Potted Kalanchoe Autumn Care Methods and Precautions

Kalanchoe blooms abundantly, with rich and vibrant flower colors, making it the perfect choice as a flowering plant for pot cultivation. This pot of kalanchoe has been grown for about a year, and after transplanting it was kept outdoors for care and management. As long as the temperature environment stays below 30°C, kalanchoe can grow normally. So, how do you care for potted kalanchoe in autumn?

Because it was frequently pinched back and pruned before, the kalanchoe has produced many side shoots, and in time it will certainly produce many flowers. But by this season, we do not recommend pruning it any further, because kalanchoe is about to enter the flower bud differentiation stage. If it is pruned again at this time, it will inevitably affect its normal blooming.

Because the flower bud differentiation stage is approaching, we should provide it with ample light at this time, and the daily light exposure should be maintained at 4-6 hours. Since kalanchoe is itself a short-day plant, providing 4-6 hours of sunlight per day during the flower bud differentiation stage is sufficient.

But watering at this time must be well controlled. Generally, when the potting soil is half dry, we can simply water it thoroughly, and it must not be left in a water-deficient state during the flower bud differentiation stage. Otherwise, once the plant sprouts flower buds they will wilt prematurely, and it may even inhibit the plant from producing flower buds.

Moreover, this stage is also when kalanchoe is growing branches and leaves, and usually the branches and leaves grow in sync. So at this time we also need to apply some multi-element fertilizer to supplement nutrients, ensuring vigorous branch and leaf growth while also promoting the development and differentiation of flower buds. Also, during this period the plant grows relatively quickly and vigorously, so it is necessary to ensure sufficient nutrients.

The natural flowering period of kalanchoe is generally from November each year to May of the following year, which shows that its flowering period is very long. After entering October in autumn, in order to promote flowering, we need to switch to applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. For example, monopotassium phosphate solution, applied 2-3 times per month, can be used as a root drench or as a foliar spray, which can effectively promote flower bud differentiation in kalanchoe.

In addition, provide the potted kalanchoe with 4-6 hours of short-day conditions each day, and shade it during the rest of the time. After about 1 month, we will be able to see the potted kalanchoe plant covered with flower buds. By then, we will be able to admire the splendor of the potted kalanchoe in full bloom.