Many people know that almost every house has Kalanchoe on the windowsill. This plant is used not only for decorative purposes, but also for medicinal purposes. Caring for this flower is quite simple. The main thing is to adhere to the basic rules, and then the flowering Kalanchoe will delight its owners with bright small flowers. The only drawback is the short flowering period. So, how to properly care for this bright and delicate flower?
Features of the plant
The homeland of flowering Kalanchoe is the island of Madagascar. But it is easy to meet throughout Asia. This flower grows well both in ideal greenhouse conditions and on the windowsills of high-rise buildings.
This plant was brought to the territory of Russia because of its medicinal properties. For a long time, many forms of Kalanchoe have been bred, most of which can be found on windowsills.
Kalanchoe belongs to the Crassulaceae family.
The plant has rather thick leaves and a stem, in which the necessarymoisture for life. Therefore, it can go without watering for a long time. The evaporation process is slow due to the thin film that covers the entire surface of the flowering Kalanchoe. Caring for this plant should take into account all the above factors.
Plant care
Flowering Kalanchoe is an unpretentious plant that is easy enough to care for. But there are basic principles for caring for this succulent:
- required lighting;
- suitable temperature;
- regular watering;
- transplant;
- correct and sufficient feeding;
- protection from pests and diseases.
Irrigation
Home flowering Kalanchoe is not too demanding on watering. The plant does not have any major watering requirements, even preferring a slight drought. In summer, the plant needs to be watered more often. But in winter, the number of waterings is reduced to 2 times a month.
When watering, pay attention to soil moisture. After all, moisture stagnation can cause the development of decay processes that can harm the plant.
It is necessary to plant flowering Kalanchoe in a pot with drainage. It will allow you to regulate the level of soil moisture.
The plant needs watering not only from above, but also in the pan.
Lighting
Many women consider blooming Kalanchoe a symbol of tenderness. How to care for this plant? Unlike other indoor ornamental plants, the flower is very fond ofdirect sunlight. In winter, it is in a dormant period. For this reason, it is often transferred until spring to window sills devoid of sunlight.
Many novice flower growers do not know why flowering Kalanchoe does not bloom. In fact, in order for the flowering period to come, the length of daylight hours is reduced for the plant. In the wild, this period occurs in winter, therefore, in our area, this succulent blooms in the cold season.
Many do not know how to make Kalanchoe bloom at other times of the year. It's simple enough. You just need to forcibly reduce daylight hours to 10 hours. To do this, it is enough to put on a tight bag on the flower pot. You can transfer the plant to the closet at a certain time, and take it out every morning.
Temperature conditions
Proper plant care should also be based on maintaining a certain temperature regime. It is different in summer and winter. In the hot season, the air temperature in the room should be in the range from +18 to +28 0С. In winter, Kalanchoe needs coolness, so the ideal temperature would be from +10 to +16 0С.
Blossoming Kalanchoe tolerates coolness well, so it grows well on a warmed balcony or loggia.
Features of transplant
Decorative Kalanchoe needs a regular transplant. After all, its root system grows quite quickly. The ideal time for transplantation is April-May. This is the period of active growth of the plant. At this time, daylight hours should be about12 hours. Therefore, if necessary, additional lighting devices should be used.
Pay special attention to the choice of a pot. It should be much wider than the previous one. The composition of the soil should be identical to the previous one. The plant must be carefully removed from the container. Make sure that the earth ball is not damaged.
The quality of the soil for a flowering clanchoe is practically irrelevant. This flower grows well in both loose and dense soil. Often the soil is mixed with a small amount of sand.
Experienced flower growers recommend preparing a soil mixture of coarse sand, leaf humus, soddy soil, taken in equal proportions. You can also take half of the brick chips or charcoal.
Before planting, the soil must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Feeding Features
Every grower wants to achieve lush and beautiful flowering. In order for Kalanchoe to please you with bright flowers, you need to feed the plant in a timely manner.
You need to fertilize the flower monthly. It is recommended to use fertilizers intended for succulents. But ordinary, complex additives have a positive effect on abundant flowering.
Feed the flower carefully, because an excess of micronutrients contributes to the abundant growth of stems and leaves. In this case, all the forces of the plant are spent on growth, and the flowering period may never come. Experienced flower growers recommend making only half of the indicated onpacking norm.
Protection against diseases
Like any other plant, Kalanchoe can be negatively affected by various diseases and pests. This rarely happens, but every grower should know not only preventive measures, but also ways to fight. Sometimes the leaves of the plant may become covered with gray, white or brown spots. This is the first sign that the plant is not getting the care it needs. Such spots can occur due to high soil moisture, an excessive amount of top dressing. In this case, you need to adjust the irrigation regime and stop using fertilizers with a further transplant of the flower into new soil.
Indoor Kalanchoe may suffer from aphids. Such a negative effect causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Treatment consists of trimming the affected areas. They are treated with a cool soap solution or special preparations for these insects.
Plant propagation
As soon as this delicate flower appears in the house, you immediately want to give the same beauty to your loved ones. To do this, you do not need to purchase a new copy, it is enough to know the characteristics of plant reproduction. There are several ways to breed Kalanchoe yourself:
- rooting cuttings;
- seed propagation;
- big bush splitting method;
- planting a separate leaf.
Rooting a cutting is the easiest and most effective way to propagate a plant. The little shoot has rootsare formed quickly enough, so such a cutting can quickly take root in a new pot. A month after such a planting, the bush becomes more lush.
Seed propagation method can also be done at home. The seed of this plant is quite small, which makes it difficult to plant. They are laid out on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing down. Sprinkling with earth is strictly not recommended. After they make a greenhouse, covering the container with glass or film. The pot is put in a sunny place, regularly ventilated and moistened the soil with a spray gun.
Most often, a large bush is divided when it needs to be refreshed. But such a plant adapts and recovers for a long time. Therefore, there is a high probability that the bush will not take root.
From the mother plant, you can pinch off not only the shoot, but also the leaf. This method is also effective, because the roots also appear quickly. The only drawback is that the plant reaches the desired size only a year after such a planting.
Cutting
Many houseplants need pruning. Is it worth it to carry out this procedure during flowering? Florists do not recommend performing any manipulations during this period. The only indication is the defeat of the plant by a disease or pests. In this case, all affected areas must be removed.
The flowering period is reflected in the general condition of the plant. It is weakening. Therefore, for the normal growth of Kalanchoe, he needs to arrangedormant periods. To do this, you must perform the following activities:
- cut all flower stalks;
- the flower is moved to a cool dark place;
- watering is stopped for 1.5 months.
Having ensured a normal dormant period for the plant, it is returned to its usual place. The soil must be fed.
Pinching the plant
Some plants need pinching. Often, novice flower growers are interested in why Kalanchoe does not bloom at home. Indeed, flower stalks often do not reappear on this plant. This problem may be the thinning of the shoots. The reason for this is the poor intake of minerals. As a result, the shoots may dry out. Pinching the Kalanchoe will get rid of these problems.
The procedure is simple. All weak shoots must be carefully pinched off so as not to injure the plant. Otherwise, the wound must be sprinkled with ashes or charcoal.
If Kalanchoe does not bloom?
Experienced flower growers who love to grow succulents know the secrets of the annual flowering of flowering Kalanchoe. How to make this plant bloom?
So, immediately after flowering, the stem must be cut under the stump. The pot is cleaned for 1.5 months in a cool and dark place. It is desirable that the temperature in the room does not exceed +15 0С.
After the plant is exposed to light and carry out the usual top dressing and watering. Over the summer, Kalanchoe will be able to increase the green mass. Remember to periodicallypinch the leaves to make the plant bushy. This procedure is performed until November.
The next stage is high-quality lighting of the plant for 8 hours. The rest of the time it should be dark. After a month, you will be able to see the first buds on the plant. Now Kalanchoe must be placed on the windowsill, the temperature in the room should be within +18 0С. Such conditions will allow you to enjoy bright, delicate and lush flowering all winter.
