Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) is a plant of the fatty family. In nature, there are about two hundred species that grow in South America, tropical regions of the African continent, Madagascar. These plants are very diverse in height, shape of leaves and flowers, but they are all excellent helpers in the treatment of various diseases. After all, they are also called the tree of life or indoor ginseng.
Popular types of Kalanchoe
The genus includes many species. For decorative and medicinal purposes, flower growers use Kalanchoe:
- Daigremontiana (Degremona);
- manginii (Mangin);
- pinnata (feathery);
- tomentosa (felt);
- beharensis (Bekhara);
- blossfeldiana (Blossfeld);
- marmorata (marbled);
- thyrsiflora (paniculata);
- laciniata (dissected).
Degremona (Daigremontiana)
A widely used plant in indoor floriculture that grows wild in Madagascar. A two-meter giant in nature, in living quarters it reaches a height of 50 centimeters. Monochromatic, glaucous or greenish leaves are covered with small specks and stripes. Along the edges of them there are numerous buds, which give a lot of small rosettes with roots. When they hit the surface of the soil, they quickly take root. This Kalanchoe blooms with large, purple or pink inflorescences.
Cirrus ( Pinnata )
It is a powerful plant with an erect stem that can grow up to 1 meter at home . On the edge of the oval leaves there are teeth, between which tiny "children" appear. The inflorescence is paniculate. The flowers are large, tubular, drooping, about 35 centimeters long.
Beharskoe ( Beharensis )
A powerful shrub that grows wild in the south of Madagascar. The leaves are large, covered with a gray felt. Small, yellow flowers form at the top of the shoots.
Blossfeldiana ( Blossfeldiana )
This is one of the most famous decorative flowering Kalanchoe species . Leaves are fleshy, glossy, ovoid. In nature, the flowers that are collected in umbellate inflorescences are mostly red, but now many varieties have been bred with orange, white, pink, yellow buds. The flowering is very abundant.
Kalandiva
A well-known cultivar of this species is Kalanchoe Kalandiva . It blooms with numerous double flowers that have a variety of colors.
Felt ( Tomentosa )
A semi-shrub with an erect stem and fleshy, silvery-green leaves with a brown stripe along the edges. The people call this plant - cat ears . The flowers are collected in a loose inflorescence and have a tubular shape.
Marble ( Marmorata )
In nature, this flower can be found in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia. Its leaves are greenish-brown, have a jagged edge and are covered with large strokes. It blooms with white flowers, which are collected in umbellate inflorescences.
Dissected ( Laciniata )
A perennial plant that is found in Africa. Stems are erect, leaves are deeply dissected, flowers are yellow, simple in shape. People call it - deer horns.
Panicled ( Thyrsiflora )
Perennial plant from South Africa. It has large, fleshy leaves, while the lower ones are much larger than the upper ones. The inflorescence is paniculate, the flowers are yellowish .
Mangina ( Manginii )
The ampelous type of Kalanchoe, known among flower growers. The stems are drooping, the leaves are purple or greenish. This species blooms with pinkish-orange flowers in the form of bells, which are located at the ends of the shoots. Hanging baskets are used to grow this flower .
Care
To create optimal conditions, you must:
- put a pot with a plant on a windowsill , where there will be bright diffused lighting;
- water in moderation;
- create low humidity in the apartment .
When keeping Kalanchoe, it is necessary to take into account its features:
- the soil mixture should be high in sand;
- spraying the leaves is not required;
- tolerates dry season well in winter;
- with insufficient lighting , especially in winter, the shoots are strongly stretched;
- poorly tolerates excess of mineral salts in the soil;
- in the absence of cold wintering , the decorativeness of the Kalanchoe decreases, leaf fall may begin;
- requires constant pinching of the shoots and rejuvenating pruning.
Transplant and substrate
It is better to use an earthen pot and only slightly larger than the previous one. The soil mixture for planting a flower should be water and air permeable, with the addition of coarse sand, perlite, and slightly acidic reaction. You can take a ready-made substrate for succulents or cacti by adding baking powder there.
When self-compiling a soil mixture, you must add there:
- one part of the land is sod;
- one part of the land is leafy or humus;
- two parts of coarse sand;
- one part of coconut substrate.
It is also good if the grower adds pieces of charcoal to the potting mix. Good drainage is essential.
Illumination
All Kalanchoe love diffused, but quite bright lighting, it is better to shade them from the midday burning rays of the sun. The best location is east and west facing windows.
Blossfeld's decorative flowering species require additional artificial lighting in winter. If you do not provide such illumination, then the florist cannot wait for a bright and lush flowering.
Kalanchoe felt, with a lack of light, completely stops its growth, so it needs a south-facing window.
Temperature
Kalanchoe tolerates room temperature well in spring and summer. During this period, it is better to take them out to the balcony or terrace. During the winter period of rest they have to be kept at + 6-8 ° C .
Watering and feeding
Kalanchoe is rarely watered, but abundantly - three times a month . These plants tolerate the drying out of an earthen coma well, but with an excess of moisture in the soil, they very often die. In winter and autumn, a semi-dry content is necessary, the soil is practically not moistened.
For dressing, it is better to use, during the growth and flowering period, mineral fertilizers for succulents.
Bloom
Kalanchoe bloom once a year. The flowering period occurs at the end of winter and depends on the conditions of the plant: illumination, temperature, degree of pruning.
To obtain lush inflorescences, you must:
- observe the regime of artificial lighting in the winter;
- carry out anti-aging pruning ;
- keep the plant for several months at a low temperature .
Plant formation
To form a beautiful Kalanchoe bush , pruning and pinching is necessary.
Pruning is carried out in early spring. The stems are cut in half. Old peduncles are cut out completely. In summer, pinch the tops of the plant. This is especially important for young specimens.
Reproduction
Kalanchoe is propagated:
- cuttings;
- separation of children that are formed along the edges of the leaves;
- sheet;
- seeds.
This plant is not difficult to propagate. Cuttings or babies should be placed in a humid environment such as wet sand or peat.
Seed propagation is rarely used, since there is a high probability that the resulting specimens will not retain the characteristics of the mother plant.
Growing difficulties
At home, the Kalanchoe may experience the following difficulties:
- with a lack of light, the stems stretch ;
- with high humidity, brown, soft spots appear on the leaves ;
- when the flower is kept in a warm room in winter, leaves die off ;
- can be damaged by scabbard, mealybug, spider mite ;
- excessive soil moisture causes root rot ;
- if the lighting is insufficient, then the leaves turn yellow .
Medicinal use
For medicinal purposes, Kalanchoe pinnate and Degremon are widely used. The juice of these plants will help in the treatment of:
- wounds and ulcers;
- burns and frostbite;
- trophic ulcers;
- purulent infection;
- diseases of the oral cavity;
- diseases of the ear, throat, nose, eyes;
- gynecological problems;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Freshly harvested leaves are needed to obtain juice. They are dried for seven days in a dark room at a temperature of + 5-10 degrees. Then the juice is crushed and squeezed out.
Cosmetic use
Kalanchoe juice contains many biologically active substances. This makes it possible to use this plant for cosmetic purposes. It is used for:
- increasing skin tone ;
- deal with defects of the skin, such as acne.
Mask recipe
Mix a small amount of aloe juice and vegetable oil with a nourishing cream. Apply the mask to cleansed face for fifteen minutes. Wash off with aloe tonic.
Lotion recipe
Add one part alcohol to four parts of aloe juice. Wipe your face daily. Store in a cool and dark place. Kalanchoe is a plant for succulent lovers. It can be recommended for novice florists, but it will be difficult to achieve flowering at home, without observing certain conditions.
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