Kalanchoe Profile

Kalanchoe is a perennial or shrub-like succulent of the Crassulaceae family and is usually transported as a potted plant. The genus Kalanchoe includes more than 100 species of plants, but only a few are often seen in cultivation. Kalanchoe are native to arid regions and they are popular succulents.

Kalanchoe morphological characteristics

The four-petal flowers of Kalanchoe gathered at the stem tip are red, orange, pink and yellow, and the flowers that bloom from winter to spring add bright colors to seasonal potted plants, but the colors are poor. Modern hybrids are known for their interesting leaf forms or flowers. Poinsettia, cactus, and longevity flowers are the mainstay of holiday and flower shop trade. Because Kalanchoe bloom according to the length of daylight, they can be encouraged to bloom even in the darkest hours of winter. Like many succulents, these Kalanchoe plants will not grow as long as you pay attention to moisture, especially in winter.

Kalanchoe growth habit and growing environment and distribution

These growth conditions will keep your Kalanchoe family healthy and blooming

Light

Kalanchoe likes bright, sunny places, especially during the summer growing season. In winter, consider a south-facing window.

Water

The water temperature of Kalanchoe is moderate throughout the summer, and watering is reduced in winter. Let the soil surface dry out between watering, and in winter, the plants can almost dry out-they grow in the low humidity of the winter home. Observe the fleshy leaves for signs of water damage.

Temperature

Kalanchoe likes warmth. Don't let it fall below 55°F.

Soil

The ordinary potting soil mixture is good.

Fertilizer

Gardeners ought to use liquid fertilizer twice a week in summer, or use slow-release pellets.
Many kinds of longevity tea produce small seedlings along the edge of the leaves that can be potted individually. These types include K. pinnata-air plants, K. frerensis and the more popular plant, Kalanchoe-K.
Blossfeldiana and K. manginii can reproduce through leaves or small tips. To propagate through cuttings, you’d better cut off a few inches long at the beginning of the growing season and regenerate in warm, moist soil. Considering collecting cuttings to increase the chances of rooting and retaining moisture is necessary. Madagascar is a place of origin of Kalanchoe plant, which is widely distributed in East Africa, South Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and entered Japan in 6 years. Only one species in this genus comes from the Americas, of which 56 species are from southern and eastern Africa, while there are 60 species in Madagascar. It is also found in Southeast Asia and China.
Kalanchoe plant is a common edible plant for caterpillars of Red Pierrot butterflies. After laying eggs on the leaf beetle and hatching, its larvae will burrow into the leaf beetle and eat their internal cells for nutrition.

Kalanchoe Longevity flower varieties

K. blossfeldiana: By far, it is the most popular longevity flower, large head flowers of various colors. Although they naturally bloom in spring, they are forced to bloom throughout the year.
K. manginii: Big pendant with flowers.
K. porphyrocalyx: There are also pendant flowers, making an excellent suspension garden.
K. beharensis: It’s awarded for its pale silver-green color and its velvety donkey ear leaves.
K. pinnata: It has fleshy, green leaves with small seedlings along the edges, known as the mother of a thousand people.

Kalanchoe cultivation

Kalanchoe plant can be used as one of the good choices for ornamental indoor plants and succulent garden plants. They are easy to reproduce, and their low water requirements and a variety of colors make them popular among gardeners. Kalanchoe is a typical case of asexual reproduction. For bryophytes such as air Kalanchoe pinnata, the new individuals they produce will grow with the nutrition of small plants in the depressions on the edge of the leaf edge, also known as embryos. At a certain stage, these small plants will fall off and take root in the right place. However, no male of this genus that can flower and produce seeds has been found so far. Kalanchoe plant is not particularly difficult to grow, and flowering varieties (K. blossfeldiana) are very valuable for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. After blooming is over, many people discard the plants, but this is not really necessary. Gardeners only need to cut off the Kalanchoe flowering heads in order to let the plants reduce water and restore normal care. It should bloom naturally in spring. Professional growers force Calanches to bloom during the year (they are short-term plants).
Double pendant Carrancho makes excellent hanging plants. You should pay attention to common household pests such as aphids, spider mites and scales. In small-scale pests, wipe them off with a damp cloth, but more extensive cases may require the use of environmentally friendly pesticides.