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The plant genus known as Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is made up of succulent plants that belong to the Crassulaceae family (order Saxifragales). They are plants of African origin that are well known as the flower of fortune or kalandiva. In this guide, I will discuss how to care for a kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent plant characterized by having fleshy leaves whose main function is to store water and nutrients. When the weather is very hot during the dry season, these leaves reserve the water that Kalanchoe needs to survive high temperatures. Its leaves are usually of a bright dark green color, and, depending on the kalanchoe species, they may have no margins of other shades.
The flower buds develop in inflorescences born in corymbs at the end of the stems or in the floral armpits. And as in the case of leaves, the flowers can have different colors depending on the Kalanchoe variety from white to yellowish or orange.
Kalanchoes tend to bloom in late winter / early spring.
As you can imagine, this plant is mainly used to decorate interior rooms of houses and external ornamentation. It is as long as it is protected from frost and other adverse climatology.
Characteristics of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant
This is a succulent plant that can be known as “chubby” because it has fleshy leaves. As a plant of the rustic type that presents an abundant flowering, its flowers are small and are born grouped in kind of bouquets, a characteristic that makes them charming to have in the garden.
The Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana flowers’ colors can be pink, yellow, orange, and red; everything depends on this plant’s variety. It is also a plant that is well suited for forming massifs and borders in gardens but which can also show excellent results in pots and flowerpots. Also, it is worth remembering that it is a plant that needs brightness and that when it reaches adulthood; it can grow up to 30 cm in height.
Cultivation of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant
The cultivation of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is relatively easy. It is a fully industrialized crop at a professional level. All its processes (cutting, rooting, development, marketing, etc.) are under programming schemes so that this plant can be available on the market 365 days a year. For this, its climate control is essential, modifying day and night at will so that the plant vegetates or flowers according to the grower’s interest.
At a non-professional level, the best way to start its cultivation is by multiplying it by apical (head) cutting. The cutting must have an apical bud with two to three pairs of well-developed leaves. The cut must be clean and keep a centimeter of the stem that will be the one that we will bury in the substrate, resting the leaves on it.
Furthermore, this plant needs hot and humid weather to thrive well. Cultivation can be done in half shade; however, it is necessary to receive direct sunlight during some hours of the day. In winter, this plant must receive watering in a spaced manner, as water should not be allowed to accumulate, which can cause the roots to rot.
To grow healthy Kalanchoe and produce leaves with a slightly reddish tone, it is necessary to try to reproduce the conditions of their original environment, which means leaving the plant in a place where it would receive sun and wind. Remember that it originates from Africa. When the plant is exposed to the sun, its flowers last longer.
Care for Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant
Among the care taken as basic with the Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant, we can highlight some:
Watering
As it is a succulent plant, it accumulates water, and therefore it is not necessary to water it every day. Instead, this should be done whenever necessary so that the plant is not dried out. When the plant is dry, its leaves are yellow and malnourished. However, it is still essential to be careful with too much water. The waterlogging of the plant can cause the rotting of its roots and favor the proliferation of fungi. During the summer, it is interesting to water it twice a week. It is interesting to water it only once a week or more when you notice that the substrate is starting to dry out in the winter.
When watering, be aware that you should only water the soil, do not water the plant. The soil must dry before a new watering is done and preferably always use little water, as it should be enough to drain a little on the plate.
The Soil
For the plant to grow and develop as expected, it is essential to offer suitable soil, which means soil that is loose and porous in a way that prevents the accumulation of water. Enrich the soil with organic matter. When planting in pots, it is necessary to mix a part of common soil, a part of vegetable soil, and two sand parts. In all, a Kalanchoe plant usually grows best in well-drained soil, so you can choose or create a blend that does not retain too much moisture, like a 50 percent potting soil and 50 percent cactus mix or a 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite mix.
Reproduction
To get new plants from a Kalanchoe vase, it is necessary to use buds that appear on the already mature leaves’ edges.
Flowering Period
In general, this plant’s flowering period goes from winter until the end of spring. Its flowers can be presented in beautiful shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, white, and in some cases, several colors. Its flowering is also linked to the photoperiod and blooming. In this case its natural habitat, when the day is shorter than the night.
It again blooms in the inflorescence mode, on the end of a short stem that has up to three pairs of leaves that are different from those of the rest of the plant and born from the leaves’ axils. At the end of this stem, numerous small flowers emerge in the form of a cluster, with four petals each if they are simple flowers since they can also be double.
Fertilizing
One way to stimulate the Kalanchoes’ flowering is through annual fertilization made with bone meal, castor cake, and NPK fertilizer. In the fertilizer purchase, such as the NPK, phosphorus must be higher for this flowering phase. The compost can be found in garden supply stores as well as supermarkets.
Pruning
This is a plant that does not require complicated pruning to maintain its ornamental look. To keep it beautiful, focus on removing the stems as the flowers wilt.
Light
Kalanchoe requires sunlight to grow properly. 3 or 4 hours a day is more than enough. When the plant does not have enough light, it cannot do its photosynthesis, thus becoming weaker, and its leaves may turn yellow. Ensure that it does not receive direct sunlight, as an excessive amount of sunlight can have negative consequences (burns on leaves). If you place the Kalanchoe indoors, try to place it close to a bright window too.
Location
The Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant must grow with complete freedom, so space must be wide. Some varieties grow only a few centimeters; however, other species can reach more than 1 meter.
Pests and Diseases
Whatever you do, it is sometimes inevitable that any of your plants will be attacked by certain pests or diseases. This can happen with the Kalanchoe, specifically with its flowers. The caterpillars can devour the flowers Kalanchoe in a few hours, so you should pay attention to these insects’ appearance. The red spiders cause premature wilting of the flowers. In this case, you must use a specific insecticide or fertilizer.
When the plant contracts some disease or fungus, it is necessary to separate it from the others. If the problem is in a contaminated branch, you must remove it with pruning performed for cleaning. This prevents other plants from being contaminated with the problem.
How to Care for a Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant: FAQ Section
How do you care for a kalanchoe plant indoors?
Tocare for a kalanchoe plant indoors, do it close to a window to get adequate light and water it appropriately.
How do you keep Kalanchoe blooming?
To keep your Kalanchoe blooming, ensure you water it properly and also expose it to a good amount of light.
How often do you water a kalanchoe plant?
During the summer, it is best to water it twice a week. In the winter, it is best to water it only once a week. Furthermore, to irrigate the succulent correctly, you must wait until at least 50 percent of the soil is dry before watering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is one of the most popular ornamental plants of its kind. It is typically marketed as a small flowering houseplant that comes in a multitude of colors and single or double flower varieties.
As an ideal plant to decorate small spaces in our home, this plant can be located on the kitchen bench, in the dining room furniture, next to our computer, bathroom, etc. There is always a place to place a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and enjoy the strength and impact of its flowers’ color. Furthermore, the Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana are rustic plants. When their basic needs such as adequate soil and watering in the right amount are met, there are no problems. It is also worth paying special attention to avoid the attack of pests and or diseases. But this is not very common when the plant is well cared for, as highlighted above.
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