How many times to water Kalanchoe in winter. Kalanchoe - home care, watering, fertilizing, propagation. Protection from diseases
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Ecology of life. In natural Kalanchoe conditions grows in Australia, America, Africa and Southeast Asia, the plant itself is classified as a succulent.
Under natural conditions, Kalanchoe grows in Australia, America, Africa and Southeast Asia; the plant itself is classified as a succulent. The plant has recently been very popular among lovers of indoor floriculture. Decorative species of Kalanchoe have gained great popularity, and all thanks to their beautiful and long flowering.
The decorative Kalanchoe flower does not require much care at home, the main thing is to follow a number of simple rules and the plant will delight you for many years. Buy this ornamental plant can be found in almost any flower shop, since due to its growing popularity it has long been grown on an industrial scale.
Lighting mode and location
Since the plant comes from the tropics, it requires good lighting and long daylight hours. The ideal length of daylight hours for this plant is at least 12 hours, but if the daylight hours are shorter, the plant requires additional illumination with artificial light sources, this is especially true for flowering species in autumn winter period.
Window sills facing east or west are considered suitable places for Kalanchoe. The plant is not harmed by direct sunlight.
Temperature
The ideal temperature regime for Kalanchoe can be considered a temperature ranging from 18 to 28°C in the spring-summer period and from 14 to 20°C in the autumn-winter period. In principle, the plant is so unpretentious that minor temperature fluctuations have absolutely no effect on it.
Only in in this case Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C for a long time, otherwise the plant may get sick and subsequently die.
At temperatures from 14 to 18°C, the plant produces buds for further flowering. Drafts do not have any effect on Kalanchoe.
How to water Kalanchoe at home
Watering the plant is best done with settled water. room temperature. Watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. You should not allow the earthen ball to dry out for a long time, as the plant will react by dropping its leaves.
Short-term drying out will not have a detrimental effect on the plant, since the juicy and fleshy stems and leaves of the plant contain enough moisture to survive a slight drought.
In spring and summer, the plant needs to be watered 2 times a week; in winter, watering is reduced. You should also not overwater Kalanchoe, as with prolonged overwatering the plant may begin to rot.
Air humidity
Kalanchoe does not need spraying, but if you wipe the leaves or spray the plant on hot days, this will have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of the plant.
Types of Kalanchoe with pubescent leaves should absolutely not be sprayed or wiped; stains may appear on the leaves if water gets on them. And for these plants, it is preferable to keep them in conditions of low air humidity.
Soil requirements
The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, the main thing is that there is no stagnation of water in the pot, and the soil is sufficiently loose. The optimal soil for growing this plant is considered to be a universal soil, consisting in equal parts of turf and leaf soil, humus and sand. You can buy ready-made universal primer.
Feeding and fertilizers
This unpretentious plant needs fertilizer only during the period of bud formation and flowering; the budding period occurs in the autumn months, and Kalanchoe blooms in the summer. The composition of the plant is suitable for complex fertilizers for cacti or succulents. Such fertilizers should be used once a week, using half the full dose.
If you use separate solutions of mineral and organic fertilizers, then the feeding regime is as follows: the plant is fertilized with organic fertilizers once every two weeks, and mineral - one once a week.
Plant pruning
If the plant has dropped lower leaves, or you want it to look like a neat bush, Kalanchoe should be trimmed or the tops should be pinched at a young age.
The remaining parts of the plant after pruning can be used as cuttings.
Caring for Kalanchoe after purchase
It is generally accepted that a plant needs to be replanted immediately after purchase; in the case of Kalanchoe, this is not necessary. The main thing is to make sure that the soil in the pot does not retain moisture and the water does not stagnate in the pot. If everything is in order, the plant does not need to be replanted.
After purchasing, locate the plant according to the recommendations above and follow the rest of the recommendations.
Replanting Kalanchoe at home
Quite often, when growing this plant, beginners have questions about how to replant Kalanchoe and how often should it be done? The plant should be replanted if it has grown well, and the replanting process itself is not difficult.
If you just want to transplant the plant into a larger pot, you should not choose a very large one. It is enough if the pot is 3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. If you want to divide a plant and get two or more from one, take small pots.
A good layer of drainage, about 3-4 cm high, should be poured onto the bottom of the selected container, this is necessary to avoid stagnation of water in the pot.
If you don’t want to bother with preparing the substrate, take a ready-made one for cacti or succulents.
Next, if you are simply replanting a plant, replant using the transshipment method and fill the voids in the pot with new soil.
If you are planting a plant, after removing it from the pot, carefully shake off the soil from the roots and divide the plant into as many parts as you want using a sharp knife. Sprinkle the cut areas with crushed coal and plant the plants in new pots. After planting, tamp down the soil and water the Kalanchoe thoroughly.
Caring for Kalanchoe in winter
With the onset of winter, the plant needs minor adjustments to the rules of care. The air temperature in the room needs to be lowered slightly for the formation of buds and buds. But do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C, the plant may die.
IN winter time The length of daylight hours decreases, and the plant should be illuminated with fluorescent lamps, or moved to southern windows.
You should also take care that the Kalanchoe is not constantly exposed to currents of warm and dry air, as its leaves may begin to dry out and immunity will decrease. Watering in winter is reduced to once every 10 days.
Kalanchoe blooming Blossfeld and Kalandiva - home care
These two types are considered the most common in indoor floriculture. The basic rules of care are relevant for both flowering and non-flowering species, but there are several aspects that we will present below.
Flowering Kalanchoe does not require much care, but if you want the plants to bloom for a long time and a lot, use our tips.
The main thing for flowering plants is a sufficient amount of light, since with a lack of light, alas, there will be no flowering.
In winter, the plant should be kept at an air temperature of 15-18 ° C, for the formation of flower buds, since they do not form in hotter conditions.
And the most important condition for flowering is regular pruning of plants after flowering. Moreover, the pruning should be quite strong; two or three pairs of lower leaves should be left on each branch. This way you will also rejuvenate the plant. The cuttings remaining after pruning can be used to propagate the plant. published
Once every 2-3 years In summer - room temperature, in winter 12-16 No more than once a week, when the top layer of soil dries 3-4 cm Not required Bright lighting A period of rest is desirable
Lighting
The plant needs bright lighting. But you should avoid keeping the plant in direct sun for long periods of time. The main feature of cultivation is the creation of a 12-hour daylight hours for it. This is collateral abundant flowering.
In summer, daylight hours need to be reduced by shading the plants, and in winter it needs to be illuminated additionally using special lamps.
Diffused light or partial shade is the optimal place for Kalanchoe. He will be most comfortable on eastern or western window sills, or even on southern ones. From morning until afternoon, hitting sun rays the plant is not afraid. From the bright sun the leaves acquire a slight reddish tint. However, after lunch it is recommended to remove the flower in partial shade or cover it with a light cloth.
In winter, the plant can also be grown on a south-facing window. It is not necessary to move it at this time of year, since the sun is not as active as in summer.
Temperature
In summer it is quite suitable for a plant suitable for indoor use temperature. It can withstand both cool temperatures of 18°C and 30°C heat. In the autumn-winter period from October to January, the temperature can be slightly reduced. The plant overwinters at a temperature of 12-16°C. As February approaches, the temperature is gradually increased so that the plant begins to grow and bloom in early spring.
Kalanchoe is not too demanding on thermometer readings. In summer he will be comfortable at 22-28 degrees. However, when good watering, it can withstand 35-degree heat without loss.
In winter, it is recommended to reduce the temperature to 14-18 degrees, since such conditions are optimal for the formation of flower buds. It is not recommended to keep the flower at temperatures below 7 degrees, as this can lead to disease and even death of the plant.
In the warm season, when the temperature both day and night is at least 10 degrees, the flower can be kept outside until autumn. Fresh air: to the balcony, terrace, veranda, garden. In this case, it is better to choose a place protected from strong drafts and scorching rays of the sun.
Watering
You need to water the flower moderately. Kalanchoe are succulent plants that accumulate moisture and do not require abundant and frequent soil moisture.
From excess moisture very harmful to succulents.
In summer, Kalanchoe is rarely watered, no more than once a week. In winter, when the plant is kept cool, watering is significantly reduced.
At any time of the year, Kalanchoe is watered only after the top layer of soil has dried 3-4 cm.
The plant is adapted to dry climates; spraying for moisture is not required. To remove dust from the leaves, the flower can be washed in the shower, but this is done no more than once a season and only in the summer. In this case, water should not get into the soil.
The soil
For growing Kalanchoe requires fertile and well-permeable soil. The best soil for Kalanchoe there will be a mixture of turf and leaf soil, sand, peat and humus in equal parts.
The plant grows well in any universal soil mixture with the addition of peat, which can be bought at flower shops.
Store-bought succulent substrate is also great. It is necessary that the soil is slightly acidic or neutral.
Another option for soil mixture self-cooking: deciduous and turf land, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:4:1:1. Peat can be replaced with coniferous soil. For epiphytic species, it is recommended to add a little humus to the soil. A good drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizer
The plant is fed during the growing season and flowering. In winter, when the flower is dormant, feeding is stopped. Fertilizer should be added to the soil every 2 weeks. It is best to feed Kalanchoe with liquid complex fertilizers for cacti and succulents.
The plant does not experience a strong need for fertilizing. However, if there is a shortage minerals (slow growth, lack of flowering, leaves become smaller), it is necessary to fertilize the plant. This can be done in spring, summer or autumn, but under no circumstances in winter.
Feeding can be done once every 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones. Such procedures can be carried out regularly from mid-spring to late summer. Also, fertilizing should be done in the fall, when flower buds are being laid.
It is important to know that the concentration of fertilizer for Kalanchoe should be 2 times weaker than indicated on the package. This will be quite enough for the plant. An important rule is that it is important to first dissolve the mixture in warm water, and only after it has cooled down can you add it to the soil. Otherwise the roots will not absorb nutrients.
When feeding a plant, it is important to remember that it is more harmed by an excess of fertilizers than by a lack of them. Therefore, such procedures should not be abused.
Peculiarities
Let's look at how to care for Kalanchoe at home so that the plant blooms and develops luxuriantly.
Kalanchoe needs short daylight hours.
Therefore, in the summer, the plant can be put away in the closet in the evening. In winter, it needs additional lighting.
IN good conditions the plant will bloom every year. If kept at room temperature, flowering can occur as early as January. If the flower overwinters in a cool room, flowering will occur only at the end of winter, or even at the beginning of March.
A period of rest for Kalanchoe is desirable, but not at all necessary.
Flower growers claim that after a cool winter the plant blooms better and longer. The main requirements of Kalanchoe for good growth and abundant flowering is low humidity environment and plenty of diffuse lighting.
Kalanchoe can be called a plant of short daylight hours. The formation of buds occurs when daylight hours begin to noticeably decrease, namely in the fall. Therefore, in order to wait for abundant flowering, the plant must be deprived of light for 12-14 hours a day for a month and a half. autumn period. For this experienced flower growers It is recommended to cover the flower with a paper cap from 17-18 pm and hide it in a closet. And in the morning put it back on the windowsill.
With this routine, during daylight hours the plant needs a lot of light to form flower buds. Therefore, it is better to place it on a south-eastern or south-western window sill with diffused lighting.
In its homeland, this flower lives in conditions of low humidity. Do not humidify the air near the plant, as this can lead to the development of various fungal diseases. And if water gets on the stem and leaves, they may begin to rot.
Kalanchoe flowering
As a rule, Kalanchoe blooms once a year: in late winter - early spring. However, with ideal care and creation of the necessary light mode You can achieve twice flowering.
If the plant has not produced buds by the end of March, you should inspect it for pests, mold or fungal diseases.
With abundant watering rotting of roots, stems and leaves is observed. In this case, you need to water the plant less often and remove the affected leaves and shoots.
In low light the plant stretches and its lower leaves fall off. In this case, you need to move it to a more illuminated place. Also, the shoots of the flower become bare if the room temperature is very high.
At poor growth the plant should be fed. But there is no need to overuse fertilizing. If there is an excess of nutrients in the soil, the flower grows leaf mass, but does not bloom.
Reproduction
At home, Kalanchoe propagates by cuttings, pups or seeds. The first two methods are the simplest and fastest.
When propagating by cuttings, you can use apical cuttings that have at least 3 pairs of leaves. Before rooting, it is recommended to dry the cut areas a little and treat them with crushed activated carbon to prevent rotting.
Rooting can be done both in water and in soil. In the first case it is used boiled water room temperature. The roots appear in 10-15 days. In the second case, a mixture of peat and sand is used for rooting, the cuttings are buried 1-2 cm.
Some types of plants form small “babies” with roots on the edges of the leaves. They often fall to the ground on their own and take root. They can be planted separately in a container (in a mixture of light soil and peat) at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. When planting, the “babies” do not go very deep; their leaves should be on the surface. Watering is moderate. When young specimens grow up, they are planted in separate pots.
Seed propagation of Kalanchoe is a very labor-intensive process that is almost never used by amateur gardeners. Moreover, it is almost impossible to obtain plant seeds at home.
You can read more about the reproduction of Kalanchoe.
Transfer
The plant is replanted only when the roots have grown and entwined the entire earthen ball. Therefore, he does not need annual ones. It is enough to transplant the plant into new soil once every 2-3 years.
Transplantation is carried out in late spring or early summer when flowering is completely over. To do this, take a pot larger than the previous one by 1-2 cm in diameter.
A drainage layer of broken bricks or expanded clay, and then lay 2-3 cm of new soil.
Kalanchoe is removed from the old pot and transplanted into new way transshipment. The gap between the wall of the pot and the root system is filled with fresh soil.
After transplantation, the plant, like other succulents, should not be watered for 3-4 days. Then watering is resumed as usual.
Description of the plant and species
Kalanchoe is a perennial succulent representative of the Crassulaceae family, native to the tropics of Australia, America and Asia.
The plant has long shoots with dense light green or dark green foliage. U different types the shape and size of the leaves are very different: they can be slightly or strongly dissected, have a short or long petiole. As a rule, the leaves are fleshy and dense.
IN room conditions Kalanchoe blooms once a year, and with ideal care - twice. The flowers are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences and can be white, yellow, purple, red or orange.
About 200 species of Kalanchoe are known in nature, but a small part of them are grown indoors:
- Kalanchoe Degremona is a decorative deciduous species that has oblong leaves triangular shape, reaching a length of 10 cm. Along the edges of the leaves, “babies” with roots are formed, which, falling, take root in the ground. With age, Kalanchoe Degremon's leaves curl slightly along their length.
- Kalanchoe Mangina - has small rounded leaves, bell-shaped flowers reach 2 cm in length.
- Kalanchoe Blossvelda - can reach a height of 45 cm. It has dark green ovate leaves, slightly wavy along the edge. It blooms with lush umbrella-shaped inflorescences, which can be red, white, pink, yellow or purple.
- Kalanchoe pinnate is the most popular hardy species and can reach a height of 1 meter. The oblong, fleshy leaves are light green in color, and form “babies” along the edges. This species has healing juice.
Kalanchoe is a succulent with thick green leaves and bright pink, white, yellow, and crimson flowers. Belongs to the Crassulaceae family, requires minimal watering, tolerates the lack of fertilizers, and is rarely affected by pests. In general, caring for Kalanchoe at home is not difficult and even a novice gardener can purchase it without fear.
But Kalanchoe can look different, because this genus includes as many as 200 species! Some of them are particularly decorative and bright flowers, others - medicinal properties.
Most often grown at home:
- Kalanchoe Blossfeld - distinguished by decorativeness. Forms a compact bush, blooms with elegant umbrella inflorescences. The well-known variety series - Kalanchoe Kalandiva is characterized by double flowers.
- Kalanchoe Degremona is medicinal; the juice from its fleshy leaves is used to heal wounds, get rid of runny nose, etc. Belongs to bryophyllum (viviparous Kalanchoe, reproducing by “babies”).
- Kalanchoe pinnate is also a medicinal bryophyllum. Its oval leaves with vein patterns resemble feathers, which is how the species earned its name.
- Kalanchoe Mangina (Mangini) is a decorative bryophyllum with long shoots that form an ampelous bush. Blooms with bright red bell flowers.
- Kalanchoe tubiflora (tubiflora) is an interesting bryophyllum with narrow leaves tucked inward and with many “babies” along their edges.
- Kalanchoe dissected - the so-called “deer horns”. Produces long shoots with dissected narrow leaves, shaped like deer antlers.
There are many other species, for example, Kalanchoe tomentosa, Kalanchoe paniculata, etc., but they are grown much less frequently.
However, you can grow any Kalanchoe at home, following certain care rules. They are almost the same for both flowering and deciduous species this wonderful plant.
Lighting and temperature
Like most succulents, Kalanchoe needs good lighting. Of course, you can put the plant in a shaded place, but then its stems will stretch, and flowering will generally be in question.
When grown at home best windows for Kalanchoe - eastern and western. And in winter they are completely southern. In summer, you need to be careful with south-facing windows. In the heat, with intense solar radiation, Kalanchoe leaves may acquire a reddish tint, but some gardeners even like such metamorphoses. So, try it.
At home, Kalanchoe is grown in pots on window sills or on the balcony - in balcony boxes Important note: the formation of flower buds in Kalanchoe occurs during short daylight hours (lasting about 8-10 hours). But this “day” should be bright, ideally sunny. Then more flower buds will be formed, and the colors of the flowers will be more saturated.
Like many succulents, Kalanchoe grows best with moderate warm temperatures. In summer the ideal temperature is 23-25°C, in winter – 11-16°C. But quite bold variations in one direction or another from the theoretical ideal are also possible. In winter, nothing will happen to Kalanchoe even with short-term temperature drops to 8°C, of course, provided that the plant is kept “semi-dry”. And in the summer, even temperatures above 30 will not harm it if you do not allow the earthen clod to dry out.
Therefore, as soon as the air warms up to 10°C in the spring, you can take the Kalanchoe in a pot out onto the balcony or into the yard. And keep the plant there until autumn, until, again, the temperature drops below 10°C. Some gardeners plant it in the summer open ground into the garden, and in the fall they dig it up and move it back to the pot.
In summer, Kalanchoe can be planted in the garden - directly in open ground. Or take pots of succulents out into the yard. Watering and fertilizing
Kalanchoe is able to retain water in its leaves and gradually use it for personal needs. Accordingly, the plant does not need abundant frequent watering. Excess moisture will only contribute to rotting of the roots. Especially often, the death of Kalanchoe from overwatering occurs in winter after heavy watering of cold soil that does not have time to dry out.
Therefore, in winter, Kalanchoe is rarely watered at home, waiting until the soil in the pot is almost completely dry. This is one of the most important rules caring for succulents! You should be especially careful when keeping it in cool winter conditions, for example, on a balcony. In the summer, when it’s hot, they water more often, but they also focus on the condition of the soil and the dry top layer.
Kalanchoe does not respond to abundant frequent watering, so it should be watered only after the top layer of soil has dried. Kalanchoe is also not demanding of fertilizers. It is advisable to feed it during budding and flowering, using any fertilizer for flowering indoor plants. During the growing season you can apply universal fertilizer. It is enough to fertilize Kalanchoe once a month, using half the dose recommended by the manufacturer. And during the dormant period, you should completely abandon any feeding.
To feed Kalanchoe, half the dose of fertilizer specified by the manufacturer is enough. Soil and transplantation rules
The best soil for Kalanchoe is slightly acidic or neutral, well-drained and permeable to water. Ideal for these purposes:
- soil for succulets;
- universal soil + sand.
Young, fast-growing plants are replanted every year in the spring new pot, 1-2 cm larger than the previous one in diameter. Adult Kalanchoe that have reached optimal height, replanted once every 2 years.
When planting (transplanting) Kalanchoe, a layer of drainage is required, which will protect against stagnation of water at the bottom of the pot and, as a result, from the possibility of rotting of the roots for this reason.
The transplant process step by step:
- water the Kalanchoe in an old pot;
- After a few minutes, carefully remove the plant;
- carefully shake off the old soil from the roots;
- prepare new soil; its structure and properties should be similar to the old soil;
- prepare a new pot (which may be slightly larger or the same size as the previous one);
- add 1-2 cm of drainage and a small layer of new soil to the bottom;
- Place the root ball in the pot, pour new soil into the spaces formed along the walls of the pot.
In new soil, the transplanted Kalanchoe takes root in about 1-2 weeks.
To replant Kalanchoe, you can use ordinary universal soil, adding a small amount of sand to it.
Trimming and shaping
All Kalanchoes tend to stretch and grow over time. Of course, for some time after purchase, Kalanchoe looks like a miniature, squat bush (and only if it is properly cared for), but gradually, at home, the decorativeness of the plant decreases. The stems are stretched, the leaves become smaller.
To prevent this from happening, Kalanchoe must be shaped by pruning and pinching.
Kalanchoe is pruned immediately after it has finished flowering. Cut off faded flower stalks and shorten the stems. New shoots will appear at the site of the cuts, which can also be pinched for further branching.
Typically, pruning and shaping of Kalanchoe is carried out in spring/summer. Then, by autumn, many young shoots grow on the plant, ready to produce flower stalks. If you plan to stimulate the plant to flower at another time (this is possible by artificially reducing daylight hours, this is written below - scroll down the page), then pruning should be stopped a couple of months before the start of stimulation.
Reproduction
Kalanchoe can be propagated in several ways:
1. “Children” (bryophyllums only)
They are fully formed plants, only small, but already having leaves and roots. The mother bryophyllum sprinkles these “babies” anywhere, even into nearby pots with other plants. And the new settlers quickly take root, forming entire families of new young Kalanchoes.
Reproduction of Kalanchoe-bryophyllums by brood buds 2. Apical cuttings
A universal method, suitable for any type. And it allows you to quickly get an adult flowering plant. The apical cutting is cut from the mother bush, dried for 1-3 days and buried in the ground. Do not cover the top with anything; water a little at a time after drying the top layer of soil. Or they place the cut cuttings in water. Kalanchoe produces roots easily, even in winter.
3. Leaf cuttings
A universal method similar to the previous one. The leaf is buried in the soil, it gives roots very quickly. After a while (you'll have to wait!) a shoot begins to grow from the buried leaf - a new full-fledged Kalanchoe. With viviparous Kalanchoe, you can do it differently: place the leaf vertically on the ground, then “babies” will quickly appear from the axils.
4. Seeds
The seeds are laid on the surface of moistened soil, covered with glass, and placed in a warm, bright place. After a few days, shoots appear. Propagation by seeds is the most labor-intensive method of propagating Kalanchoe, but it also has its place. Especially if you want to grow a rare variety from which it is not possible to take cuttings or “baby”.
How to make Kalanchoe bloom
To understand how to care for Kalanchoe at home and achieve flowering, let’s turn to botanical reference books. In its homeland (Madagascar), Kalanchoe blooms at the end of the African summer, when sunny days become short. Accordingly, this succulent is genetically programmed to lay flower buds in short daylight conditions. In our latitudes, its natural flowering occurs in December - May.
Interesting fact:
Given suitable conditions and care, Kalanchoe Blossfeld can bloom almost all year round.
However, in the store you can buy flowering Kalanchoe in a pot at any other time of the year. How did growers care for such a plant that they managed to throw off its biological clock? The secret is to artificially reduce daylight hours to 8-10 hours. The remaining 14-16 hours of Kalanchoe are placed in complete darkness. This regime is maintained for 4 weeks, during which flower buds are formed.
The same can be reproduced at home. To do this, at a certain time you should cover the Kalanchoe with a box, a thick bag, or place the plant in a dark closet. And after 14-16 hours - expose it to light or remove the cover. For example, at 5 pm a bag is put on a plant, and at 7 am it is removed. And so on for 4 weeks.
You can stimulate Kalanchoe to bloom even in the summer, for example, by a certain date. Why not?
During the period of preparation for flowering, the following conditions will be ideal:
- short daylight hours;
- high level of illumination, direct sunlight is welcome;
- cool;
- poor watering.
After a month of such preparation, a set of buds and during flowering, the need for short daylight hours disappears. But it is advisable to provide coolness - this way the flowers will last longer. Watering can be increased, that is, the regime can be switched from “sparse” to “moderate”. And admire the flowering, which can last 3-4 months!
Blooming Kalanchoe- an unforgettable sight! To encourage the plant to bloom for a long period, old faded inflorescences are removed. In their place, new shoots with buds grow.
Care after flowering
When last flower Kalanchoe will wither, care for it at home will change. The dormant period begins - the time during which the plant will regain its strength and prepare for the new growing season and flowering.
In preparation for the dormant period, faded flower stalks are cut off and the stems are shortened, that is, pruning is done. Then the Kalanchoe is placed in a cool, shady (but not dark!) place. This could be a corner of a loggia, a cold northern window sill, etc.
Conditions of care during this period:
- lack of direct sunlight;
- poor watering;
- cool (11-16°C ideal, but variations are possible).
In about a month of such maintenance, the Kalanchoe is completely restored. And then you can, if you wish, start forcing again and get re-flowering in 2.5-3 months.
And now we invite you to watch a video that tells you how to grow Kalanchoe:
Moistening the soil is an essential part of caring for any plant. Kalanchoe needs to be watered as needed, avoiding excess liquid or prolonged drying out of the soil. Despite the fact that the culture is a succulent, it also needs to be supplied with water. Compliance correct mode Depending on the growing season, it will ensure flowering and high decorativeness of the indoor flower.
Plant watering mode
The frequency of the procedure depends on the age of the succulent, soil structure, and time of year. Kalanchoe should not be watered frequently, as it can cause overwatering. root system will begin to rot and the substrate will become moldy. These problems are not immediately noticeable, so they can lead to the death of the flower.
Indoor plant It should not be constantly in wet soil mixture. This is especially dangerous when the temperature drops or elevated level air humidity. In such an environment, the development of fungal diseases is possible. Excess liquid prevents buds from forming, so flowering does not occur. Prolonged lack of water is also harmful, manifested by yellowing, drying and falling leaves.
In spring and summer
Watering Kalanchoe during the active growing season is mandatory. Fever, dry air, active plant growth require an appropriate regime. It is advisable to water on average 2 times a week. This recommendation approximate, in reality the multiplicity may differ. Do not moisten the soil if it is not dry in most of the pot.
If the Kalanchoe is standing in the sun or a store-bought substrate is used that does not retain liquid, you will have to water it more often. The main thing is to focus on the condition of the succulent and soil.
This procedure is also important not only in itself, it needs to be watered with additional fertilizers. If this is not done, the root system may suffer from a lack of nutrients.
Autumn and winter
The rest period is characterized by a decrease in temperature to +12-16 °C. In such conditions, it is impossible to spray the above-ground part and constantly water the Kalanchoe. An indoor flower will quickly die from waterlogging. It is recommended to focus on 1 procedure in 2 weeks. In this case, the volume of liquid should also be reduced, and the water released into the pan must be drained.
The flowering period for many varieties of the crop begins at the end of winter. To provide the plant with everything it needs, you should water it once a week, combining the operation with fertilizing. It is advisable that the temperature at this time be maintained at the same level, about +15 °C.
How to water correctly
You should follow the basic recommendations in order to grow a healthy Kalanchoe that will delight you with regular flowering. The plant is unpretentious and quite tenacious, so short-term non-compliance with agrotechnical regulations is unable to destroy it. The death of the bush is caused by prolonged exposure to adverse factors and lack of timely assistance.
You should water your succulent at home correctly:
- take into account the time of year, the age of the Kalanchoe, the composition of the soil mixture;
- use settled warm water;
- large drops of liquid should not fall on the trunk, leaves or in their axils;
- water when most of the soil dries out;
- the earthen lump should be completely wet so that there are no dry areas of the substrate left;
- 20-30 minutes after the procedure, the water released into the pan should be removed.
Irrigation methods
You can water the plants in 2 ways - in a container under flower pot or directly under the root. In the case of Kalanchoe, it is recommended to use the second method. Moisten the soil completely, leaving no dry areas. It is not recommended to get it on the stem and leaf blades, otherwise these areas may become covered with spots of rot or mold, especially in conditions high humidity air.
In summer, Kalanchoe should be sprayed with settled water at room temperature from a spray bottle. The procedure is carried out in the evening so as not to provoke a burn of the aerial part.
You cannot water from a watering can so that excess moisture does not collect in your sinuses. A damp cotton pad or soft cloth will help remove dust from leaf plates in spring and autumn.
Water requirements
It is important what kind of liquid you water the Kalanchoe with. Use tap water you can, but only settled or boiled. Otherwise, the soil substrate may become oversaturated with calcium and magnesium salts, which will negatively affect the plant. The liquid should be slightly warmed up, since cold water will harm the root system. Optimal temperature water for Kalanchoe +25-30 °C.
Common mistakes
The plant will bloom and quickly grow green mass if it is watered correctly. It is important to take into account the time of year, the characteristics of the variety and the age of the succulent, and the substrate used. This culture suffers less from a lack of care than from an excess.
The main disorders that negatively affect Kalanchoe:
- waterlogging of soil or air;
- lack of moisture;
- watering with cold or hard water;
- non-compliance with the regime depending on the growing season.
The combination of high humidity and low temperature in the room causes rotting of the root system and above-ground parts. Externally, the problem manifests itself as putrefactive spots and an unpleasant odor from the soil substrate. These conditions are suitable for the development of fungal diseases that are difficult to cure.
If you water your Kalanchoe too often, it will stop growing. To treat, the bush will have to be transplanted into new soil and the watering regime will be restored.
With prolonged or systematic moisture deficiency, the leaf blades will decrease in size, become limp, turn yellow, and begin to fall off. Decide this problem Spraying the above-ground part with water from a spray bottle and systematic but moderate moistening of the soil will help.
Kalanchoe should be watered in accordance with the needs of the plant in a given period of time. The recommended frequency of the procedure is conditional; you should focus on the succulent’s need for moisture. Use soft water, room temperature or slightly warmed. In summer, spray additionally with a spray bottle, but not during flowering.
Kalanchoe is a well-known medicinal plant grown at home. It is also called the “house doctor” or the “tree of life.” The juice from the fleshy leaves of the flower has medicinal properties, therefore it is widely used in folk therapy.
The beautiful plant is hardy and not picky. It adapts quickly, but mistakes in care can lead to the death of the pet. It belongs to the group of succulents, that is, crops that accumulate water in the stem and leaves. This genus includes many species, many of them have high medicinal properties, and others - decorative qualities and large bright flowers:
- Dissected Kalanchoe is also called “ deer antlers" It has leaves that look like deer antlers - long shoots with narrowed leaves, dissected along the perimeter.
- Tubiflora is a plant with narrow foliage tucked inward. It has many branches along the edges.
- Mangini – decorative variety having long shoots. Flowering occurs with bell-shaped flowers of bright red color.
- Cirrus is a medicinal variety. The foliage resembles feathers and has clearly visible veins.
- Degremona - has succulent, fleshy leaves, the juice of which quickly heals wounds and is used to treat many ENT pathologies.
- Blossfeld has high decorative qualities. This compact bush with umbrella-shaped inflorescences.
All of the above varieties are easy to grow at home, even for a novice gardener. They will constantly delight with their beauty and decorate the room.
Important rules for caring for the Kalanchoe plant
The first representatives of Kalanchoe grew on the island of Madagascar, and then spread to all areas of Asia. This handsome green guy feels good both at home and in the greenhouse. It can survive for a long time without watering, as it accumulates enough moisture in the stem and wide leaves. 
Covers them thin film, preventing evaporation, but it is still necessary to monitor the growth of the plant, and also follow some rules:
- protect against diseases;
- feed and fertilize;
- water correctly;
- observe temperature and light conditions;
- propagate and prune correctly so as not to damage the main bush.
Kalanchoe should be kept in a well-lit room. In a darkened corner, the flower will stretch out, and the flowering stage may not occur at all. The best window sills for a green pet these are the east and west sides. In winter, the flowerpot can be moved to the south side.
In bright sun and heat, the foliage takes on a reddish color. This is not a sign of illness. At home, the plant is planted in pots and placed on a windowsill or flower stand. In greenhouses and on balconies, it is better to place the flower in a wide box. 
Concerning temperature regime, then Kalanchoe loves a moderately warm climate. IN winter months ideal for him is +11-16°C, in the summer months - +23-25°C. Of course, a pet can withstand sudden jumps back and forth, but it is better to prevent this.
The main thing is to avoid drying out the soil or excessive waterlogging. In summer, the plant is moved from the house to the yard or to unglazed balcony. Some gardeners dig up flowers into open ground and then replant the pot in the fall.
Forming and pruning Kalanchoe
With time indoor flower begins to stretch strongly upward. At the beginning green friend looks compact and miniature, like a squat bush, but gradually it decorative properties are getting worse. The foliage becomes smaller and the stems become longer. To restore the beauty of the Kalanchoe flower, pinning and pruning are necessary. 
The last procedure is carried out after the flowering stage. Cut off long stems and remove faded flowers. Young shoots will emerge from the cuts. To branch them, they are pinched. Shaping and trimming the flower is usually done in summer or spring. By the beginning of autumn, the plant will produce many young shoots with flower stalks.
Proper watering of a flower
You don't have to worry too much about watering your Kalanchoe. It withstands drought very well. Of course, in the hot season you should not overdry the soil ball. During the winter months, watering frequency is reduced to once every few weeks. Stagnation of water in the soil often causes rot of the root system. 
It is very important that the flowerpot with the plant has drainage holes at the bottom through which excess liquid will flow out. You need to water the plant both in the tray and on top of the soil. In extreme heat, you should monitor the soil. The dried top layer is immediately watered.
Fertilizer and feeding Kalanchoe
The plant does not require soil fertilizers. This is best done during the period of buds setting and flowers appearing. Usually classic mineral fertilizers are used for decorative flowers, which wide range sold in flower shops. 
Universal fertilizing is used during the growing season. It is enough to saturate the soil with half the norm suggested by the manufacturer. Fertilizing the soil is carried out no more than once a month. When the flower is at the dormant stage, there is no need to fertilize it at all.
How to stimulate Kalanchoe flowering
In natural conditions beautiful plant blooms during the African summer, that is, when there are short sunny days. Even at home, flower buds are formed during a short photoperiod. Kalanchoe mainly blooms from December to May. Some varieties good care produce flowers all year round.
To force a Kalanchoe flower to produce buds, it is necessary to artificially reduce daylight hours to 8 hours. At other times, the pot is moved to a dark corner, for example, in a pantry. This continues for a month.
This is enough to lay good flower stalks. Some gardeners simply cover the flower with a tight box and place it in a dark closet. After 16 hours the pet is opened. For example, this can be done at 17-00 in the evening, and open at 7-00 in the morning. 
For long flowering Good lighting is necessary frequent watering and coolness. During flowering, soil moisture can be increased, then flowering will continue for up to six months. Withered flowers cut off. New young buds usually appear in their place.
After Kalanchoe flowering enters a quiet period. This is necessary to restore strength, prepare for a new stage of flowering and release cuttings. After flowering, the stems are trimmed and dried flower stalks are removed.
Then the flowerpot is moved to a shady place, for example, on the northern part of the room or on a darkened loggia. Watering during this season should be sparse; coolness down to +16°C is desirable. Repeated flowering occurs again after 2-3 months. 
Suitable soil and flower replanting
Kalanchoe loves neutral and slightly acidic soil, soft and loose, well-draining water. Flower growers buy universal soil and mix it with coarse sand. Soil mixtures for succulents are sold separately. Young bushes are transplanted annually into a wider pot. Adult green inhabitants of the windowsill do not need to be replanted often; once every 1-2 years is enough. 
A drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the flowerpot so that water does not stagnate at the bottom. The plant is replanted with a moistened old ball of soil. New soil they add it, and it should be similar in properties and quality to the previous one. It is poured on the sides of the new pot. The plant quickly takes root within a few weeks.
How does Kalanchoe reproduce?
The new plant can be propagated. This is done in different ways:
- rooting cuttings;
- sowing seeds;
- dividing a large bush;
- planting a single leaf.
The third method is not always successful, since a new bush or the main one can quickly wither. The most common and easy method– rooting cuttings. 
The small stem quickly takes root, which becomes established in the new soil. In a month there will be in his place lush bush. Not only the cuttings take root well, but also the leaves.
When planting Kalanchoe seeds, they are introduced into moist soil. Then the ground is covered with polyethylene and periodically ventilated and watered. For fast germination seeds needed diffuse light. The container should be in a warm place. After pecking the seeds, the pot is moved to the sun. 
Pests and protection against Kalanchoe diseases
Kalanchoe rarely gets sick. If brown, white or gray spots appear on the foliage, it is necessary to change the watering or lighting regime. The ground should not be very wet. During illness, it is better to water the plant rarely, providing it with additional lighting. At best, you should change the pot and feed it. 
Kalanchoe foliage may dry out and die. The reason for this is very dry air and heat. To treat a flower in such a situation, you should moisten it more often and move it to a cool place. To get rid of aphids, the buds affected by it and yellowed leaves are cut off, and the remaining stems and foliage are treated with a soap solution.