Contents:
- Types of Kalanchoe
- Growing at home
- Pests and diseases
There is a belief that the home Kalanchoe brings good luck. Most likely, this opinion due to the beneficial properties of this plant. After all, kalanchoe juice is used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetics. And it applied for a long time and quite successfully. Besides, this admirably beautiful flower, and care for them is not difficult, even for the novice grower.
Kalanchoe is a family Crassulaceae plants. Types of his quite varied: for sale can be found as miniature copies (which grow only 30 centimeters), and the flowers are rather large (up to 1.5 meters). Kalanchoe blooms usually in the winter, but there are species that throwing buds twice a year. Duration of flowering varies from 2 weeks to several months.
Kalanchoe is considered the homeland of South Africa, to be exact - the island of Madagascar. It is in these parts this plant is found everywhere. Kalanchoe is growing fairly quickly: if you create for him all the necessary conditions, then after a couple of months, a small stalk pulled to 30-40 centimeters. Choosing Kalanchoe is best to give preference to a plant with just blossoming buds and fleshy, "juicy" leaves.
Types of Kalanchoe
The genus has about 200 species of Kalanchoe. Let's look at the most popular ones.
It is considered one of the most beautiful species of Kalanchoe. Miniature room shrub, reaching 45 centimeters in height. It has smooth leaves dark green. The edges of the leaves have a wavy shape. Throws a plurality of tubular inflorescences umbrella. Color flowers of Kalanchoe diverse: yellow, pink, red, orange;
Created artificially, made the progenitor of view Blossfeldiana. In contrast to the above varieties have shorter stalks and differs abundant and long (up to six months) flowering. Colour of buds this type of Kalanchoe can vary from white to bright red;
The peculiarity of this kind in the form of its inflorescences. They look like tiny bells. Growing Kalanchoe Mangina small shrub, reaching a height of no more than 15 centimeters;
Home decorative foliage views. It has straight stem and a gray-green leaves of triangular shape, which grow to a length of 10 centimeters. Jagged edges of the leaves, are formed between the teeth of the individual buds (kids), which will eventually fall away and immediately take root in the ground. No flowers.
This species is the most hardy. Can reach 1.5 meters in height. It has light green serrated leaves, flowers large bells. Hue Flower Kalanchoe rather interesting: the white color becomes green, and then - in pink. Propagated as well as Degremon - discarding babies in the ground. Kalanchoe pinnate often used for medicinal purposes - that its juice is sold in pharmacies.
Growing at home
Lighting
Successful cultivation of Kalanchoe depends on the lighting. Remember - this plant loves the sun and the winter and summer, so it is best to place it in a bright location. Kalanchoe is not afraid of direct sunlight, but at midday it is desirable to cover it from the summer heat. Especially if the plant is "live" on the south window. During warmer months, the flower will feel great outdoors: on the balcony or veranda. In winter, Kalanchoe needs a moderate air temperature: 12-15 degrees.
When the length of daylight decreases, it is advisable to arrange for additional Kalanchoe artificial lighting (morning and evening) with the help of fluorescent lamps. This is especially important during the flowering period: the lack of sun the plants become pale leaves and buds may fall in themselves, and not having time to reveal.
Watering and fertilizing
In the spring and summer of Kalanchoe needs regular watering. Check the condition of the soil - as soon as the top layer dries, arrange flower water treatments. Feeding is carried out once every 8-10 days, using special fertilizers. Here suitable dressing designed for cacti or succulents.
With the onset of autumn watering and fertilizing Kalanchoe gradually. In winter, the plant does not need fertilizer, but watering should be done once every two weeks (when the ground dries out completely com). Kalanchoe is resistant to dry air, but periodic spraying it does not hurt. For spraying, as well as for irrigation use only defend water at room temperature.
Transplant
It is carried out exclusively in the spring (April-May). Young Kalanchoe transplanted annually. Crockery selected to be larger than the previous one. Adults need flowers, "relocation" only in the case of soil replacement (every 2-3 years). When transplanting necessarily used drainage - the layer thickness of not less than 2 centimeters.
The soil for Kalanchoe should be slightly acidic or neutral (pH 5.5-6.5) and consist of sand, humus, turf and ground sheet. Adult plants can use purchase pochvosmes designed for succulents. For the young, it is desirable to prepare a substrate colors yourself: 4 parts sod land, 2 of the leaf, and one part sand and peat humus. For better growth added to the mixture cow dung and horn shavings.
Reproduction
Flowering kalanchoe breeding in several ways. Even the old fallen leaves can try to root - in some cases, the procedure is quite successful. If a piece of plant in the ground and cover with a glass jar in a couple of weeks, he has let the roots and begins to grow. For quick rooting, you can use a special powder - kornevin. This method is suitable for reproduction by cuttings.
Kalanchoe Seeds are planted in the middle of winter, this is done using a light foliate substrate. Seeds are placed on the soil, gently sprinkled on top and covered with glass, then the paper. In the room where will be "live", young plants, the air temperature should not exceed 18 degrees. Crops need to be aired twice a day, morning and evening. For watering seedlings of Kalanchoe use room temperature water (preferably rainwater or melted).
As soon as the shoots, glass, and paper clean. Around the beginning of May, the seedlings will have several leaves. At this time, they must be transplanted into pots semisantimetrovye, 3-4 pieces each. In July, when the plants are well rooted, pinch out the tops to create a beautiful shape. Permanent residence young Kalanchoe "move" in August. Pots selected size flower. In the next year (at this time), you can wait for the first flowering.
Pests and diseases
The plant Kalanchoe is resistant to diseases and pests. Usually, it suffers from a lack of light (in summer) - the plants are too drawn out, the leaves become pale and transparent. And from excessive heat (in winter) - Kalanchoe leaves wither and fall off. Excessive watering and humidity and the sheets of paper on the stems appear brown spots or mold.
The most dangerous pests for Kalanchoe - mealybug, spider mites, and Jose scale. To deal with them using special tools that you can buy in a flower shop. Recognize pests is quite simple. Jose scale and mealybugs leave behind a whitish stripes and dots as on the stems, and the buds.
Spider mite literally sucks the life out of Kalanchoe: the leaves begin to dry, and around the crown and on the colors you can see a thin, barely visible cobweb. If you notice that after a heavy flowering kalanchoe bared and stretched, do not worry - it's not a disease. There will regular pruning: Shorten the stems and they are rooted in the same pot.
Here we examined the features of cultivation of this useful and beautiful flower. Now the choice is yours! But remember, acquiring a houseplant, even this unpretentious like kalanchoe, do not forget about it! After all, without the proper care you will never get the pleasure of its flowering.