Kalanchoe flowering (Kalanchoe) - the plant that decorates the house. It has a unique property - depending on the variety and type of bloom almost all year round. However, ideally, winter is considered the period when the Kalanchoe abundantly throws buds. Kalanchoe care at home provides a simple - it is easy to make it bloom.
Why Kalanchoe does not always bloom
A decorative bush can stop the growth of buds, they will fall if the indoor air drops below 10-12 ° C. Often the plant itself is in a stressful situation, and various circumstances can provoke it:
- Natural aging of the plant itself - in this case, it is worth thinking about its reproduction from the cuttings or from seeds. Experienced flower growers are advised to carry out such manipulations every 5-7 years for preventive updates.
- The proximity of the heating source - the leaves in this case will turn yellow and fall, and the trunk will fade. Therefore, in order to avoid death and to ensure abundant flowering, the plant is cleaned away from batteries or stoves.
- Placing the plant next to decorative tomatoes or citrus fruits. Kalanchoe is a lonely flower, and this neighborhood will not benefit him, because he should provide a separate space.
Kalanchoe usually blooms profusely
If the decorative bush does not bloom, stretches upwards - it is worth trimming it and providing a period of rest. After putting the flowerpot on the south lighted windowsill.
What to make the plant bloom
To make Kalanchoe bloom, you need to follow the following algorithm:
- Frequent watering. The soil must be moist for at least 3-4 days. To accelerate flowering, it is recommended to defend water for 24 hours, and it should not be cold. The optimal temperature is a couple of degrees above room temperature.
- Top dressing. They bring a double portion of fertilizers - this will make the plant "wake up" and go into growth and flowering. But do not be zealous - if you contribute more, pathogenic fungi can “bloom” in the flowerpot. And this can cause the death of the plant.
- Loosening. The soil should be loose at the roots - the maximum air in the soil will enhance the emission of buds. But it is worthwhile to act carefully - loosening is carried out with a wooden stick, trying not to damage the roots.
Subject to these simple rules, the plant will delight you with a long and plentiful color. If you provide home care suitable for Kalanchoe, flowering will not take long.
How often does it bloom
Quite often - depending on the variety and type of Kalanchoe, it can bloom two, or even three times a year. True, the first time the bush blooms profusely, and the subsequent times - not so abundantly.
Kalanchoe blooms 2-3 times a year
How to care for flowering Kalanchoe at home
The most important thing for foliage and color is lighting for at least 8-9 hours, otherwise the Kalanchoe loses its decorative qualities, stretches up and stops blooming, and the color loses its brightness. How to care for the plant, we will talk further.
Temperature
The basic rule for those who do not know how to care for flowering Kalanchoe at home is to observe the temperature regime. Kalanchoe grows and blooms at almost any temperature, but you should not go to extremes.
In summer, the temperature can vary from +18 to +28 ° C, in winter it should be between 14-18 ° C. If in winter the temperature drops below 10 ° C, the plant may die and the buds will be destroyed.
Attention! The optimal temperature in winter varies between 12-15 degrees Celsius, not more, since a warm winter will lead to unnatural leaf fall.
Watering
Watering in summertime watering should be plentiful, but not frequent. It is enough to moisten the plant every 6-7 days, avoiding stagnation of water in the pot and pan. But it is not worth giving the earth to dry out in a flowerpot, if the summer is hot, then it is recommended to water once every 4-5 days.
Kalanchoe needs proper watering
Humidity
The plant feels great without spraying and high humidity in the room - it is enough to shower him periodically or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, removing dust from them. And best of all, if there is a balcony or wide window sills, put it on the street, which will be optimal conditions for it.
The soil
There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil for the plant - it feels good in both light and heavy substrates. But, as experienced flower growers say, the optimal soil composition provides for the mandatory addition of sand to it. Plus, the pot should have good drainage at the bottom. For Kalanchoe, the optimal pH is 5.0-6.5. If you do not buy the finished mixture in the store, you can prepare the composition yourself. It is enough to mix in the appropriate proportions:
- humus leaves - 1 part;
- turf and sand - 1 part each;
- half of the charcoal and brick chips.
Attention! To improve the composition of the soil and to re-bloom more abundantly, 10 g of bone meal is added per 10 liters of land. This will be a kind of additional fertilizer for the plant.
Kalanchoe needs suitable soil for flowering
Kalanchoe fertilizer
This plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but if it is important that the Kalanchoe blooms for a long time and, even after blooming, gives buds again, it is important to fertilize the soil. This may be special feeding for succulent. And if the bush has already bloomed or at least gave buds, it is worthwhile to introduce an exclusively complex fertilizer or composition for blooming.
Attention! Before applying fertilizer, be sure to read the instructions and application rates. It is not necessary to add more than is required, since an excess of fertilizers can lead to the death of the plant.
Care after flowering
Step-by-step care for Kalanchoe should be provided not only during the flowering period, but also after that. If the plant is "tired", too long, or becomes bushy - carry out its preventive pruning. This is not only the removal of old foliage and flowers, but also the pruning of elongated shoots, which can be used in the future for cuttings and propagation of plants.
After trimming, the flowerpot is mixed in a cool and shaded, but not dark place - this ensures a complete rest period. If young shoots began to appear during this period of time, cut them off at the level of the third row of leaves from the root, preventing them from stretching upwards. Such manipulations should be carried out until the very end of November.
After the plant has bloomed, it needs seasonal renewal, otherwise the Kalanchoe may die. The update is carried out by the method of cuttings in spring, when new buds appear on young shoots, which will bloom faster than old ones.
One of the simplest methods of reproduction - cuttings
After pruning, give the plant a rest. All this clearly shows that Kalanchoe is not the most whimsical and capricious plant, and even a beginner grower will cope with the task of caring.
Pests and diseases
Kalanchoe has enough of them, and this is probably the only problem in caring for him. The owners of this plant should know the signs of the most common pests and diseases.
Late blight
Dark brown spots that appear in the zones of growth and branching of the flower. The causes of this disease are most often called an excess of moisture and stagnation of water in the pan, insufficient ventilation in the room. Often the appearance of such a disease is caused by an excess of fertilizer in the soil, and a high temperature in the room.
To cope with late blight, you need to stop or reduce watering, change the soil composition or water the plant with fungicides. It all depends on the root cause of the development of the disease.
Powdery mildew
On the foliage of the plant, whitish spots gradually appear that remotely resemble a fungus. Gradually affected greens will die. Powdery mildew may be caused by excessive dry air in the room and high temperature. To overcome it, you need to regularly water and arrange a summer shower or spraying. And be sure to treat with fungicides that kill pathogenic fungi in the soil and on the plant.
Attention! The danger of powdery mildew is that it spreads quickly through the air and can infect neighboring healthy plants.
The defeat of gray rot
On the foliage and flowers, a gray coating forms like a cobweb, the area of which gradually increases. Florists call the reasons for the appearance of gray rot an excess of moisture, a minimum of light, and insufficient ventilation in the room.
To overcome rot, it is important to provide artificial (additional) lighting and good ventilation in the room, be sure to treat the plant with fungicides.
Aphid
The most common disease in which small insects of green or dark green color appear on the foliage. In addition, the leaves will turn yellow; flowers and buds will fall.
To remove aphids, you must first wash the plant with warm water and a soap solution, and then prune the affected branches, withered foliage. The main thing in this case is to prevent soapy water from getting into the ground.
Aphids on Kalanchoe - One of the Most Common Pests
Shields
Small insects with a grayish body.
Attention! When the plant is damaged by these insects, a gray coating appears on the leaves and the growth and development of the fungus is activated, there is no peduncle, and already affected flowers fall off.
It is enough to carefully treat the plant with a weak alcohol solution, and then manually remove the insects themselves, after a while, re-treat the affected bush.
As a rule, subject to all recommendations and proper treatment, Kalanchoe is independently restored, gaining green mass in a short time, pleasing with its abundant flowering.
Kalanchoe is a beautiful and unpretentious plant, which, with proper care, can please with its color in the winter months and not only. The main thing is to observe the measure in watering, to ensure maximum light and timely top dressing - these are all simple secrets. For attention and care, the plant will decorate the interior with a beautiful color, healthy foliage and bright colors.
