When looking for a plant that can thrive both inside the house and on the balcony or garden, the Kalanchoe should definitely be among our first choices. And this is because it is a succulent plant with wonderful flowers that thrives well both inside our home (in places where the sun can see them, of course) and in semi-shaded places outdoors.
Η Kalanghoe or Kalantiva, in fact, gathers in general a series of important advantages that make it an easy plant that beautifies our space without asking for much. The plant is very popular with consumers for its long-lasting flowers and its attractive foliage, while growers love it because it easily loads its blooms so that it can be sold in bloom mainly during the holidays along with other Christmas plants (poinsettias/alexander, cyclamen , patience, etc.).
Plant description
The leaves of the kalanchoe are fleshy, broad, oval in shape, with serrated edges, they appear alternately along the entire length of the stems and because they are very tender they break easily with the slightest awkward movement. Kalanchoe flowers come in bouquets and there is a great variety of colors.
Plant placement
Kalanchoe is placed in sunny and semi-shady places, in the garden and on the terrace. But when the summer temperatures are high (greater than 35°C), the plants should be moved to places without direct sunlight as they cause burns that appear as drying on the edges of the leaves, which makes the plants more sensitive while losing the their cosmetic value. The same happens to the flowers as their lifespan on the plant decreases.
Ideal temperatures are those from 10-30°C. Low temperatures and frost destroy the plant immediately, so in winter the plants must be moved to warmer and more protected places or covered with plastic during periods of frost or snowfall.
Care
Kalanchoe is considered an easy ornamental plant, in terms of caring for it both in the garden, in the pot or as an indoor plant. It is a plant that can easily acclimatize and grow in the pot it will be planted in. It is usually planted singly in pots or in small groups in planters.
Regarding watering, it has no particular requirements as it is like a succulent. In the summer months the Kalanchoe should be watered 2-3 times a week, while in the winter up to 1 time a week, depending on the prevailing weather. It is not good to leave the plant without water for a long time, because it loses its decorative value, its flowers wither faster and its leaves wither. It is good to check the soil and then water.
It also needs fertilization with some water-soluble fertilizer to have prolonged flowering. Finally, we need to cut the dry flowers that have finished blooming so that new ones can come out.
Attacks by enemies and diseases
Regarding the vulnerability of kalanchoe to entomological enemies and diseases, the plant is susceptible to infestation by aphids and blackflies. Very often cobwebs appear on the plant, an indication that the plant has been infected by blackleg or its branches are sticking to our hand, which indicates that there are aphids. Protect the plant with a biological preparation, and proper fertilization. If the infestation is small you can clean the leaves with a damp cotton ball. Kalanchoe is also often infested with granular insects. In any case, it is good to contact the agronomists to guide you on the most suitable preparations and the correct dosages.
