Kalanchoe pinnata

El Kalanchoe pinnata it is one of the succulent plants most sensitive to frost, and even hail. Its leaves are very delicate, so much so that it should not be left out if temperatures drop below zero degrees at some point. But this is not necessarily a drawback.

As it is not very large, and its ornamental value is so high, it is very interesting to grow in a pot. In fact, it is something that we recommend to be able to have it controlled, and protect it if necessary.

Origin and characteristics of Kalanchoe pinnata

El Kalanchoe pinnata, known as the air leaf or immortelle in common language, is a species of succulent plant native to Madagascar. It can reach a height of between 30 centimeters and one meter, and its leaves are pinnate (hence its surname: pinnata), fleshy, with a jagged margin and green in color. These arise from an erect stem that does not usually branch much, and that is also greenish in color.

The flowers appear grouped on a long floral stem, and are tube-shaped, greenish, yellowish or reddish in color. The fruits are about the same size as the flower (about 1 centimeter long), and are elongated. Inside they contain small seeds.

What are the care that must be given?

This is a plant that, despite what we have discussed before, is quite easy to care for. If you already have experience taking care of other succulent plants, you may notice that it is less resistant to drought, and that therefore you have to water it more often. But apart from this, you don't have to worry too much about her.

Even so, as we like you to be very clear about how to take care of your succulents, below we are going to offer you a few tips and recommendations so that you can enjoy your Kalanchoe pinnata:

Location

It is a plant that need light, but it is not necessary to expose it directly if it has not been acclimatized before, since otherwise its leaves would burn.

Anyway, if your patio does not finish giving the sun directly but it is bright, it will grow well too. What cannot be done is to put it in total shade, because it will not grow.

And if you have to put it inside the house to protect it from frost, you have to put it in a room where there is a lot of light, and where it is as far away as possible from drafts.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is preferable to use pumice or kiryuzuna type substrates rather than peat mosses, since in this way we ensure that the roots are properly aerated. Now, if you can't get them, tell you that you can buy a universal substrate that has perlite, or mix peat (black) with perlite or 50% quartz sand.
• Garden: If the soil in your garden is made up mainly of stones and the like, and / or if it has excellent drainage, you can plant it without problem. In case it is a compact soil, and / or with a tendency to flood, it is better that you make a hole of about 50 x 50cm and fill it with some substrate mentioned before.

Irrigation

Let's move on to irrigation. This has to be, in general, moderate. You don't have to let the substrate or the soil stay dry for a long time, but you shouldn't water very often either.

During the summer it will be watered more often than in winter, since the substrate dries more quickly. Taking this into account, it is watered an average of 2 or 3 times during the week in the hottest and driest time of the year, but the rest of the year and especially during the colder season that irrigation will be very scarce.

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It is highly advisable to pay at Kalanchoe pinnata during spring and summer, since it is when it is growing and, therefore, the more 'food' it needs. As fertilizers you can use those that are specific for cacti (this species is not a cactus at all, but a crassulaceous one, but it has nutritional needs similar to those of cacti).

Another option is to use blue nitrophoska, or opt for fertilizers suitable for organic farming, such as guano (for sale No products found.). In any case, you must follow the instructions on the container.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and suckers in spring. The former are planted in pots with vermiculite for example, or with a mixture of equal parts of black peat and perlite, and then placed in a bright area.

The suckers can be separated and planted in individual pots when they are 1-2 centimeters in size.

Pruning

El Kalanchoe pinnata no pruning required. You can however remove the leaves that are dry, and the withered flowers. Also the suckers if you do not want many plants to grow in the same pot or area of ​​the garden.

Pests

It is very important keep an eye on the snails and the slugs. These animals love to feed on its leaves.

Rusticity

It does not support the cold nor the frost. The minimum temperature to be able to have it outside all year round must be 10ºC or higher.

What uses is it given?

Mainly ornamental. It is a very beautiful plant, easy to care for, and does not require much attention. It is very beautiful in pots, alone or combined with others with similar characteristics, as well as in rockeries.

Now, it is also used medicinally, extracting the juice from the leaves, which is said to be a good antibiotic. But, like the rest of the Kalanchoe species, it contains a cardiac glycoside that can cause cardiac poisoning.

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