Plant Care & Gardening Tips@ HortChat.com©

Kalanchoe care

Filed under: — admin @ 11:40 am


Kalanchoe blossfeldiana belongs to Crassulaceae family. It is an attractive plant with fleshy, scalloped leaves that bear clusters of star-like flowers and comes in a myriad of vibrant colors. Given the right growing conditions this low-maintenance plant will bloom up to 10 weeks. It blooms naturally in late winter to late spring but growers can make it available any time of year as long as it gets 6 weeks of 14 hours of darkness. This succulent plant can tolerate dry soil and low humidity which makes them an ideal indoor plant during the winter.

kalanchoe

Care:
Kalanchoe needs bright light, full sun (south window) in the winter and some shade during the heat of summer (east/west window). Grow it in well-drained soil consisting of peat, sand or perlite and sterile soil. Cooler temperatures and brighter light will prolong blooming. Remove spent flowers for a neater appearance.
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry. They are drought tolerant so allow the top half to dry out before watering again. Don’t over water, soggy soil will cause stem and root rot.
Do not feed it when in bloom. Start feeding after blooming if you want to rebloom or grow as a foliage plant.

Problems: Scale, mealy bugs, mites

Reblooming : Some feel it is hardly worth the effort. It is difficult but can be done. To rebloom, remove all dead flower stalks and when new growth appears start feeding with a 15-30-15 fertilizer at 1/2 strength in March-October. Kalanchoe, like Poinsettias are short-day flowering plants which require 6 weeks of 14 hr nights and bright light during the day with temperatures of 60F at night and 70F during the day. Blooming should start within 4 months after treatment.
You can also propagate your plant from tip cutting taken in spring. Root them in a mix of peat moss and coarse sand in bright filtered light.

calandiva

An exciting new variety is the Calandiva, a double-flower that looks like a cluster miniature roses and comes in a variety of colors. It has the same growing requirements as the Kalanchoe.

Tell a Friend or Foe about this 'Kalanchoe care article'
Bookmark this thread on Kalanchoe care
previous post: Bougainvillea care
next post: Butterfly garden

10 Comments on Kalanchoe care»

  1. I received a small kalanchoe as a gift last year. It is no longer small! What do people usually do with this plant when its branches are in excess of 2 feet each? Tie it to stakes or turn it into a hanging plant? I like it but am a bit bewildered! : )

    It sounds as if your plant needs more light. Low light promotes weak and leggy growth. Give your plant some tough love; cut back the leggy branches by at least 1/2 to make it more managable and repot, place it in a sunny window or outdoors (when the weather warms up). Keep it on the dry side. It will in turn get bushier. Root stem cuttings to make new plants.

    .

    Comment by Crissa — 4/8/2007 @ 2:06 pm

  2. I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD. IS THIS PLANT POISONOUS FOR HIM? I READ ABOUT MITES. IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR INSIDE A HOUSE AND WITH A CHILD.

    According to the NAPCC and ASPCA, Kalanchoe spp. are listed as poisonous when ingested by animals (cats & dogs). I’m sure it would also affect a one yr. old. The symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. If you are referring to spider mites, they are harmless. If you decide to treat them with insecticidal soap do it outdoors so as not to expose your child to any chemicals.

    Comment by beth — 4/26/2007 @ 1:38 pm

  3. I live in Ohio can this plant be put in ground to come back in spring?

    Unfortunately, Kalanchoe is hardy in zones 10-11 and would not survive an Ohio winter. This succulent plant comes from a tropical African climate. You will have to bring it indoors for the winter. They do great planted in containers.

    Comment by Ann Viers — 5/2/2007 @ 7:57 am

  4. I have a new blooming Kalanchoe house plant and am wondering if I could put it in a hanging basket on the outside deck for the summer months.

    Yes, Kalanchoe will enjoy the warm, sunny weather during the summer and may even bloom for you when you bring it back indoors in the fall.

    Comment by Dot Galvin — 5/4/2007 @ 3:45 pm

  5. My Kalanchoe plant has developed brown spots on it’s leaves. What is this a sign of and what should I do?
    Michelle

    Small raised brown spots 1-3mm in diameter can be a sign of two problems: 1) edema (oedema) a physiological disease, which is caused by high humidity, too much water. 2) a fungal leaf spot that closely resembles edema and can only be verified with lab testing. This is also caused by high humidity and high temperatures. Control for the fungal disease is to keep the foliage dry , reduce humidity, don’t crowd the plant and remove any infected leaves. Spray with an approved fungicide as a preventative. In both diseases, the spots stay the same size for up to 8 months. Edema is more likely to occur. Larger brown spots (Botrytis) on leaves and stems can occur during humid conditions.

    Comment by Michelle — 6/9/2007 @ 4:35 am

  6. I received an orange Kalanchoe plant the last week in April from a florist shop - I just love it - but my flowers started getting pale and eventually started wilting. I cut them off - it looks like I am still getting some flowers/leaves. Is this the time I would put it in the dark for 14 hours for 6 weeks and will it start to bloom again? Or won’t it bloom now until October? Thanks!

    Enjoy the plant right now. Put it outside in a semi-shade spot and let it grow and bloom. Once they are done blooming they will need a rest period and the longer nights will once again trigger the blooming cycle. So wait till the fall when we have 14 hrs. nights naturally to get it to rebloom.

    Comment by Rosy Conboy — 6/12/2007 @ 3:03 pm

  7. I recieved an orange Kalanchoe plant for a gift, and until recently it was doing fine. I accidently left the plant in the car overnight, and due to the summer heat, the entire plant has wilted. Is there anything I can do to bring this plant back?

    Water the plant(don’t let it sit in water), leave it in the shade for a few days and see if it recovers. You may have some damaged leaves/flowers which you can trim back. They are tough plants and tolerate adverse conditions.

    Comment by Jennifer — 7/4/2007 @ 8:20 pm

  8. I see the plant, Kalanchoe is listed as poisionous to cats and dogs. Do you tink it would be poisionous to a miniature sheep?

    Yes, Kalanchoe is also poisonous to sheep. Poisoning occurs often in places like Australia and S. Africa during the summer when sheep are grazing . The flowers have a higher concentration of cardiac glycosides causing heart problems. Check this site for more info http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/vetm1104_933-936.pdf?docID=5621&AddInterest=1101

    Comment by MARY — 7/17/2007 @ 6:35 am

  9. I have a kalanchoe plant it is a house plant.
    I am having problem with the leaves on it . It is turing soft and dry at the end of it. Do I have to much water in it?

    You may have overwatered. It’s better to err on the dry side with a Kalanchoe. Keep it cool and dryer in the winter months.

    Comment by Samuel Robinson — 10/21/2007 @ 12:33 pm

  10. By chance can you tell me what the Kalanchoe is hardy to? I’ve looked all over for the dangerouse low temperature.

    The lowest temperature it can tolerate is in the 30’s F. It’s hardy in zones 10-11 sometimes if protected 9b

    Comment by Greg — 11/16/2007 @ 6:14 pm

Leave a comment

Please search before posting, we might already have what you are looking for on the site.
 
HortChat.com© Web

(required)


(required, but not displayed)

authimage


Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there may be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there’s no need to resubmit your comment.