Kalanchoe cuttings are easy to propagate, and even beginners can learn the method with ease

Taking kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) cuttings is the most commonly used method of propagating kalanchoe, referring to the process of using stems or leaves to grow new plants. Kalanchoe is a succulent in the Crassulaceae family, and its stems and leaves have a strong water-storage capacity. Once the wound has healed, it readily sprouts new roots, so cuttings are simple to take and have a relatively high survival rate, making them very suitable for home gardeners to try.

Cuttings are best taken in spring and autumn, when the climate is mild and rooting is fast. For stem cuttings, cut healthy, pest-free stems, remove some of the lower leaves, leave them in a cool, ventilated place until the wounds dry, then insert them into a loose, airy sandy soil or a medium such as vermiculite or perlite. For leaf cuttings, choose thick, intact leaves and lay them flat or insert them shallowly on the surface of a slightly moist medium; they can also root and sprout, though they grow into small plants relatively more slowly.

Care after taking cuttings directly affects the survival rate. Before rooting, place them in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light and good ventilation, avoid strong sun and rain, and keep the medium only slightly moist; never water too much and cause waterlogging. Usually, with patience, they will root after a period of time. Once new leaves appear, gradually increase the light and pinch back appropriately to encourage branching, making the plant fuller and more compact.

As for common problems, blackened, rotting cuttings are mostly caused by wounds that were not dried or a medium that is too wet; if you notice this, promptly remove the affected plants and reduce watering. If they do not root for a long time, check whether the ambient temperature is too high or too low, and move them to a suitable environment to continue care. As long as you master the two key points of drying the wounds and controlling watering, kalanchoe cuttings will basically all root successfully.