How to Grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana? Potted Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, also known as dwarf kalanchoe, is a perennial succulent herb with opposite, plump, juicy, easily broken leaves; terminal cymes with orange-red, yellow, red and other colored flowers. The Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant is short and compact, with a long flowering period, abundant blooms, and high ornamental value. Today, let's take a look at the cultivation methods of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana together.

Choosing a Flower Pot

For growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, the flower pot should preferably be small, well-ventilated, and loose and breathable sandy loam is ideal. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana grows best in a well-ventilated earthenware pot, but this is not attractive when placed indoors, so it can be placed inside a plastic or porcelain pot, or planted directly in a small purple clay pot or plastic pot. When growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, place a layer of crushed charcoal pieces or crushed hard plastic foam pieces at the bottom of the pot to enhance ventilation. Although it is not particularly fussy about soil, it is prone to root rot in heavy clay, and grows best in loose, breathable, fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam. For home potting, use equal parts leaf mold and garden topsoil mixed together, then add 5% to 8% sand as the growing medium. During cultivation, add a little bone meal or NPK compound fertilizer as a base fertilizer.

Water Control

Moderate water control keeps Kalanchoe blossfeldiana lush with leaves; more phosphorus and potassium makes the flowers brightly colored. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent plant with a high water content in its body, so it is relatively drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, and grows well in the dry air conditions of high-rise buildings. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly once about every 3 days after the potting soil dries, keeping it slightly moist. In summer, water less, preferably once every 5 to 7 days. For Kalanchoe blossfeldiana placed outdoors, avoid rain during the rainy season, as too much water easily causes root rot, leaf drop, and even death. With proper water control and the potting soil alternating between dry and moist, the branches will be lush and the flowers abundant. After bringing it indoors in winter, water with water close to room temperature in the afternoon, about once a week.

Reasonable Fertilization

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes fertilizer. 15 days after potting and planting young seedlings, or 15 days after dividing old plants, apply 2 to 3 times a nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to promote stem and leaf growth. After flowering, apply one nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to promote rejuvenation. At other times, except for stopping fertilization in summer, only NPK compound fertilizer should be applied. When fertilizing, do not get fertilizer on the leaves, otherwise the leaves and flowers are prone to rot. If the leaf surface is accidentally soiled, rinse it off with water. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has a long flowering period, so the rule of not fertilizing during flowering should be broken. Apply a dilute NPK fertilizer or 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once a month so that later flowers do not become smaller and paler due to lack of fertilizer.

Light Control

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes a sunny, well-lit environment. Except for slight shading in the midsummer afternoon, it should be placed in a sunny spot at all other times. It needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow healthily and vigorously.

When growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana on a building balcony, rotate the flower pot 180 degrees every 15 days so that it receives even light, avoiding a lopsided crown and reduced ornamental value. Although it can also grow in semi-shade, the stems are thin, the leaves are thin, the flowers are few and pale, and it is far less lush than in a sunny spot. If it is too shady, it will not only easily lose leaves and fail to bloom, but even a plant that has already bloomed, if placed in shade, will have duller flower color, and then the flowers will drop, turn yellow, and wither.

Suitable Temperature

The most suitable temperature for growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is 15°C to 25°C. Above 30°C, growth slows and it enters a semi-dormant state. Below 10°C, growth stops. Below 8°C, the leaves turn red and the flowering period is delayed. Below 0°C, it is prone to freezing to death. Therefore, to grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana well, you must create a small environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer. In the midsummer afternoon, avoid strong sunlight exposure and place it in semi-shade with plenty of scattered light, such as under a large tree, under the eaves, or on a north-facing balcony. Pay special attention to ventilation and cooling. You can sprinkle water on the nearby ground, but do not sprinkle it on the whole plant.

After the Start of Autumn, from late August to early September, gradually expose it to sunlight, and from October onward it should receive more sunlight to promote the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. When the minimum temperature drops to about 10°C, move it indoors and place it in front of a south- or west-facing balcony so it gets more sunlight. Keep it at 10°C at night and 15°C to 18°C during the day, and it can bloom in December.

How to Grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana sounds auspicious just from its name, and many people choose to grow it. How do you grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana? Now let's take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Cultivation Methods for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana:

1. Growing Temperature

The most suitable growing temperature for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is 15°C to 25°C. Above 30°C, growth slows and it enters a semi-dormant state. Below 10°C, growth stops. Below 8°C, the leaves turn red and the flowering period is delayed. Below 0°C, it is prone to freezing to death. Therefore, to grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana well, you must create a small environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer. At noon in midsummer, avoid strong sunlight exposure and place it in semi-shade with plenty of scattered light, such as under a large tree, under the eaves, or on a north-facing balcony. Pay special attention to ventilation and cooling. You can sprinkle water on the nearby ground, but do not sprinkle it on the plant.

2. Plenty of Sunlight

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes a sunny, well-lit environment. Except for slight shading at noon in midsummer, it should be placed in a sunny spot at all other times. It needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow robustly. On a building balcony, rotate the flower pot 180 degrees every half month so that it receives even light, avoiding a lopsided crown and reduced ornamental value. Although it can also grow in semi-shade, the stems are thin, the leaves are thin, the flowers are few and pale, and it is far less lush than in a sunny spot. If it is too shady, it will not only easily lose leaves and fail to bloom, but even a plant that has already bloomed, if placed in shade, will have duller flower color, and then the flowers will drop and wither.

3. Suitable Moisture

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent plant with a high water content in its body, so it is relatively drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, and grows well in the dry air conditions of high-rise buildings. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly once about every 3 days after the potting soil dries, keeping it slightly moist. In summer, water less, preferably once every 5 to 7 days. For Kalanchoe blossfeldiana placed outdoors, avoid rain during the rainy season, as too much water easily causes root rot, leaf drop, and even death. With proper water control and the potting soil alternating between dry and moist, the branches will be lush and the flowers abundant. After bringing it indoors in winter, water with water close to room temperature at noon, about once a week.

4. Plenty of Fertilizer

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes fertilizer. Half a month after potting and planting seedlings, or half a month after dividing old plants, apply 2 to 3 times a nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to promote stem and leaf growth. After flowering, apply one nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to promote rejuvenation. At other times, except for stopping fertilization in summer, only NPK compound fertilizer should be applied. When fertilizing, do not get fertilizer on the leaves, otherwise the leaves are prone to rot. If the leaf surface is accidentally soiled, rinse it off with water. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has a long flowering period, so the rule of not fertilizing during flowering should be broken. Apply a dilute NPK fertilizer or 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once a month so that later flowers do not become smaller and paler due to lack of fertilizer.

5. Beware of Pests and Diseases

As the environment becomes milder, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana also becomes very susceptible to pests and diseases. Pay attention to maintaining indoor ventilation to prevent pests and diseases from entering the room, and also mainly use some insecticides to prevent pest and disease infection. The main diseases seen are downy mildew and anthracnose.

6. Sandy Loam Should Be Loose

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana grows best when planted in a well-ventilated earthenware pot, but this is not attractive indoors, so it can be placed inside a plastic or porcelain pot, or planted directly in a small purple clay pot or plastic pot. When planting, place a layer of crushed charcoal pieces or crushed hard plastic foam pieces at the bottom of the pot to enhance ventilation. For a pot with an inner diameter of 10 cm to 20 cm, plant 3 to 6 plants. Although it is not particularly fussy about soil, it is prone to root rot in heavy clay, and grows best in loose, fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam. For home potting, use equal parts leaf mold and garden topsoil mixed together, then add 5% to 8% sand as the growing medium.

7. Suitable Pruning

At the early stage of vigorous growth of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, pay attention to pinching to promote branching and make the potted plant fuller; after the flowers fade, promptly cut off the spent flowers to avoid consuming nutrients and affecting the number of blooms next time.

Precautions for Growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana:

1. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes plenty of sunlight. If grown at home, it should be placed in a spot with direct sunlight all year round. However, around noon in summer, it should be properly shaded and can be moved indoors, otherwise strong light easily makes the leaves of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana turn yellow. If there is insufficient light, the branches will become weak and slender, the leaves will be thin and the plant shape unattractive, and the number of flowers will be small, the flower color will not be vivid, and a large number of leaves may even drop, losing ornamental value.

2. Although Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a perennial herbaceous plant, after more than 2 years of cultivation, the old roots may rot. To make the branches of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana more robust, it is recommended to carry out cuttings and repotting every 1-2 years. In winter care, pay attention to cold protection, with 15°C to 18°C during the day and above 10°C at night being optimal. If the temperature is too low, the leaves of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana will turn red, affecting the flowering period, causing it not to bloom normally, and further affecting holiday viewing.

How to Grow Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Every year around the Spring Festival, a large number of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana appear on the flower market. The flowers are brilliantly colored, very glossy, with especially high ornamental value, and they symbolize good fortune, so people like to buy potted plants and grow them at home. But many people do not understand the cultivation methods of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, nor do they know what to pay attention to when growing it, so the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana they bought does not live long at home before dying. What should be done?

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a green flowering plant that likes a warm, humid, and sunny environment. Normally it likes to grow in a warm environment with a temperature between 15°C and 25°C. When the temperature is above 30°C, it grows slowly, and below 10°C it stops growing. In addition, growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana requires giving it sufficient light. If there is insufficient light, the plant will become leggy, or the branches will be weak, the leaves thin and small, and the number of flowers will decrease noticeably, greatly reducing its ornamental value.

1. Light Adjustment

Light adjustment is the most important thing to pay attention to when growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes sufficient sunlight, but it cannot be placed in an environment with direct sunlight all year round. Especially after summer arrives, when the sunlight is strong, it should be properly shaded around noon, or moved indoors, otherwise too strong sunlight will make the leaves of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana turn yellow.

2. Timely Repotting

Although Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a perennial herbaceous plant, after 2 years of cultivation its old roots will rot. To make Kalanchoe blossfeldiana grow more robustly, it should be repotted every 1 to 2 years. When repotting, cut off its rotten old roots. If the plant is too large, it can also be divided, which can make Kalanchoe blossfeldiana grow more vigorously. In addition, when growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in winter, also pay attention to cold protection. The indoor temperature where Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is placed must not be lower than 10°C, otherwise its leaves will turn red and its flowering period will be affected.