Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) - houseplants with a long flowering period, starting in winter and lasting until July. The genus includes about 200 species, including many ornamental ones. Recently, several hybrids with very long powerful peduncles have been bred, and the cut flowers stand in a vase for a long time. The species Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has characteristic red flowers collected in numerous inflorescences-corymbs on peduncles 10-20 cm long. Winter blooming: from February and later. In hybrids and varieties, the color of flowers has shades of pink, white, orange-yellow tones. It happens that their flowering is observed at other times of the year.

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) - houseplants with a long flowering period, starting in winter and lasting until July. The genus includes about 200 species, including many ornamental ones. Recently, several hybrids with very long powerful peduncles have been bred, and the cut flowers stand in a vase for a long time. The species Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has characteristic red flowers collected in numerous inflorescences-corymbs on peduncles 10-20 cm long. Winter blooming: from February and later.

In hybrids and varieties, the color of flowers has shades of pink, white, orange-yellow tones. It happens that their flowering is observed at other times of the year.

Cultivation

Kalanchoe species - it is not difficult to grow, but after the end of flowering, plants are often discarded. You can, however, advise to keep it until the next season: first, to use it on cuttings, and it happens that it re-blooms. The plant is suitable for growing only in indoor conditions.

Location

In order for the color - both flowers and leaves - to be more intense, the plant needs a lot of light. In summer, to avoid burns, do not put it in the open sun.

Temperature

Kalanchoe grows better in the heat, but does not tolerate directed heat flows, for example, it should be placed away from the stove or central heating battery. The optimal temperature is 15-20 °C. Temperature changes and drops below 10 °C should be avoided.

Watering

Kalanchoe plants are succulent plants (that is, they can accumulate water in their leaves and stems), and therefore they should be watered moderately in winter: only if the ground seems dry. In summer, watering can be more plentiful, but for each watering, the soil should be allowed to dry out completely. From time to time, a liquid complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation. The leaves are not sprayed with water, but the increased humidity level should be maintained; for this purpose, it is necessary to wrap the pot with wet peat.

Transplant

The best time for transplanting is in spring, immediately after the end of the flowering period, but it should only be done if the root system has filled all the space in the pot. Use soil for cactus or succulent plants.

Care

Dusty leaves are cleaned with a damp cloth, without using lustrous solutions, and you can not touch the flowers. Cutting wilted flowers promotes the appearance of new peduncles.

Reproduction

Propagation is carried out both by seeds and cuttings. The first ones are sown from February to April in the soil for cactus with the addition of fine sand, until the emergence of seedlings - they are kept in an unlit place at a temperature of 21 °C. Seedlings are first transplanted into a special cassette with soil for cactus, then - into pots with a diameter of 6-8 cm. For cuttings, use shoots that appear on peduncles with withered flowers. They are cut off in May-June and planted in peat-sanded soil or in a mixture of cactus soil and sand. Before rooting, they are kept in the shade at a temperature of 22 °C.

Diseases

Mealybug often appears on the stems and leaves, which is removed with a brush or rags soaked in alcohol. With excessive watering, the leaves can rot, especially in winter. In this case, all that remains is to delete them.

Acquisition

Kalanchoe is easy to find on sale: both separately and in compositions. It is better to choose specimens in which the flowers have not yet opened, but you can already consider their color.