How to prune a Kalanchoe: examples of bush formation and further flower care
Content:
A native of Madagascar, the Kalanchoe flower, which belongs to the genus of succulents, has long taken root on the windowsills of Russian apartments. It has a beautiful and plentiful color, and is also famous for its healing properties for the common cold and other diseases of the respiratory tract. All the variety of Kalanchoe species must be taken into account when caring for it. It is absolutely uncomplicated and includes watering, maintaining the optimum temperature and feeding. Pruning also belongs to the obligatory care procedures.
Reasons for pruning Kalanchoe
One of the features of the Kalanchoe is the rapid growth of shoots. If you do not take care of the flower, it begins to stretch, the bush acquires a completely imperfect shape.
Kalanchoe is a popular and beautiful flower
In addition to the formation of a pleasant looking classic rounded crown shape, pruning Kalanchoe is necessary for the following reasons:
- renewal and rejuvenation of old, already unattractive shoots, dropping the lower leaves;
- stimulating the growth of new ones as a result of the even distribution of the plant sap throughout all parts of the plant;
- getting rid of pests and other parasites after the initial treatment of the flower;
- giving the foliage strength and some fleshiness, as well as excellent prevention of various plant diseases.
Pruned Kalanchoe shoots
When can you trim
The question of the correct timing of trimming the Kalanchoe is very important, because the health of a green pet largely depends on this. Florist specialists categorically prohibit carrying out the operation in the winter, because, starting in November, the flower enters a state of hibernation - rest. It is necessary to catch the segment from the end of winter to the beginning of flowering of the Kalanchoe, which occurs in late spring. In no case should you touch a flowering plant, even if you just need to trim the crown a little. The plant can shed flower stalks and get sick. We'll have to wait until it blooms.
The best time of day for pruning is early morning or evening after sunset; it is not recommended to do the procedure closer to noon.
After transplanting, the plant cannot be cut off, it is necessary to give it time to adapt, about half a month. You should also wait 10-15 days after the pests on the diseased or affected flower are completely destroyed.
Stationery knife is the best tool for trimming Kalanchoe
Is it possible to prune in spring
The best period to prune an overgrown Kalanchoe bush is mid-spring. The end of March, all of April and the beginning of May are perfect for different types of pruning. However, it is very important to ensure that the plant at this time no longer begins to throw out peduncles and bloom.When a new bush is planted, its stem and top are actively stretching upward, so you need to pinch it slightly, without waiting for full-fledged foliage to grow. This operation will give the Kalanchoe a pleasant "rounded" appearance.
Types of pruning
It is possible to carry out the procedure of circumcision of the Kalanchoe with different purposes and level of intensity.
The initial
Its content is to cut (pinch) a couple of upper leaves right at the crown of each shoot immediately after the flower has taken root in a new place after transplanting. After a short time, new shoots with foliage will appear at this place.
Initial pinching of the apex
It is carried out one month after the awakening of sap flow. After pruning and before new shoots appear, it is not recommended to put a flower pot on the illuminated side of the window, since excess sunlight will provoke a new extension of the shoots and loss of the desired crown shape.
Preventive
When the plant has already taken root enough, pruning should be carried out periodically to maintain a pleasant appearance of the flower crown. You can repeat it until it reaches the desired shape. The procedure can be carried out as soon as young leaves appear.
How to prune Kalanchoe prophylactically? The ugly and weak top is mercilessly cut off, each new shoot that has grown from the axils of the leaves is pinched when a couple of upper leaves appear. At the same time, all damaged foliage and broken shoots are cut off - this allows you to protect the plant from damage by rot.
The last preventive pruning of the year is carried out at the end of November, while it is advisable to keep the plant pot on the southern window. In winter, the recommended air temperature near the flower is 10-15 degrees.
In order to prophylactically rejuvenate the Kalanchoe, its old dead parts are gradually removed, shoots cut from the top (no more than 10 cm in length) are used as propagation cuttings - placed in a glass of water, they easily release roots.
The process of pruning cuttings
After flowering
Do not forget about such an event as pruning the Kalanchoe after flowering has ended, it is also called cleansing pruning. First of all, it is necessary to carefully examine the "green pet" for faded buds.
The second stage is pruning two or three outer leaves on each stem. It is recommended to perform circumcision in the morning, before the onset of the midday heat. Due to the timely removal of faded parts of the Kalanchoe, new young shoots and flower stalks appear. After the procedure, the plant must be left alone for a while.
Home pruning
Every amateur florist can cope with the care of Kalanchoe at home during flowering and pruning. It is only necessary to correctly determine the type of flower and follow the corresponding rules. For example, hybrid species of domestic Kalanchoe are too whimsical and delicate, so they need to be cut with great care. For example, Kalanchoe Degremonu is a memorable plant with lush gray-green foliage and young shoots; it is also necessary to periodically visit with scissors or pruners.
Bush formation
Properly carried out pruning allows you to form a beautiful bush, pleasing to the eye with its neat shapes.The same procedure creates favorable conditions for its further active growth and abundant flowering. By removing excess shoots and foliage, the plant sap is distributed evenly throughout the flower, which makes it healthier, "juicier" and more resistant to diseases and infections by fungi and insect pests. Kalanchoe becomes strong, resilient and very aesthetically pleasing.
After picking a couple of leaves from each stem or cutting off the whole top of an overgrown flower, the plant comes to life in a month and a half. Ultimately, the result of all efforts should be a pretty spherical Kalanchoe bush.
Pruning for lush bloom
For most flower growers, in addition to the shape of the plant, its abundant flowering is important. Normally, the plant pleases the owners with its flowers all late spring. However, if the green mass continues to grow without ejection of peduncles, it is worth carrying out a special pruning, which activates the formation of buds and their rapid flowering. In addition, the abundance of light contributes to the lush flowering (after all, the buds on the Kalanchoe are formed only during daylight hours with abundant lighting). The main rule of this procedure is not to let the pedicels dry out completely. They must be pinched off immediately after the flower withers. Then, instead of the trimmed parts of the flower, new buds will appear, as well as shoots with foliage.
Bush kalanchoe after pruning for lush flowering must definitely rest under the following conditions:
- watering no more than once every couple of weeks;
- the location of the pot with the plant in a dark place in the complete absence of direct sunlight;
- cool air - no higher than 16 degrees.
Lush bloom of Kalanchoe
Having rested properly, the Kalanchoe should begin to actively grow and throw out lush blooms.
One of the most popular indoor plants in recent years has become the Kalanchoe, more than two hundred of its varieties are known, but only a couple of them are adapted to home conditions. In addition to medicinal properties, it has high decorative qualities, primarily, abundant color. It is quite simple to care for this flower; one of the important care procedures is the periodic pruning of excess leaves and shoots. Advice on how to prune the Kalanchoe to form a bush or obtain lush flowering competently and effectively can be obtained from specialist florists.
