If you’re new to cultivating Lithops, you may not even be familiar with splitting or you may have come across this term and want to know what it is or why it happens.
Luckily, I’ve told you everything you need to know about splitting lithops so you can learn and enjoy the process.
What does dividing Lithops mean?
Splitting Lithops means you normally have 2 sheets next to each other, facing each other.
Over time, if you grow them properly, you will notice at least 2 extra leaves forming between the original 2 leaves, effectively separating or dividing the original 2.
Hence the term Lithops excision.
Usually only 2 new leaves form, but if you are lucky there may be up to 4 new leaves in the center, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom.
It’s a very cool sight to see.
These new leaves will effectively replace the old ones as the Lithops produce new leaves during the annual cycles.
So don’t worry about your Lithops shedding their original leaves, because that’s how it happens naturally.
What causes the separation of Lithops?
There are 2 main reasons Lithops will split, time and too much water.
Lithops will naturally divide when the time is right, but can also divide if there has been too much water or too much water.
Ideally though, you don’t want to over water as this could harm your Lithops as they require very little water compared to most plants and even other succulents.
The reason they can separate from overwatering is because the plant thinks it has enough resources for new growth.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing really depends on who’s growing it, I guess.
I say as long as your Lithops stay healthy, keep up the good work and keep doing what you are doing.
When does Lithops break up?
As mentioned, Lithops will split naturally as long as proper care is provided.
This usually occurs during the active growing season in the fall during the first year of growth.
If your Lithops haven’t separated in other seasons, you don’t have to worry.
Be patient and wait until the fall, when you can expect this process to begin.
How long does the process take?
Typically, your Lithops will start dividing in the first year of the grow cycle, but this isn’t always the case, as you may need to wait until the following year if you started growing before the growth cycle begins. autumn or if your care has not been successful. took place. was not on point.
Additionally, you can expect division to occur at least 6 months after the plant germinates.
In general, division can be noticed by the formation of new leaves about 2 weeks after the process begins and it can take several months for division to complete and new leaves to fully form.
conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know about Lithops Division is easy!
Please note that if you notice the leaves seem stretched but there is no new growth you should read this article as that is something else.
Other than that, keep it up and enjoy the process!