A striking representative of the succulents of the family Crassulaceae - Kalanchoe - an exquisite plant, occupying an honorable place on the window sills and balconies of our apartments. Indoor plant, combining a sophisticated appearance and healing qualities at the same time. Originally from the tropics of South Africa.
Growing Kalanchoe and home care can be done even by beginner growers. A little attention and the right choice of habitat - and now the plant pleases with picturesque flowering.
Amazing properties of a common flower
The bactericidal properties of the plant have long been known: they rubbed their hands with juicy pulp for disinfection, treated purulent ulcers with juice, chewed leaves at the first sign of ailments.
The miraculous moisturizing properties of plant leaves have been widely used in modern cosmetology in the manufacture of various nutritional products for dry and sensitive skin.
Modern medicine also did not stand aside, because Kalanchoe juice is an excellent natural bactericidal agent that is used in the complex treatment of all kinds of skin diseases. In pharmacology, a variety of antimicrobials are produced on the basis of Kalanchoe.
Use a hood of Kalanchoe at home to care for dry skin, treating runny nose and abrasions, cuts and purulent wounds. Therefore, you should definitely get hold of this flower in a home green medicine cabinet.
Existing species of Kalanchoe
Today in nature there are more than 200 varieties of Kalanchoe, and all of them are characterized by healing properties. However, not all species are grown as a room decorative flower. Consider several common varieties of Kalanchoe, care at home for which does not require special attention, so these flowers live on the windowsills of many apartments.
Kalanchoe Blossfeld is characterized by abundant flowering buds of a bright red hue. Bush up to 30 cm in height with leaves wavy along the edge.
Kalanchoe Kalandiva is a small plant with a long flowering period. It attracts attention with terry multi-petal flowers, similar to miniature roses of a different color palette.
Kalanchoe dissected dramatically differs in appearance from brothers. Its feathery leaves resembles fluffy needles. Four-petal simple flowers with yellow-orange buds are located one by one. An interesting view of Kalanchoe, care for which will not cause problems.
Kalanchoe Degremona can reach a height of up to 70 cm. A plant with long narrow fleshy leaves of gray-green color, along the edges of which buds-children with aerial roots are formed, therefore, they are easily rooted, falling to the ground. It blooms with pink panicles with a diameter of about 1.5 cm.
Below is a colorful photo of Kalanchoe. Caring for the varieties of this plant is almost the same.
Optimal lighting
For full development and abundant long flowering, like any light-loving plant, it needs bright intense light and a Kalanchoe flower. Caring for home walls also involves tackling the lack of sunlight.
Direct sunlight can be detrimental to the plant, in which case the flower is shaded during the hottest hours, creating diffuse lighting. Kalanchoe can be in partial shade, but not for long, because from a lack of lighting it can weaken and become sick.
Favorable temperature
Comfortable temperature for Kalanchoe varies in the range of 15-24 ° C, the flower easily tolerates temperature fluctuations. In summer, it responds well to outdoor seating in the garden or in pots on the balcony. In the autumn-winter season, it is desirable that the temperature in the room does not exceed 18 ° C. Such temperature conditions and differences of 5-7 ° C stimulate the plant to form buds and buds. The long-awaited flowering of Kalanchoe comes. Home care can easily provide a room flower.
Proper watering
Kalanchoe, as a prominent representative of succulents, needs moderate watering in the growth and flowering phase and poor hydration in the dormant stage. You need to water the plant abundantly so that the earthen lump gets wet through. But this should be done infrequently, avoiding fluid stagnation in the flower tray, so as not to provoke rotting of the roots. This can subsequently lead to the death of flowering Kalanchoe. Home care must necessarily include proper watering of the plant.
The fleshy elastic leaves of Kalanchoe carry a supply of moisture, so the flower reacts better to poor watering. And the plant only suffers from excess moisture. Meanwhile, the lack of moisture in the flower pot for a long period may result in falling leaves of the plant.
In the cold season, watering the plant should be limited, but the earthen lump should not be completely dry. For irrigation use settled or melt water at room temperature. Cold water can stress the plant. Kalanchoe flower responds to a simple home care at healthy growth and bright flowering.
Nutrient supplementation
For abundant and prolonged flowering of Kalanchoe, like any ornamental plant, additional mineral fertilizing is necessary. Mostly they use special fertilizers for succulents. Complex fertilizers for indoor plants are used in half concentration. You should adhere to the basic rule for fertilizing: "it is better to underfeed than to oversaturated."
Nutrient formulations are added after dissolving in warm water prepared for watering the plant. This method ensures proper nutrition of the roots and insures them against burns with chemicals.
Propagation of a decorative medicinal plant
Caring for Kalanchoe at home also involves the process of breeding your favorite varieties. To replenish the flower collection with new instances, blooming Kalanchoe is propagated in several ways:
- by seeds;
- cuttings;
- a sheet;
- "kids";
- dividing the bush.
The easiest way to propagate is the rooting of stem cuttings and leaves. To do this, it is enough for 7-10 days to place them in a container of water until the formation of roots, and then transplant into individual pots.
Reproduction by seed is carried out in the second half of February - the first decade of March. Seeds are sown superficially on moistened soil. Before the first shoots appear, the containers are covered with glass, clear plastic or film for several days to create a greenhouse environment for seedlings. Periodically seedlings provide hydration and ventilation. After the appearance of 3-4 leaves, the sprouts are transplanted into separate pots.
On the leaves of some species of Kalanchoe, "babies" are formed that can take root on their own.
Division of the bush is a painful procedure, after which the plant is restored for a long time, therefore it is rarely used.
To form a beautiful lush green crown, it is recommended to pinch the tops of the bushes.
Kalanchoe diseases and their causes
Kalanchoe is considered a houseplant, quite resistant to various diseases and pests. If the plant loses its decorative effect, you should immediately review the care of Kalanchoe and deal with the causes of its weakened state.
The appearance of pale yellow and falling leaves in a chaotic manner, the rapid extension of the main stem are often signs of a lack of lighting. In this case, it is advisable to find a brighter place for the flower or to provide additional illumination with phytolamps.
With sufficient lighting, the cause may also be a lack of nutrients, which is eliminated by the introduction of complex dressings.
The lack of flowering in a healthy succulent plant indicates an excess of nutrition, Kalanchoe was simply fed with fertilizers, which prevents the formation of flower buds. In this situation, the dosage of fertilizers is gradually reduced.
Black putrefactive spots on the leaves - late blight - the result of heavy watering and low temperatures. And excess moisture and heat can lead to powdery mildew.
The key to a healthy flowering Kalanchoe plant is home care. The photos in the article clearly demonstrate what kind of result you need to strive for.
Pests of a medicinal plant
A weakened plant may be affected by pests. The most common are spider mites, scabies, mealybugs.
Removing the affected parts of the plant, treating the remaining healthy plant with a soapy warm solution or prepared insecticides, which can be purchased in special stores for gardeners, will help to cope with pests at home. It is advisable to isolate the affected flower during the treatment period from the rest.
For a full recovery, it takes a long time and compliance with the simple rules of caring for Kalanchoe at home. You should regularly inspect Kalanchoe, and if you find a problem, immediately begin treatment.
Kalanchoe: seasonally dependent care
In summer, the flower feels comfortable on the windows from the east or west. A representative of the succulents on the south window needs light shading to protect the leaves from sunburn. In winter, with a short day, it is recommended to provide additional lighting, without which the flower loses its decorative properties. A native of the tropics easily tolerates the summer heat, and in winter, on the contrary, it requires coolness.
Since the plant is at rest before flowering, it is advisable to create a temperature of 16-18 degrees favorable for the formation of flower buds in the fall. Elevated temperatures in winter can lead to wilting of leaves and drying out of buds.
The frequency of watering depends on the air temperature. During the heat, a generous but sparse watering is required in accordance with the drying out of the soil in the pot, in winter the watering intensity is reduced. It should be remembered that stagnation of moisture can lead to decay of the roots, and excessive drying of an earthen coma can lead to the death of the plant.
Winter home care for flowering Kalanchoe is characterized by maximum ease. To obtain an abundantly flowering bush, special nutritional complexes for succulents are added weekly, without exceeding the required dosage. With an excess of nutrients, the bush "eats" and grows only green mass.
Once a month, it is necessary to wipe the leaves with a soap solution and, for prophylactic purposes, carry out treatment from pests.
Kalanchoe: care after purchase
Growing a Kalanchoe flower is not at all difficult, the main thing to remember is that at home the plant is in a completely new environment: it is usually darker in the store and watering more often. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually accustom the flower to the sun's rays in order to avoid burns, which can provoke a discharge of flowers.
Kalanchoe on the windowsill on sunny days is shaded with a gauze cut. After a couple of days, the fabric is briefly removed, gradually increasing the intervals without shading. Watering is carried out as the soil dries. Also, after the acquisition of Kalanchoe, a temporary quarantine is necessary, the first 7-10 days it is kept in isolation from other domestic plants.
Proper care for Kalanchoe at home is the key to a healthy appearance and lush colorful flowering.