For xeriscaped and drought-tolerant gardens, kalanchoes provide both vegetative interest and brilliant blossoms. These succulent plants are native to Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and Africa, but they have spread throughout Southern California. Naturalized varieties look just as good in your garden as nursery-grown variants. Chunky kalanchoes with thick, succulent leaves and shrubby variants with thin, shiny, oval leaves are both available. The blossoms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from little clusters of vividly colored flowers to huge panicles of bell-shaped flowers. Kalanchoes need to be pruned to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the plant, as well as to stimulate repeat blooming. The most important reason to trim kalanchoes is to control their spread because they multiply fast and quickly, especially in dry, frost-free areas.
What can I do with overgrown kalanchoe?
Remove any “leggy” or unwelcome growth. Kalanchoe plants should be compact and rounded. Remove any stems that are unusually long or tall. Cut as near to the plant’s root as possible and make a straight, clean cut, just like you did with the flower stems.
How do you care for kalanchoe after flowering?
During the summer, keep the plant in a sunny area with well-drained soil and a reasonable moisture level.
If you live in a zone below USDA 9 or if frost is forecast, reduce the amount of water you use in the fall and bring the plant indoors. From fall to late winter, the plant will be subjected to low light circumstances, which will generally result in the formation of flowers.
Late in the winter, or just as the first buds are budding, fertilize with a 0-10-10. This will encourage more and better Kalanchoe flowering, as well as improved plant health and vigor.
Why is my kalanchoe plant leggy?
Lack of sunshine is the most prevalent cause of a leggy kalanchoe. Pruning your plant and relocating it to a brighter location, such as a south-facing window, might help it stop stretching for light.
Can I cut a succulent that is too tall?
When cutting succulents that have grown too tall, use a sharp knife to avoid squashing the cut. If you don’t have one, (pruning) scissors will suffice; most succulents are tough. Make the cut as horizontally as feasible to make the cut and hence the potential for dirt as little as possible.
Why is my kalanchoe so tall?
If your plants are growing excessively tall, it’s a sign that they aren’t getting enough sunlight to support their regular growth. This is referred to be “etiolation.”
How does light affect the growth of Kalanchoes?
To carry out the process of “photosynthesis,” light is required. The plant’s leaves absorb sunlight and prepare food for the plant. When plants are exposed to a shortage of sunlight, the regular process of photosynthesis is disrupted.
Why do kalanchoe leaves turn yellow?
Zinc insufficiency is a problem for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, which is exacerbated by excessive phosphorus levels in the soil. Yellowing of leaves between veins, as well as curling, withering, and leaf deformation, are all signs of zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in Kalanchoe can result in fasciation, which is a highly branching, flattened stem. Kalanchoe requires a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 or a rich growing medium of equal parts peat and perlite to reduce the risk of zinc deficiency.
How long do kalanchoe plants live?
As long as you provide adequate nutrients and water for your kalanchoe to thrive, it will continue to grow. These plants can live for six or seven years, but they can get lanky in pots as they become older.
How do I look after my kalanchoe plant UK?
Kalanchoes are low-maintenance houseplants that require little attention. Provide them with a bright, sunny location. Wait till the top few cm have dried off before watering them. Remove the faded blooms by deadheading them.