Beautiful, brightly colored flowers of Kalanchoe decorate our homes from winter to the beginning of spring, when other plants are not eager to bloom. Unfortunately, after a while the lush flowers die andkalanchoe does not bloom againWhat are the reasons for this? Seewhy Kalanchoe doesn't bloom , what are the most commonmistakes in Kalanchoe careand learn a simple trickhow to prolong the flowering of kalanchoe grown in an apartment. Your Kalanchoe will be sprinkled with flowers again!
Why does Kalanchoe not bloom?
When does Kalanchoe bloom?
Kalanchoe is a short-day plantThis means that it only blooms when the day lasts less than 10 hours. This period covers the winter months - from November to February. Plant producers controlthe flowering period of Kalanchoe , making flowering plants available from florists all year round. This may mislead buyers who, without having to flower again, treat Kalanchoe as an annual and abandon its further cultivation. Meanwhile, Kalanchoe can grow and bloom for many more years.
Kalanchoe doesn't bloom because it wasn't darkened
Toget Kalanchoe to flower again , give it a dark period of 14 to 16 hours. For this purpose, we cover the plant from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. with a plastic opaque bucket or cardboard box. We start the shading period in October and run it for the next 40 days.Then the flowers appear in early December and stay on the plant for about 2 months.
Note!Covering the kalanchoe is necessary because the light from the lamps in the apartments shortens the time the plant stays in the dark. Even artificial light can disturb the natural rhythm of a plant's life.
Thanks to darkening, we can alsoextend the flowering period of kalanchoeby about 1 month, artificially shortening the day. Darken a flowering plant on the same principles as before the appearance of flowers.
Kalanchoe does not bloom due to care errors
Inducing flowering in kalanchoeis a complex process. The above-described darkening of the plant in the fall may not be enough if we have made mistakes in the care of the Kalanchoe during the entire growing season. First of all, it is important to properly illuminate the plant. A lack of light during the day can stop the flowering of the Kalanchoe.Therefore, we must ensure that the Kalanchoe growing area is well lit all year round.
The lack of flowering in kalanchoemay also be caused by skipping the procedure of removing the tops in spring (May). This is an important procedure that favors the development of new shoots and more abundant flower formation at the tops of the shoots.
Another reasonwhy kalanchoe is not bloomingmay be insufficient fertilization. Fertilize Kalanchoe from May to August by dissolving liquid fertilizer in watering water. Multi-component fertilizers for flowering plants are recommended, favoring the formation of flower buds.
If, despite all the growing conditions, ourkalanchoe still does not produce flowers , it is necessary to provide it with a dormant period. Too abundant and long flowering weakens the plant, which needs time to regenerate. We then give up flowering and let the plant rest until the next flowering period (i.e. until December of the following year).
Kalanchoe doesn't bloom because it's too old
Another reasonwhy Kalanchoe doesn't bloomis the age of the plant. If the plant is too old and weak, it will not produce more flowers. Before its elimination, it is worth collecting shoot seedlings. This is best done in May. Cut off the tops of the shoots about 7 cm. Remove the lower pair of leaves from the seedling, and trim the lower end at an angle with a sharp knife. Place the seedlings in pots with a moist substrate for succulents or a mixed garden soil with sand and peat (in a proportion of 3: 1: 1). Place the pots in a sunny and warm (21 ° C) place. The cuttings take three weeks to root, andyoung Kalanchoes will bloom without shadingin February or March of the following year.
Kalanchoe does not bloom due to pests
The inhibition of flower development in Kalanchoealso occurs as a result of an invasion of aphids or other pests that damage the growth tips.If the plant has been infected by pests during the growing season, it should be given time to regenerate. We trim the tops of the shoots and hold off inducing flowering until the next year.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
