A Detailed Guide to Kalanchoe Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a succulent herbaceous plant with a very short stature, generally around 30 cm tall. Its stems grow upright, and its leaves are opposite and oval-shaped. The foliage is very emerald green and dense. Some of its flowers are orange-red, others are yellow, and some are even pure white, making them very diverse. It also produces many small seeds.
Kalanchoe Cultivation Tips and Key Points
1. Growing temperature: The most suitable temperature for kalanchoe growth is 15°C to 25°C. Above 30°C growth slows and it enters a semi-dormant state; below 10°C growth stalls; below 8°C the leaves turn red and flowering is delayed; below 0°C it is prone to freezing to death. Therefore, to grow kalanchoe well, you must create a small environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer. At midday in midsummer, avoid strong direct sunlight and place it in a semi-shaded spot with ample 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 itself.
2. Ample sunlight: Kalanchoe likes a sunny, well-lit environment. Except for slight shading at midday in midsummer, it should be placed in a sunny spot the rest of the time. It needs at least 4 hours of direct light per day to grow robustly. On building balconies, rotate the pot 180 degrees every half month so that light is even and to avoid uneven crown growth, which reduces ornamental value. Although it can also grow in semi-shade, the stems will be thin, the leaves thinner, and the flowers fewer and paler, far less lush than in a sunny spot. If it is too shady, it not only easily drops leaves and fails to bloom, but even a plant already in flower, if placed in shade, will have its flower color fade and then the flowers will drop and wither.
3. Appropriate moisture: Kalanchoe is a succulent plant with a relatively high water content in its tissues, so it is fairly drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging. It grows well under the dry air conditions of high-rise buildings. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly about every 3 days once the potting soil is dry, keeping it normally just slightly moist. In summer, water less, preferably once every 5 to 7 days. For kalanchoe placed outdoors, avoid rain during the rainy season; too much water easily causes root rot, leaf drop, and even death. With appropriate 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, it is best to water at midday with water close to room temperature, about once a week.
4. Sufficient fertilizer: Kalanchoe likes fertilizer. Half a month after seedlings are potted and established, or half a month after old plants are divided, you can apply 2 to 3 times a nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to promote stem and leaf growth. After flowering, you can apply one nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer to help it recover vigor. At other times, except for stopping fertilization in summer, only a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer should be applied. When fertilizing, do not get fertilizer on the leaves, otherwise the leaves easily rot; if you accidentally dirty the leaf surface, rinse it off with water. Kalanchoe has a long flowering period, so you should break the rule of not fertilizing during flowering and apply a dilute nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer or a 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 also becomes very susceptible to infection by 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 infection by pests and diseases. The main diseases seen are downy mildew and anthracnose.
6. Sandy loam should be loose: Kalanchoe grows best when planted in a breathable earthenware pot, but indoors this is not attractive, so you can place it inside a plastic or porcelain pot, or plant it directly in a small purple-clay pot or plastic pot. When planting, place a layer of crushed charcoal chunks or crushed hard plastic foam chunks at the bottom of the pot to enhance breathability. For pots with an inner diameter of 1 0 cm to 20 cm, plant 3 to 6 plants. Although it is not very particular about soil, it easily rots in heavy clay, and grows best in loose, fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam. For home potting, it is best to use leaf mold mixed with an equal amount of garden topsoil, then add 5% to 8% sand as the growing medium.
7. Suitable pruning: In the early stage of vigorous growth, 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 flowers in the next bloom.