Kalanchoe pruning and shaping methods for a better plant shape and more flowers

Kalanchoe is a succulent-type plant with abundant flowers and bright colors, making it highly ornamental. Generally, we grow it in pots for viewing, and as long as it is pruned and shaped well, it easily blooms abundantly, forming a large flower ball that is truly stunning. So, how do you prune and shape kalanchoe? In fact, pruning kalanchoe this way not only gives it a better plant shape but also produces more flowers.

Pruning kalanchoe is best done after flowering, because post-bloom pruning can save a large amount of nutrients and promote the sprouting and growth of new buds. And if done properly, it can even bloom a second time. Shaping and pruning usually needs to wait until after the flowering period when the plant enters dormancy, and shaping and pruning can be done throughout the entire dormant period.

After shaping and pruning are completed, the growing season arrives right on cue, and the plant easily grows thick with stems and lush leaves, making the potted plant not only more beautiful in shape but also more likely to bloom abundantly. And when shaping and pruning it, it is generally recommended to start from the seedling stage. When the kalanchoe seedling grows to a height of more than 5 cm, we can pinch or top it to promote the sprouting of side buds.

When the side buds grow into branches reaching 5-6 cm in length, we then prune the side branches. At this time, pruning is still mainly done by topping or cutting back, keeping 3-4 leaf buds on each side branch. Generally, after repeatedly topping and cutting back the potted kalanchoe in this way, the plant grows more vigorously, sprouts more new buds, and has more branches and leaves, so the plant shape naturally becomes fuller.

But during the peak growing season, be sure to properly thin out overly dense branches and leaves, especially the prominent and broad leaves, which should be removed promptly. Because overly dense and large leaves have a strong shading effect and also affect air circulation. Removing them promptly can save a large amount of nutrients and also improve the ventilation and light penetration of the potted plant, thereby reducing pests and diseases and benefiting the plant's growth even more.

And after this treatment, flower branches can grow all around the upper part of the entire plant, and the potted plant takes on a hemispherical or oval shape. When it blooms abundantly, it will certainly form a large flower ball. So, as long as we can learn to prune and shape kalanchoe, the potted plants we grow will not only have a great flowering effect but also a better plant shape, naturally giving them high ornamental value.