Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) is a perennial plant from the Fat family. The genus contains more than 200 species of herbaceous perennials, succulents and shrubs. Natural habitat - tropics and subtropics. In nature, the flower grows in Australia, Asia and America.

Kalanchoe: description of the plant

The plant belongs to the group of succulents, capable of accumulating water in its leaves and stems. The closest relative isfat woman... The similarity is confirmed by folk wisdom: the fat woman is popularly called the Money Tree, Kalanchoe - the Tree of Life.

Sometimes the plant is confused with aloe or considered a variety. Indeed, there is a similarity: both are succulents, have externally similar leaves and a lot of useful medicinal properties. But these are completely different plants belonging to separate families.

The plant is also known as Home Doctor, Home Ginseng and Tree of Life. All popular names are more than justified and accurate: Kalanchoe juice has medicinal properties and is widely used in medicine.

Kalanchoe care at home

Caring for Kalanchoe at home is so simple that even a beginner can do it. The plant is not picky and hardy, it is able to adapt to almost all growing conditions and forgive its owner for many care mistakes, up to and including his absence. However, this does not mean that the flower does not require attention at all. Caring for the indoor Kalanchoe is needed, then the "tree of life" will delight not only with its benefits, but also with its appearance.

Location and lighting

Kalanchoe is not demanding on the location in the house. In summer, the flower will be comfortable on the western and eastern windows. In winter, southern ones are preferable. If the plant is in bright sunlight, it can get burned. Therefore, in the summer it needs to be shaded. With a lack of light, the plant stretches, and the flowers become small and inconspicuous.

A prerequisite for flowering is 12-hour daylight hours. For regular and abundant flowering, you need to ensure that this condition is met: shade the plant in summer from direct sunlight, and use additional lighting in autumn and winter.

Temperature

Kalanchoe perfectly tolerates the summer heat, and can be grown indoors at temperatures from 18 to 30 degrees. In winter, he prefers coolness - from 16 to 18 degrees. This temperature is optimal for the formation of flower buds.At a higher, or, conversely, a low temperature, the process of laying flower buds is inhibited.

Watering

Despite the fact that Kalanchoe is a succulent, it needs to be watered regularly. The watering regime is determined by the air temperature, the size and condition of the plant. In summer, in dry and hot weather, not only regular, but also abundant watering is required.

If the plant is in the shade, then watered moderately - 1 time in 2-3 days, focusing on the condition of the soil. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum.

The flower easily tolerates a lack of moisture, but is very sensitive to waterlogging.

Air humidity

Kalanchoe is "indifferent" to air humidity. The flower feels good in a warm room with dry air. Easily tolerates high humidity at low temperatures. However, light spraying will not hurt - it is used for hygienic purposes. After spraying, the leaves are wiped with a soft cloth or sponge.

The soil

Any soil is suitable for growing Kalanchoe at home. Ready-made succulent soil, which can be purchased at any flower shop, is perfect. If desired, the soil mixture can be made independently, taking in equal parts leaf and turf soil, peat and sand. It is advisable to add charcoal or perlite to the mixture. There must be drainage at the bottom of the pot.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Kalanchoe gratefully responds to feeding, which is carried out with any fertilizer for cacti. The optimal feeding scheme has been developed empirically: once every 2 weeks, starting from the second half of May until mid-July. Top dressing is resumed in late autumn, when the formation of flower buds begins.

Transfer

The need for a Kalanchoe transplant arises if the pot becomes too small for the plant. It happens that as a result of abundant watering, the soil turns sour. In this case, it is better to replace it by transplanting the plant.

Pruning

In order for the plant to look beautiful, it must be regularly shaped by pruning and pinching. Shoot pruning is carried out in the spring. Strongly elongated shoots are shortened by 2/3 or even half the length.

To form a beautiful bush, pinching of the shoots is carried out at the beginning of summer. This is especially true for young plants. Light pruning is desirable after flowering.

Bloom

For abundant flowering of Kalanchoe in spring and summer, it is necessary to adhere to a 12-hour daylight hours. In this case, the lighting should be bright. Otherwise, you need to use additional artificial lighting.

At the end of flowering, it is necessary to prune. This will get rid of dried flowers and form a healthy and beautiful bush. The trimmed parts of the plant can be used to root cuttings.

Flowers can be cut and placed in a vase of water. They can stay there for a long time without losing their attractive appearance.

Breeding methods of Kalanchoe

The Kalanchoe plant reproduces very easily, sometimes it happens with minimal human participation. It is enough for a baby or a leaf to break away from the mother plant and fall to the soil, it has every chance to germinate on its own.

The flower can be propagated from the cuttings, babies and leaves, rooting them in the spring in wet sand and creating greenhouse conditions, covered with a cap.

Propagation by cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, a separate leaf or segment of the shoot is taken. Rooting is very simple. It is necessary to tear off a leaf from the mother plant and plant it in nutrient soil. It is better to carry out this procedure at the beginning of summer. For the cutting, greenhouse conditions are created, covering with a jar or polyethylene, and spraying is periodically carried out. Very soon the leaf will take root.

Growing from seeds

The flower is fairly easy to propagate by seed. Sowing is carried out in late winter or early spring. For this, deciduous land is used, where the seeds of the plant are carefully sown. You do not need to fill the seeds from above, you just need to press them into the ground with your finger. Containers with seeds are covered with glass or transparent film, regularly ventilated in the morning and evening.The temperature for germinating seeds should be between 16-20 degrees. Regular watering with warm water is also required.

After emergence, glass or film must be removed. After about a month, the seedlings can be transplanted into separate small pots. After the seedlings get stronger and they have a lot of leaves, pinching is carried out. Subsequent transplanting is carried out as the plant grows. The flowering of Kalanchoe grown from seeds begins the next year.

Diseases and pests

In the case of prolonged improper care or its complete absence, Kalanchoe can weaken and get sick. In conditions of prolonged waterlogging, the flower usually becomes ill with powdery mildew and gray mold, is affected by aphids and felt.

The healing properties of Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe has medicinal properties and is widely used in folk medicine. The sap of the plant has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used in gynecology and dentistry. The juice is also used to heal wounds and burns, treat ulcers and frostbite. Also, the juice is used to treat stomatitis and tonsillitis.

Types of Kalanchoe with a photo

The genus has about 20 species. Many types of Kalanchoe are grown at home.

Kalanchoe Blossfeld (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

This species is famous for its numerous flowers, collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. Flowers are located on long peduncles and differ in a variety of colors. The plant to care for is very unpretentious.

Kalanchoe manginii (Kalanchoe manginii)

Ampel view. The flower is miniature (up to 15 cm) and is distinguished by exotic inflorescences that resemble small bells. Flowering usually occurs in spring.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana

This species blooms quite rarely, exclusively in winter. Plant height reaches 50 cm. It has a straight stem and long (up to 10 cm) green triangular leaves. The leaves are strewn with many purple spots.

Kalanchoe pinnata (Kalanchoe pinnata)

It is considered the most hardy species. It is distinguished by its height, reaching 1 m. The color of the flowers is unusual: white tones, smoothly turning into green. The juice of this type of Kalanchoe is sold at the pharmacy.

Kalanchoe bentii

The species is represented by dwarf shrubs, reaching a height of 1 m. Leafy platinum is up to 50 cm long, rather thick and weighty. White flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences. Flowering occurs in mid to late spring. It tolerates cultivation in cool rooms.

Kalanchoe Beharskoe (Kalanchoe beharensis)

The species is represented mainly by shrubs. The leaves are serrated and covered with small hairs.

Kalanchoe felt (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

Representatives of this species are semi-shrubs. Stem erect, leaves with small hairs. Miniature flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences.

Kalanchoe grandiflora (Kalanchoe grandiflora)

The species is also known as Kalanchoe marmorata. These are mainly semi-shrubs, reaching a height of 50 cm. Leaf plates are green. In direct sunlight, the leaves may turn pale red. Yellow flowers are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence, have a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in late spring.

Kalanchoe paniculata (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

Plants of this species reach a height of 50-60 cm. At the base, the leaves are densely packed, closer to the top - the leaves become smaller and less frequent. Flowers are yellow. Flowering occurs in late spring.

Flaming Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe flammea)

The species is known as the glaucous Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe glaucescens). Plant height reaches 40 cm. The leaf plates become wider and larger closer to the top of the plant. The leaves are round green with a white tint around the edges. Orange flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences.

Kalanchoe tubular (Kalanchoe tubiflora)

The species is represented by semi-shrubs, reaching a height of 70 cm. Leaf plates of gray-green color, narrow, elongated. The leaves of the plant are strewn with brown spots.

Kalanchoe dissected (Kalanchoe laciniata)

The species is also known as lobular Kalanchoe. The stems of the plant eventually sink down under their own weight, shedding leaves at the base.Green leaves have a dissected shape. Flowers are yellow or orange.

Kalanchoe Kalandiva

The species was obtained by breeding. Differs in modest size and six-month flowering period.

The Kalanchoe plant is easy to care for at home, even beginners can do it. Subject to certain rules, the flower will constantly delight with its appearance and beauty.