to empty, everything can be poured through a kitchen sifter, gathering the seeds at the base. Ensure all seed have washed trough. Empty abundance water from the seeds. Place a napkin or cover kitchen towel up a glass, jab a mark into it and empty the seed-water blend onto it and abandon it to dry. When dry, the seeds can be painstakingly scratched up and put away.
Information about seed age.
Seeds that are not going to be utilized quickly are, as per my present seeing, best put away in the entire cases at room temperature. Seeds stay practical for up to 10 years if put away along these lines. A few producers claims debasement and lessening in feasibility once seeds are more established than 7 years. I have had great outcomes with seeds that were stockpiled up to 13 years in their cases.
In any case, seeds that are fresher (under 2-5 month old) regularly sprout whimsically or gradually contrasted with more seasoned seeds that were sown in the meantime. I have had seeds that stayed lethargic for 3 months before they all of a sudden began to grow. I don't know whether this is same system that frequently influences develop seeds to sprout in groups.
In a few examinations known amounts of new seeds were sown. After around two weeks 10% of seed had developed. The rest of the seeds and substrate were dried out for two weeks and saturated once more. 40% of the seed at that point developed generally rapidly.
In view of this, in the event that you get seed endeavor to set up when it was gathered and hold up 5 to a half year after reap before sowing. This takes some persistence however.
At the point when to sow Lithops
I have had great outcomes sowing Lithops at different circumstances of the year. Best germination temperatures have all the earmarks of being around 20 – 28 ⁰C. I have effectively developed Lithops inside amid South-African Winter months and move them out to defensive territories in August. Else I like to sow in August and September to get a head begin before the warmth of summer sets in. When temperatures begin to drop again as pre-winter approaches, I will begin sowing once more, even up to April. This offers some an opportunity to set up seedlings and to some degree solidify them off before temperatures drop too low here. All things considered, I have as of late effectively developed somewhere in the range of 50 pots that were sown in January amid seven days in length spell of stormy climate.
Best germination comes about have a tendency to agree with blustery climate and somewhat cooler temperatures. Probably the high moistness related with blustery climate bolsters enhanced germination. Actually, it isn't remarkable for seed to abruptly grow en mass in built up pots that have been sown months (and in some cases years) prior when climatic conditions change. I don't think all the physiological components controlling Mesemb seed germination are completely seen yet, at any rate not by my.
Funny thing is that the branches are normally lying flat on the ground, but when the seed pods are almost ripe they get pushed up and the branches suddenly lift into upright position, just for a day or so. I wonder what is happening there chemically that makes them do that.
