Ecology of life. Under natural conditions, Kalanchoe grows in Australia, America, Africa and in Southeast Asia, the plant itself is referred to as succulents.

Under natural conditions, Kalanchoe grows in Australia, America, Africa and Southeast Asia, the plant itself is referred to as succulents. The plant has recently been very popular among lovers of indoor floriculture. The decorative species of Kalanchoe gained great popularity, and all thanks to the beautiful and long flowering.


  A decorative flower of Kalanchoe care at home does not require so much, the main thing is to follow a number of simple rules and the plant will delight you for more than one year. You can buy this ornamental plant in almost any flower shop, since due to the increasing popularity it has long been grown on an industrial scale.

Lighting Mode and Location
  Since the plant is native to the tropics, it needs good lighting and long daylight hours. The ideal length of daylight hours for this plant is at least 12 hours, if the daylight hours are shorter, the plant needs additional illumination with artificial light sources, this is especially true for flowering species in the autumn-winter period.
  A suitable place for Kalanchoe are windowsills of windows facing the east or west. Direct sunlight does not harm the plant.

Temperature mode
  The ideal temperature regime for Kalanchoe can be considered a temperature in the range from 18 to 28 ° C in the spring and summer and from 14 to 20 ° C in the autumn and winter. In principle, the plant is so unpretentious that insignificant temperature fluctuations have absolutely no effect on it.

Only in this case, you should not allow a prolonged decrease in temperature below 10 ° C, otherwise the plant may become ill and subsequently die.

At a temperature of 14 to 18 ° C, the plant makes the laying of buds for further flowering. Drafts do not have any effect on Kalanchoe.

How to water Kalanchoe at home
  Watering the plants is best done with settled water at room temperature. Watering is carried out as the topsoil dries. Do not allow prolonged drying of the earthen coma, since the plant will respond by dropping the leaves.
Short-term drying will not have a detrimental effect on the plant, since the juicy and fleshy stems and leaves of the plant contain enough moisture to survive a slight drought.

In spring and summer, the plant needs to be watered 2 times a week, in winter, watering is reduced. It is also not worth pouring Kalanchoe, as with prolonged overflows, the plant may begin to rot.

Air humidity
  Kalanchoe does not need spraying, but if you wipe the leaves or spray the plant on hot days, this will have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of the plant.
  Species of Kalanchoe with pubescent leaves should not be sprayed and wiped out categorically; spots may appear on them from water entering the leaves. And for these plants, preferably content in low humidity conditions.

Soil requirements
  The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, the main thing is that there is no stagnation of water in the pot, and the soil is quite loose. Optimally for growing this plant, universal soil is considered, consisting in equal parts of turf and leafy soil, humus and sand. You can buy ready-made universal soil.

Fertilizers and fertilizers
  This unpretentious plant needs fertilizer only during the laying of buds and flowering, the period of budding falls in the autumn months, and Kalanchoe blooms in the summer. The composition of the plant is suitable for complex fertilizers for cacti or succulents. Such fertilizers should be used once a week, using half the full dose.
  If you use separately solutions of mineral and organic fertilizers, then the feeding regimen is as follows: the plant is fertilized with organic fertilizers once every two weeks, and mineral fertilizers once a week.

Pruning plants

If the plant has dropped the lower leaves, or if you want it to look like a neat bush, you should prune the Kalanchoe or pinch the tops at a young age.

The remaining parts of the plant after trimming can be used as cuttings.

Kalanchoe care after purchase
  It is generally accepted that the plant must be transplanted immediately after purchase, in the case of Kalanchoe, this is not necessary. The main thing is to make sure that the soil in the pot does not retain moisture, and the water does not stagnate in the pot. If everything is in order, the plant does not need to be transplanted.
  After the purchase, determine the location of the plant according to the above recommendations and follow the rest of the recommendations.

Kalanchoe transplant at home
Quite often, when growing this plant, beginners have questions how to transplant Kalanchoe and how often should it be done? A plant should be transplanted if it has grown well, and the transplant process itself will not be difficult.
  If you just want to transplant the plant into a larger pot, you should not choose a very large one. It is enough if the pot is 3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. If you want to divide the plant and get two or more from one, take small pots.
  At the bottom of the selected tank, a good layer of drainage should be poured, about 3-4 cm high, this is necessary to avoid stagnation of water in the pot.
  If you do not want to mess with the preparation of the substrate, take it ready, for cacti or for succulents.
  Further, if you just transplant the plant, transplant using the trans-shipment method, and fill the voids in the pot with new soil.

If you are planting a plant, after extracting from the pot, gently brush off the soil from the roots, and divide the plant into as many parts as you like with a sharp knife. Sprinkle the places of cuts with crushed coal and plant the plants in new pots. After planting, take the ground and water the Kalanchoe well.

Winter Kalanchoe Care
  With the onset of winter, the plant needs a slight adjustment of the rules of care. The air temperature in the room needs to be lowered a little, for laying buds and buds. But do not let the temperature drop below 10 ° C, the plant may die.
  In winter, the daylight hours are reduced, and the plant should be illuminated with fluorescent lights, or rearranged to the southern windows.
  You should also take care that Kalanchoe is not constantly under streams of warm and dry air, it can start to dry leaves and decrease immunity. Watering in the winter is reduced to once every 10 days.

Kalanchoe blooming Blossfeld and Kalandiva - home care

These two species are considered the most common in indoor floriculture. The basic rules of care are relevant for both flowering and non-flowering species, but there are several aspects that we will give below.

Kalanchoe blooming care requires not so much, but if you want plants to bloom for a long time, use our tips.
  The main thing for flowering plants is a sufficient amount of light, since with a lack of light, alas, there will be no flowering.
In winter, the plant should be kept at an air temperature of 15-18 ° C, for laying flower buds, since they do not form in hotter conditions.
  And the most important condition for flowering is regular pruning of plants after flowering. Moreover, the pruning should be quite strong, you need to leave on each branch two or three pairs of lower leaves. Thus, you also rejuvenate the plant. The cuttings remaining after trimming can be used in plant propagation.

In almost every apartment you can find such a flower as Kalanchoe, which many use for decorative and medicinal purposes. This is a fairly unpretentious plant, which is easy to care for at home, but for this you should adhere to certain rules. Only in this case, 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 Kalanchoe at home, so that he decorates his apartment or house as long as possible.

Plant features

The birthplace of this flower is island of madagascar, but you can meet him almost throughout Asia. It grows well both in greenhouses and at home. This plant belongs to the family Crassulaceae. With thick stems and leaves, it is able to accumulate moisture and for a long time to do without watering. The thin film on them prevents evaporation. All these points should be taken into account when caring for this decorative creation.

Kalanchoe: home care

The principles of care are as follows:

Watering

A flowering plant does not have any serious irrigation requirements, even prefers a little drought. Of course, in hot weather, Kalanchoe should 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 stagnation of moisture contributes to the appearance of rot, which can even destroy the plant.

It would be better if the flower pot, in addition to the ground, contains drainage, which will allow the soil to be kept in optimal condition. Watering the plants is carried out not only from above, but also into the pan.

Lighting and temperature

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

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

An important moment in care is the temperature regime, which also differs in summer and winter. In warm time, the flower can be in a room with a temperature of +18 to +28 degrees, and in winter it can easily tolerate cooler conditions with a temperature of +10 to +16 degrees. Even a warmed loggia or balcony is to the liking of decorative Kalanchoe.

Kalanchoe transplant

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

For transplantation, 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 from the container should be removed very carefully so as not to accidentally damage the earthen lump.

Blooming Kalanchoe does not impose special requirements on soil quality, therefore, it can be perfectly located both in dense and loose earth. It’s good to add sand too. When preparing the soil for a flower transplant at home, it should be disinfected.

Top dressing

In order for Kalanchoe to flourish splendidly and beautifully, it is necessary to properly and timely fertilize it. 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 excess amount of recharge contributes to the abundant growth of green mass, but you can not wait for flowers. It is best to make half the rate indicated on the package.

Disease protection

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

If the leaves of the plant are covered with white, gray or brown spots - this indicates that you need to change the care. For example, stains occur due to excessive soil moisture, so moisture should be reduced. Excess dressing can also affect their formation, in which 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, cut off the affected areas and process the drug with these insects or with a soap solution.

Breeding methods

Care for Kalanchoe includes its reproduction. This plant can be purchased at a flower shop, but it often happens that after purchase it starts to wither and get sick. It is easiest to breed it yourself, and you can do it in different ways:

  • by dividing a large bush;
  • rooted cuttings;
  • planting a separate sheet;
  • sowing seeds.

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

The simplest and most common method of propagation is the rooting of the cuttings. The roots of a small stalk form very quickly, which allows it to easily take root in a new pot. After about a month, the bush becomes very lush.

Not only a stalk, but also a leaf can be plucked from the parent plant. He takes root as quickly as the stalk, only reaches the right size in a year.

At home, this decorative flower is propagated using seeds, which are very small in such a plant, which makes it difficult to land. They are laid on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing into it, but in no case not sprinkling them. Then the pot is covered with glass or a plastic bag. To create comfortable conditions for the germination of seeds, they make diffused sunlight, carry out small ventilation and put the container in a warm place. After seedlings, the glass or bag is removed, and the pot is placed in a sunny place.

Pruning

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

Since flowering greatly weakens the plant, it is necessary arrange periods of rest for him. To do this, carry out the following activities:

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

After a period of rest, Kalanchoe is returned to its usual place and fertilized.

Topping

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

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

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

Kalanchoe is a well-known medicinal plant grown at home. It is also called the "home doctor" or the "tree of life." The juice from the fleshy leaves of the flower has healing properties, which is why it is widely used in folk therapy.

A beautiful plant is not hardy picky. It adapts quickly, but errors in care can lead to the death of the pet. He is part of a group of succulents, that is, cultures that accumulate water in the stem and leaves. This genus includes many species, many of them have high healing properties, and others have decorative qualities and large bright flowers:

  1. Dissected Kalanchoe is also called "deer horns." It has leaves similar to deer horns - long shoots with narrowed leaves, cut along the perimeter.
  2. Tubiflora is a plant with folded inward, narrow foliage. On the edges it has many processes.
  3. Manginis are a decorative variety with long shoots. Flowering occurs with flowers in the form of bells of bright red color.
  4. Cirrus is a medicinal variety. The foliage resembles feathers and has clearly visible veins.
  5. Degremon - has juicy fleshy leaves, the juice of which quickly heals wounds, is used to treat many ENT pathologies.
  6. Blossfeld has high decorative qualities. This is a compact bush with inflorescences in the shape of umbrellas.

All of the above varieties are easy to grow at home, even for a beginner grower. They will always delight with their beauty and decorate the room.

Important rules for caring for the Kalanchoe plant

The first representatives of Kalanchoe grew on the island of Madagascar, and then spread to all areas of Asia. Green handsome feels good, both at home and in the greenhouse. It can last for a long time without watering, as it accumulates enough moisture in the stem and wide leaves.

They are covered with a thin film that prevents evaporation, but it is still necessary to monitor the growth of the plant, and also observe some rules:

  • protect from disease;
  • feed and fertilize;
  • water correctly;
  • observe temperature and light conditions;
  • properly propagate and prune so as not to damage the main bush.

Kalanchoe should stand in a well-lit room. In a darkened corner, the flower will stretch, and the flowering stage may not occur at all. The best window sills for a green pet are east and west sides. In winter, the flowerpot can be rearranged to the south.

In bright sunshine and in hot weather, foliage acquires a reddish color. This is not a sign of illness. At home, the plant is planted in pots and placed on a windowsill or flower stand. In greenhouses and on the balcony, it is better to place the flower in a wide box.

As for the temperature regime, Kalanchoe loves a moderately warm climate. In the winter months, it is ideal for him - + 11-16 ° C, in the summer months - + 23-25 \u200b\u200b° C. Of course, a pet can withstand sharp jumps back and forth, but this is better to prevent.

The main thing is to prevent soil overdrying or excessive waterlogging. In summer, the plant is moved from the house to the yard or to the unglazed balcony. Some gardeners dig flowers in the open ground, and then in the fall they transplant the pot back.

Forming and trimming Kalanchoe

Over time, the indoor flower begins to stretch strongly upward. At first, the green friend looks compact and miniature, like a squat bush, but gradually its decorative properties deteriorate. The foliage becomes smaller, and the stems are stretched. To restore the beauty of the Kalanchoe flower, you need a clothespin and pruning.

The last procedure is carried out after the flowering stage. Long stems are cut, wilted flowers are removed. On the slices hatch young shoots. For their branching, pinch them. Flower forming and pruning is usually done in summer or spring. By the beginning of autumn, the plant will give many young shoots with peduncles.

Proper watering of a flower

Especially do not worry about watering Kalanchoe. It withstands drought. Of course, in the hot season you should not overdry the land lump. In the winter months, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every few weeks. Stagnant water in the soil often causes rot of the root system.

It is very important that the flowerpot with the plant has drainage holes on the bottom through which excess fluid will flow. You need to water the plant both in the pan and on top of the soil. In extreme heat, you should monitor the soil. The dried top layer is immediately watered.

Fertilizing and feeding Kalanchoe

The plant is not demanding on soil fertilizers. This is best done during the period of bud buds and the appearance of flowers. Usually they use classic mineral fertilizers for decorative flowers, which are sold in a wide assortment in stores for flower growers.

Universal top dressing is used during the growing season. It is enough to saturate the earth with half of the norm proposed by the manufacturer. Fertilizing the soil is carried out no more than once a month. When the flower is at a dormant stage, it is not necessary to fertilize it at all.

How to stimulate the flowering of Kalanchoe

In natural conditions, a beautiful plant blooms during the African summer, that is, when there are short sunny days. Flower buds and at home are laid with a short light period. Mostly Kalanchoe blooms from December to May. Some varieties with good care produce flowers all year round.

To force the Kalanchoe flower to produce buds, it is necessary to artificially reduce daylight hours to 8 hours. At other times, the pot is rearranged in a dark corner, for example, in the pantry. This continues for a month.

This is enough for laying good peduncles. Some gardeners simply cover the flower with a tight box, put it in a dark cabinet. After 16 hours, the pet is opened. For example, this can be done at 17-00 in the evening, and open at 7-00 in the morning.

For long flowering, good lighting is needed, not frequent watering and coolness. During flowering, soil moisture can be enhanced, then flowering will continue until six months. Wilted flowers cut. New young buds usually appear in their place.

After flowering, Kalanchoe enters a calm period. This is necessary to restore strength, prepare for a new stage of flowering and release of cuttings. After flowering, the stems are pruned, dried stalks are removed.

Then the flowerpot is rearranged in a shady place, for example, on the northern part of the room or on a darkened loggia. Watering this season should be sparse; cooling to + 16 ° C is desirable. Repeated flowering occurs again after 2-3 months.

Suitable soil and flower transplant

Kalanchoe loves neutral and slightly acidic soil, soft and loose, well-draining water. Florists buy universal soil and interfere with coarse sand. Separately sold soil mixtures for succulents. Young bushes are transplanted annually into a wider pot. Adult green inhabitants of the windowsill do not need to be transplanted often, only 1 time in 1-2 years is enough.

A drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the pot so that water does not stagnate at the bottom. The plant is transplanted with a moistened old land lump. They add new soil, and it should be similar in properties and quality to the previous one. They pour it on the sides of a new pot. The plant quickly takes root in a few weeks.

How Kalanchoe propagates

A new plant can be propagated. This is done in many ways:

  1. rooting cuttings;
  2. sowing seeds;
  3. separation of a large bush;
  4. planting a single leaf.

The third method is not always successful, since a new bush or the main one can quickly wither. The most common and easy method is rooting cuttings.

A small stem quickly takes root, which are fixed in the new soil. In a month, a lush bush will be in its place. Not only cuttings, but also leaves take root well.

When planting Kalanchoe seeds, they are introduced into moist soil. Then the ground is covered with polyethylene, periodically airing and watering. For rapid germination of seeds, diffused light is required. The container should stand in a warm place. After sizing seeds, the flowerpot is rearranged in the sun.

Pests and protection against Kalanchoe diseases

Kalanchoe rarely gets sick. If brown, white or gray spots appear on the foliage, it is necessary to change the watering or lighting mode. The earth should not be very wet. During an illness, it is better to water the plant rarely, providing it with additional lighting. In the best case, you should change the pot, do top dressing.

Kalanchoe foliage can dry and die. The reason for this is very dry air and heat. To treat a flower in such a situation, it should be moistened more often and transferred to a cool place. To get rid of aphids, buds affected by it and yellowed leaves are cut, and the remaining stems and foliage are treated with a soap solution.

1 time in 2-3 years In summer - room temperature, in winter 12-16 Not more than once a week, when the topsoil dries 3-4 cm Not required Bright lighting Rest period is desirable

Lighting

The plant needs bright lighting. But you should avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. The main feature of the cultivation is the creation for him of a 12-hour daylight. This is the key to abundant flowering.

In summer, daylight should be reduced by shading plants, and in winter it needs to be additionally illuminated with the help of special lamps.

Diffuse lighting or partial shade - the best place for Kalanchoe. He will be most comfortable on the eastern or western windowsills, even on the southern ones. From morning to afternoon, sun exposure to the plant is not scary. From the bright sun, the leaves acquire a light reddish tint. However, after lunch, it is recommended to remove the flower in partial shade or cover it with a light cloth.

In winter, the plant can be grown on the southern window. It is not necessary to move it at this time of year, since the sun is not as active as in the summer.

Temperature

In the summer, the room temperature is quite suitable for the plant. It withstands both 18 ° C coolness and 30-degree heat. In the autumn-winter period from October to January, the temperature can be slightly reduced. The plant hibernates at a temperature of 12-16 ° C. With the advent of February, the temperature is gradually raised so that the plant begins to grow and blooms in early spring.

Kalanchoe is not too demanding on the thermometer. In the summer he will be comfortable at 22-28 degrees. However, with good watering, it tolerates 35-degree heat without loss.

In winter, it is recommended to lower the temperature to 14-18 degrees, since such conditions are optimal for laying flower buds. It is not advisable to keep the flower at a temperature below 7 degrees, as this is fraught with diseases and even death of the plant.

In the warm season, when the temperature during the day and night will be at least 10 degrees, the flower can be taken out into the fresh air until autumn: on the balcony, terrace, porch, and garden. In this case, it is better to choose a place protected from strong drafts and scorching rays of the sun.

Watering

Water the flower in moderation. Kalanchoe - succulent plants that accumulate moisture and do not require abundant and frequent moistening of the soil.

Excess moisture is very harmful to succulents..

In summer, Kalanchoe is rarely watered, not more than 1 time per week. In winter, when the plant is kept cool, watering is significantly reduced.

At any time of the year, Kalanchoe is watered only after the topsoil dries 3-4 cm.

The plant is adapted to dry climates, spraying for hydration is not required. To remove dust from the leaves, the flower can be washed in the shower, but do it no more than 1 time per season and only in summer. In this case, water should not fall into the soil.

The soil

To grow Kalanchoe, a fertile and well-permeable soil is required. The best soil for Kalanchoe will be a mixture of turf and leaf soil, sand, peat and humus in equal parts.

The plant grows well in any universal soil mixture with the addition of peat, which can be bought at flower shops.

A shop substrate for succulents is also great. The soil must be slightly acidic or neutral.

Another option for self-preparation dredging: deciduous and sod land, peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 4: 1: 1. Peat can be replaced with coniferous land. For epiphytic species, it is recommended to add a little humus to the soil. A good drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer

The plant is fed during the growing season and flowering. In winter, when the flower is at rest, top dressing is stopped. Fertilize in the soil every 2 weeks. It is best to feed Kalanchoe with liquid complex fertilizers for cacti and succulents.

The plant does not have a strong need for fertilizing. However, if there is a lack of minerals (slow growth, lack of flowering, the leaves become smaller), it is necessary to fertilize the plant. You can do this in spring, summer or autumn, but in no case in winter.

Feeding can be done once every 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones. Such procedures can be carried out regularly from mid-spring to late summer. Feeding should also be done in the fall, when flower buds are laid.

It is important to know that the concentration of fertilizer for Kalanchoe should be made 2 times weaker than indicated on the package. This will be quite enough for the plant. An important rule - the mixture must first be dissolved in warm water, and only after it cools down can it be added to the ground. Otherwise, the roots do not absorb nutrients.

When feeding a plant, it is important to remember that excess fertilizer is more harmful to it than their lack. Therefore, such procedures should not be abused.

Features

Consider how to care for Kalanchoe at home, so that the plant flourishes and develops luxuriantly.

Kalanchoe needs a short daylight hours.

Therefore, in the summer the plant can be cleaned in the closet by evening. In winter, you need to additionally cover it.

In good conditions, the plant will bloom every year. If it is kept at room temperature, flowering may begin in January. If the flower hibernates in a cool room, flowering will occur only at the end of winter, or even at the beginning of March.

A resting period for Kalanchoe is desirable, but not at all necessary.

Florists argue that after a cool wintering, the plant blooms better and longer. The main requirements of Kalanchoe for good growth and abundant flowering are low humidity and the abundance of ambient light.

Kalanchoe can be called a short daylight plant. The laying of buds occurs when the daylight begins to noticeably decrease, namely in the fall. Therefore, in order to wait for plentiful flowering, the plant must be deprived of light for 12-14 hours a day for a month and a half in the autumn period. For this, experienced gardeners recommend that from 17-18 hours in the evening to cover the flower with a paper cap and hide it in a closet. And in the morning put back on the windowsill.

With this arrangement, in the daytime, the plant needs a lot of light to form flower buds. Therefore, it is better to put it on a southeast or southwest window sill with diffused lighting.

In its homeland, this flower lives in low humidity.   Do not humidify the air near the plant, since this can lead to the development of various fungal diseases. And when water gets on the stem and leaves, their decay may begin.

Flowering Kalanchoe

As a rule, Kalanchoe blooms once a year: in late winter - early spring. However, with perfect care and the creation of the necessary light regime, two-time flowering can be achieved.

If the plant has not released buds before the end of March, it should be examined for pests, mold or fungal diseases.

With heavy watering  rotting of roots, stems and leaves is observed. In this case, you need to water the plant less often, and remove the affected leaves and shoots.

In low light  the plant stretches, and its lower leaves fall. In this case, you need to transfer it to a more lighted place. Also, flower shoots are exposed if the room temperature is very high.

With poor growth, the plant should be fed. But no need to abuse dressings. With an excess of nutrients in the soil, the flower builds leaf mass, but does not bloom.

Breeding

At home, Kalanchoe is propagated by cuttings, children or seeds. The first two methods are the simplest and fastest.

When propagated by cuttings, apical cuttings can be used that have at least 3 pairs of leaves. Before rooting the place of slices, it is recommended to dry a little and process with crushed activated carbon to prevent decay.

Rooting can be carried out both in water and in soil. In the first case, boiled water at room temperature is used. Roots appear after 10-15 days. In the second case, a mixture of peat and sand is used for rooting, the cuttings are deepened by 1-2 cm.

Some species of plants at the edges of the leaves form small “babies” with roots. They often fall to the ground themselves and take root. They can be planted separately in a container (in a mixture of light soil and peat) at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. When planting, the "children" do not deepen much, their leaves should be on the surface. Watering is moderate. When young specimens grow up, they are planted in separate pots.

Seed propagation of Kalanchoe is a very time-consuming process that amateur gardeners almost never use. Moreover, it is almost impossible to obtain plant seeds at home.

You can read more about the propagation of Kalanchoe.

Transfer

A plant is transplanted only when the roots have grown and braided the entire earthen lump. Therefore, he does not need annuals. It is enough to transplant the plant into new soil once every 2-3 years.

The transplant is carried out in late spring or early summer.when the flowering is completely over. To do this, take a pot larger than the previous one by 1-2 cm in diameter.

A drainage layer of broken brick or expanded clay is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot, and then 2-3 cm of new earth is laid.

Kalanchoe is removed from the old pot and transplanted into a new one by means of transshipment.. The gap between the wall of the pot and the root system is filled with fresh earth.

After transplanting, the plant, like other succulents, should not be watered for 3-4 days. Then, watering is resumed as usual.

Description of the plant and species

Kalanchoe is a perennial succulent representative of the Tolstyankov family; the tropics of Australia, America and Asia are the birthplace of the race.

The plant has long shoots with dense light green or dark green foliage. In different species, the shape and size of the leaves are very different: they can be weakly or strongly dissected, have a short or long petiole. As a rule, the leaves are fleshy and dense.

In indoor conditions, Kalanchoe blooms once a year, with perfect care - twice. Flowers are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences and can have white, yellow, purple, red or orange color.

In nature, about 200 species of Kalanchoe are known, but a small part of them is grown under room conditions:

  • Kalanchoe Degremona is a decorative and deciduous species that has oblong leaves of a triangular shape, reaching a length of 10 cm. “Children” with roots form on the edges of the leaves, which, falling off, take root in the ground. With age, the Kalanchoe Degremona slightly curl leaves along the length.
  • Kalanchoe Mangin - has small rounded leaves, bell-shaped flowers reach 2 cm in length.
  • Kalanchoe Blossveld - can reach a height of 45 cm. It has dark green ovoid leaves, slightly wavy along the edge. It blooms with lush umbrella-shaped inflorescences, which can have red, white, pink, yellow or purple.
  • Kalanchoe pinnate - the most popular viable species, can reach a height of 1 meter. Oblong fleshy leaves have a light green color, and form “babies” at the edges. This species has healing juice.

Moisturizing the soil is a necessary part of caring for any plant. Kalanchoe needs to be watered as necessary, to prevent excess fluid or prolonged drying of the soil. Despite the fact that the culture belongs to succulents, it also needs to be supplied with water. Compliance with the correct regime, depending on the growing season, will provide flowering and high decorativeness of the indoor flower.

Watering mode

The multiplicity of the procedure depends on the age of the succulent, soil structure, season. Kalanchoe can not be watered often, because from waterlogging the root system will begin to rot, the substrate must grow moldy. These problems do not become noticeable immediately, therefore they can lead to the death of a flower.

A houseplant should not be constantly in wet soil. This is especially dangerous if the temperature drops or the humidity level is high. In such an environment, the development of fungal diseases is possible. Excess liquid prevents buds from forming, so flowering does not occur. Long-term lack of water is also harmful, manifested by yellowing, drying and falling leaves.

In spring and summer

Watering Kalanchoe during the active growing season is a must. Elevated temperature, dry air, active plant growth require an appropriate regimen. It is advisable to water on average 2 times per week. This recommendation is approximate, in reality, the multiplicity may vary. You can not moisten the soil if it has not dried out in most of the pot.

If the Kalanchoe is in the sun or the substrate is used in a store that does not retain liquid, it will be necessary to water more often. The main thing is to focus on the state of succulents and soil.

This procedure is also important not only in itself, you need to water it with top dressing. If this is not done, the root system may suffer from a lack of nutritious nutrients.

Fall and winter

The rest period is characterized by a decrease in temperature to + 12-16 ° C. In such conditions, it is impossible to spray the aerial part and constantly water the Kalanchoe. Indoor flower will quickly die from waterlogging. It is recommended to focus on 1 procedure in 2 weeks. At the same time, the volume of liquid should also be reduced;

The flowering period in many varieties of culture begins at the end of winter. To provide the plant with everything you need, you should water it once a week, combine the operation with top dressing. It is desirable that the temperature at this time be maintained at the same level, about +15 ° C.

How to water

Follow the basic recommendations in order to grow a healthy Kalanchoe, pleasing regular flowering. The plant is unpretentious and sufficiently viable, so a short-term non-compliance with agrotechnical requirements is unable to destroy it. The death of a bush causes a prolonged exposure to adverse factors and the lack of timely assistance.

Watering succulents at home should be correct:

  • take into account the time of year, the age of Kalanchoe, the composition of the soil mixture;
  • use well-maintained warm water;
  • large drops of liquid should not fall on the trunk, leaves and in their sinuses;
  • water as most of the soil dries;
  • the earthen lump should be completely wet so that there are no dry sections of the substrate;
  • 20-30 minutes after the procedure, the water released into the pan should be removed.

Irrigation Methods

You can water the plants in 2 ways - in a container under a flower pot or directly under the root. In the case of Kalanchoe, it is recommended to use the second method. Moisten the soil completely without leaving dry areas. It is not recommended to get on the stem and leaf plates, otherwise these areas may become stained with rot or mold, especially in conditions of high humidity.

In the summer, Kalanchoe should be sprayed from the spray bottle with settled water at room temperature. The procedure is carried out in the evening, so as not to provoke a burn of the aerial parts.

You can not water from a watering can, so that excess moisture does not collect in the sinuses. To remove dust from leaf blades in the spring and in the fall, a damp cotton pad or soft cloth will help.

Water requirements

It is also important what kind of liquid you have to water Kalanchoe. You can use tap water, but only distilled or boiled. Otherwise, a supersaturation of the soil substrate with calcium and magnesium salts is possible, which will negatively affect the plant. The liquid should be slightly warmed up, since cold will harm the root system. The optimum water temperature for Kalanchoe is + 25-30 ° C.

Common mistakes

The plant will bloom and quickly grow green mass, if properly watered. It is important to consider the time of year, the characteristics of the variety and the age of the succulent, the substrate used. This culture suffers less from a lack of care than from an excess.

The main disorders that negatively affect Kalanchoe:

  • waterlogging of soil or air;
  • lack of moisture;
  • watering with cold or hard water;
  • non-compliance with the regime depending on the growing season.

The combination of high humidity and low temperature in the room causes decay of the root system and the aerial parts. Outwardly, the problem is manifested by putrefactive spots, an unpleasant odor from the soil substrate. These conditions are suitable for the development of fungal diseases that are difficult to cure.

If you water Kalanchoe too often, it will stop growing. For treatment, the bush will have to be transplanted into new soil and restore the watering regime.

With a prolonged or systematic moisture deficit, the leaf plates will decrease in size, become limp, turn yellow, and begin to fall off. To solve this problem will help spraying the aerial parts with water from a spray gun, systematic but moderate soil moisture.

Water Kalanchoe should be in accordance with the needs of the plant in a given period of time. The recommended frequency of the procedure is conditional, you should focus on the need for succulent moisture. Use soft water at room temperature or slightly warmed up. In summer, spray additionally from the spray gun, but not during flowering.