Kalanchoe is another tropical plant often sold at Christmastime. This succulent (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is grown outdoors in frost-free areas, but also grows well as a houseplant. It blooms in a variety of colours from red to pink, orange and yellow.
Newly purchased plants with their brightly coloured flowers are compact. Unfortunately, once the flowers die the plant tends to grow quickly and become quite leggy and floppy.
At this point it is often discarded. However, with a minimum of care it will bloom again every spring, or can be forced to bloom again every Christmas.
To maintain your Kalanchoe to bloom, in spring cut back the leggy growth. Water and feed it regularly with houseplant fertilizer. Keep in mind that it is a succulent, so grow in a well-draining soil and water deeply but allow to dry between waterings. Always water before fertilizing to avoid burning the roots.
Place near a window where it can receive about four hours of sunlight – you may have to cut it back more than once before the days are long enough to provide the required amount of sun. It can be placed outdoors in a sheltered location to receive sufficient sunlight, but remember to introduce it to the outdoor sun gradually to prevent sunburning the leaves. With this treatment, it should bloom the second spring after its Christmas blooms, and every spring thereafter.
You may wish instead to force it to bloom at Christmas. Like the Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus, it requires sufficient hours of darkness. Treat the same as above in spring and summer, watering and fertilizing regularly and providing a bright sunny spot.
Beginning around
Sept. 1, provide at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness for 30 days. Flower buds should develop after this treatment and open in time for Christmas blooms.
For those who are interested there are many other members of the Kalanchoe family, all succulents, many with interesting blooms. Most of these are grown outdoors in frost free areas, but some can be grown as houseplants.
Horticulturalist Mary Wright has lived in Denare Beach for over 20 years. She shares her passion for gardening with Flin Flon readers in The Reminder.
