The Kalanchoe it is a succulent plant that can transform your garden thanks to its bright and vibrant flowers. With the arrival of winter, its different colored blooms can liven up even the darkest season.
But do you know that you could have more than just one Kalanchoe? Propagation is a simple process and accessible even to novice gardeners.
Discover how in just a few steps you will have a lush garden full of these wonders.
How does Kalanchoe spread?
The Kalanchoe plays easily through stolonscuttings or seeds. Although propagation by seeds is more complex, cuttings and stolons are the most common and effective way.
This way, you can help your Kalanchoe generate new plants without undue strain on the mother plant.
The most widespread technique is that of propagation from cuttings: just select a suitable stem, follow the right steps and in a short time you will have a new plant ready to grow.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cuttings
The ideal season for the propagation of Kalanchoe it’s spring or summer. It is the moment in which the plant accumulates energy for the next flowering.
Select one healthy stem e matureat least a few centimeters long with some leaves. With a sharp knife or scissors, make a clean cut just above a leaf node.
If you prefer, you can carefully remove one stolonemaking sure it has some leaves to encourage robust growth.
Step 2: Let the Cuttings Dry
After cutting your cutting of Kalanchoelet it dry to form a callus. This process will protect the cutting from any infection or rot.
Usually, it takes one to three days for it to dry completely.
To accelerate root growth, you can apply rooting hormone on the cutting once the wound has dried.
Step 3: Plant Your Cutting
Choose a suitable soil for cacti and succulents, which drains water well. Clay pots are ideal as they help regulate humidity. Fill the pot with soil and plant the cutting, fixing it in the soil.
Maintaining humidity is essential. You can cover the vase with a transparent bag with small holes to create a humid environment, promoting plant growth.
Step 4: Grow Your Kalanchoe!
Place your pot in an area with indirect light, avoiding direct sun exposure which could burn the leaves.
Make sure the temperature does not drop below 50°F (10°C) to ensure a suitable growing environment.
Wet the soil only when it is dry, preferably with a sprinklerto avoid over-watering.
When the roots are well developed and the plant shows new signs of growth, you can treat your cutting like an adult Kalanchoe.
Kalanchoe care
Once propagated, your Kalanchoe it will always prefer indirect light and mild temperatures. A combination of watering and periods of drought is ideal to encourage the robust growth of these plants.
Fertilizing during the growing periods can help in the flowering process. Use a balanced or phosphorus-dominated fertilizer to stimulate development.
