Kalanchoe

A couple of years ago I received a Kalanchoe plant from a friend. These colorful succulent plants have blooms that last for several months. They come in a dazzling array of colors including pink, yellow, purple, red, and orange. Kalanchoe are said to be native to Madagascar.

They make a good house plant but cannot take the freezing cold. I left one outside in a pot one evening when it got below freezing. It did not completely die, but the buds got nipped. Kalanchoe should not be overwatered. They need to dry out between waterings.

One of the best things about Kalanchoe is that it is fairly easy to propagate. The internet tells you to cut stems about 2 or 3 inches long and strip off the bottom leaves. Next let it sit in the air for a couple of days to form a callus on the cut end. You can put rooting hormones on the end before putting the stem in moist loose (with perlite) soil. They recommend covering the plant with plastic (not touching the leaves) to increase the humidity and help the plant establish roots.

I have discovered, with the Kalanchoe plant I received as a gift, that after allowing the stem to form a callus, that I can put it in a clear glass of water and put it on a sunny window sill. In a couple of weeks I can see the roots forming along the stems. Eventually I put it in some loose soil and then I have a new plant.

Kalanchoes are like poinsettias in that they need 6 weeks of 12 to 14 hours of darkness each day to bloom. I have a window in my garage. I leave the plants outdoors (not near a light) until November when I move them into the garage. By January I have flower buds and at that point I can bring them into the house for the blooms to open. I hope you have luck getting your Kalanchoe to rebloom.

Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master