Key maintenance tips for Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a common indoor potted flower. It is deeply loved by people because of its long flowering period, bright colors and auspicious meaning. Kalanchoe is native to Mexico. It prefers a warm, sunny environment, is relatively drought-resistant, and is not very demanding on soil. Here are the key maintenance techniques for Kalanchoe.

1. Suitable temperature environment

The most suitable growth temperature for Kalanchoe is 15℃ to 25℃. During the high temperatures of summer, the temperature should be avoided from exceeding 30℃, otherwise the plant will grow slowly and enter a semi-dormant state. Therefore, at noon in midsummer, the Kalanchoe should be placed in a semi-shaded place with sufficient scattered light, such as under the eaves, under a large tree, or on a north-facing balcony, and attention should be paid to ventilation and cooling. In winter, the Kalanchoe needs to be moved indoors for maintenance, and the indoor temperature should be kept above 12℃ to prevent frostbite.

2. Adequate lighting conditions

Kalanchoe prefers an environment with plenty of sunlight and needs at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to grow healthily. When caring for the plants on the balcony of a building, you should ensure that the plants receive even light and rotate the flower pots regularly to avoid crown imbalance. But please note that proper shade is needed in midsummer, as the strong sunlight at noon may cause burns to the Kalanchoe.

3. Reasonable watering management

Kalanchoe contains a lot of water and is a succulent plant, so it is more drought-resistant but afraid of waterlogging. When watering, you should follow the principle of "water when dry and water when wet", that is, wait until the surface of the potting soil is slightly dry before watering, to avoid the potting soil being too wet for a long time and causing root rot. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly every 3 days or so. In summer, the watering frequency can be reduced appropriately, and it is appropriate to water once every 5 to 7 days, and avoid rain. After bringing the plant indoors in winter, the frequency of watering should be further reduced to once a week or so, and the water temperature should be close to room temperature.

4. Adequate supply of fertilizer

Kalanchoe has a high demand for nutrients during its growth, especially during the growth and flowering periods. Fertilization should be done regularly to replenish nutrients and promote flowering and growth of the plant. Half a month after the old plants are divided or half a month after the seedlings are potted, apply 2 to 3 times of liquid fertilizer mainly composed of nitrogen to promote the growth of stems and leaves. After flowering, you can apply liquid fertilizer mainly composed of nitrogen to promote its recovery. Except in summer, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizers can be applied at other times. The flowering period of Kalanchoe is relatively long, and it needs to be applied with 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or dilute nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a month to ensure that the flowers do not become smaller and lighter in color due to lack of fertilizer in the later stage.

5. Proper pruning and shaping

In the early stage of vigorous growth of Kalanchoe, attention should be paid to pinching to promote branching and make the potted flowers grow fuller. After the flowers fade, you should promptly cut off the remaining flowers and overly dense branches, overgrown branches, etc., to avoid consuming nutrients and affecting the number of flowers that bloom next time. When pruning, use sharp scissors or blades to ensure a smooth cut and reduce the risk of infection.

6. Pest and disease control

During the maintenance process, Kalanchoe may be attacked by pests and diseases, such as powdery mildew, leaf blight, scale insects and red spider mites. The growth of plants should be checked regularly, and timely measures should be taken to prevent and control any diseases or pests found. You can use pesticides such as thiophanate-methyl solution and imidacloprid solution for spraying or irrigation, and keep the maintenance environment well ventilated to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.

To sum up, the maintenance techniques of Kalanchoe include suitable temperature environment, sufficient light conditions, reasonable watering management, sufficient fertilizer supply, proper pruning and shaping, as well as disease and pest control. Only by mastering these techniques and putting them into practice can you make the Kalanchoe thrive in your home and bloom beautiful flowers.