Lithops (Living Stones), Drosera (Sundew): Propagation

**SvenLittkowski** · #1 November 2nd, 2009, 02:28 PM

Hi.

I am growing Lithops and Drosera, and intend to do my own propagation. I need to know, how I do a pollination of those plants. I have no expertise yet. I need to know, when to pollinate, how exactly that has to be done, and which tools to use. Thanks.

tinafae · #2 November 2nd, 2009, 05:18 PM

I don't know anything about propagating living stones or fertilizing flowers, but I know that drosera reproduce readily by vegetative propagation on their own. They send out little baby plants all the time, to the extent of almost being weedy.

**The Hollyberry Lady** · #3 November 2nd, 2009, 05:52 PM

I am growing living stones, and I grew them from seed. It is my understanding though that the plants will only produce flowers under certain ideal conditions.

Lithops are propagated mainly from seed. Root divisions are possible in some species. Pollination would happen naturally outdoors, and you wouldn't have to be concerned.

: )

**joclyn** · #4 November 2nd, 2009, 07:13 PM

yes, pollination would happen naturally outside and being in jamaica, you shouldn't have to worry about it.

unless you want to cross particular plants, that is. to do that, you use small paintbrushes - collect the pollen from one plant and deposit on the other.

**SvenLittkowski** · #5 November 4th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Thanks to everyone! The last answer helps at most. Any special instruction? I never did brush-pollination before. Which parts of the second blossom do I have to reach with the polles of the first blossom? An illustration of the Lithops blossom would help me probably. Thanks again.

2nd Question:

My baby lithops are tiny still, only 2 mm tall and around 3/4 millimeter wide or so. They are long, and very green. Is that appearance normal? And how fast or slow do they grow? Any photos about the grow stages of Lithops with information in which week each photo was taken? That would help me, too. :-)

Very big thanks again.

**The Hollyberry Lady** · #6 November 11th, 2009, 08:50 PM

I am growing living stones from seed, and they grow slowly. Show a pic of yours, and maybe we can determine if anything's wrong...

: )

**SvenLittkowski** · #7 November 12th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Here they are. :-)

I also would like to know which which speed they will grow, and when they will start showing off their individual features (patterns). Thanks a lot!

**SvenLittkowski** · #8 November 13th, 2009, 02:29 PM

And two more photos, one of a Lithops which looks different than the other ones.

I also would like to know which which speed they will grow, and when they will start showing off their individual features (patterns). Thanks a lot!

**The Hollyberry Lady** · #9 November 13th, 2009, 11:05 PM

It depends on how much light they get, which determines how large and developed they will become. I am not sure how long it takes for them to mature, but when you grow from seed you must be patient. Full sun helps them grow much faster.

: )

**SvenLittkowski** · #10 November 16th, 2009, 03:14 PM

More light then..? Okay, I will give a try by add plenty more light then. Thanks!

The red-white Lithops at the right photo, is this appeal normal?

**SvenLittkowski** · #11 November 19th, 2009, 11:40 AM

The red-white Lithops at the right photo (3 postings above), is this appeal normal?

**The Hollyberry Lady** · #12 November 19th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Don't know what type that is, but it appears normal...

Was it red like that, as soon as the seedling germinated - or did it become red?

: )