El Kalanchoe blossfeldiana It is one of the non-cactaceous succulent or succulent plants that is most widely grown indoors, and there is no shortage of reasons: it does not grow much, it produces small but incredibly decorative flowers, and also, it does not resist much the cold.
To all this we must add that their care is very simple, especially when the weather is good. And still, during the winter It is not going to give you many problems either.
Origin and characteristics
Known as kalanchoe, calanchoe or scarlet, it is an endemic plant of Madagascar that grows to a height of 30 to 40cm by about 20cm wide. It produces several succulent stems that grow upright and from which fleshy leaves sprout with magnificent green jagged margins.
Its flowers, which sprout from late winter to late spring, are grouped in cluster-shaped inflorescences. Each of them is composed of 4 petals of about 4mm in diameter, and can be red, purple, orange, yellow or white.
kalanchoe calandiva
It is a variety. The scientific name is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva'. The only difference is that produces flowers with double crown of petals.
What are the care of the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana?
If you want to have a specimen of scarlet, do not hesitate to take into account our advice so that you can enjoy it for years:
Location
- Interior: it must be placed in a bright room, but without direct sun. Do not put next to the window as it could burn due to the magnifying glass effect.
- Exterior: put in semi-shade, but in a place where it receives more light than shade. It cannot live in dark areas.
Earth
It depends a lot on where it is grown:
- Flower pot: use universal growing medium mixed with perlite in equal parts.
- Garden: the land must be sandy, with excellent drainage. If yours is not like that, make a planting hole of about 50 x 50cm, cover its sides with shading or anti-weed mesh, and fill it with the previously mentioned substrate.
Irrigation
El Kalanchoe blossfeldiana It is a type of Kalanchoe that needs to be watered a little more than the other species, but without going to the extreme. It is very important to always keep in mind that it is harmful to water too little or too much. Therefore, to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to check the humidity of the soil or substrate before proceeding to water it.
This can be done with a thin wooden stick, a digital humidity meter, or if you have it in a pot, weighing it once watered and again after a few days. And if you still have doubts, you should know that It is advisable to water an average of 3 times a week in summer and an average of 1-2 times a week the rest of the year.
Do not spray. If you do, the leaves will rot quickly. It is also not a good idea to put a plate under it, if it is in a pot, since direct contact with water for too long will cause the roots to suffer irreversible damage.
Subscriber
Throughout the growing season, that is, from spring to early autumn, it must be paid with specific fertilizers for cacti and other succulents, or other natural ones like guano in liquid form. In any case, the instructions specified on the product packaging must be followed to the letter.
Pruning
You should remove dry, diseased, weak, or broken leaves as you watch them.
Pests
It is sensitive to mealybugs, especially to the cottony ones but you can also have those that look like limpets. They feed on the sap of the tender leaves and stems.
As it is a small plant, they are well removed with a brush soaked in pharmacy alcohol.
Diseases
It can harm your mildew, which is a fungus that is favored by excess humidity caused by uncontrolled irrigation and poor ventilation. Symptoms are the appearance of black spots on leaves and stems.
It is fought by cutting the affected parts and treating with a copper-based fungicide. In addition, the risks must be reduced.
Planting or transplanting time
You can plant it in the garden or move it to a larger pot in spring, when the risk of frost has passed and the minimum temperature remains above 10ºC (better than 15ºC as it is a tropical plant).
Rusticity
Resists up to 10ºC. If you live in an area where it is colder, you should protect it indoors or in a heated greenhouse.
What is?
Image - Flickr / JC7001
El Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a non-cactus succulent that used as an ornamental plant, both indoors and outdoors if the climate is warm. Its flowers, although small, are produced in such numbers that they form really pretty clusters. So it is not surprising that you cannot help but notice this species when you come across it for sale in nurseries or markets, or in someone's home  .
What do you think?