Lapidaria

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Lapidaria belongs to the group of living stones. Unlike lithops, it has 2 - 4 pairs of leaves up to 2 centimeters long and up to 1 centimeter wide. The leaves are juicy, very fleshy, rounded-triangular in shape, with distinct edges, light green, gray and even purple. The base of the leaf blades often has a pink tint, they appear in pairs. Short peduncles are formed from the gap between the leaves, and after flowering a new pair of leaves appears, which feeds on the moisture of the old pair. Flowers are single, rarely 2-3, yellow, with many long and thin petals, similar to chamomile, up to 5 centimeters in diameter, open during the day and almost completely hide the leaves.

Height. About 10 centimeters.

Care at home

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Lapidaria propagates by seeds and leaf cuttings. The cutting site must be dried for two to three days before planting. Rooting is done in wet sand.

Containment temperature

In spring and summer, a normal room temperature of 18-25 degrees C is suitable. In winter, succulents need a cool period of rest and should be placed in a cool place - about 5-8 degrees C. The bushes tolerate short-term frosts down to - 4 degrees C. In very hot weather, lapidarias are able to stop growing.

Lighting

Provide with as much light as possible, including direct sunlight.

How to care

Sometimes it does not have a pronounced dormant period and, if warm, sunny and favorable conditions are maintained, it can grow at any time of the year.

Soil

This plant is suitable for soil with a very high sand content, well drained, with the addition of leaf humus. Tolerates soils poor in nutrients well.

Fertilizer

During the growth period, feed monthly with fertilizers for cacti and succulents in half the concentration. 

Flowering time

Summer.

Spraying

It tolerates the dry air of heated rooms well and does not require spraying. In autumn and winter the air should be especially dry.

Watering

Lapidaria are watered approximately every two weeks in spring and summer; the soil should dry out almost completely between waterings. During the dormant period, keep the soil almost dry, avoiding only wrinkling of the leaves. Bottom watering can be used by immersing the pot in room temperature water. Any excess water that appears in the tray should be drained.

Transfer

Succulents grow slowly and can remain in the same soil for many years; mature specimens can only be repotted every 3-4 years, in the spring.

Pests and diseases

Lapidaria leaves can split due to overwatering, leaving ugly scars. Also, if overwatered, especially in the cold season, the plants may rot.

Among the harmful insects on the lapidaria, you can see mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects and aphids. 

Note

Bushes can die unexpectedly even with good care.