Reasons for and Solutions to Leggy Growth in Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
1. Pinching
Reason: Pinching allows the plant to branch and prevents the main stem from growing too long.
How to do it: Pinch early, one month after the cutting has taken root, when its growing branches are 4-6cm long.
2. Topping
Reason: Nutrients are supplied to the top first, and if left untreated, this will cause the plant to grow leggy.
How to do it: Wait until the plant grows to about 10cm, keep 3-5 pairs of leaves, remove the buds at the top, and then regrow.
3. Thinning
Reason: Too many side branches disperse the nutrients, which causes leggy growth.
How to do it: Cut off the more clustered and weak branches, and keep the strong and inner branches, so that the flowering branches stay compact and leggy growth is avoided.
4. Note
To keep the growth shape controllable, you can take cuttings once every 2-3 years. Stop pinching and topping one month before the buds first appear.