A bright representative of the Crassulaceae succulents - Kalanchoe - an exquisite plant that takes pride of place on the windowsills and balconies of our apartments. A houseplant that combines a sophisticated appearance and medicinal qualities at the same time. Native to the tropics of South Africa.
Growing Kalanchoe and care at home is within the power of even beginner gardeners. A little attention and the right choice of habitat - and now the plant pleases with picturesque flowering.
Amazing properties of a common flower
The bactericidal properties of the plant have long been known: hands were rubbed with its juicy pulp for disinfection, purulent ulcers were treated with juice, leaves were chewed at the first sign of ailments.
The miraculous moisturizing properties of the leaves of the plant are widely used in modern cosmetology in the manufacture of various nutritional products for the care of dry and sensitive skin.
Modern medicine also did not stand aside, because Kalanchoe juice is an excellent natural bactericidal agent thatused in the complex therapy of various diseases of the skin. In pharmacology, a variety of antimicrobial drugs are produced on the basis of Kalanchoe.
Use the Kalanchoe extract at home to care for dry skin, treat runny nose and abrasions, cuts and purulent wounds. Therefore, you should definitely have this flower in your home green first aid kit.
Existing types of Kalanchoe
Today, there are more than 200 varieties of Kalanchoe in nature, and all of them are characterized by healing properties. However, not all species are grown as an indoor decorative flower. Consider several common Kalanchoe varieties, home care for which does not require special attention, so these flowers live on the windowsills of many apartments.
Kalanchoe Blossfeld is characterized by abundant flowering of bright red buds. Bush up to 30 cm in height with leaves wavy along the edge.
Kalanchoe Kalandiva is a small plant with a long flowering period. Attracts attention with double multi-petal flowers, similar to miniature roses in a diverse color palette.
Kalanchoe dissected radically differs in appearance from its counterparts. With its feathery leaves, it resembles fluffy needles. Four-petal simple flowers with yellow-orange buds are arranged singly. An interesting type of Kalanchoe, the care of which will not cause problems.
Kalanchoe Degremona can reach a height of up to 70 cm. A plant withlong narrow fleshy leaves of a gray-green color, along the edges of which baby buds with aerial roots are formed, therefore they easily take root when they fall to the ground. Blooms in pink panicles about 1.5 cm in diameter.
Below is a colorful photo of Kalanchoe. Care for varieties of this plant is almost the same.
Optimal lighting
For full development and abundant long-term flowering, like any light-loving plant, the Kalanchoe flower also needs bright intense lighting. Taking care of the walls at home also means addressing the lack of sunlight.
Direct sunlight can be detrimental to a plant, in which case, during the hottest hours, the flower is shaded, creating diffused lighting. Kalanchoe can be in partial shade, but not for long, because it can weaken and get sick from lack of lighting.
Favorable temperature conditions
Comfortable temperature for Kalanchoe varies in the range of 15-24 ° C, the flower easily tolerates temperature fluctuations. In summer, it responds well to being placed outdoors in the garden or in pots on the balcony. In the autumn-winter season, it is desirable that the temperature in the room does not exceed 18 ° C. Such a temperature regime and drops of 5-7 ° C stimulate the plant to form buds and lay buds. The long-awaited flowering of Kalanchoe is coming. Home care can be easily provided to an indoor flower.
Correct watering
Kalanchoe as a bright representativesucculents, needs moderate watering in the growth and flowering phase and weak moisture in the dormant stage. It is necessary to water the plant abundantly so that the earthen lump gets wet through. But this should be done infrequently, avoiding stagnation of liquid in the flower tray, so as not to provoke rotting of the roots. This can subsequently lead to the death of flowering Kalanchoe. Home care must necessarily include proper watering of the plant.
The fleshy, elastic leaves of Kalanchoe carry a supply of moisture, so the flower reacts better to poor watering. And from excessive moisture, the plant only suffers. Meanwhile, the lack of moisture in the flower pot for a long period may result in the leaves of the plant falling off.
In the cold season, watering the plant should be limited, but at the same time, the earth ball should not be completely dry. For irrigation use settled or melted water at room temperature. Cold water can stress the plant. The Kalanchoe flower responds to simple care at home with he althy growth and bright flowering.
Nutritional feeding
For abundant and long-lasting flowering of Kalanchoe, like any ornamental plant, additional mineral supplements are needed. Mostly use special fertilizers for succulents. Complex fertilizers for indoor plants are used in half concentration. The basic rule for fertilizing should be followed: "It is better to underfeed than to oversaturate".
Nutrient compositions are applied after dissolving in warm water,prepared for watering the plant. This method guarantees proper nutrition of the roots and insures them from chemical burns.
Propagation of an ornamental medicinal plant
Caring for Kalanchoe at home also implies the process of breeding the varieties you like. To replenish the flower collection with new specimens, blooming Kalanchoe is propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cutting;
- sheet;
- "kids";
- dividing the bush.
The easiest way to propagate is rooting stem cuttings and leaves. To do this, it is enough to place them in a container with water for 7-10 days until roots form, and then transplant them into individual pots.
Reproduction by seed material is carried out in the second half of February - the first decade of March. Seeds are sown superficially on moist soil. Before the first shoots appear, the containers are covered with glass, transparent plastic or film for several days to create a greenhouse environment for the seedlings. Periodically, seedlings are provided with moisture and ventilation. After the appearance of 3-4 leaves, the sprouts are transplanted into separate pots.
On the leaves of some types of Kalanchoe "babies" are formed, which can take root on their own.
Dividing a bush is a painful procedure, after which the plant recovers for a long time, therefore it is rarely used.
To form a beautiful lush green crown, it is recommended to pinch the tops of the bushes.
Kalanchoe diseases and their causes
Kalanchoe is considered an indoor flower, quite resistant to various diseases and pests. If the plant loses its decorative effect, care for Kalanchoe should be immediately reviewed and the reasons for its weakened state should be de alt with.
The appearance of pale yellow and falling leaves in a chaotic manner, the rapid stretching of the main stem are often signs of a lack of lighting. In this case, it is advisable to find a brighter place for the flower or provide additional lighting with phytolamps.
With sufficient light, the reason may also be a lack of nutrients, which is eliminated by the introduction of complex dressings.
The lack of flowering in a he althy succulent plant indicates an excess of nutrition, Kalanchoe was simply overfed with fertilizers, which prevents the formation of flower buds. In this situation, the dosage of applied fertilizers is gradually reduced.
Black putrid spots on the leaves - phytophthora - the result of abundant watering and low temperatures. And excess moisture and heat can lead to powdery mildew.
The key to a he althy flowering Kalanchoe plant is home care. The photos in the article clearly demonstrate what result you should strive for.
Pests of an ornamental medicinal plant
A weakened plant can be attacked by pests. The most common are spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs.
To cope with pests at home, removing the affected parts of the plant, treating the remaining he althy plant with a warm soapy solution or ready-made insecticides, which can be purchased at special gardening stores, will help to cope with pests at home. It is advisable to isolate the affected flower from the rest for the period of treatment.
For a full recovery, it takes a long time and following simple rules for caring for Kalanchoe at home. Kalanchoe should be regularly examined, and if a problem is detected, treatment should be started immediately.
Kalanchoe: seasonal care
In summer, the flower feels cozy on the windows on the east or west side. A succulent representative in a south window needs light shade to protect the leaves from sunburn. In winter, with a short day, it is recommended to provide additional lighting, without which the flower loses its decorative properties. A native of the tropics easily endures the summer heat, and in winter, on the contrary, requires coolness.
Since the plant is at rest before flowering, it is advisable to create a temperature of 16-18 degrees favorable for the formation of flower buds in the fall. High temperatures in winter can cause leaves to wilt and buds to dry.
The frequency of watering directly depends on the air temperature. During the heat, generous, but rare watering is necessary in accordance with the drying of the soil in the pot, while in winter the intensity of watering is reduced. It should be remembered that stagnant moisture can lead to root rot, and excessive dryingearthy coma - to the death of the plant.
Winter care at home for blooming Kalanchoe is extremely easy. To obtain a profusely flowering bush, special nutritional complexes for succulents are added weekly, without exceeding the required dosage. With an excess of nutrients, the bush "fattens" and builds up only green mass.
Once a month it is necessary to wipe the leaves with soapy water and carry out pest control as a preventive measure.
Kalanchoe: post-purchase care
Growing a Kalanchoe flower is not at all difficult, the main thing to remember is that at home the plant is in a completely new environment: it is usually darker in the store and watering occurs more often. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually accustom the flower to the sun's rays in order to avoid burns that can provoke a drop in flowers.
Kalanchoe on the windowsill on sunny days shaded with a gauze cut. After a couple of days, the fabric is briefly removed, gradually increasing the intervals without shading. Watering is carried out as the soil dries. Also, after acquiring Kalanchoe, temporary quarantine is necessary, for the first 7-10 days it is kept isolated from other domestic plants.
Proper care of Kalanchoe at home is the key to a he althy appearance and lush colorful flowering.
