Growing on rocks

Growing on Rocks

Teaching you all you need to know about lithophytes. James demonstrates how to grow plants on pumice stone and porous ceramics, creating plants that look like they belong in magical worlds.

Lesson Summary

• 'Litho' meaning rock, 'phytes' meaning plants.
• Lithophytes cling to the surfaces of rocks and boulders.
• African violets (Saintpaulia), Petrocosmea, Vietnamese violet (Deinostigma) are all lithophytes.
• These examples of lithophytes can quickly rot under the wrong conditions. A way to reduce this risk is to water from below. Cotton twine may be used as a wick, from the bottom of the pot to a glass of water.
• If any water sits on the top of the leaves, the plant can begin rotting very quickly, and the plant may begin to collapse.
• You can carve a hole into a pumice stone with a screwdriver, which can then be planted.

Equipment Used:

• Giant petri dish
• Pumice stone

Plants Used:

• Deinostigma tamiana
• Petrocosmea 'Keystone's Bantam'
• Bryum argenteum (Pavement moss!)

Instructions

• You can buy a pre-made pot from N1 garden centre (UK based) or online.
• Place your chosen plant into the hole in the pumice.
• Use leftover chippings to cover up any compost that's showing, so that it appears that the plant is magically growing out of a rock.
• Place your lithophyte stone in the petri dish. A position on a north-facing window, or a metre or two away from a south-facing window.
• Keep the petri dish topped up with water, and you've got a little island of tranquillity.
• You can fill some of the gaps with the moss to make it appear weathered.
• I use the moss I found in pavement cracks.
• Leucobryum glaucum moss needs a good flow of air.
• I use a glass cloche over the lithophyte stone to maintain humidity, allowing the plant to send out roots and settle in. I recommend that the stone be kept in a cloche for about two weeks. Alternatively, the cloche can be kept on top of the stone as a permanent feature.
• Top up the water reservoir every few weeks.
• This is the easiest way to grow lithophytes, but there are other alternatives.

Your Notes

Spend some time researching lithophytes and create a list of lithophytes of those your favourites.