Kalanchoe Cultivation Methods and Precautions
This article introduces the cultivation of Kalanchoe, a succulent plant, including its cultivation methods and precautions. Detailed information will be shared below.
Many netizens have asked me about the cultivation methods and precautions for Kalanchoe. Based on the most frequently asked aspects, I have collected some information online and integrated my own experience over the years to summarize this article, hoping it will be helpful to everyone. Please feel free to point out any mistakes.
Kalanchoe thrives in a warm, slightly humid, and sunlit environment. The optimal growth temperature is between 15-25 degrees Celsius. Growth is hindered above 30 degrees and stops below 10 degrees. Below 5 degrees, the leaves may turn red (different varieties have different sensitivities to low temperatures). Kalanchoe requires ample sunlight; insufficient light may cause the plant to stretch, resulting in weak branches, small leaves, reduced flowering, and dull flower colors.
1. About Soil Medium
Kalanchoe is not particular about soil and is drought-resistant. Generally, well-ventilated and breathable soil is preferred. I recommend adding more granular medium because it is easier for beginners to control the watering. A soil mix with coarse aggregate does not need to worry about these issues. The overall principle is to maintain a loose and breathable soil. Kalanchoe prefers slightly acidic soil, which is not a problem in the south. In the north, where the soil is alkaline, you can add decomposed leaf soil to the pot.
2. About Acclimatization
Many sellers wrap the plants in newspapers during shipping, which can make the leaves slightly soft due to water absorption. Spraying a small amount of water on the leaves will usually make them lively after one night.
Prepare loose and breathable soil, slightly moistened with water. After receiving the plant, plant it without additional watering and place it in a well-ventilated, shaded area for about 3 days before exposing it to direct sunlight. Keep the soil slightly moist during acclimatization, better dry than wet, as excessive water can cause root rot. A small amount of fertilizer can be applied at the bottom of the pot before planting, but be careful not to use too much to avoid burning the roots.
3. About Stem Cutting Propagation
After the old Kalanchoe plant flowers or survives the summer, it should be repotted with fresh soil, or its growth will weaken. At the same time, larger plants can be cut into several parts and planted separately. Kalanchoe is a highly viable plant that is easy to propagate. Propagation is mainly done through stem cuttings, which can be done at any season, with spring and autumn being the best. Summer and winter are also possible, but roots may grow slowly. For cutting, choose healthy branches with at least four mature leaves, let the cut heal, and then plant. The medium can be珍珠岩,蛭石,泥炭, or river sand. It can also be soaked in water until roots form before transplanting into a pot, or placed directly on the moist soil surface, frequently sprayed to maintain humidity and induce root growth. shading is required from the start of cutting until roots form. Since the cuttings do not have roots to absorb water, the humidity must be maintained. This can be done by covering with plastic film or manually spraying water to keep the moisture.
4. About the Growing Period
Kalanchoe is drought-tolerant and does not require a lot of water, following the principle of watering when dry. In winter, water should be controlled at low temperatures to avoid root rot. The differentiation period of Kalanchoe is from October to November, so the water requirement is not high during this period, maintaining humidity at around 50% is suitable.
Kalanchoe prefers warm winters and cool summers, and is averse to extreme heat and severe cold. A temperature of about 18 degrees is ideal during the growing period, with a minimum temperature of 10 degrees. From October to the flowering period, pay attention to enhancing ventilation and sunlight to make the flowers last longer. High temperatures above 30 degrees in summer hinder growth, while a room temperature of 12-15 degrees is required in winter. If the room temperature exceeds 24 degrees during the winter-spring flowering period, flowering will be inhibited, but it will continue to bloom around 15 degrees.
Kalanchoe requires ample sunlight in winter. Insufficient light for an extended period can cause leaf drop and dull flower colors. Attention should be paid to changing the pot's direction to ensure even sunlight exposure. In summer, avoid strong sunlight and place it in a well-ventilated semi-shaded area.
Except for the Paris series, other varieties grow rapidly. During growth, adhere to the principle of keeping it slightly dry rather than wet. Water only when it's almost dry, and do not leave standing water in the pot. A semi-shaded environment is most suitable for Kalanchoe growth. A pot size of 10-12 centimeters is ideal, as a larger pot is not conducive to acclimatization and growth.
Do not fertilize during the acclimatization period. Once the plant starts to grow vigorously, fertilize frequently with a thin solution, either foliar or solid fertilizer. Foliar fertilizers like Biwang can be sprayed on the leaves once a week, but not too concentrated. Solid fertilizers should not be used too frequently. Stop fertilizing during high summer temperatures. Some varieties have tall stems, and sometimes it's best to pinch the top to induce side buds for a bushier plant. Generally, the more side branches, the more flowering branches. It is not recommended to mix different varieties in the same pot because they may grow at different rates, and mixed planting may weaken the weaker variety, causing it to disappear.
5. About Flowering
Kalanchoe is a short-day flowering plant, usually blooming from winter to spring. After the plants are fully grown in November, stop using nitrogenous fertilizers like nitrogen fertilizer or Biwang and switch to phosphorus-potassium fertilizers like potassium dihydrogen phosphate and Biokaihua. Dilute to over 1000 times and spray the leaves once a week, which can promote more flowers and a longer blooming period.
If Kalanchoe refuses to bloom or you want to see flowers by the Spring Festival, you can use the shading method to promote flowering. The method is: expose Kalanchoe to light for only half a day (not limited to sunlight, including artificial light), and cover it with a black plastic bag or keep it in a dark room for the rest of the time. Repeat this process daily for about a month, and it will usually form buds.
6. Precautions
Kalanchoe belongs to the cool-growing type, grows fastest in spring and autumn, blooms in winter and spring, and is basically dormant in summer. Therefore, watering should be reduced in summer, and the plant should be placed in a shaded, well-ventilated area to spend the summer.
In winter, northern gardeners should keep Kalanchoe away from the cold. Although Kalanchoe can sometimes tolerate 0 degrees Celsius, it is afraid of frost and snow. Northern gardeners should try to keep it in a closed balcony.
7. About Pests and Diseases
The most common pests of Kalanchoe are aphids and scale insects. These two diseases are key to prevention, and the chance of occurrence is much lower in a well-ventilated environment. There is also a leaf miner larva that likes to burrow into leaves. By the time it is discovered, the leaf flesh has usually been eaten up. There is no known effective treatment yet, so it is best to pay attention to the back of the leaves and clear away any eggs as soon as they are found. If moths are seen nearby, you can immediately spray insecticide. Furadan can be sprinkled on the surface of the pot, and the plant will absorb the medicine to kill the pests. However, please handle this with caution. Huhuashen, Lveguo, Pyradox, and Bai Chongling are all effective against these three pests and diseases.
Kalanchoe is prone to powdery mildew indoors. Powdery mildew can usually be resolved with Xianxuoning. Alcohol can also be used to wipe, and some gardeners have reported that sulfur powder can also treat powdery mildew. Kalanchoe can also suffer from stem rot and leaf blight, which can be treated with methyl thiophanate at a concentration of 800-1000 times. During the growing period, leaf blight can be sprayed with 75% carbendazim 800 times or 50% multi菌灵 1000 times to prevent and control. For the black rot that is most likely to occur in summer, my personal experience is to water less and choose to water after 4 pm in the afternoon. Each time you water, try to reduce the amount of water. High soil temperature can cause the soil to become airtight after watering, leading to high humidity, which can easily cause the roots to rot and injury to the rootstock, leading to death. Therefore, a medium with more coarse particles and well-ventilated soil is less likely to suffer from black rot.
The above sharing of Kalanchoe cultivation methods and precautions is hoped to be helpful to you!