Kalanchoe

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Because its flowering period is close to Christmas and lasts a long time, kalanchoe has become a "holiday flower" people use to create a festive atmosphere. This flower has high ornamental value, and even when it is not blooming its leaves can be enjoyed, making it an ideal indoor potted flower.

Common names of kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is commonly known as "shou xing hua" (longevity star flower) and "hao yun hua" (good luck flower), and its scientific name is also Christmas kalanchoe.

Habits of kalanchoe

Kalanchoe belongs to the genus Kalanchoe in the Crassulaceae family. Its suitable growing period is summer.

It is native to Madagascar. It likes a warm, slightly humid environment with plenty of sunlight.

It is drought-tolerant, afraid of high temperatures, tolerant of partial shade, afraid of excess moisture, and not cold-hardy. The optimum growing temperature is 15~25°C; in summer, when high temperatures exceed30°C, growth is inhibited; in winter, when temperatures fall below5°C, the leaves turn red and flowering is delayed.

Home care usually uses cuttings for propagation. Common pests and diseases include: leaf spot and scale insects.

Planting and care tips for kalanchoe

Care tips for kalanchoe

Repotting: Repot after spring each year, using a potting mix of fertile garden soil, peat and sand. The potting soil should not be too wet.

Watering: During the growing period, water 1~2times a week; in midsummer, control watering and pay attention to ventilation. If it is hot and humid, the leaves are prone to turning yellow and dropping off.

Fertilizing: During the growing period, fertilize once every half month. In autumn, when flower buds form, supplement with1~2applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

Light and temperature: Kalanchoe is a short-day plant and is relatively sensitive to photoperiod. For plants that are growing well, giving short-day treatment (8~9hoursper day) for 3~4weeks will bring out flower buds and blooming.

Propagation methods for kalanchoe

Cuttings: Doing it in5-6month or9-10month gives the best results. Choose slightly mature fleshy stems, cut5-6cm long, insert them into a sand bed, water and cover with plastic film, keep room temperature at15-20℃; after insertion they root in15-18days and can be potted in30days. Commonly use10cm pots. If there are not many seedlings, leaf cuttings can be used. Cut a healthy, plump leaf from the petiole, let the cut dry slightly, then insert it diagonally or lay it flat on a sand bed, keep it moist, and after about10-15days it can root from the base of the leaf and grow new plants.

Suggested planting combinations: Huangli (Sedum adolphi), Hongzhiyu (Sedum rubrotinctum)

Note: If the indoor temperature is too low, kalanchoe will only grow buds and delay flowering.