How to grow and care for Kalanchoe in a pot at home
Everyone knows the king of home medicinal plants - aloe. But amateur flower growers often turn their attention to another culture - medicinal Kalanchoe. When properly cared for, this plant is an excellent decorative flower and a valuable home healer. Consider how to care for Kalanchoe growing in a pot at home, so that the plant not only pleases with a healthy appearance, lush flowering, but also fully reveals its medicinal properties.
Description and characteristics of the plant
The homeland of the Kalanchoe are the countries of hot Asia, and especially the island of Madagascar. This explains the ability of the plant to retain moisture and use it very economically.Its peculiarity is its thick stems and fleshy leaves, as if saturated with liquid. A special film covering their glossy surface prevents excessive evaporation in hot weather. This culture belongs to the so-called succulents.
The indoor plant gladly blooms with bright inflorescences, mainly in spring and winter. Currently, many hybrids have been bred, differing in a wide variety of colors. Cultivation is unpretentious, but each variety (and there are more than 200 of them) has its own characteristics of care. You need to make up your mind about them before buying a flower.
How to choose the right one
When buying, you should pay attention to the appearance of the plant in order to choose an instance to your taste. By its appearance, you can determine whether it is sick, what is its flowering nature, whether it is affected by pests. It is recommended to make a purchase at the beginning of winter, when the bush is just entering the flowering phase.
Leaves
The condition of the leaves shows the conditions the plant was in before purchase. You need to choose a flower with dense, fleshy leaves of a uniform dark green color. Damage, stains, stains may indicate disease. If the plant is compact, has dense and rich vegetation, then it was grown in ideal conditions. An elongated stem with sparse leaves suggests that the Kalanchoe suffers from a lack of light.
buds
When buying, the buds should be in the forming stage. Soon the whole bush will be covered with bright inflorescences. By the color of the buds, one can judge what shades the Kalanchoe bush will delight in during the flowering period.
Diseases
When buying, it is extremely important not to miss the signs of this or that disease. It can be rot, softened areas, stains, damage.
pests
Traces of pest activity are usually concentrated on the front and back of leaves, stems, in the center of buds or on blooming flowers. Vigilance should be caused by various growths, plaque, crusty formations.
How to take care
Plant care is simple. It consists of the regular implementation of basic procedures that provide the plant with the possibility of normal life. Particular attention should be paid to him during the adaptation period, which occurs when the conditions of detention change (in particular, after removal from the store).
Quarantine and post-purchase care
Immediately after purchase, the plant must go through a two-week quarantine. At this time, it is placed separately from the rest of the flowers, so that the hidden symptoms of diseases, if any, appear.
Temperature and lighting
Choosing the right place and observing the temperature regime is extremely important. Kalanchoe is a light-loving culture. After the beginning of the flowering period, the plant is transferred to the south side, where there is enough light. At other times, it feels good to be on the west or north side. An artificial reduction in the hours of sunshine helps to bring the flowering period closer. For this, the plant is removed to a shaded room even before evening.
In summer and winter, the plant needs a different temperature regime. In summer, comfortable temperatures range from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, they are somewhat different - from 10 to 16 degrees Celsius. Kalanchoe must be protected from the cold. At low temperatures (less than 10 degrees Celsius), the plant may die.
Size and toe-in
Pruning procedure after the end of the flowering period helps to preserve decorative qualities. At this time, the lower leaves of the bush fall off, and the stem is strongly stretched. The aerial part is pruned, leaving a low shoot. At the same time, the amount of watering is reduced. In such conditions, the formation of young shoots occurs, and the plant regains its former splendor and strength.
Due to the gradual depletion of the apical shoots, the plant begins to lack nutrients, which aggravates it. The pinch procedure prevents this. This is done with scissors, immediately treating the sections with activated carbon. If everything is done correctly, a pair of young shoots will soon form on the cut site. After pinching, the plant is placed in a dark room for a month to adapt and recover.
Top dressing and fertilization
Once a month, Kalanchoe is fertilized using a complex fertilizer for plants - succulents... It is necessary to observe the measure, since a large amount of the drug will cause an abundant appearance of green mass, but no flowering. Before fertilizing, topple the plant with clean water.
watering
Kalanchoe does not require abundant and frequent watering. Moisture accumulates in the fleshy leaves and stems and is consumed as needed. Therefore, drought is not as dangerous for a plant as excessive watering and waterlogging the soil. It is a common cause of root rot.
The plant should be watered in this way:
- in winter - once a week;
- in the summer - 2 times a week.
To avoid water stagnation, soil drainage is provided. When watering, water is poured under the root or in a pan, and the leaves are protected from moisture. During the adaptation period, the flower needs a special watering regime.At this stage, make sure that the piece of land is constantly moderately moistened. The top dressing is not applied.
Transfer
Kalanchoe is actively growing, so it needs to be transplanted regularly to free the overgrown root system. Young plants are transplanted once a year and old ones every three or four years. The plant is subjected to the same procedure in the first days after purchase. This should be done according to certain rules.
How to choose a jar
For the transplant, a more spacious clay pot with a drainage hole is selected, a drainage layer (expanded clay or coarse sand) is placed on the bottom, at least two centimeters thick.
Before use, a new jar is poured over boiling water and placed in hot water for 2 hours.
Soil requirements
To transplant Kalanchoe in a flower shop, they purchase special soil for succulents. You can prepare the ground yourself. Its composition should be as follows:
- turf - 4 parts;
- leaf land - 2 parts;
- peat - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part.
- birch charcoal (for loosening).
Disembarkation dates
Choose the time of the longest hours of sunshine (up to 12 hours). This is the most intensive growth period (April-May). It is recommended to transplant a plant brought from the store after it has faded.
How to transplant
When transplanting a flower, they act very carefully:
- prepare a new pot, place drainage at the bottom and a layer of fertile soil on top;
- make a tubercle in the center;
- remove the plant from the old pot with a lump of soil, without damaging it;
- a plant with a lump of soil is placed on a tuber and poured with prepared soil so that the soil surface is 3 centimeters below the edge of the pot.
- Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a shady spot for several days.
Characteristics of the graft after purchase
After purchase, the plant is transplanted in the same way, but, removing it from the pot, the remnants of the transport mixture are completely shaken off the roots. Then they are placed in a new pot on an earthen mound, the roots are straightened and carefully sprinkled with earth.
During flowering
During the flowering period, after the formation of buds, it is not recommended to disturb the plant. This can cause buds and flowers to drop. You can start the transplanting procedure only after full flowering.
It has been noticed that bushes growing in slightly cramped pots bloom especially beautifully. For flowering species of Kalanchoe you should not choose too spacious pots.
How to plant several flowers in the same pot
A large bush is divided in order to refresh the plant. But this must be done with extreme caution. A split flower is difficult to take root, and the period of adaptation to a new place can last quite a long time.
In summer
In the summer, the main attention should be paid to optimal lighting of the bush. You can expose it to direct rays from 11 to 15 hours. The rest of the time it is recommended to create diffused light for the flower. This is especially true of cultivated flower varieties.
Watering should be done in moderation, avoiding stagnant moisture or drying out of the soil.
Breeding methods
A plant bought in a store can be of poor quality, sick. To avoid such a risk, gardeners are advised to engage in self-breeding of Kalanchoe. There are several methods for its reproduction:
- cuttings;
- leaves;
- girls or children sockets;
- seeds.
The most commonly used propagation by cuttings and seeds.
Cuttings
The cut shoot or stem is pre-rooted. This is done in the ground or in a container with water. The procedure is as follows: a cut shoot (about 8 centimeters long) is placed in a glass of water or planted in moist soil. After a short time, roots will appear, and the sprout can be planted in a permanent place. In a month, a small independent plant will grow. In order for it to take root faster, a kind of greenhouse is created above the pot using a film.
Grow from seed
Reproduction begins with sowing seeds in moist deciduous soil. They are laid on the surface, gently pressing, but not falling asleep. From above, the container is covered with foil or glass, placed in a room with diffused sunlight. Grown in a warm place, periodically airing the room. After the seeds germinate, the protection is removed and the container with the seedlings is transferred to the sun.
A month later, seedlings are picked in common containers. After the leaves have developed, they are transplanted into individual pots with a nutrient mixture. Form bushes by pinching the top. As they grow, they are transplanted into large pots.
If everything is done correctly, young plants will bloom within a year from the first sowing.
Possible problems
In the process of breeding Kalanchoe, flower growers may encounter one or another problem. In each case, you need to know the algorithms of their solution and act accordingly.
does not bloom
If the Kalanchoe did not bloom in this season, it is necessary to find out the cause and eliminate it.
Lack of flowering can be observed in the following cases:
- Too much fertilizer making the soil too heavy.
- Excessive lighting. Direct sunlight burns the plant, preventing the formation of buds. Very long hours of daylight slow the formation of buds.
- Lack of lighting. If the plant is in the shade for too long, the stem elongates, which also prevents flowering.
- Absence of a dormant phase after the flowering period.
- Lack or excess of humidity. The alternation of periods of drought with periods of waterlogged soil is very harmful.
Leaves wither and turn yellow
Wilting, yellowing, and leaf drop can indicate a lack of nutrients, poor soil, or too little light. Often these signs are symptoms of a bush flower aphid infection.
Diseases and pests
Kalanchoe is hardy, rarely sick. If this still happens, we can talk about the lack of care and nutrition, which led to a decrease in immunity.
Mold
Mold on the leaves indicates too frequent watering and spraying, keeping the plant in a cold damp room.
Powdery mildew
The reason for the appearance of a white bloom on the stem and leaves (powdery mildew) is being kept in a too warm room. The plant grows slowly and gradually fades. Treatment consists of treatment with drugs - fungicides (Topaz, Chistotsvet).
Aphid
Flower aphids damage foliage, shoots. Symptoms are yellowing, falling leaves, a sticky coating on them. For treatment, Aktellik, Commander drugs are used. Helps treat tobacco dust.
mealybugs
Mealybug infection of the plant is manifested by the appearance of oily, waxy secretions on the leaves, which leads to gradual wilting.The treatment is as follows:
- the affected parts of the plant are removed;
- in severe stages, insecticides or mineral oil sprays M-30, M-50 are used.
Medical properties
Kalanchoe juice has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, due to the content of biologically active components, the plant is a good immunostimulant. It has long been used in traditional medicine - for the treatment of dental and gynecological pathologies. Kalanchoe juice is used in the treatment of skin diseases - ulcers, burns, furunculosis. It effectively helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, joints, veins.
You can start taking Kalanchoe juice and tinctures only after consulting with your doctor.
Kinds
Consider several popular types of Kalanchoe, which are often used in apartment floriculture.
Benta
A plant with good decorative properties. A tall, unbranched shrub with a strong stem and large leaves. It blooms with large white flowers, up to 2.5 centimeters in size. Blooms in April-May, loves coolness.
Bekharskoye
Plant with bare stems and entire, pubescent leaves. The length of the leaves reaches 20 centimeters, the width is 10. It blooms with small yellow flowers, collected in umbrellas.
Blossfield
The plant has a long flowering period. It reaches a height of 30 centimeters. It has dark green, rounded leaves. The flowers are usually red, but can be yellow, orange or pink.
felt
Due to the special shape of pubescent leaves, densely located on the stem, the plant is called "cat's ears".It blooms with small multicolored flowers that combine red, purple and silver tones.
Degremona
It can reach a height of half a meter. It has fleshy leaves, on the edges of which small rosettes form - babies that can take root and sprout. Blooms in winter with bell-shaped, purple or pink inflorescences. Has strong medicinal properties.
large-flowered
It grows up to 60 centimeters in height, has light green, sometimes reddish leaves. Yellow flowers are collected in umbrellas. The flowering period is May. The birthplace of the flower is India.
manga
The plant is distinguished by large pink inflorescences with 10-15 bell-shaped pink flowers. Active flowering occurs in spring.
Flowering panicle
The plant reaches a height of 60 centimeters, densely covered with large silvery leaves. The lower ones have the shape of a rosette, while the upper ones grow less often. It blooms with small yellow flowers, collected in panicle inflorescences. The flowering period is at the end of April or May.
Marble
It has oblong leaves with a serrated edge. The plant got its name from the original color of the leaves. From green, they gradually turn gray, with brownish spots. It blooms with white flowers, connected in a kind of umbrella. Has a long flowering period (January to April).
Cirrus
The feathery Kalanchoe reaches a meter in height. Densely covered with thick toothed leaves on which daughter rosettes form. Known for its medicinal properties.
Ardent
Low plant with a slightly branched trunk. It blooms with large bright red flowers, collected in umbrellas. You feel good in cool rooms.
with tubular flowers
Large shrub with large oblong leaves. It blooms with beautiful red flowers.Corollas are arranged in the form of a tube up to 2.5 centimeters long. The plant has many varieties, with flowers in all shades of red.
dissected
The vertical stem of the bush over time changes the direction of growth and begins to sag. It has light green waxy leaves with split edges. It blooms with bright orange flowers.
Don Sergio
It has a long flowering period and is very decorative. Thick dark leaves are pleasantly combined with bright double inflorescences. The flowering period begins at the beginning of winter.
Kalandiva
A low plant, it is distinguished by abundant dense double flowers. Large glossy leaves growing in pairs make the plant even more beautiful.
To mix together
The plant has a long flowering period (up to six months). Differs in richness of shades during flowering, unpretentiousness and good healing qualities.
Rosaline
The compact plant blooms with double flowers in delicate pastel colors. It has glossy rounded leaves with a wavy edge.
Tips & Tricks
In order for the Kalanchoe to look lush and beautiful, it is necessary to form three-stage care: watering, lighting, fertilizing.
- Blooming Kalanchoe grows well in loose, dense soil.
- It is useful to add phosphorus and zinc components to the soil of Kalanchoe.
- It is not recommended to cut Kalanchoe in the fall - so it will not have time to recover. This is a common reason for the lack of buds on the bush.