How to Propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Florist Kalanchoe Propagation) - 4 Easy Ways
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Kalanchoe blossfeldiana commonly called Florist Kalanchoe is easily propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or from leaf cuttings.
The Florist Kalanchoe cuttings can be successfully rooted either in water or in soil. However, rooting the cuttings in water may take a bit longer than rooting in soil.
Lets get to know a few facts about this spectacular plant. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a popular holiday plant that also goes by the common names Christmas Kalanchoe, Flaming Katy and Madagascar Widow's-thrill.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is native to Madagascar. It can grow to a height of 1-2 ft and a spread of about 1.5-2 ft in about 2-5 years.
Christmas Kalanchoe is one of the common succulents grown in the home on account of its long lasting flowers and ease of care.
It is loved as one of the best flowering indoor plants. The flowers come in various colors including red, liliac, yellow, white, orange among others.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-280C, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, cactus and succulents soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy).
Next we dive into propagation. Here below we have outlined 4 ways by which you can propagate your Florist Kalanchoe. Keep reading to get a detailed account on these easy methods.
1. How to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana from leaf cuttings in water
- Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Florist Kalanchoe. Ensure that the petiole is intact as this is where new growth will emerge from. Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days.
- Once callussed, dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
- Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station while ensuring that the leaf blades are not in contact with the water.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.
- When a good amount of roots have formed at the base of leaf cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, cactus and succulents soil.
- Position the set up in a warm (21-270C), well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and you have obesrved substantial growth on the new plants.
- Transfer the new Kalanchoe blossfeldiana into pots one size larger, preferably clay pots as they are porous and will not hold excess moisture. You can now begin routine care for the new plants.
2. How to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana from leaf cuttings in soil
- Take a leaf cutting from a healthy Florist Kalanchoe. Ensure that the petiole is intact as this is where new growth will emerge from.
- Allow the cutting to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.
- Insert the cutting's leaf petiole into moist, rooting soil while ensuring that the leaf midrib also comes into contact with the soil.
- Confirm that the rooting container has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
- Cover the set up with transparent polythene to raise humidity inorder to hasten rooting and establishment.
- Place the set up in a warm (21-270C), brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out but not soggy.
- Once the plantlets have grown at least one set of leaves, carefully seperate them and pot in individual pots in cactus and succulents soil.
- Place the new Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants in a warm, well-lit spot after which you can begin routine care.
3. How to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana from stem-tips cuttings in water
- Take a stem-tip cutting of about 4-6 in. from a healthy Florist Kalanchoe. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.
- Strip off the lower leaves and allow the cutting to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.
- Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.
- Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.
- Once the cutting has developed a good amount of roots, transfer the cuttings into small pots (6-8 inches wide) in moist, rooting soil.
- Place the set up in a warm (21-270C), brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the new plants.
- Maintain the soil moist until there is new growth. Ensure to allow adequate time for substantial growth of the new plants.
- Transfer the new plants into pots, 1 size larger than the current one while ensuring that the soil drains easily. At this point you can begin normal routine care.
4. How to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana from stem-tips cuttings in soil
- Take a stem-tip cutting of about 4-6 in. from a healthy Florist Kalanchoe. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as new growth will come from the nodes.
- Strip off the lower leaves and allow the cutting to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.
- Insert the stem-tip cutting into moist, rooting soil. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
- Cover the set up with transparent polythene sheet or bag to raise humidity to hasten rooting and establishment.
- Position the set up in a warm (21-270C), brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moderately moist through out.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you grow Kalanchoe from cuttings?
Kalanchoe is easily grown at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or leaf cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil.
2. Can you root Kalanchoe in water?
Kalanchoe cuttings can be rooted in water or in soil. Rooting the cuttings in water will take longer that rooting in soil.
3. Can you grow Kalanchoe from leaf?
You can easily grow Kalanchoe from leaf cuttings either in water or in soil. However, rooting in water may take much longer that rooting the cuttings in soil.