Care for Kalanchoe pinnate
Kalanchoe pinnate is not only an ornamental, but also a medicinal plant. Knowing how to grow it will give you a “home doctor” on the windowsill.
Description of Kalanchoe pinnate
In nature, there are more than 200 varieties of this flower. Kalanchoe can be propagated by cuttings, parts of leaves and brood buds, which are formed along the edge of the leaf plate. This species belongs to “pseudoviviparous” plants.
Children grow on the leaves of Kalanchoe pinnate
Flower description:
- The Kalanchoe has a thick erect stem, up to 1,5 m in height.
- The leaves are dense and juicy. They are located opposite on the stem. At the bottom of the plant, the leaves become hard. The color of the leaf plate is green, sometimes with a yellow, blue or red tint. The shape of the leaves is pinnately cut, the tops are rounded.
- Kalanchoe blooms irregularly, from February to May. Flowers are bisexual, asymmetric, green-white-pink hue up to 3,5 cm long. Fruits contain small seeds.
- The roots are short but branched.
The photo shows the flowering of Kalanchoe pinnate.
The plant has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antibacterial properties. Leaves and stems can be harvested from August to October. Wash, dry and refrigerate for a week. Then pass the raw material through a meat grinder. The resulting juice can be stored in the refrigerator for a year.
The plant grows quickly if it is provided with favorable living conditions. For Kalanchoe, abundant watering is important, but stagnant moisture will lead to decay of the roots.
To prevent this from happening, follow these recommendations:
- put a 2-2,5 cm layer of expanded clay or gravel on the bottom of the pot, pour sand on top, and then soil;
- water after the soil surface is completely dry;
- use settled water;
- in spring and summer, water 2-3 times a week, in extreme heat – every day, and in autumn and winter – 2-3 times a month;
- after watering, drain the liquid from the pot pan.
Kalanchoe does not need spraying, since it normally tolerates dry air, but the temperature regime is important for it. The optimum air temperature is 18-22˚С, but the plant calmly tolerates the heat of 30˚С. With a decrease in indicators below 10 ° C, the Kalanchoe may die.
Prepare the soil yourself to grow a flower. Mix equal parts humus, sand and leafy soil.
Follow all the care recommendations, then you will not have any problems with growing Kalanchoe on your windowsill. The leaves of this plant can be stored intact in the refrigerator, rather than harvesting juice. The beneficial properties are not lost.