Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) Is a genus of succulent plants of the Tolstyankovye family (Crassulaceae). More than 200 species are known that grow in tropical and South Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the tropics of South America. Genus name of Chinese origin. This flowerpot is extremely popular on our windowsills. It is not only very decorative, but also really useful, because it has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. How to grow Kalanchoe at home, and how to use it for medical purposes, we will tell you in this article.
Kalanchoe flowers. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com 19870808lily
Contents:
Botanical description of the plant
Kalanchoe, Latin name – Kalanchoe, folk name – maozedongchik, doctor, indoor ginseng.
Perennial succulent herbaceous plants with thick, fleshy leaves that contain water reserves. Widespread as a houseplant kalanchoe Daigremonta (K.daigremontiana) from the island of Madagascar. This is a meter-long semi-shrub with a straight stem and cross-shaped triangular leaves with serrated edges.
On adult leaves, brood buds are located in the depressions between the teeth. They fall to the ground and take root.
Kalanchoe requirements for cultivation
Kalanchoe is a sun-loving plant that is not afraid of burns from direct sunlight, therefore it does not require shading.
In summer, Kalanchoe will feel good on the balcony, where there is a lot of fresh air. Water as the earthen coma dries. Every 7-10 days, the plant requires fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. In July, pinch the tops in order to form side shoots.
Autumn – watering is gradually reduced, fertilizing is less often applied.
In winter, plants feel better at temperatures no higher than 12-15 ° C. They should be watered only when the earthen lump dries out.
In spring, the plants are annually transplanted into a nutrient mixture (medium or heavy). Begin to feed them weekly.
Lighting. Bright, intense lighting with direct sunlight, but a south window may need shading during the hottest hours of the day. Kalanchoe love a lot of light and sun both in winter and in summer.
Watering. Moderate – in spring and summer, decreases in autumn, and water is limited in winter.
Air humidity. Kalanchoe are resistant to dry air, but periodic spraying will not hurt at all, and will also have a hygienic effect.
Transfer. In spring, young – every year, old – every 2-3 years. The pot is one size larger. Good drainage at least 2 centimeters. pH 5,5-7,0. Earthen mixture: turf, leafy soil, humus and sand (1: 1: 1: 1).
Top dressing. From late spring to mid-summer, they are fed with a special fertilizer for cacti and other succulents once a month.
Undercutting. After flowering, cut it off, leaving a few cm from the base and place in a darkened place. Keep the compost dry for four weeks. After – transfer to a bright place. Grows well under artificial light.
Kalanchoe blooms. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Vicki Walker
Features of Kalanchoe care
Blooming Kalanchoe is a short day plant. From spring to autumn, it is better to keep it on the windowsill of the east or west window; in winter, a southern exposure is preferable for the plant.
During the flowering period, the Kalanchoe needs bright lighting. In the autumn and winter months, when the duration and intensity of natural light is significantly reduced, the plants must be additionally illuminated in the evening and in the morning, bringing the daylight hours to 12 hours. In August, the illumination time should not exceed 9 hours.
Do not forget that a purchased plant, or a plant after a long cloudy weather, or standing in partial shade, is gradually taught to bright light in order to avoid sunburn.
Almost all Kalanchoe species can be grown over a wide temperature range. In summer – within 18-28 ° C, in winter – not lower than 10-12 ° C, best of all – at 16-18 ° C. At high temperatures in autumn and winter, flower buds are not laid.
In spring and summer, Kalanchoe is watered moderately, if the plant is kept in the sun, then watered abundantly, as the upper layer of the substrate dries, in winter – much less often with soft, settled water, but they do not stop watering completely, since when the plants dry out, they greatly lose their leaves. Water can not be poured from the top, but into the sump.
Thanks to the fleshy leaves, covered with a waxy bloom or numerous hairs, all Kalanchoe plants tolerate the arid air of city apartments well. Air humidity does not play a significant role for the plant. Kalanchoe does not require spraying, but on a hot summer day, this can only benefit the plant.
In the summer, mineral fertilizers are applied weekly and organic fertilizers once every 1 weeks. In the fall, when laying the buds, feeding can be repeated. You can feed with fertilizer for cacti.
Plants are formed by pruning long shoots. In some forms, the stems, having reached a certain height, begin to bend over the edge of the bowl or pot. 6-8 cuttings planted along the edges of the pot take root, bend and hang as they grow. Such plants with shiny leaves and rich inflorescences acquire a very decorative look.
Plants are original in a dish with holes through which stems hang down. In this form, even non-flowering ampelous Kalanchoe plants are very attractive.
In order for the Kalanchoe to bloom earlier, in spring and summer it should reduce daylight hours to 12, or even 10 hours. But for the flowers to be large and bright, the lighting must be intense. In some species, flowers of delicate and bright colors, very beautiful, stand cut for a long time (about three weeks) without fading. After flowering, the stems of the Kalanchoe are pruned a little so that the plants are neat and have a decorative look. The cut off parts of the plant are used for cuttings.
The transplant is carried out as needed (overgrown plants). The soil for replanting is neutral or slightly acidic (pH 5,5-6,5). Plants grow well in the usual mixture for succulents, with the exception of epiphytic species, for which, for abundant flowering, it is advisable to add humus earth and apply fertilizing fertilizers.
Young plants are transplanted into a mixture of 4 parts of turf, 2 parts of deciduous land, 1 part of rotted peat and sand. Instead of peat, you can take coniferous soil. You can add some horn shavings and dry cow dung to the mixture. Provide good drainage at the bottom of the pot. Kalanchoe grows well in hydroponic culture.
Reproduction of Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is propagated by stem and leaf cuttings, children (those species that have them) and seeds.
Usually, old leaves falling off can be rooted and young plants can be obtained. If in June you plant a leaf in wet sand and cover with a glass, it will soon form roots. Brood buds (babies) of viviparous species are planted in a fertile soil substrate mixed with sand.
Kalanchoe seeds are sown in January-March, they do not fall asleep with earth, but only press down, cover with glass and shade with paper. The land for sowing is light, deciduous. The room temperature should be 16-18 ° C. Crops are aired daily 2 times a day, turning the glass over to the other side. It is necessary to ensure that the land on the crops does not dry out. Pour with water at room temperature. When shoots appear, glass and paper are removed. After a month, the seedlings dive into the box and cover for a couple of days with glass or plastic wrap.
When the plants have several leaves, they are transplanted into 7-centimeter pots. The nutrient mixture consists of 4 parts of deciduous, 2 parts of sod land, 1 part of compost and 1 part of sand, or 4 parts of peat, 2 parts of turf and 1 part of sand.
Kalanchoe. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com stephen boisvert
In young rooted plants, the top is pinched. In July, the plants are pinched again to form a bush, usually developing 4-5 shoots. The transfer is done in August, when the plants develop well and the roots are entwined with an earthen lump. 1-2 plants are planted in pots. When transshipping, the earthen mixture is made up of 4 parts of compost, 2 parts of humus and 1 part of deciduous soil and sand, adding a little dry cow dung. Plants bloom one year after sowing.
Diseases and pests
Kalanchoe, most often, suffers from a lack of light – while the stems are elongated, and the lower leaves fly around, or the leaves become pale or yellowish green.
It so happens that after abundant flowering, the Kalanchoe does not grow, or becomes bare – it loses its leaves, in such cases, as a rule, it does not have enough nutrition, so a transplant or feeding is needed.
Leaves dry and die off when kept in a very warm room in winter, especially near a radiator.
The plant has brown or black soft spots or mold – if it is too humid, especially at low temperatures.
The leaves are large, juicy green, flowering does not occur – when overfeeding with fertilizers. When wintering in too warm conditions, Kalanchoe loses leaves and decorative attractiveness.
The most common pests are mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites.
Viviparous Kalanchoe species, which form small daughter rosettes along the edge of the leaf, can be found under the name of bryophyllum.
Kalanchoe often, especially after abundant flowering, grows, stretches and becomes bare, therefore it is better to cut off such stems and re-root, i.e. rejuvenate the plant.
Healing properties properties of Kalanchoe
The inhabitants of Madagascar have long used the juice of many types of Kalanchoe to treat various diseases. In everyday life, Kalanchoe is often called “indoor ginseng” or “tree of life”.
The cell juice isolated from the stems of fresh leaves of Kalanchoe pinnate has an anti-inflammatory effect, does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes, and is successfully used to stimulate tissue regeneration processes, for example, in dentistry, in gynecology (during childbirth, to treat ruptures, to treat cervical erosion).
For nipple cracks in nursing mothers, it is used 2-3 drops after feeding for 5-6 days. Kalanchoe juice is used for the healing of wounds, trophic ulcers, bedsores, burns, frostbite, as well as for tonsillitis, periodontal disease and stomatitis.
Kalanchoe is recommended for migraines, suffocating coughs, diseases of the stomach, liver, some infectious diseases and influenza, for the treatment of acne, boils, warts. With the help of a crushed Kalanchoe leaf, you can get rid of a toothache. Kalanchoe juice is sold in pharmacies, but it must be remembered that it cannot be consumed without a doctor’s recommendation.
Kalanchoe is a wonderful houseplant that blooms for a long time, and also has healing properties. Do you have a Kalanchoe growing?
