Is Kalanchoe a succulent?
As a star variety in the indoor green plant world, Kalanchoe is loved for its brilliant flowers and beautiful meanings. However, many新手 gardeners often misunderstand its plant attributes, and improper watering leads to failure in maintenance. Today, let's delve into this vibrant plant and unravel the mysteries of its care.
The secrets of succulent plant attributes
Typical features of the Crassulaceae family
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is indeed a member of the succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family. Its fleshy leaves have a typical water storage structure, and the waxy layer covering the leaf surface can effectively reduce water evaporation. This special physiological structure gives it super drought resistance, which is also a common feature of most succulent plants.
Unique ornamental value
The dense, oval-shaped leaves with a waxy sheen, combined with a flowering period of up to 4 months, can display more than ten flower colors such as crimson, bright yellow, and snow white. The plant height is usually controlled between 20-30 centimeters, making it suitable for both desktop placement and flower landscape combinations.
Accurate watering core techniques
Dry-wet cycle rule
Adopt the "wet-dry" principle: when the surface of the potting soil is completely dry 2-3 centimeters, and the leaves appear slightly soft, water thoroughly. In the spring and autumn growing seasons, water every 7-10 days, in summer, reduce to 5-7 days, and in winter, extend to 15-20 days. It is recommended to use a narrow-spout pot to water slowly along the edge of the pot.
Seasonal difference management
In the high summer temperatures, water early in the morning to avoid midday evaporation that can damage the roots; in winter, water during the sunny and warm noon to prevent frost damage at night. Be especially careful to control water during the bud differentiation stage to effectively promote bud formation.
Analysis of key points in systematic maintenance
Environmental control elements
Maintain an ideal temperature range of 15-25°C, and do not let it drop below 10°C in winter. Ensure 4-6 hours of scattered light every day, and shade from the strong midday sun in summer. Use a breathable substrate mixed with珍珠岩, coarse river sand, and decomposed leaf soil in a ratio of 2:3:5.
Secrets to shaping the plant
Pinch the top 2-3 times during the growing season: when new branches have grown 4 pairs of leaves, leave 2 pairs and pinch the top. Combined with timely pruning of the remaining flowers after blooming, this can make the plant fuller and increase the number of flowers by more than 40% the following year.
Through scientific maintenance, this plant symbolizing health and longevity will surely bloom beautifully year after year. Remember the care characteristics brought by the succulent attributes, master the rhythm of wet-dry alternation in watering, and配合 moderate pruning, and you can also cultivate exquisite Kalanchoe with a colorful display of flowers.