How to grow Kalanchoe at home?

Kalanchoe is a popular indoor flower among the inhabitants of our country. And this is not surprising, because it performs two functions at once - both decorative and medicinal. Blooming Kalanchoe looks great at home and for a very long time pleases the owners with its lush flowering, and the juice obtained from its fleshy leaves has powerful medicinal properties. Unfortunately, many complain about the short flowering of this indoor plant, but this is not entirely true - its appearance directly depends on how correct it was to care for it. How to care for the Kalanchoe is the topic of our article.

Kalanchoe care rules

Growing Kalanchoe is usually not difficult. This houseplant is quite unpretentious, caring for it at home is elementary and simple. But in order for it to please the eye for a long time with lush flowering, young shoots and leaves full of healing juice, you need to know certain rules that cover its planting, care and reproduction.

So, Kalanchoe is planted in any flower pot suitable for it with expanded clay drainage into a soil sprinkled with sand, poor in organic matter. The pot with a young plant should be in a well-lit place - either on a windowsill, or on a balcony or loggia.

Growing Kalanchoe is usually not difficult.

Water it after the upper earthen coma has dried, using water at room temperature that has been settled in a jar. It is important not to overflow the plant - the pallet must remain dry.

Otherwise, there is a high probability of decay of its roots, as well as leaves and stems, if water gets on them. For the same reason, it is not recommended to spray Kalanchoe. This is due to the fact that this indoor flower has special tissues designed for the accumulation of fluid, which it consumes with insufficient watering. What asparagus and many other ornamental plants cannot boast of. With an overabundance of watering, the Kalanchoe begins to hurt, so underfilling will be preferable for it.

The optimum temperature recommended for this home-grown flower is 19 degrees with regular ventilation of the room in which it grows. Caring for Kalanchoe also involves its annual feeding. For this, special succulent fertilizers are used. You can feed a diseased or weakened plant with them outside the schedule. It is best to do this in the summer season, in extreme cases - in the fall or spring. Feeding succulents in the winter season is not recommended.

Video plot on how to properly care

Cutting tall stems will help to give the plant a beautiful shape at home. But this should be done in the summer at the end of flowering. Moreover, it is recommended to cut the stems as low as possible. This will prevent them from decaying.In addition, all owners need to know how to pinch a Kalanchoe - which is also an important step in caring for it.

Proper care of a flowering plant

Kalanchoe refers to plants regularly blooming at home. Its flowering period usually begins in February and ends, depending on the variety, after 1 to 3 months. At this time, the flower becomes very vulnerable to the influence of external factors. This is especially true for humidity and light. Therefore, at this time, it is not recommended to transfer the pot with a flowering plant to another place or change its watering schedule. Only in this case will its flowering be long and lush.

It is extremely rare, but it still happens that the peduncle is not tied. Why Kalanchoe does not bloom at home, you should immediately figure it out. In most cases, this happens if improper or insufficient care is found. The following factors that ensure normal conditions for its existence should not be ignored:

• temperature regime;
• illumination;
• air humidity;
• regularity of airing;
• adequate watering;
• correct feeding.

It is extremely rare, but it still happens that the peduncle is not tied

Despite the fact that this houseplant is unpretentious, non-compliance with any of the above conditions when growing it at home may cause the absence of bud ovaries for its further flowering. In addition, there will be no ovaries on this indoor flower if it is infected with mold or parasites. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly inspect it for their appearance.

Diseases and treatments

Most often, the cause of diseases of all varieties of Kalanchoe is a fungus that appears due to an excess of moisture, moreover, not only in the soil, but also in the air. It attacks roots and stems, causing them to rot. This, in turn, has an extremely negative effect on the condition of the leaves of the plant and their healing properties. They not only lose their gloss and curl, but also fall off after a while. It is often impossible to restore rotten roots. Therefore, they are removed, and the plant itself is transplanted into a new pot with clean soil.

The most common cause of diseases of all varieties of Kalanchoe is a fungus.

Kalanchoe can get sick not only due to improper care, but also due to parasite infestation, which can be:

• shield;
• mealybug;
• aphid.

The scale insect is a common cause of lack of flowering. It is easy to spot by the gray spots on the leaves, on which the fungus appears within a short time. These stains must be thoroughly cleaned off the surface of the leaves, and then carefully treated with an alcohol solution.

The first sign of the defeat of this indoor flower by aphids will be an unexpected yellowing of the leaves, on the back of which pests are easily detected. To get rid of them, the plant should be washed with a solution of laundry soap. And a sign of the presence of a mealybug will be white glomeruli found on the stems and leaves. If they are detected, the entire plant is treated with an alcohol solution.

The first sign of the defeat of this indoor aphid flower will be an unexpected yellowing of the leaves.

Reproduction methods

This medicinal and decorative indoor flower at home propagates in the following ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds;
• leaflets;
• children.

Reproduction by cuttings is a neat pinching off of a piece of the stem with a couple of leaves and placing it in a glass of water, where it will take root within a week, followed by transplanting it into the ground. Reproduction by leaves will be similar to it. And children separated from the mother plant can be immediately grown in a pot.

Video about proper care for blooming Kalanchoe

The seeds should be sown in well-moistened soil, without sprinkling them with earth, then place the container under glass and ventilate it regularly. And a month later, transplant the germinated seeds into a pot under polyethylene until the first shoots appear.

Your home Kalanchoe will be beautiful, young and healthy only if you provide it with proper care, which will include proper watering, and regular feeding, and timely pinching of the children, and its periodic renewal.

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Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) - the plant is also known under the names of the Household Doctor, Household Ginseng and the Tree of Life, very often found in our homes. All the popular names of Kalanchoe are more than justified and accurate: the sap of the plant has healing properties and is widely used in medicine.

This wonderful plant is so not picky and hardy that it is able to adapt to almost all growing conditions and forgive its owner for many care mistakes, up to and including his absence.

Kalanchoe can be diluted by any novice florist, as well as all those who are not distinguished by discipline in caring for plants. However, this does not mean that the plant does not need attention at all. Care is needed, and if there is one, the Kalanchoe will delight not only with its benefits, but will also decorate your home.

Kalanchoe belongs to the group of succulents, plants that can accumulate water in their leaves and stems. His closest relative is the fat woman. The similarity of plants is confirmed by folk wisdom. The fat woman is popularly called the Money Tree, the Kalanchoe - the Tree of Life.

Sometimes the Tree of Life is confused with aloe or considered a variety. Indeed, these plants are similar: both are succulents, have externally similar leaves and a lot of useful properties. But these are completely different plants belonging to different families.

Kalanchoe care at home

Location and lighting

Kalanchoe is not demanding on light. In summer, the flower will be comfortable on the western and eastern windows. In winter, southern ones are preferable. If the plants are in bright sunlight, they can get burned. Therefore, in the summer it needs to be shaded. With a lack of light, the Household Doctor stretches out, his flowers become small and inconspicuous.

A prerequisite for flowering Kalanchoe is 12 hours of daylight. If you are interested in a regular and abundant flowering of the plant, then take care of this condition by shading the plant in summer and increasing the length of the light with the help of artificial lighting in autumn and winter.

Temperature

Kalanchoe perfectly tolerates summer heat (up to 30 degrees and above). In winter, he prefers coolness (16-18 degrees). This temperature is optimal for the formation of flower buds. At a higher, or, conversely, a low temperature, the process of laying flower buds is inhibited.

Air humidity

Kalanchoe is "indifferent" to air humidity. It feels great in a warm room with dry air. Easily tolerates high humidity at low, for him, temperatures. Light spraying won't hurt it, however. It is used for hygienic purposes. After spraying, the Kalanchoe leaves are wiped with a soft cloth or sponge.

Watering

The "tree of life", despite the fact that it is a succulent, needs to be watered regularly. The watering regime of the plant is determined by the air temperature, the size and condition of the plant. In summer, in dry and hot weather, not only regular, but also abundant watering is required.

In a shaded room, Kalanchoe is watered moderately, every 2-3 days, focusing on the condition of the soil. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum.

Kalanchoe tolerates a lack of moisture quite easily, but is very sensitive to waterlogging.

The soil

Any succulent soil that can be purchased at flower shops is suitable for Kalanchoe. If desired, the soil mixture can be made independently, taking in equal parts leaf and turf soil, peat and sand. It is advisable to add charcoal or perlite to the mixture. There should be drainage at the bottom of the pot.

Top dressing and fertilizers

"Homemade ginseng" gratefully responds to feeding, which is carried out with any fertilizer for cacti. The optimal feeding scheme has also been developed empirically: once every two weeks, from the second half of May to mid-July. Top dressing is resumed in late autumn, coinciding with the period of flower bud formation.

Transfer

The need for a Kalanchoe transplant arises if the pot becomes too small for the plant. It happens that as a result of abundant watering, the soil nods. In this case, it is better to replace it by transplanting the plant.

Pruning and pinching

In order for the plant to look beautiful, it must be regularly shaped by pruning and pinching.

Shoot pruning is carried out in the spring. Strongly elongated shoots of Kalanchoe are shortened by 2/3 or even half the length.

To form a beautiful bush, at the beginning of summer, the shoots are pinched. This is especially true for young plants. Light pruning is desirable after the plant has flourished.

Reproduction of Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe reproduces very simply, sometimes it happens with minimal human participation. It is enough for a child or leaf to break away from the plant and fall to the soil, it has every chance to grow on its own.

The "tree of life" can be grown from a cuttings, babies and leaves, rooting them in the spring in wet sand and creating greenhouse conditions, covered with a cap.

Diseases and pests

In the case of prolonged improper care or its complete absence, Kalanchoe can weaken and get sick. In conditions of prolonged waterlogging, the flower usually becomes ill with powdery mildew and gray mold, is affected by aphids and felt.

Kalanchoe species

The Kalanchoe genus has about 20 species. Many of the plants are grown at home. The most popular are:

• Kalanchoe Blosfelda (Bryophyllum) - famous for its numerous flowers, collected in an umbrella inflorescence. Flowers are located on long peduncles and differ in a variety of colors. The plant is very unpretentious.
• Kalanchoe Kalandiva - obtained by selection. It is distinguished by its modest size and a six-month flowering period.
• Kalanchoe Mangina is miniature (up to 15 cm) and is distinguished by exotic inflorescences that resemble small bells.
• Kalanchoe Degremona - never blooms. It has a straight stem and long (up to 10 cm) green triangular leaves.
• Kalanchoe pinnate - is considered the most hardy species. It differs in height and unusual color of flowers: white tones, smoothly turning into green. The juice of this type of Kalanchoe is sold at the pharmacy.

The Kalanchoe plant is very easy to grow at home, it is possible even for novice plant breeders. Subject to certain rules, the Kalanchoe will constantly delight you with its beauty.

Kalanchoe - the secrets of care and cultivation at home (video)

In almost every apartment you can find such a flower as Kalanchoe, which many use for decorative and medicinal purposes. This is a rather unpretentious plant, which is easy to care for at home, but for this you should adhere to certain rules. Only in this case the Kalanchoe will delight its owner with bright pink flowers, but its flowering period is not too long.

In this article we will try to figure out how to care for the Kalanchoe at home, so that it decorates an apartment or house for as long as possible.

Plant features

The birthplace of this flower is Madagascar island, but it can be found almost throughout Asia.It grows well both in greenhouses and at home. This plant belongs to the jumbo family. Possessing thick stems and leaves, it is able to accumulate moisture and do without watering for a long time. The thin film on them prevents evaporation. All these points should be considered when caring for this decorative creature.

Kalanchoe: home care

The principles of care are as follows:

• regular watering;
• necessary lighting and temperature conditions;
• transfer;
• correct feeding;
• protection from disease.

Below we will take a closer look at each of these principles.

Watering

The flowering plant does not have any serious watering requirements, even prefers slight drought... Of course, in hot weather, Kalanchoe needs to be watered as often as possible, but in winter, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every two weeks. It should be remembered that stagnant moisture contributes to the appearance of rot, which can even destroy the plant.

It will be better if the flower pot contains, in addition to soil, drainage, which will keep the soil in optimal condition. Watering plants is carried out not only from above, but also in the pallet.

Lighting and temperature control

Flower care includes proper lighting and proper temperature conditions. Unlike most indoor plants, flowering Kalanchoe loves direct sunlight. In winter, he prefers to be at rest and is transferred from a sunny window to a darkened one.

Surprisingly, for the plant to start blooming, it is necessary reduce the length of daylight hours... Under natural conditions, this happens with the onset of winter, therefore, the Kalanchoe begins to bloom in the cold period. If the florist wants this to happen at another time of the year, it is necessary to artificially reduce the daylight hours to 10 hours. To do this, you can put a tight bag on the pot or put it in the closet at a certain evening time, and take it back in the morning.

An important point in the care is the temperature regime, which also differs in summer and winter. In warm weather, the flower can be in a room with a temperature of +18 to +28 degrees, and in winter it easily tolerates cooler conditions with a temperature of +10 to +16 degrees. The decorative Kalanchoe even likes an insulated loggia or balcony.

Kalanchoe transplant

For a comfortable stay at home, this plant need to transplant, since its root system grows very quickly. This should be done in April-May, during the intensive growth of the flower. The duration of daylight hours should be 12 hours and, if necessary, create additional lighting.

For transplanting, a new pot is used, which should be much wider than the previous one, and the composition of the earth should remain the same. The flower should be removed from the container very carefully so as not to accidentally damage the earthen lump.

Blooming Kalanchoe does not impose special requirements on the quality of the soil, therefore it can be perfectly located in both dense and loose soil... It is good to add some more sand. When preparing the soil for transplanting a flower at home, it should be disinfected.

Top dressing

In order for the Kalanchoe to bloom magnificently and beautifully, it is necessary to fertilize it correctly and in a timely manner. This must be done once a month. It is best to feed the plant with fertilizer for succulents, however, the use of complex additives guarantees abundant flowering.

Fertilizer is applied very carefully, since an excessive amount of feed contributes to the abundant growth of green mass, but flowers can not be expected. It is best to add half of the rate indicated on the package.

Disease protection

Kalanchoe care at home includes protecting it from various diseases... Although this happens quite rarely, you should be prepared for anything.

If the leaves of the plant are covered with white, gray or brown spots, this indicates that a change in care is required. For example, stains occur due to excessive soil moisture, so the moisture intake should be reduced. Excessive fertilizing can also affect their formation, in this case they stop using fertilizers or change the soil.

Often indoor flowers are attacked by aphids, due to which the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. To cure the plant, the affected areas are cut off and treated with a preparation for these insects or soapy water.

Reproduction methods

Kalanchoe care includes its reproduction. This plant can also be purchased at a flower shop, but it often happens that after purchasing it begins to wither and ache... The easiest way is to breed it yourself, and you can do this in different ways:

• by dividing a large bush;
• rooting of the cuttings;
• planting a separate sheet;
• sowing seeds.

At home, a large bush is divided in the event that it is necessary to refresh it. But the divided flower may not take root or will take a long time to recover.

The simplest and most common way of propagation is considered to be rooting of the cuttings. The roots of a small stem form very quickly, which makes it easy for it to take root in a new pot. After about a month, the bush becomes very lush.

From the parent plant, you can pinch off not only the stalk, but also the leaf. It takes root just as quickly as the stalk, only reaching the required size in a year.

At home, this decorative flower is propagated using seeds, which are very small in such a plant that makes it difficult for them to land... They lay them on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing into it, but in no case sprinkling them. Then cover the pot with glass or a plastic bag. To create comfortable conditions for the germination of seeds, they make diffused sunlight, carry out small airings and put the container in a warm place. After seed germination, glass or a bag is removed, and the pot is placed in a sunny place.

Pruning

Is it necessary to prune Kalanchoe during flowering? Only if pests attacked him or the flower got sick. This is done very simply - diseased areas are cut at the junction with healthy ones.

Since flowering greatly weakens the plant, it is necessary give him rest periods... For this, the following activities are carried out:

• cut off all peduncles;
• the pot is set in a cool shade;
• the plant is not watered for about 1.5 months.

After a dormant period, the Kalanchoe is returned to its usual place and fertilized.

Topping

Does Kalanchoe need pinching? The fact is that the plant often does not bloom again. The problem may lie in the thinning of the shoots due to poor intake of minerals. This can cause them to dry out completely. That's why pinching Kalanchoe.

You can pinch off weak shoots with anything, but you need to do this slowly and very carefully. If this happens, the wound is cured by sprinkling it with charcoal or ash.

Thus, we figured out what a Kalanchoe is, caring for which at home does not cause any difficulties. This plant can do fine for a long time without much care at the expense of its own reserves, but in this case it will not be so lush and healthy.

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Kalanchoe is a plant known to many, almost any grower in the house will have a pot with it. And although the name is exotic, it has long been familiar to many for its decorative and medicinal properties.

Content:

Kalanchoe belongs to the genus of succulent plants and has more than 200 species.The most common species, grown in many apartments of Kalanchoe Blossfeld and Kalanchoe Degremon. The plant comes from Madagascar, but due to its unpretentiousness, has long "settled" in our homes.

Planting and leaving

Kalanchoe is an unpretentious plant that does not require any special conditions for growth. To grow it at home, it is enough to follow a few simple rules.

Watering mode

Kalanchoe is a succulent, has a thick stem and leaves, in these parts the plant accumulates moisture, in natural conditions it is saved during dry periods. So at home, small interruptions in watering the flower are not terrible, however, the plant has a completely negative attitude to excess water.

Important! The roots of the Kalanchoe first of all suffer from overflow, the process of decay may begin. It should be borne in mind that irrigation regimes differ depending on the season.

How Kalanchoe watering is carried out in the warm season:

• pour cool water;
• it is better to water it after the earthen coma in the pot has completely dried;
• do not touch the stem with water, since it does not absorb moisture and the decay process may begin;
• if there is more water than required, then the excess should be immediately disposed of by freeing the pan from leaked water.

The basic rule for watering Kalanchoe is that it is better to underfill than overflow. The plant is perfectly capable of surviving 3-4 days of "drought", but it is much more difficult to cure roots that rot from an excess of moisture.

How watering is carried out in the cold season

The basic principles remain the same, the main thing is not to flood the plant, but it should be borne in mind that much less liquid is required in winter. It is also advisable to water it with water at room temperature, because this flower is thermophilic.

Illumination

Kalanchoe loves sunlight, if the plant receives a sufficient amount, then the leaves will acquire a beautiful rich color, and some species will acquire a bright burgundy border. The subtlety in this matter lies in the fact that the flower should be protected from direct midday sunlight, otherwise the foliage may deteriorate.

To prevent this from happening, place the pots on the east or west windows. And after a period of flowering for several months, it is better to completely remove the flower from the window to a more shaded place.

Temperature regime

Kalanchoe feels best at a temperature of 16-25 degrees Celsius in summer. During the dormant period, in the autumn-winter periods, it prefers 14-16 degrees Celsius. If at this time the flower is in a temperature regime that allows it to rest and gain strength after the flowering season, then it will be possible to admire the lush flowering for more than one year.

Important! If the ambient temperature is too high, the flower will try to absorb as much moisture as possible, but the plant is not able to assimilate it, so it can get sick.

For the reason described above, this flower should not be kept in rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen. By absorbing moisture from the air, Kalanchoe can accumulate excess in the stem and leaves, and this leads to fungal diseases and mold.

Flower feeding

Here, too, everything is simple, this plant has rather modest needs and does not need special fertilization. But if it became obvious that the plant lacks "nutrition", then you can purchase fertilizer for succles.

Attention! Never fertilize the soil in winter.

Since Kalanchoe does not particularly like fertilizers, but the need to feed with useful properties, then use only half of the norm indicated on the package. Make-up procedures are traditionally carried out at the end of spring.

Kalanchoe feeding rule:

• completely dissolve the fertilizer in warm water;
• be sure to let the mixture cool;
• add to the soil.

The root system will completely absorb all the necessary substances, only with this method of fertilization. However, flowering species can be fed with complex fertilizers. To ensure flowering.

Kalanchoe transplant

Kalanchoe is planted in neutral or slightly acidic soil. In order for the flower to bloom actively, it is necessary to plant it in sandy infertile soil.

You can try this option:

• 2 pieces of compost soil;
• 2 parts leaf mixture;
• 1 part sand.

Or like this:

• 4 parts of sod land;
• 2 parts deciduous mixture;
• 1 part of rotted peat;
• 1 part sand.

Important! Be sure to use drainage!

Kalanchoe is a fast-growing plant, therefore, it needs constant transplantation, you can simply add earth, but at the same time make sure that the roots do not come out of the pot.

The plant is transplanted in late spring. During this period, the plant is in an active phase.

Transplant a flower like this:

• the new pot should be 2-3 cm in diameter larger than the previous one, deep and wide in diameter;
• the plant, along with a root ball and a small amount of earth, is transplanted into a new pot;
• the new soil must be of the same composition as the old one.

The subsequent period of adaptation is important, it will not be superfluous to feed the flower. On average, the process of settling down in a new place lasts about a week.

Attention! Transfer the plant from one pot to another very carefully, since the leaves and stems are very fragile.

Reproduction of Kalanchoe

The plant reproduces in several ways:

• cuttings;
• "Kids";
• seeds.

It is better to sow seeds in a cold season, without burying them in the ground and covering them with a cloth to protect them from light. Seeds need constant checking, the soil under them should always be moist, the process of germinating seeds takes about a month. When the leaves appear, the plant is planted in pots.

Pruning

Flowering Kalanchoe species definitely need pruning. Any old and unhealthy looking plant parts should be cut off. The peduncle is also removed under the root at the end of flowering. It should be borne in mind that flowering weakens growth.

Important! So that the flower does not stretch up and acquire lateral shoots, the tops are pinched in the summer.

Care features

The general principles of caring for all types of Kalanchoe are the same. But you should take into account the nuances when caring for flowering plants.

1. Such plants need good lighting, they need up to 12 hours of light per day, especially during the flowering period, while avoiding direct rays.
2. At the end of flowering, the plant needs "rest". It is removed to a cool, shaded (but not dark) place.
3. Compliance with the watering regime. Water abundantly, but not often.
4. The main secret of caring for flowering Kalanchoe species is radical pruning, immediately after the flowering period.
5. Fertilized rarely.

To stimulate flowering, some growers recommend artificially shortening daylight hours. For a month before flowering, be on a lighted windowsill for 8 hours, and then hide it under a box.

Taking care of medicinal varieties is even easier, you don't need to worry about flowering and special lighting.