Originally native to Madagascar and tropical parts of Asia and Africa, Kalanchoe is one of the most popular houseplants. The relatively easy-care succulent shows its bright flowers exactly when many plants are hibernating. Other varieties of the large plant family are cultivated solely for their exceptional foliage. If you observe a few basic things when caring for them, the Kalanchoe is guaranteed to set new buds every year and impress with weeks of flowering.

Kalanchoes only need water once a week

How is it poured?

Kalanchoe stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves. This enables the plant to survive even in dry places where almost nothing else grows. This makes watering quite easy, because it is usually sufficient to water once a week.

Watering is only done when the substrate feels dry even a few centimeters deep. Rainwater or soft water are ideal, but the plants also get along well with tap water that is not too hard. However, the Kalanchoe does not tolerate waterlogging at all, so pour away excess liquid in the saucer after a few minutes.

How is fertilized?

Plants cultivated in pots only have a very limited supply of nutrients and therefore have to be fertilized regularly. Succulents, on the other hand, are very frugal, so the supply of nutrients is a little different than that of many indoor plants:

  • If it is repotted annually, it does not have to be fertilized at all.
  • If you repot less often, fertilizer is only required in the second year.
  • Then fertilize once a month with a commercial cactus fertilizer.

humidity

Unlike many other houseplants that thrive in tropical regions like Madagascar, Kalanchoe does well in dry indoor air. Regular spraying of the leaves is also not necessary.

When and how is repotted

If you want to save yourself the fertilizer, simply repot annually. Otherwise, it is always repotted when the planter has become too small. The best time for this care measure is early spring, even before the plant bears the first flowers.

As in their natural home Madagascar, the soil should be well drained. A mixture of:

  • 50 percent cactus soil
  • 50 percent perlite, expanded clay (€19.73) or quartz sand.(€15.85)

The pot must have a good water outlet, which you cover with a shard of pottery. Then fill in a drainage layer of coarse gravel or expanded clay.

Newly bought Kalanchoen are often in conventional potting soil, which is mixed in at best with a little Styrofoam to loosen it up. Replace this substrate as soon as possible with a soil that is more suitable for succulents.

When and how to cut?

If the shoots don't grow too sprawling, you don't have to cut back the Kalanchoe. Only the dead leaves and faded flowers should be removed regularly. Always use a very clean, sharp knife. This avoids bruising on the fleshy stems and reduces the risk of pathogens getting in.

Diseases

Despite this plant being so robust, there is a risk of plant diseases if it is not cared for properly and the room climate is unfavorable.

root rot

Root rot, caused by waterlogging, occurs quite frequently. The first sign that you have meant too well with your watering is rapid growth of the shoots, but the leaves themselves remain very small. Putrefaction bacteria spread in the waterlogged soil and damage the roots. These can no longer transport water and the plant dries up.

Repot the plant, removing any damaged root parts. Water significantly less in the future. In many cases, the Kalanchoe recovers well from the damage.

mildew

Indoor plants can also be affected by this fungal disease. Hot summer days, open windows and drought encourage it. A mealy, greyish-white coating appears on the leaves of the Kalanchoe. Remove affected shoots immediately and dispose of them in the household waste. Injections are only necessary in exceptional cases.

Which pests threaten?

While some species appear to be downright immune to pest infestations, other Kalanchoen are quite susceptible to infestations with aphids, mealybugs or mealybugs. Vine weevils or thrips also like to settle on some varieties. If you discover the little pests, the Kalanchoe must be placed individually and treated with a suitable pesticide.

Important for flowering: hibernation

During the winter months you should keep most Kalanchoe varieties significantly cooler than in the summer months. A temperature between 8 and 13 degrees is ideal.

An exception is the Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiania). This species is maintained at room temperatures all year round. In order for it to bloom magnificently, however, this Kalanchoe needs only about eight to nine hours of light for about two months.

tips

If the room in which the Flammende Käthchen stands is artificially lit, the plant often does not produce any flowers. In this case, simply cover the little flowering wonder with a cardboard box in the evening hours.

Category:

Vegetable garden