Is your Kalanchoe at home looking a bit droopy lately, as if asking for help? Don't worry, let me tell you how to care for your Kalanchoe to bring it back to life and make it a bright spot in your home!
1. Know your plant: Understanding the personality of Kalanchoe
The name "Kalanchoe" sounds full of auspiciousness and longevity. It originates from Africa, so its personality is a bit like a sunny African youth, preferring a warm, dry, and sunny environment. It is drought-tolerant but fears waterlogging, tolerates partial shade but fears strong direct sun, with the most suitable growth temperature between 15-25°C. Therefore, before raising a Kalanchoe, it's important to understand these little traits to better care for it.
2. Light: Give it plenty of sun, but not too much
Kalanchoe is a sun-loving plant. Full sun is best in spring, autumn, and winter, with at least 4 hours of sunlight daily for more vigorous flower bud differentiation. But in summer, be careful to avoid direct, strong midday sun, which can easily scorch the leaves. At this time, you can use a shade cloth or move the Kalanchoe to a place indoors with bright, indirect light.
3. Watering: Better to be too dry than too waterlogged; even lazy people can grow it well
Kalanchoe prefers dry conditions; overwatering can cause leggy growth and prevent flowering. Therefore, watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, and water thoroughly when you do." Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, which can be extended to once a week in winter. Remember, never let it get waterlogged!
4. Potting Mix: Good drainage is key; a money-saving DIY recipeKalanchoe likes loose, well-draining soil. You can mix it in a 1:1:1 ratio of leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand. Alternatively, you can buy a commercial succulent mix and add 10% river sand, which is both economical and convenient.
5. Fertilizing: Light and frequent feeding; the secret to a blooming explosionDuring the growing season (spring and autumn), apply a balanced, diluted nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer every 10 days. When it's time for bud formation, switch to a high-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, applied as a foliar spray or soil drench at a 1:1000 ratio for an abundance of flower buds that will weigh down the branches! Note: Stop fertilizing during high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures.
6. Pruning