When to Propagate Kalanchoe? Detailed Guide to Fast Rooting Methods
Kalanchoe is a flowering ornamental plant that blooms around the Spring Festival. Because of its varied flower colors and festive appearance, it is deeply loved by flower enthusiasts and is very suitable for keeping at home or giving to friends. If you grow it yourself, you can propagate it by cuttings. So which month is best for taking kalanchoe cuttings? How do you take cuttings so they root fast?
I. Introduction to Kalanchoe:
1. What varieties of kalanchoe are there?
Kalanchoe has many varieties. By color, they are divided into white varieties, pink varieties, red varieties, purple varieties, etc., and under each color category there are further multiple varieties.
2. Is kalanchoe poisonous?
Kalanchoe is not poisonous, and its blooming period falls around Christmas, New Year's Day and the Spring Festival. Because its flower colors are rich and its ornamental effect is excellent, growing kalanchoe can beautify the environment and also add to the festive atmosphere of winter. But its gorgeous appearance often makes people think it is poisonous. In fact, kalanchoe is harmless to people and is a relatively good indoor ornamental flower for winter and spring.
II. Which month is best for taking kalanchoe cuttings?
Kalanchoe cuttings can generally be taken throughout the year, but there are two best periods in the year: March to May in spring and August to September. When propagating, try to provide it with an environment of 15-20°C. If the temperature is relatively low when taking cuttings, rooting will take a long time.
III. How do you take kalanchoe cuttings so they root fast?
1. Stem-tip cuttings
For stem-tip cuttings, first of all the soil can simply be the soil used before, or you can replace it with soil from a park or vegetable garden. The soil should not be very compact, otherwise it will not be breathable. You can add some fine sand to increase the gaps. Use a shallow pot for cuttings, and use a shallow pot for the flower pot. Cut stems stored for a few days are more likely to survive, and a stem only needs two leaves for the rooting rate to be very high. When inserting the cutting, the leaves should be left above the soil and not buried. After inserting, water thoroughly. For later watering, follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet, preferring dry over wet.
2. Stem cuttings
This method is very simple. You only need to select a slightly more mature fleshy stem, cut a 5-6 cm length of this fleshy stem, insert it into a sand bed, and then pour a little water into the flower pot. It will root in about two weeks or so, and after one month it can be used for potting.
3. Pinching cuttings
Pinching cuttings are also one of the kalanchoe propagation methods. First, we need to pinch off the growing tip of the kalanchoe, then insert the pinched-off section into the soil. As for watering, water thoroughly once the soil has dried out. Avoid direct sunlight and use scattered light for illumination. When the leaves change and become glossy, it means it has taken root.
4. Leaf cuttings
Choose a leaf from a plant with relatively good, relatively robust growth and cut it off. After cutting, place it in a cool place to let the wound air-dry, then insert it into breathable sandy soil. Give it more care and watering to ensure the plant stays moist, but not too wet, otherwise the roots will rot. Place it in a spot with ample sunlight, and it will root in one month.
5. Water cuttings
When taking the scion, let the cut end air-dry naturally for one day and one night. Fill the container about eighty percent full with cooled boiled water, then poke a hole in a sterilized foam piece, dissolve rooting powder with alcohol, dip the bottom of the cutting into the rooting powder, and then insert it into the hole. Then move the seedling box to a bright place, and it can root in about one week.
When taking kalanchoe cuttings, you can cover them with plastic film, which can play a role in keeping warm and moist, and can also promote development and rooting, greatly increasing the survival rate. Newly inserted cuttings should avoid strong light; use scattered light for illumination. Also, after successful rooting, do not fertilize. Once new axillary buds grow, they can be transplanted.
The above is the relevant introduction to the timing of kalanchoe cuttings and the rooting methods for cuttings. I hope it is helpful to everyone.