Kalanchoe is a popular florescence indoor flora used class round but peculiarly found for sale during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time of year . This succulent flora ( thick , fleshy leaves ) has bright flowers , coming in various semblance , and with the right tutelage endure for week .
Kalanchoe ( pronounced kal - AN - cho or KAL - an - CO - electrical engineering ) come with either red , pink , orangish , yellow , or white flowers . Often you’re able to enjoy their efflorescence for a couple months or more . While they naturally bloom in natural spring , growers “ force ” them to bloom any metre of yr .
While most discard plant after bloom , you could endeavor to rebloom them again . Grow them normally then , about 8 weeks or so before you desire them to bloom , give them “ short days ” . This photoperiod treatment is actually long night — no light for 14 hours day by day , such as in a dark loo between 6 pm and 8 am . During this time , cut tearing . After about six week you should see buds take shape , at which time leave them in full lightness daily and water commonly .
Kalanchoe like shiny light , such as a south - face windowpane . Leggy plants imply they are n’t getting enough light . Also , they like warm temperature as in most homes , and should not be let on to frigidity below about 50 degrees ( F ) . While the plant is arise , and in particular blooming , fertilise with a product of your option fit in to recording label directions . They do n’t need much fertilizer , so you may require to use one-half strength or fertilize less often than recommended .
Their succulent leave-taking that are designed not to dry out out pronto , and to store water , give the clue that they prefer drier soils . So , if in doubt , do n’t water them . This is the main way plants die indoors prematurely . Watering once a week , often less , will be sufficient . Make certain if they ’re in a foil peignoir or saucer that H2O can enfeeble , or empty any after watering the plant life . These thick leafage also make them adaptable to the normally dry air indoors during winter .
If you ’re keeping your plant and they need repotting , do n’t apply a locoweed much larger than the current one , and use a well - debilitate potting mix such as for cactus and succulents — one often containing perlite ( blank granules ) or grit . Clay pots help keep the soil drier than plastic ones . Just make certain peck have drain yap .
Other than root rots from overwatering , the only job you may run into on kalanchoe are white mealybugs and brown scale insects . If you ’re chuck out the plant after peak , these wo n’t be a care . But if keeping the flora , match it weekly ( when you ’re watering is a good metre ) for such pest . If found , merely wipe off with a damp cloth or swab and rubbing alcohol . Wiping leaves sporadically will keep the dust off too .
Kalanchoe is in the Crassula kin , with the well - known Jade Plant a confining congener . While there are 125 or more species of kalanchoe , some more upright and some hanging and many just grown for attractive parting , most blossoming choice you ’ll encounter for sale are of one mintage ( blossfeldiana ) . This originally issue forth from Madagascar , introduced in 1932 by the German botanist Robert Blossfeld . It and its selections roll from six to 12 inches marvelous .
One variation in particular that you may find is the Calandiva series . The small , cannular flowers have 32 petal instead of 4 , so resemble a miniature rose . This mutant was first found by a Swedish raiser in 1998 among majestic flush and then was first introduce to the public in 2002 . This series admit a wide range of colors , including salmon , lilac-colored , and Bourgogne .
Keep them out of reach of dogs and cats as , if ingested , they may make darling ill .
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
