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What to do if a Kalanchoe only grows leaves and does not bloom

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This situation can be solved through proper lighting, adjusting fertilization, and pinching off the growing tips. If the lighting is improper, make sure the light exposure stays within 4-8 hours, otherwise it will be difficult for it to bloom; if fertilization is improper, adjust the amount of fertilizer in time. Generally, nitrogen fertilizer is applied during the growing period, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is increased before the flowering period; if the branches grow leggy, pinch off the tips in time.

1. Proper lighting

Cause: It is not heat-tolerant during its flowering period. Too strong light or too long exposure may cause the plant to have lush branches and leaves but sparse flower buds and smaller flowers. If the light duration is less than 4 hours, it will also lead to poor growth due to insufficient light, especially in the vigorous growing season, when sufficient light must be ensured.

Solution: Use the short-day method, that is, keep the daily light duration at 4-8 hours. The light duration during the growing period can be longer than during the flowering period. Generally, a non-flowering plant will produce flower buds about one month after short-light treatment.

2. Adjust fertilization

Cause: Its flowering period is relatively long, and some plants can flower for as long as 6 months, so it is a fertilizer-loving plant. If the fertility is insufficient, it may have fewer flower buds and be difficult to bloom.

Solution: Ensure sufficient fertility. Generally, fertilization during the growing period is mainly nitrogen fertilizer. After flowering, nitrogen fertilizer can also be applied once, which is beneficial for post-flowering care and growth the following year. Before the flowering period, a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer or potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution can be applied to promote flower bud differentiation and full blooming. However, fertilization must not be excessive; apply thin fertilizer frequently, and try not to apply fertilizer on the leaves, which can cause leaf rot.

3. Pinching and topping

Cause: If a purchased plant is not pinched in time, apical dominance may occur, causing the branches and leaves to grow leggy and slender, with poor side branch development, so poor nutrition makes it difficult to differentiate flower buds.

Solution: For a robust plant just bought back, or a plant grown to the growing period, pinch off the tender buds at about 10 cm from the top. After a period of time, new side buds will grow, and robust plants are more likely to bloom.

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