Removal of shoots after flowering
Kalanchoe flower stalks are formed during short daylight hours. Therefore, flowering begins at the end of winter and continues throughout the spring. Some hybrid varieties may re-bloom in the fall, after which they need a dormant period.
If the Kalanchoe at the end of spring continues to increase the green mass and is not going to bloom, then pruning is carried out to stimulate flowering. To do this, remove 3-4 upper leaves on each shoot, so that the plant begins to grow in breadth and lay flower stalks.
After flowering, it is important not to let the twigs with crumbling petals dry completely. Pinch the peduncles immediately after wilting
In the places of pruning, buds with new buds appear, and space is also made available for new shoots with leaves.
Upon completion of pruning after flowering, you need to organize a rest for the plant. Conditions of detention during the rest period:
- rare watering - once every 3 weeks;
- dark place, without sun rays;
- low air temperature - up to +16 °
Two months after the rest, the Kalanchoe begins to grow actively.
Pruning the Kalanchoe bush can be easily performed by both experienced and novice growers. Timely pinching of the top, removal of peduncles and damaged shoots is a condition for the growth of a healthy and lush crown of the Kalanchoe.
A well-formed bush has a rounded shape. Its shoots are evenly covered with foliage, buds with delicate petals are visible above the top.
How to cut Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a very beautiful and useful plant that is found in every second house. It not only blooms often and luxuriantly, delighting its owners, but can also be useful in the treatment of various diseases, for example, with a runny nose and ear diseases, skin diseases. So that the flower does not grow and does not stretch out, but is of a neat rounded shape, it is necessary to cut the Kalanchoe in time.
How to cut Kalanchoe You will need - Kalanchoe; - a sharp knife or blade. Instruction 1 First of all, determine the type of your Kalanchoe, since different varieties relate to pruning in different ways. Blossfeld's common Kalanchoe blooming with red flowers can dive without restrictions. Even if you leave only one stump, after a while it will sprout and curl
Take more careful care of rare hybrids with yellow, pink, white flowers, they may even die as a result of improper pruning. 2 If the plant has overgrown (this often happens in sunny places), has lost its compact form, and an ugly frail top has formed, remove it
After each flowering, be sure to cut off all the flower stalks. To form buds, place the plant on a dark windowsill (you can even close the flower overnight with a bucket or box) and keep it practically without watering for a whole month. Then move it to a bright place and start watering, such a regime change has a beneficial effect on the Kalanchoe, and it will almost certainly bloom. 3 In order for the Kalanchoe to grow into a dense bush, carefully observe the shoots. As soon as they start to grow, pinch off the top two leaves of each. After a while, two shoots will appear in the place of the pinching, let them grow until the third pair of leaves appears, and cut them off at this level. Wait for two more shoots and a third pair of leaves to appear, then pinch again. Do this until a neat, dense bush of a round (or required) shape is formed. 4 Prune the Kalanchoe shoots for the last time in November (on the south window) or in winter (on the west or east window).Please note that it is advisable to keep the Kalanchoe in a cool place in winter, the optimum temperature is 10-15 ° C. 5 You can propagate the Kalanchoe or simply update it with cuttings. To do this, cut off young shoots 10 to 15 cm long with a sharp blade or knife. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the cutting, dry for 1-2 days. Prepare a place for the flower in a pot with a mixture of sand and wet peat. Place the cutting to a depth of about 5 cm, ground well around. Do not cover the stalk with plastic or a can, or spray with water. Just water it moderately and keep it at a temperature of 20-25 ° C.
Perfect pruning rules
The best time for pruning is from early morning to early afternoon. It is best to use a sharp knife, blade, or special garden shears to avoid unnecessary damage. It is forbidden to water the plant immediately after the procedure. If you cut the Kalanchoe correctly, very soon new stems will appear that will bloom.
The final stage of pruning is proper plant care after it. The pot is determined in a darkened place with a temperature of at least 16 °, watering is stopped for a while. You can put it on a table near a window covered with transparent tulle. In about a month, the flower will recover. Two months later, he will begin a phase of active growth.
After correct pruning, the crown acquires an attractive shape and the plant begins to bloom.
When pruning, you must follow these rules:
- It is not recommended to prune the newly purchased plant. It is better to wait until it acclimatizes and gets used to new conditions.
- The best time for the procedure is winter, when the flower is at rest.
- When pruning, avoid direct sunlight on the leaves.
- After transplanting the plant, you need to wait a couple of weeks before pinching it.
- If harmful insects are on the Kalanchoe, you first need to cure it. After that, you need to wait at least two weeks before proceeding with pruning.
- Until pruning is done, the flower cannot be placed in a well-lit place - it will begin to grow quickly and shapelessly.
- The last pruning should be done in late fall, on the south side of the house. If the plant is in the western or southern part, the pruning time is shifted by a month.
As a result of pruning, you should get a round bush, with evenly covered shoots and buds at the top. The plant that has undergone the procedure may temporarily weaken
At this time, it is important to maintain the correct indoor climate. Among the diseases to which Kalanchoe is susceptible are late blight, gray rot, powdery mildew, stem rot
Having noticed their signs, you need to immediately treat the plant with one of the powders.
If timely pruning was not carried out and the shoots have grown excessively and bare the base, then you need to root them separately. Shoots take root well. Cuttings 10 cm long should be rooted around the edge of the pot in a circle to ensure proper growth.
Care
How to properly care for a decorative (flowering) Kalanchoe flower at home?
Temperature regime
The optimal summer temperature for blooming Kalanchoe is in the range from 23 to 29 degrees. A higher temperature is acceptable, but it does not hurt to increase the frequency of watering, since if there are flowers, they can dry out.
Despite the fact that the plant is tropical, it tolerates low temperatures well. In winter and autumn, at temperatures above 10 degrees, it is quite possible to expose it to fresh air.
Nevertheless, given the harsh climate of many regions of our country, in the cold season it will be safer indoors, away from sudden frosts and freezing winds.
After frostbite, only the root can remain alive. You will have to cut off almost everything except the root, and then wait for a miracle to happen and shoots appear.
Lighting
The Kalanchoe indoor plant is quite unpretentious in care, including with regard to lighting.It can be positioned almost anywhere in the room where the sun's rays fall. Favorable conditions can be called both partial shade and diffused light.
Direct sunlight is safe most of the time and is even recommended as the best lighting option. Direct rays are dangerous in the period from 11 am to 3 pm from March to September.
The fact is that the leaves contain a lot of moisture and therefore can get burns from intense lighting. These burns can cause stunted growth. In the sunniest time of the day, bright, but diffused light is recommended.
If sufficient light is provided, the leaves should have a reddish outline. In the opposite case, when there is not enough light, the stems stretch out, and the leaves turn noticeably pale.
Watering Kalanchoe
How often to water Kalanchoe at home?
Kalanchoe is a succulent, that is, it is able to accumulate moisture and in this way survive drought. You don't have to worry too much if you forgot about watering once.
But excessive watering is harmful. You need to water so that the water completely soaks the ground, and drain the excess.
In hot weather, you can increase the frequency of watering, but still monitor the excess water.
In winter, twice a week will be enough.
Excessive watering leads to root rot, mold and mildew growth.
The bay is detected by the following features:
- The leaves turn pale and wither.
- Dark spots with yellow edges appear on the leaves.
- The earth does not dry out.
The danger of the bay, first of all, lies in the fact that all negative processes occur at the bottom of the pot (out of sight), and the consequences manifest themselves very late, when the rescue operation may no longer help.
Before starting a rescue operation, you should find out the reasons for the flood, so as not to make the same mistake after recovery.
The reasons for the bay can be as follows:
- the plant was not transplanted from purchased soil, which was too moisture-consuming;
- the soil in the new pot was not suitable;
- excessive watering frequency;
- the pot is in a too dark and humid place;
- there is no drainage;
- too spacious pot.
How to save:
- Carefully remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots. If you have strong and healthy roots, replanting is optional.
- Wrap the root in paper. It should absorb liquid well. If necessary, replace the wet paper with a new one.
- Put the plant in a warm place, but avoid direct sun and close proximity to batteries.
- Return to pot. At first, make sure that there is good drainage.
- If the Kalanchoe was not transplanted after purchase or transplanted into unsuitable soil, the roots must be thoroughly shaken off.
- If there are rotten roots, they need to be cut off. Treat the sections with an antiseptic and dry.
Air humidity
In the summer there is no need for spraying, and in the winter it is even dangerous.
To rid the leaves of dust, as well as to prevent some diseases and pests, it is recommended to wipe them with a damp cloth.
Fertilizers
There is no need for abundant feeding - it is enough to fertilize every month.
There are no special requirements for fertilizers. Use the usual fertilizers for succulents and cacti.
Excessive feeding is even harmful, and in winter it is completely dangerous to fertilize.
Undercut
Pruning is essential for flowering. How to prune Kalanchoe? Moreover, it should be cardinal - the peduncle should be removed as low as possible in order to prevent rotting of the remaining part.
Flowering greatly weakens the plant, so all faded and dried parts should be cut off immediately upon detection.
