Maintenance methods and precautions of Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a very popular indoor flower with the characteristics of high ornamental value, beautiful meaning and simple maintenance. Many friends have grown Kalanchoe at home, but if you want to grow it well, you must master the cultivation methods. Let’s learn about the maintenance methods and precautions of Kalanchoe below.

1. Lighting

Kalanchoe loves light, but cannot tolerate direct sunlight. Except for appropriate shade in the summer, more sunlight should be provided in other seasons, ensuring 4-6 hours of light per day. In summer, it can be placed in semi-shade to avoid leaf burns.

2. Temperature

The suitable temperature for growing Kalanchoe is between 15-25℃. When the temperature is below 10℃ in winter, it needs to be moved indoors to keep warm. When the temperature exceeds 30℃ in summer, the plant will enter a semi-dormant state and the temperature should be lowered appropriately.

3. Watering

Kalanchoe is drought-resistant, so watering should follow the principle of “water when the soil is dry and water when the soil is wet”, that is, water after the soil surface is dry, and water thoroughly each time. When the temperature is high in summer and low in winter, the frequency of watering should be reduced appropriately.

4. Fertilization

During the growth period of Kalanchoe, thin fertilizer should be applied frequently, and thin liquid fertilizer should be applied once every half a month. Before flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied to promote flower bud differentiation.

5. Pruning

Regular pruning can promote branching and flowering of Kalanchoe. When the seedlings are young, they need to be topped frequently to remove apical dominance; after the flowers fade, cut off the remaining flowers and the two pairs of leaves under the flowers to reduce nutrient consumption.

6. Reproduction

Kalanchoe can be propagated by cuttings. Choose healthy stems, cut them into small sections of about 10 cm, remove the lower leaves and insert them into sandy soil or rotted compost, keep them moist, and they will take root in 2-4 weeks.

7. Pest and disease control

Kalanchoe is susceptible to pests such as aphids and red spiders, and may also be infected with diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot. The environment should be kept clean, fungicides or pesticides should be sprayed regularly, and concentrated fertilizers should be avoided to avoid burning the roots.

In short, Kalanchoe needs loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, which can be mixed in a ratio of 4:4:2 of leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand. Control water appropriately before flowering to prevent the plant from growing too tall and promote flower bud differentiation.