December Flower of the Month
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
kal-en-KOH-ee
Recently I was giving a lecture about botanical nomenclature, or how plants are named. During the course of the presentation, we talked about the pronunciation of plant names. It seems that more of us get hung up on this topic more than any other. Most experts agree that as long as we can communicate about a plant we’re doing o.k.
Anyway, we discussed the classic plant, Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana). I flashed the word on the screen and asked the group what they called this plant. Most said kuh-LAN-choe. One person said kuh-LAN-ko-ee. Still others insisted that the word was kal-en-KOH-ee. They could have argued all day. Who was right? In the final analysis, all were probably correct. Most authorities, however, have agreed on the third pronunciation, so that is the one I choose.
Kalanchoe is a succulent perennial with dark green, rounded leaves that have scalloped edges. Clusters of bright red, pink, orange, or yellow flowers bloom on stems held well above the foliage. Flowers last for weeks if plants are in full sun and temperatures are cool.
Kalanchoe is winter hardy in USDA Zones 10 to 12. In those frost-free zones, it is grown outside where it prefers sandy, well-drained soil in full sun or bright indirect light. In our area they are usually grown in containers so that they can be protected from freezing temperatures. Kalanchoe is moderately salt tolerant, so it is an ideal plant to grow on decks that are near bodies of salt water.
Kalanchoe is one of those plants that people can keep for years and years. After flowering, the plants get ragged looking and some people throw them away. However, if they are cut back after they bloom and fed with a water soluble liquid fertilizer on a regular schedule, they can remain attractive for a long period of time. Kept outside during the summer where they can get a minimum of four hours of sunlight a day and protected from freezing weather the following winter, they will grow again into sturdy plants and will reflower the following spring.
After a while, however, you will need to start a new plant. If you know someone who has a kalanchoe that you admire, ask for a cutting when the plant finishes blooming. They root easily when stuck in moist, well-drained soil. Some experts recommend letting the cuttings harden for several days before placing them in the potting mix. This might prevent rot if the potting soil is too wet, but my cuttings have always rooted well when I cut them and placed them immediately in soil.
Kalanchoe is forced by growers to bloom at Christmas time (or at the time of their choosing). This can be done because kalanchoe is photoperiodic, which means that it requires a certain number of hours of darkness before blossoms are initiated. If you have a kalanchoe left over from last year and want it to bloom for Christmas, it should be given an extended period of darkness for 30 days beginning about the first of September. Simply cover the plant with a black cloth from 6 PM to 7AM each night until October 1. Afterwards the plants will develop flower buds and bloom for the holiday season. If all this seems like too much trouble, don’t worry about it. Kalanchoe will bloom in spring under normal houseplant growing conditions.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has some interesting cousins. Kalanchoe daigremontiana produces baby plants along the leaf margins. Sometimes it is called mother of thousands because literally thousands of tiny plants are produced. The babies grow anywhere they fall, and they can be potted up so that they will grow into healthy specimens. I’ve had one of these in my greenhouse for years. During the spring and summer it blooms small bell-shaped, pinkish/lavender flowers on tall stalks.
Consider a colorful kalanchoe to brighten your home for the holidays. After it finishes blooming, cut off the spent flower stalks. Place it outside after danger of frost is over. Next Christmas or spring, depending on your wishes and actions, your plant will be ready to put on another show.