Kalanchoe (Widow's-thrill) is a beautiful, abundantly flowering houseplant. It has one characteristic: as it ages, its shoots become stout and bald. The plant begins to look untrimmed and unattractive. To prevent this from happening, they should be cut back regularly. If done correctly and in a timely manner, they will look great and complement your interior décor. This Bubgo article will explain in detail how to pruning kalanchoe plants at home.
The best time to prune is in the spring. But it can also be cut throughout the summer. During this period, the plant will grow vigorously and quickly return to its ideal shape. This treatment rejuvenates the flowers and makes them more attractive.
When you don't need to prune flowers.
1. Perform immediately after purchase. Succulents need time to adapt to their new environment.
2. It is best to leave the bush undisturbed during the flowering period.
3. In late fall and winter.
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1. This care for a succulent plant will give it a beautiful appearance.
2. To rejuvenate the bush.
3. In the process, the sap from the stems is directed to the remaining branches and leaves, making them larger and juicier.
4. The root system develops more harmoniously.
5. Promotes lush and long-lasting flowering.
Plants will bloom better after pruning.
There are many varieties. And when pruning, pay attention to the cultivar of the flower. Kalanchoe plants are most often sold in stores and are easy to handle. This means it can be pruned often to create a beautiful canopy.
If your plants have yellow or white flowers, they are hybrids. They should be pruned more carefully. Don't remove a lot of green blocks at once; the plant will be stressed and will take longer to recover. Pruning can be done easily by experienced growers and beginners alike.
A properly shaped bush has a round shape. The shoots are all about the same length and grow evenly. Flower stems with buds can be seen on top above the foliage.
When pruning, remove dried flowers and yellowing foliage. These take away the plant's nutrients and prevent it from developing properly. All long, crooked and old shoots should also be cut back, sometimes to the stump. Flowers need to be pruned regularly, so there are several ways to prune them.
1. normal pruning.
2. Preventive.
3. After flowering.
Always use a sharp and sterile tool. This can be a garden knife, garden shears or a razor blade. Do not break stems and leaves by hand, this will severely traumatize the succulent plant. In the best case it will be stressed and in the worst case some parts of it will wilt. When finished sprinkle crushed charcoal on the wounds of the mother plant.
The first pruning and further pruning operations follow the same principles. The procedure is quite simple.
1. First pruning - for young bushes, this is done in spring, about a month after the plants start to grow vigorously. Use a sharp tool to remove 2 or 3 top leaves from each shoot. New shoots will then emerge from these, giving the canopy a lush look.
2. Prune further - Next, prune the tops regularly until you get the desired crown shape. You will also need to maintain the beautiful appearance of the flowers by removing any branches that have grown in the bushes.
3. Preventive - This should be done from March to October. It is done as the flowers grow. To prevent decay, remove broken branches and yellowing leaves. Old branches can be removed to zero, but not all at once, but gradually, so that the shrub has time to grow new branches. Old branches can be removed at zero, but not all at once, so that the bush has time to establish new branches.
4. After flowering - This is usually done at the end of winter or in the spring. There are some hybrids that will flower again in the fall. Pruning after flowering allows the plant to rest for two months.
Tip: Pruning after flowering is also known as removal pruning. It is only started after the plant has fully flowered. Remove flowering stems and dying leaves that have already flowered. Stems should be cut down from the base to prevent them from rotting. Remove the two outermost shoots along the diameter of the crown. Removing shoots that grow inward and thicken the crown protects succulents from a variety of diseases and pests.
As a result of this substantial "cleaning", new shoots will grow aggressively and each leaf will be greatly increased, giving the plant a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Many flower buds will be produced and the blooms will be vigorous and memorable. After each bloom, be sure to remove all the flowers! This treatment will result in larger foliage and better flesh.
If you take care of your Kalanchoe plant regularly, it will not need a thorough pruning. Prune as soon as you notice stray branches above the canopy, i.e. remove the top 2-3 leaves. Such pruning will help to maintain the shape of the bush in the long term. But the need for a full pruning will not go away - it will just be delayed a bit.
By pruning frequently, the bush will get denser and rounder. The first pruning should be done as soon as the plants arrive at your home. Do not prune during flowering. Remove 2-3 leaves at a time from the entire canopy.
If you start planting and leave it uncut for a long time, the shoots can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) while their lower parts are exposed and the whole picture looks depressing. In addition to their ugly appearance, such plants do not flower. If there are flowers, then they will be few and they will be small.
Many flower growers, especially beginners, do not know how to prune Kalanchoe so that it flowers and aggressively prune slender specimens. This is a mistake. There is no need to cut it all at once. However, Kalanchoe can withstand being cut back to the stump and new shoots will grow from the stump. However, it is best to cut back gradually.
Tip: In this neglected situation, I have a practice of rooting cuttings. They will then produce new seedlings that look much better than the old cuttings. The shoots can be rooted in a cup of water or planted directly in the soil at the edge of the pot. Cuttings should be about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length. In the case of neglected cuttings are rooted in water to produce new plants.
After pruning, especially if it is aggressive, the plant must be given time to recover. That is, he needs to rest for a month. Care for Kalanchoe during this period is as follows.
1. Reduce watering to once every 14-20 days.
2. Water at the roots.
3. Spray with warm water in hot weather.
4. Do not place the pot in direct sunlight. Choose a dark corner with diffused light.
5. The optimal temperature is 59-68 °F (15-20 °C).
Tip: To ensure that the shrub remains lush for a long time after it is formed, avoid direct sunlight on the pot. Sunlight will cause the shoots to actively stretch upwards and the bush will lose its attractive appearance. In hot weather, spray succulents with warm water.
How do you prune your Kalanchoe? Share your succulent pruning tips with other gardeners in the comments.
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