Kalanchoe blooming: home care and reasons why it does not bloom
Content:
Flowering Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) is a plant that decorates the house. It has a unique property - depending on the variety and type, it blooms almost all year round. However, ideally, it is winter that is considered the period when the Kalanchoe abundantly throws out the buds. Kalanchoe home care is simple - it is easy to make it bloom.
Why Kalanchoe does not always bloom
An ornamental shrub can stop the growth of buds, they will fall off if the air in the room drops below 10-12 ° C. Often the plant itself is in a stressful situation, and various circumstances can provoke it:
- Natural aging of the plant itself - in this case, you should think about propagating it from a cuttings or from seeds. Experienced growers advise to carry out such manipulations every 5-7 years for preventive renewal.
- The close location of the heating source - in this case the leaves will turn yellow and fall off, and the trunk will wither. Therefore, in order to avoid death and to ensure abundant flowering, the plant is removed away from the batteries or stove.
- Placing the plant next to ornamental tomatoes or citrus fruits. Kalanchoe is a lonely flower, and this neighborhood will not do him good, therefore he should provide a separate space.
Kalanchoe usually blooms profusely
If the decorative bush does not bloom, it stretches upwards - it is worth cutting it off and providing a dormant period. Then put the flowerpot on the southern lighted windowsill.
What to do to make the plant bloom
To make the Kalanchoe bloom, you need to follow the following algorithm:
- Frequent watering. The soil should be damp for at least 3-4 days. To accelerate flowering, it is recommended to defend the water for a day, and it should not be cold. The optimum temperature is called a couple of degrees above room temperature.
- Top dressing. Apply a double portion of fertilizers - this will make the plant "wake up" and go into growth and flowering. But do not be zealous - if you add more, pathogenic fungi can "bloom" in the flowerpot. And this can cause the death of the plant.
- Loosening. The soil should be loose at the roots - maximum air in the soil will increase the release of buds. But you should act carefully - loosening is carried out with a wooden stick, trying not to damage the roots.
If you follow these simple rules, the plant will delight you with a long and abundant color. If you provide home care suitable for Kalanchoe, flowering will not be long in coming.
How often it blooms
Quite often - depending on the variety and type of Kalanchoe, it can bloom two or even three times a year. True, the first time the bush blooms profusely, and subsequent times - not so abundantly.
Kalanchoe blooms 2-3 times a year
How to care for blooming Kalanchoe at home
The most important thing for foliage and color is lighting for at least 8-9 hours, otherwise the Kalanchoe loses its decorative qualities, stretches up and stops blooming, and the color loses its brightness. How to care for a plant, we'll talk further.
Temperature
The basic rule for those who do not know how to care for blooming Kalanchoe at home is to observe the temperature regime.Kalanchoe grows and blooms at almost any temperature, but you should not go to extremes.
In summer, the temperature can vary from +18 to +28 ° C, in winter it should be in the range of 14-18 ° C. If the temperature drops below 10 ° C in winter, the plant may die and the buds will be destroyed.
Watering
Watering in the summer should be plentiful, but not frequent. It is enough to moisten the plant once every 6-7 days, avoiding stagnation of water in the pot and pan. But you should not give it to the ground in a flowerpot, if the summer is hot, then it is recommended to water it once every 4-5 days.
Kalanchoe needs proper watering
Humidity
The plant feels great without spraying and high humidity in the room - it is enough to periodically shower it or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, removing dust from them. And best of all, if there is a balcony or wide window sills, put it on the street, which will be the optimal conditions for it.
The soil
There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil for the plant - it feels good both in light and heavy substrates. But, as experienced flower growers say, the optimal composition of the soil provides for the mandatory addition of sand to it. Plus, the pot must have good drainage at the bottom. For Kalanchoe, the optimal pH level is 5.0-6.5. If you do not buy a ready-made mixture in the store, you can prepare the composition yourself. It is enough to mix in the appropriate proportions:
- humus leaves - 1 part;
- turf and sand - 1 part each;
- half of the charcoal and brick chips.
For flowering Kalanchoe, you need a suitable soil
Fertilizer Kalanchoe
This plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but if it is important that the Kalanchoe blooms for a long time and, even having time to bloom, again gives buds, it is important to apply fertilizers to the soil. It can be special feeding for succulent plants. And if the bush has already bloomed or at least has given buds, it is worth making an exceptionally complex fertilizer or composition for flowering.
Post-flowering care
Step-by-step care for the Kalanchoe should be provided not only during the flowering period, but also after that. If the plant is "tired", too stretched out or has become bushy - carry out its preventive pruning. This is not only the removal of old foliage and flowers, but also pruning of elongated shoots, which can be used in the future for propagation and propagation of the plant.
After trimming, the flowerpot is mixed in a cool and shaded, but not dark place - this ensures a complete rest period. If during this period of time young shoots began to appear, they are cut off at the level of the third row of leaves from the root, not allowing them to stretch upwards. Such manipulations should be carried out until the very end of November.
After the plant has bloomed, it needs seasonal renewal, otherwise the Kalanchoe may die. The renewal is carried out by cuttings in the spring, when new buds appear on young shoots, which will bloom faster than the old ones.
One of the simplest propagation methods is by cuttings
Rest the plant after pruning. All this clearly shows that the Kalanchoe is not the most whimsical and capricious plant, and even a novice florist can cope with the task of care.
Pests and diseases
The Kalanchoe has enough of them, and this is probably the only problem in caring for it. The owners of this plant should be aware of the signs of the most common pests and diseases.
Late blight rot
Dark, brown spots that appear in the growth and branching zones of the flower. The reasons for this disease are most often called an excess of moisture and stagnation of water in the sump, insufficient ventilation in the room. Often, an excess of fertilizer in the soil and a high temperature in the room lead to the appearance of such a disease.
To cope with late blight rot, you need to stop or reduce watering, change the composition of the soil, or water the plant with fungicides. It all depends on the root cause of the development of the disease.
Powdery mildew
On the foliage of the plant, whitish spots gradually appear, which vaguely resemble a fungus. Gradually, the affected greens will die off. Powdery mildew can be caused by excessive dryness of the indoor air and high temperatures. To overcome it, you need to regularly water and arrange an outdoor shower or spraying. And be sure to treat with fungicides that kill pathogenic fungi in the soil and on the plant.
Defeat by gray mold
A gray, cobweb-like coating forms on foliage and flowers, the area of which is gradually increasing. Florists call the reasons for the appearance of gray rot an excess of moisture, a minimum of light, and insufficient ventilation in the room.
To overcome rot, it is important to provide artificial (additional) lighting and good ventilation in the room, be sure to treat the plant with fungicides.
Aphid defeat
The most common disease in which small green or dark green insects appear on the foliage. In addition, the leaves will turn yellow, flowers and buds will fall off.
To remove aphids, you must first of all wash the plant with warm water and soapy water, and then cut off the affected branches, wilted foliage. The main thing in this case is to prevent soapy water from getting into the ground.
Aphids on Kalanchoe are one of the most common pests
Shields
Small insects with a grayish body.
It is enough to carefully treat the plant with a weak solution of alcohol, and then manually remove the insects themselves, after a while, re-process the affected bush.
As a rule, subject to all the recommendations and proper processing, the Kalanchoe recovers on its own, gaining green mass in a short time, delighting with its abundant flowering.
Kalanchoe is a beautiful and unpretentious plant that, with proper care, can delight with its color in the winter months and not only. The main thing is to observe the measure of watering, to provide maximum light and timely feeding - these are all simple secrets. For attention and care, the plant will decorate the interior with beautiful color, healthy foliage and bright colors.
