Kalanchoe Care


I bought this plant from the supermarket as its cheap. The red little flower looks like mini rose. When I look upon the Internet, this plant is called Kalanchoe. Its flowers can last for a few weeks and does not need much care. Oh! I love this kind of plant.


Kalanchoe Indoor Care

Light: As bright as possible, something like a south &/or west exposure. Give it lots of sun but nothing direct for more than 2 hours. Keep it away from the hot windows – touching that glass will burn it.

Water: Every 2 weeks in the warmer months. If the soil is still wet, wait until the top 1/2 dries out. And, don’t let it sit in water. Remember, they are succulents which means they store water in their leaves & stems.

Soil: Organic potting soil suitable for houseplants. A mixture of half potting soil & half succulent & cactus mix would be fine.

Temperature: I say if your home is comfortable to you, then your houseplants should be just fine too. They would enjoy a vacation outdoors in the warmer months.

Fertilizer: Use an organic liquid fertilizer like Houseplants Alive but easy does it. Only 2 applications per year – once in mid-Spring & the other in mid-Summer.

Maintenance:  Remove spent flowers to keep your kalanchoe looking neat. You may also want to wipe or gently spray them to remove dust. The foliage grows very densely.  Avoid overcrowding your kalanchoe plants because this can contribute to leafspot if the plants do not have adequate air circulation. Snip away some of those larger leaves growing over the blooms. Those purdy flowers will show more.


Kalanchoe Propagation

Kalanchoe plants are fairly easy to start at home. With many species, you will see tiny plants forming along the outer edge of the leaves. When these get large enough, you can carefully remove them and plant them in their own little pot.

Another way to propagate kalanchoes is the take a cutting of about two to three inches long and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Ideally the cutting should have at least two leaves on it; four or five leaves are even better. Then plant one end of the stem in the potting soil. You will not even need a rooting compound to get it started.

Some species of kalanchoe will sprout little off-shoots that can also be potted once they grow large enough. Whichever way you use, starting new kalanchoe plants is very easy.


Potential Problems

Kalanchoes are sometimes susceptible to some common garden pests and problems. The most common are caterpillars, aphids and mealy bugs. Keep in mind that kalanchoes do not respond well to some pesticides. As is usually the case, natural pest control is the best option.

Occasionally, your plants may have disease problems. Leaf spot is most common and due to a lack of proper ventilation. Another possible issue is powdery mildew which is cause by the same reason as leaf spot.

If your plant is in a cool, humid environment you may notice calloused spots on the leaves. While this is not harmful it is also not very attractive. This can be avoided by making sure your plants have the right growing conditions.

You will not often have problems with kalanchoes. With just basic care you can enjoy a beautiful plant that will brighten any home or yard.


How to Make Kalanchoe Bloom

Many people treat kalanchoes as an annual, throwing them away after they finish blooming. Getting them to bloom again requires some discipline, but the fun part is that once you get the hang of it, you can make your kalanchoes bloom on cue! Here are some tips for getting your kalanchoe to bloom again:

Flowering Depends on Light: Kalanchoes are photoperiodic, which means they bloom in response to the length of day. They naturally bloom in early spring. To force your plant to set flower buds requires six weeks of simulated winter lighting conditions.

Reduce Watering: Water half as often, or even less, during the six weeks.

Simulate Night: For six weeks, put your plant in complete darkness for 14 hours a day, and in bright light for 10 hours a day. You can bring it in and out of a closet, or use a cover, to achieve full darkness. After six weeks or so, when you see flower buds forming, you can bring your plant back out into normal light conditions and resume watering.


Information from: 
http://www.joyusgarden.com/kalanchoe-care-houseplant-garden/
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-flowering-kalanchoe/
http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Kalanchoe


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Posted by: Wendy

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