This plant can be seen in many houses and apartments of Russian lovers of indoor floriculture. Kalanchoe does not require complex care, but the plant needs moderate watering, periodic top dressing and pruning. The plant is not only lush and often blooms, which is very pleasing to its owners, but is also a good helper in the treatment of various diseases of the nasopharynx, ears and skin.
So that the flower does not stretch, but has a round, neat shape, it must be cut in time. Despite the fact that many plant this medicinal type of plant in their homes, decorative species are not inferior to him in popularity. Lush and colorful blooms, green stems and lush foliage throughout the year, make them spectacular decorations of any home.
Today, there are more than 200 species of this plant. Some of them are suitable for indoor floriculture. The most popular were the single-flowered and pinnate Kalanchoe, as well as the Kalanchoe of Degremon and Blossfeld. The original inhabitants of the tropics, Kalanchoe of all kinds tolerate drought and high humidity equally well. Plants practically do not need fertilizers, are resistant to diseases and pests.
In this article we will talk about how to trim Kalanchoe at home, why such a procedure is needed and how to conduct it so as not to harm the plant.
Kalanchoe Care
As already mentioned, caring for a plant is simple, but certain rules must be observed when growing Kalanchoe. It depends on how much the plant will feel comfortable in your home, and how it will develop.
Temperature mode
The optimum in the summer for flowering Kalanchoe is considered a temperature in the range from +23 ° C to +29 ° C. The plant will suffer a higher temperature, but in this case, if it blooms, you should increase the frequency of watering, otherwise the buds may dry out.
Surprisingly, this tropical plant tolerates low temperatures well. In autumn and winter, when the temperature rises slightly above +10 ° C, it can be exposed to fresh air without fear.
Lighting
Kalanchoe can be located anywhere in the room where the sun's rays reach. The plant feels most comfortable in partial shade or in diffuse lighting. Direct sunlight is dangerous from 11 to 15.00 from March to September.
Watering Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a succulent, in other words, it is a plant that can accumulate moisture in leaves. Due to this, it can survive drought. Excessive watering for Kalanchoe is harmful. This houseplant is watered so that the water soaks the earthen lump, and the excess water must be drained. On hot summer days, the frequency of watering is increased (not forgetting the excess water). In winter, it is enough to moisten the soil no more than twice a week.
Humidity
This is not the most important indicator for the normal development of Kalanchoe. This is because the plant retains moisture in the leaves. That is why drought is not terrible for this flower. It is only necessary to ensure that during irrigation water does not fall on the leaves, as this can cause plant disease.
Top dressing
Once a month, Kalanchoe should be fertilized with compounds intended for succulents. This is necessary for regular flowering plants. Experienced growers recommend using half the dose that is indicated on the packaging of the nutrient mixtures. In winter, the plant is in a dormant period, so it does not need top dressing.
Do I need to trim Kalanchoe?
Yes, I need it. Moreover, this is the most important condition for proper care. Pruning Kalanchoe at home involves the removal of excess flowers and leaves. This procedure will help to form a beautiful plant. Florists believe that a small compact bush looks much more attractive than a long and unkempt stem. And for lush flowering pruning Kalanchoe is simply necessary.
When removing extra processes, juice accumulates in the stem, which after the procedure is distributed among the remaining branches. The flower becomes juicy, the plant becomes more resistant to drying. It should be noted that trimming Kalanchoe is of three types:
- initial;
- preventive;
- after flowering.
Often, especially when placed in the sun, a flower overgrows. Therefore, many beginner gardeners are interested in how to correctly prune Kalanchoe, if it is stretched so as not to injure the plant. If a long and not very beautiful top has grown, it should simply be cut off. Constantly watch the shoots. When they begin to grow, pinch off their two leaves from above.
Pruning different types of Kalanchoe
Of the many species of Kalanchoe in indoor floriculture, only a few are common. The pruning technique is practically the same for all varieties, but for some varieties there are special rules that must be followed. The most common variety in our country is Kalanchoe Blossfeld. This variety is ideal for indoor cultivation. The plant has beautiful flowers in different shades.
This variety of Kalanchoe can be pruned under the root. In this state, the plant begins to actively develop, the bush becomes beautiful and lush. Varieties on which white and yellow flowers bloom are pruned differently. But these varieties are quite rare in indoor floriculture. Such plants require special care. Pruning Kalanchoe of these species should not be cardinal. Removing too much foliage can harm the plant: it may not recover from such stress.
In order for the formation of Kalanchoe to be carried out correctly, it is necessary to find out which variety is growing in your house. Remember that pruning is a painless and necessary procedure for the plant. If decay has begun in places of cuts, treat them with charcoal. To prevent such complications, use a pre-sanitized tool to trim. It is strictly forbidden to pick off extra leaves with your hands. Such pinching can weaken the plant.
Initial and preventive pruning
As soon as the plant has taken root in a new place, it requires initial pruning. On the shoots, one should cut in turn the two upper leaves. Young shoots will soon grow at the place of pruning.
Now it's time to carry out preventive pruning of Kalanchoe (we posted a photo in this article). It can be carried out repeatedly until the flower begins to look like a pretty and compact bush. You can not wait until the leaves grow. As soon as young shoots appear, you can carry out the procedure.
Pruning of the flower is stopped in late autumn. The next formation of the bush can begin in late spring or early summer. But if the flower has bloomed, pruning is prohibited.
Do I need to prune a plant after flowering?
Every year, a lush hat of inflorescences and leaves is noticeably smaller. The exquisite beauty of Kalanchoe loses its former splendor. But this is not a reason to abandon the plant. Just a flower signals that it needs pruning. It depends on the variety of Kalanchoe.
For example, the Blossfeld variety blooms before the end of May, and then enters a dormant period. After trimming and treating the wounds, the plant is transferred to a cool place until spring.
For hybrid varieties, it is important not to overdo it and remove leaves and inflorescences to a minimum. Only shoots that have lost their former attractiveness are removed. Do not forget about the processing of slices. Kalanchoe is also trimmed to update decorative forms.
A few words in conclusion
Kalanchoe is a very beautiful flower. Connoisseurs of indoor plants love it for its attractive appearance during the flowering period, but also for its healing properties. As it became clear from the article, trimming the Kalanchoe procedure is absolutely simple. But it should be carried out regularly so that the bushes always have a beautiful shape. If all the rules are followed, the flower looks amazing and is actively developing.