The Kalanchoe needs moderate temperature. During the winter it rests at 18-20 degrees, minimum at 8 degrees. It is best to keep it outside during the summer. Secure bright intensive light with direct sun rays. If you leave it on a south window, shade it at lunch time. The Kalanchoe loves the light and the sun during the winter as well as in the summer.
Its soil should consist of 1 part sod, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part sand and 1 part stones. Transplant it during the spring.
Water it moderately throughout the spring and the summer and from the fall start reducing the quantity of water and restrict the watering during the winter.
From the end of the spring until the middle of the summer feed with special fertilizers for cacti and other succulent plants once a month. The Kalanchoe resists to the dry air but a periodic spraying will not hurt it. On the contrary, it will ensure its cleaning.
Useful advice for growing Kalanchoe
After half of the flowers on the stalk fade, cut the cluster so that you provoke the appearance of new clusters.
While watering try not to water the base of the leaves or the center of the bush. This may cause the spread of parasitic fungi and black spots.
The Kalanchoe is a plant that loves the short days. That is why from November on you must ensure 9 to 10 hours of full darkness for it to blossom the next year. You should leave carton or a plastic bucket on it, from the afternoon until the next morning, and after that leave it in a well-lighted place. During the winter the plant endures indoor temperature and dry air.
A danger for the Kalanchoe is the too damp substrate which can lead to roots and shoots growing mold in succulent plants.
The plants that have grown too much after the flowering can be cut.
The Kalanchoe helps in need
The Kalanchoe is a healing plant which is used for various diseases. The part of the plant above the ground is used with healing effect when the stalk reaches 40-60 cm and the bottom part of the stalk becomes thick. Kalanchoe pinnatum has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and tonic effect and it is a strong stimulator of the regeneration of the tissues. The Kalanchoe is not poisonous. It cleans the wounds and reduces inflammation. Particularly good results are achieved in treatments of burns and broken bones.
The fresh, cleaned and cut in small pieces leaves, the juice, the tincture are used for treatment of wounds, ulcer, abscess, inflammation, etc. Besides the juice and the tincture the Kalanchoe is used for drops, tampons, fat. For the treatment of burning wounds the flower is mixed with beaten egg-whites and it is placed on the wounded spot. For inflammation of the mouth cavity, the throat, the gingiva (gums) you should rub the tincture with hot water or make an infusion from the respective herbal plants.
You can easily propagate Kalanchoe with cuttings and leaves
If you have decided to propagate your Kalanchoe at home you have to choose the right place for it. It should be in a place with bright, but not direct sunlight, because the leaves would burn.
The soil is easily prepared according to the recipe describes earlier. The propagation is very simple for the ones with shoots it is enough to place them on the surface of the substrate. The other Kalanchoe species are propagated easily with cuttings with 1-2 leaves on them.