KALANCHOE
KALANCHOES
Indoor and out door kalanchoes KAL-ən-KOH-ee, also written Kalanchöe or Kalanchoë, is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent plants in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae, mainly native to Madagascar and tropical Africa.
Kalanchoes are succulent plants often grown for their tiny, colorful flowers. The best known are Kalanchoe blossfeidiana, also known as flaming Katy, panda plant or widow’s thrill. They are popular house plants grown for their brightly coloured flowers in shades of red, magenta, yellow, orange and white.
Like many succulents, kalanchoe is a relatively hands-off species, preferring plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. In warm-weather zones (10 to 12) where it is grown outdoors, kalanchoe needs a well-drained, sandy soil; it thrives on limited water, provided it gets enough light. As an indoor plant, a cactus mix potting soil is best, and it does best with bright indirect light.
Indoors or outdoors, kalanchoe is well suited to a variety of temperatures, provided it is not touched by frost. Its bloom cycle is set in motion by a long stretch with lengthy periods of nighttime darkness in the cold seasons, you’ll be treated to bursts of colorful flowers that can last several weeks and can recur throughout most of the year, as long as you control the light exposure.
Kalanchoe plants are relatively problem-free. You may notice an issue with spider mites, mealybugs, or powdery mildew, but even those problems are rare.
Types of Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeidiana is available in several unnamed varieties featuring different shades of yellow, red, orange, pink, and white. Planted outdoors, they normally flower in the spring, but indoor plants can be coaxed into blooming nearly year-round. There are also several related species that can make good garden plants and houseplants:
- K. manginii: This species features fleshy leaves and bears large, bell-like pendant flowers. Moist air is an essential component of its prolonged flowering. Sometimes known as chandalier plant, this species is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11.
- K. porphyrocalyx: Also known as Pearl Bells, this species consists of slender, rectangular leaves and purple pendant flowers. It is hardy in zones 11 and 12.
- K. beharensis: This kalanchoe species is prized for its large, velvety leaves that are pale silvery green in color. Sometimes known as elephant ear kalanchoe, it is hardy in zones 9 to 11.
- K. pinnata: This kalanchoe species is characterized by fleshy green leaves and bears tiny plantlets along its margins. Ofen known as cathedral bells, it is hardy in zones 10 and 11.
How to Grow Kalanchoe From Seed
These slow-growing plants are usually grown from cuttings, which produces faster results, but they are relatively easy to grow from seeds. Sow seeds on the surface of a porous potting mix in early spring; do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate. Put the container in a plastic bag to increase humidity until they germinate, which takes about 10 days. After about two months, you can transplant the seedling into individual pots or plant them outdoors.
Potting and Repotting Kalanchoe
Unlike plants that prefer to be pot-bound, kalanchoe plants actually thrive best if repotted rather frequently, which encourages good drainage. For best results, repot your kalanchoe annually each fall after the plant has bloomed—doing so will encourage new growth and increase the plant’s fullness. Go up one container size each time you repot.
Make sure to use a well-draining pot; clay is a good choice, as the material is porous and will help keep the soil relatively dry.
Propagating Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is very simple to propagate, and doing so is actually beneficial to the plant’s health. As a mature kalanchoe grows, it produces offsets that can be taxing on the mother plant. Instead of allowing them to leech nutrients from the mature plant, you can propagate the offsets (or take stem cuttings) at almost any time. Here’s how:
- Cut a segment of stem several inches long from a mature plant using a sharp clean knife or clippers. If using an offset, remove it at the joint where it connects to the parent plant.
- Allow the cutting to dry out for a few days, or until the end appears to have healed shut and calloused over.
- Dip the calloused ends of the cutting in a rooting hormone once healed.
- Plant the cutting in soil comprised of the same mixture used to grow the mother plant.
- Let the newly planted cutting sit in bright indirect light, but do not water; the stem should take root within a month, at which point you can care for it as you would a mature kalanchoe plant.
Growing conditions of kalanchoe
Soil
Outdoors, a kalanchoe plant grows best in well-drained, sandy soil. Indoor plants should be potted in a blend that doesn’t retain too much moisture, like a 50 percent potting soil and 50 percent cactus mix, or 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite. To ensure proper drainage and avoid an overly moist environment, you can also plant your kalanchoe in a clay pot, which can help wick excess water from the soil.
Fertilizer
Like most flowering plants, kalanchoe benefits from fertilizer, though they are less hungry than many plants. Garden plants require little more than a single light feeding in the spring. Indoor plants should be fed with a well-balanced fertilizer blend once a month during the spring and summer months, but not during the winter. If flowering is sparse, switch to a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus.
Water
If you have a habit of occasionally forgetting to water your plants, a kalanchoe can be the perfect pick for you. This hearty plant does well with minimal water, requiring a complete saturation only every few weeks or so (and even less often during the winter months). Let the soil dry out completely in between waterings to help prevent root rot. Because the kalanchoe is a succulent, its leaves are actually capable of storing water; even if you’re a few days late watering, the plant will be just fine.
Temperature and Humidity
Your household environment is important to the kalanchoe, though it’s not as picky as other indoor houseplants. Generally, it will thrive at temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so, with the exception of protecting it from frost, you don’t have to do much to create the proper indoor environment. Kalanchoe plants are not fussy about air moisture levels.
Light
Kalanchoe plants grown indoors need a lot of light to bloom, so they should be kept in a room with an abundance of bright, natural light. However, avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves and reduce blooming.
The bloom cycle for this plant is set in motion by a period of roughly six weeks where the plant experiences at least 14 hours of darkness each day. Roughly four months after this period, the plant will begin to bloom. It is possible to keep the plant blooming almost year-round if they get this winter darkness in order to reset the bloom cycle.
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