Many people know that in almost every house on the windowsill there is a Kalanchoe. This plant is used not only for decorative purposes, but also for medicinal. Caring for this flower is quite simple. The main thing is to adhere to the basic rules, and then the blooming Kalanchoe will delight its owners with bright small flowers. The only drawback is the short flowering period. So, how to care for this bright and delicate flower?
Plant features
The birthplace of blooming Kalanchoe is the island of Madagascar. But it is easy to meet throughout Asia. This flower grows well both in ideal conditions of the greenhouse, 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 were developed, most of which can be found on window sills.
Kalanchoe belongs to the family Crassulaceae.
The plant has rather thick leaves and a stalk in which the moisture necessary for life is accumulated. Therefore, it can do 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, which is easy enough to care for. But there are basic principles for caring for this succulent:
- necessary lighting;
- suitable temperature conditions;
- regular watering;
- transfer;
- proper and sufficient top dressing;
- protection against pests and diseases.
Watering
Home flowering Kalanchoe is not too demanding on watering. The plant does not have any serious requirements for watering, even prefers a little drought. In the summer, the plant must be watered more often. But in winter, the amount of watering is reduced to 2 times a month.
When watering, you need to pay attention to soil moisture. After all, stagnation of moisture can cause the development of decay processes that can harm the plant.
Planting flowering Kalanchoe is necessary in a pot with drainage. It will allow you to adjust the level of soil moisture.
The plant needs watering not only from above, but also into the pan.
Lighting
Many women consider the symbol of tenderness Kalanchoe blooming. How to care for this plant? Unlike other indoor ornamental plants, the flower is very fond of direct 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 beginning flower growers do not know why blooming Kalanchoe does not bloom. In fact, in order for the flowering period to begin, the plant is reduced in the length of daylight hours. In the wild, this period begins in winter, therefore, in our area, this succulent blooms in the cold season.
Many do not know how to make Kalanchoe bloom at another time of the year. It is quite simple. You just need to forcibly reduce the daylight hours to 10 hours. To do this, it is enough to put a tight bag on the flower pot. You can transfer the plant at a certain time in the closet, and every morning get it out of there.
Temperature mode
Proper plant care should also be based on maintaining a certain temperature. In summer and winter, it is different. In the hot season, the room temperature should be in the range from +18 to +28 0 . In winter, Kalanchoe needs coolness, so the temperature from +10 to +16 0 C. will be ideal.
Blooming Kalanchoe tolerates coolness, so it grows well on an insulated balcony or loggia.
Transplant Features
Ornamental Kalanchoe needs regular transplantation. After all, its root system grows quite quickly. The ideal time for a transplant is April-May. This is a period of active plant growth. At this time, daylight hours should be about 12 hours. Therefore, if necessary, use additional lighting devices.
Pay particular attention to the choice of pot. It should be much wider than the previous one. The composition of the soil should be identical to the former. The plant must be carefully removed from the container. Ensure that the earthen ball is not damaged.
The quality of the soil for the blooming clanchoe practically does not matter. This flower grows well in both loose and dense soil. Often the soil is mixed with a little sand.
Experienced flower growers recommend preparing the soil mixture from coarse sand, humus leaf, sod land, taken in equal proportions. You can also take half of the pieces of brick chips or charcoal.
Before planting, the soil must be disinfected with a potassium permanganate solution.
Feeding Features
Each grower wants to achieve magnificent 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 every month. It is recommended to use fertilizers intended for succulents. But ordinary, complex additives have a positive effect on abundant flowering.
It is necessary to 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 not come. Experienced flower growers recommend making only half of the rate indicated on the package.
Disease protection
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 methods of control. Sometimes the leaves of the plant may be covered with gray, white or brown spots. This is the first sign that the plant is not receiving the necessary care. Such spots can occur due to increased soil moisture, excessive amounts of fertilizing. 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 yellow and fall. Treatment consists in pruning affected areas. They are treated with a cool soapy solution or special preparations from these insects.
Plant propagation
As soon as this delicate flower appears in the house, I immediately want to give the same beauty to my loved ones. To do this, you do not need to acquire a new instance, it is enough to know the characteristics of plant propagation. There are several ways to breed Kalanchoe on your own:
- rooting of the handle;
- seed propagation;
- the method of separation of a large bush;
- planting a separate sheet.
Rooting the cuttings is the easiest and most effective way to propagate the plant. In a small process, the roots are formed quite quickly, so such a stalk can quickly take root in a new pot. A month after such a planting, the bush becomes more magnificent.
The seed propagation method can also be carried out at home. The seed of this plant is small enough, which makes it difficult to plant. They are laid out on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing down. Sprinkle 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 moisten the soil with a spray gun.
Most often, a large bush is divided in the case when it needs to be refreshed. But such a plant adapts and restores for a long time. Therefore, there is a high probability that the bush does not take root.
From the mother plant, you can pinch off not only the process, 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 planting.
Pruning
Many house plants 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, it is necessary to remove all affected areas.
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 arrange periods of rest. To do this, you must perform the following activities:
- all peduncles pruned;
- the flower is rearranged in a cool darkened place;
- watering is stopped for 1.5 months.
Providing a normal period of rest to the plant, it is returned to its usual place. The soil must be fed.
Pinching a plant
Some plants need pinching. Often, beginner growers are interested in why Kalanchoe does not bloom at home. Indeed, peduncles often do not reappear on this plant. This problem may be thinning shoots. The reason for this is the poor intake of minerals. As a result, the shoots may dry out. Pinching Kalanchoe allows you to get rid of these problems.
The procedure is simple. All weak shoots must be carefully plucked so as not to injure the plant. Otherwise, the wound must be sprinkled with ash or charcoal.
If Kalanchoe does not bloom?
Experienced gardeners who like 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 off under a 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 0 C.
After the plant is exposed to light and carry out the usual dressing and watering. Over the summer, Kalanchoe will be able to build green mass. Remember that you need to periodically pinch leaves to plant bush. This procedure is performed until November.
The next stage is high-quality plant lighting for 8 hours. The rest of the time it should be dark. After a month on the plant, you can see the first buds. Now Kalanchoe must be put on the windowsill, the room temperature should be in the range of +18 0 . Such conditions will allow you to enjoy bright, delicate and lush flowering throughout the winter.