Kalanchoe, A Native Plant of Madagascar

724 Words2 Pages

Kalanchoe is part of the Crassulaceae plant family, which includes relatives such as Jade and Stonecrop. A native of Madagascar, the plant requires sun and a well-drained, light soil, one suitable for cacti. There are over 125 species of the Kalanchoe tropical plants, only one species of the crassulaceae family originates from the America, 56 from southern & eastern Africa and 60 species in Madagascar. They are also found in south-eastern Asia and China. The name Kalanchoe comes from a phonetic transcription of the Chinese words 'Kalan Chauhuy' meaning "that which falls and grows", likely in reference to the plantlets that drop from many of the species but others believe it from the ancient Indian words 'kalanka' meaning "spot" or "rust" and 'chaya' meaning "glossy" in reference to the reddish glossy leaves of the Indian species Kalanchoe. It is typically grown indoors as a houseplant which requires warm temperatures from 60 to 85 degrees and is very sensitive to the cold. Too high or low temperature may cause flower to die. Kalanchoe are naturally spring bloomers. When grown outside the plant thrives on most soils. Use a soil made of equal parts of coarse sand and good potting soil or compost with a tablespoon of dry manure. Kalanchoe has dark green, thick waxy leaves with scallop-edges and small four-petal flowers, while other Crassulacae have five. If the plant is over watered it will cause the root to rot, the soil should dry slightly between watering. Kalanchoe only needs one light application of fertilizer each year with minimal care and grows about 12 inches tall. The flowering occurs within four months after exposure to six weeks of fourteen hour nights. Kalanchoe can be re-bloom next season if it is cared for correctly. A...

... middle of paper ...

...uttings in spring or summer. Leaves removed from the plant very carefully will produce small plant in about 4 weeks. Minimum temperatures of 45-59F are required. And prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. Should be kept moist during the summer but slightly watered throughout winter. Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora commonly known as the flapjack plant has fleshy paddle-like leaves and resembles the shape of a clamshell. An upright rosette-style plant, pale green leaves tinged with pink at the top. Leaf color ranges from greyish-blue to pink. The gray-green leaves grow to about 6 in (15 cm) long and will become tinged in red when exposed to sun. This plant flowers from fall to spring. Take leaf cuttings in spring or summer and pot in moist cactus potting mix. Thyrsiflora is often mistaken for Kalanchoe luciae due to the appearance in their growing process.

More about Kalanchoe, A Native Plant of Madagascar

Open Document