How to Propagate Kalanchoe: Three Cutting Methods and Care Tips
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a type of succulent that is not only very easy to grow, but also propagates very quickly. But recently many gardening enthusiasts have complained that kalanchoe cuttings have too low a survival rate, basically turning black or rotting. In fact, the editor believes the main reason is not having mastered the correct cutting technique. Below, the editor introduces several cutting techniques to guarantee a 100 percent survival rate!
How to Propagate Kalanchoe (Three Cutting Methods)
1. Kalanchoe terminal bud cuttings:
1. Cut off the terminal bud of a kalanchoe branch, making sure each terminal bud has four leaves and is growing robustly with no pests or diseases.
2. For the soil mix, you can use nutrient soil : coir brick soil : perlite mixed in a 5:3:2 ratio.
3. Place the cut terminal buds in a cool, ventilated place to let the wounds dry, then insert them into a flower pot, water thoroughly, and place them in a spot with indirect light for care.
4. During the kalanchoe's sprouting period, watering must be controlled, because the kalanchoe has fleshy stems with a good water-retention capacity, and when there is too much moisture, the stems easily rot.
2. Kalanchoe leaf cuttings:
1. Kalanchoe leaves are fleshy and contain a lot of water, so after leaving the plant they will not die quickly. At this point, if there is soil moisture, the leaf will grow new small plants, just like other succulents.
2. The leaves used for leaf cuttings should first be dried, and then you have two options: one is to insert the leaves into a growing medium, which can be vermiculite and perlite mixed in a 4:1 ratio; the other method is water propagation, first letting the leaves grow roots and then inserting them, which can improve the survival rate.
3. Kalanchoe water cuttings:
1. For gardening enthusiasts whose cuttings always rot at the stem, the editor suggests first using the water cutting method to grow roots. First cut off robust kalanchoe cuttings and place them in a ventilated place to let the wounds dry.
2. Apply a little rooting powder to the end of the cutting, then insert it into a water propagation container. Note that the leaves should not touch the water.
3. After about two weeks, the kalanchoe will grow new shoots and roots, and at this point it can be potted up.
Kalanchoe Care Tips
1. Pinching and topping. For kalanchoe, growing too tall and too long during the growth period is not conducive to dense flowering later, so pinching and topping must be done in time to produce more side branches. When it grows to five pairs of leaves, pinch out the middle three pairs and keep only two pairs, then repeat the operation when the side buds grow another five pairs, requiring about two or three pinching sessions; for branches that are too long or have too few side branches, cut off the upper part directly and keep only the bottom two pairs of leaves.
2. Fertilizing. Applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizer helps the flower buds become dense and extends the flowering period; it can be applied once every half month or once a month according to the growth situation. Appropriately applying nitrogen fertilizer during the growth period also helps growth.
3. Pest and disease control. Powdery mildew is the most common disease of kalanchoe; a dedicated fungicide can be sprayed for prevention, about once a month, and when spraying, be careful to also cover the undersides of the leaves.
Cultivating Kalanchoe Bonsai
1. Cultivation method:
When cultivating kalanchoe, you should choose to plant or repot and change the soil in spring. Use fertile sandy loam for the potting soil. The mixing ratio of leaf mold, coarse sand and rice husk charcoal is 2:2:1.
When planting, place tiles at the bottom of the pot, and mix well-rotted organic fertilizer into the growing soil as a base fertilizer. After planting, do not water immediately; wait several days before watering, to avoid root rot.
2. Cultivation management:
After potting, it grows more vigorously in a slightly moist environment. In midsummer, control watering and pay attention to ventilation.
During the growth period, fertilize once every half month; you can also use "Huizhi" 15-15-30 special fertilizer for pot flowers. Two weeks after the kalanchoe is planted, spray once with 0.2% daminozide, and spray once more when the plant height is 12 cm.
Reasons Kalanchoe Does Not Bloom
1. Unsuitable light
Light that is too strong or too weak will both affect the plant's blooming. Kalanchoe likes a sunny environment; ensuring more than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day is needed for healthy growth, but avoid strong sunlight exposure at noon in summer. If exposure is excessive the plant wilts, which also affects the plant's growth. There is another situation: if the light received by various parts of the kalanchoe is uneven, the plant becomes deformed, which also affects blooming.
Do not think that once the kalanchoe blooms everything is fine; after the kalanchoe blooms, sufficient light must also be ensured. If it is placed in a shady spot for a long time, it will cause the leaves to fall and the flower color to become dull, thereby causing the flowers to drop and wither.
2. Improper fertilizer and nutrients
Kalanchoe is a fertilizer-loving plant, and its flowering period lasts as long as 6 months, so it needs more nutrients than other flowers. If the grower is relatively lazy, then the reason the kalanchoe does not bloom can be imagined. Under conditions of fertilizer deficiency, the kalanchoe's flower bud differentiation is slow, and even if the plant has many branches, due to the lack of nutrients, it is hard to ensure that every flower head will bloom.
Kalanchoe has very high ornamental value; not only are its flowers brightly colored and eye-catching with a long flowering period, but when it is not blooming, its evergreen leaves are also very delicate and beautiful. Friends who like flowers can grow a pot at home! It is very nice for decorating a room and purifying the air!