Secrets to caring for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: leaves grow bigger than your palm

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a potted plant I personally love very much. Its flowering period is around the Spring Festival, and when one pot is in full bloom during the Spring Festival, you have flowers to admire throughout the whole holiday. But the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana I grow always looks a bit wilted, so I specifically asked the flower shop owner for a few little tips.

Fertilizing: Although Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a plant that likes fertilizer, note that it is best not to fertilize in summer, when it is in its dormant period under high temperatures. We can just put a few granules of slow-release fertilizer in the pot.

Light: Many friends' Kalanchoe blossfeldiana leaves do not grow large and the stems grow very tall. This may be caused by too much watering or too little light. If this balance is not handled well, it easily becomes leggy. Friends who usually find it hard to get this right can use chlormequat to help control it. When spraying, use only a small amount, otherwise it will grow extremely short; after using it, the leaves will become large and thick, and the plant shape will look very nice.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes cool conditions and fears heat. In summer it needs to be shaded. If it is exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves turn gray and white, which affects its appearance. If cared for properly during the dormant period, the leaves will grow very large.

Watering: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is relatively drought-tolerant and fears waterlogging and standing water. In summer it does not need too much watering. Water again after you see the potting soil turn pale and dry out completely. If the potting soil stays moist for a long time, it easily becomes leggy, and the leaves and stems will be relatively weak. Not only does it look bad, it is also prone to root rot and black rot.

Pinching: If you want Kalanchoe blossfeldiana to grow well, proper pinching is indispensable. Pinching Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is very simple: just remove the topmost tender shoots and two large leaves, and keep the height of the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana below 15cm. This lets Kalanchoe blossfeldiana grow into a horizontally spreading "short, plump, and sturdy" plant. Do not throw away the cut branches; stick them into soil and they will quickly take root and sprout, growing into new plants.