Long blooming unpretentious Kalanchoe Blossfeld (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), referring to Tolstiankov - a longtime friend of gardeners.
But a surge of interest in this species occurred since 1980, when Danish and Dutch breeders received low flowering trees abundantly blooming.
Achieved success pushed for the creation of even more interesting varieties. There are varieties with double flowers various shades: from white and pink, to red and violet.
there is variegated copies and representatives from bicolor flowers.
Plant Care
Kalanchoe Blossfeld does not require any special care at home. The soil needs of this flower, like the rest of the succulents are small.
Priming it is necessary to pick up a light one consisting of sand or perlite, peat or humus and soddy soil, which are taken in equal shares. At the bottom of the pot you need to put a good drainage.
Top dressing spend year round and combine them with irrigation. Bring them once every 2 weeks in the summer and once every 3-4 weeks in the winter.
If a Kalanchoe develops and blooms normally, it suffices to limit the standard fertilizer for succulents containing trace elements.
The weak formation of flower buds indicates a lack of phosphate salts, insufficient development of the leaf apparatus - a shortage of nitrogen nutrition.
Air humidity does not greatly affect the flower, although excess moisture harms him.
When humidity is more than 80%, spotting appears on the leaves and buds, they can die off. Dry air Kalanchoe tolerates well. Light spraying plant need only occasionally.
The optimum temperature of the maintenance of Kalanchoe Blossfeld is 17-20 during the cold season and about 25 in the summer. Unfavorable will be too hot days with temperatures around 30: the plant will transfer them without visible harm, but will lose a lot of strength.
Cooling is not so critical, but we must avoid temperatures below 4-6: such conditions can not survive from a Madagascar.
Light mode most important for Kalanchoe. Of course, the flower will grow at any level of illumination and day length, but flowering is tied to these conditions.
In winter, during the period of active flowering, the plant needs a bright light.
Perfect position - South window. In the summer of light it is necessary less and Kalanchoe rearranged to the window of the west or east. Important and lighting duration. The signal for budding is a short day.
Preparing to bloom in Kalanchoe begins after the length of the day becomes less than 12 hours. To stimulate flowering, it is necessary to reduce the duration of lighting.
To this end, in September the flower is covered with an opaque cap, creating a light day for him with a duration of 9-10 hours. In such conditions, it will bloom in time for Christmas and New Year, which makes it a wonderful gift for the holidays.
Pruning produced after the plant has faded.
Peduncle cut as low as possible to the first large leaves. As a result, conditions will be created for laying new flowering shoots. Need pruning and the old stretched specimens. They cut the tops, which can then be rooted.
A photo
Kalanchoe Blossfelda photo:
Transfer
It is necessary to repot the flower annually, as the root system tends to grow rapidly.
Transplanting and caring for Kalanchoe Blossfeld is best done in the spring, when Kalanchoe begins active vegetation.
To do this, take a clay pot of 1-2 centimeters wider than the old. Earth lump try not to disturb.
The plant is rolled over to a new pot and a fresh substrate is filled around its circumference. Immediately after the purchase, you do not need to replace Kalanchoe Blossfeld: for him it can be stressful.
In addition, manufacturers select for plants the optimal composition of the soil, providing it with the most comfortable conditions.
Breeding
Reproduction of Kalanchoe Blossfeld carried out easily by cuttings: stem or leaf. Cut the stem stem a couple of days dried in a shady place, and then placed in a substrate based on sand or perlite and peat soil (equally).
Placed in a warm place (22-25 degrees), cuttings root two weeks later. A leaf stalk planted in the ground is covered with a transparent cap, so “children” are formed faster on it. Seed propagation is usually used for breeding purposes.
Medicinal properties
Healing properties of Kalanchoe Blossfeld determined by the bactericidal and antiviral activity of the plant.
Diseases and pests
Pests infect the plant rarely. Sometimes it can suffer from aphids, which get rid of, rubbing the leaves with soapy water.
Diseases of the flower are also not frequent. Rot and mildew may develop when over-wetting. It is necessary to cut off the diseased parts of the plant and process it with any fungicidal agent permitted for indoor use.
What if u Kalanchoe Blossfeld leaves turn yellow or it does not bloom? This is due to improper care. The main reason is irregular and excessive watering.
Also, the tips may turn yellow due to too hot and dry air.
In winter, yellowing occurs with a significant decrease in temperature and insufficiently intense illumination.
Observing simple rules for care, you can achieve a long plant life and lush flowering. And it will be for us an annual beautiful gift for the winter holidays.
