Picture – Wikimedia/brewbooks
The Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea it’s a beautiful succulent, which you can plant in a pot and place it, for example, in the window, because it does not take up much space. In addition, it multiplies very quickly and easily by stem cuttings; so you always have the opportunity to get new specimens of your succulent.
But of course, you might be wondering what care you need, right? It is not a complicated plant, but it is important to know how to take care of itbecause in this way the risk of getting sick is greatly reduced.
Does it have to be outdoors or can it be indoors?
To answer this question, let me tell you something that is very, very important: its cold resistance is relatively low. It can withstand frosts down to -4°C, but only if they occur occasionally. Therefore, if you live in a place where it is normal for it to snow every year, for example, it is best that you take your Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea indoors as soon as temperatures begin to drop below 10°C.
Another option is to always keep it indoors. Since it is a small plant, it is possible. Now well, In case you choose to have it indoors, it is crucial that it is placed in a room that gets plenty of light from outside., because otherwise it will not grow in a healthy way. And of course, in case you keep it outside, it must be at least in partial shade, but it is better if it is in a sunny place.
What soil or substrate to put Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea?
our protagonist it is a type of perennial plant that does not like soil that is too compacted. For this reason, it is necessary that it be planted in sandy, light and quickly water-filtering soil so that its root system does not get wet for a long time.
For example, In case you have it in a pot, you could put some substrate for the succulents; but if you want to plant it in the ground it is advisable to make a hole and fill it with water to see if it is absorbed quickly or not, because if it takes a long time you will have to fill it with the substrate which I have already mentioned, or with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts.
When should it be watered?
Watering this kalanchoe will be rather weak. During the summer it will be necessary to water a little more oftensince the temperatures are higher, and also, depending on the area, it may not rain at all for weeks or even months (as is the case, for example, in my region, in the south of the island of Mallorca ).
For him, It is highly recommended to check the soil or substrate from time to time to see if it is dry or not.. This can be done by digging with your fingers, but it is best to insert a thin wooden or plastic stick. If after removing it, you see that it comes out with a lot of soil, it means that it is still moist and, therefore, you will not need to water yet.
How is it watered?
To water it well, I advise you to follow this step by step:
- Fill the watering can with water.
- Pour the water on the earth.
- Keep pouring until it’s thoroughly soaked (or until it pops out of the pot holes).
- If it is in a pot and you have placed a plate under it, you need to empty it after watering.
Moreover, you should know that the most appropriate time to hydrate the plant is in the afternoon, when no longer exposed to direct sunlight. And it is that if you water it and at that time the sun is shining on it, a large part of this water will be lost by evaporation. For this reason, you should always avoid watering plants during the central hours of the day.
When do you have to pay Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea?
You can pay it as long as the good weather lasts; that is, as long as temperatures stay above 18°C and below 35°C (he doesn’t like extreme heat too much). For that, what is better than using liquid fertilizerswhich generally have a fairly rapid effectiveness since the nutrients are absorbed by the roots almost instantaneously.
Of course: no fertilizer or compost will serve you. To start, I recommend those that are ecological, especially if you have the plant outside because they respect the environment; but also, they must be suitable for succulents (cacti and succulents). Also remember that you must follow the instructions that you will find on the packaging to obtain the expected results.
How does it multiply?
Picture – Wikimedia/brewbooks
As I mentioned at the beginning, getting new copies is very easy. Just wait for the arrival of spring to cut a stem with leaves, and plant it in a pot with soil for succulents.. It is not mandatory to add rooting hormones, although if you wish you can do this before introducing it to the soil. Then water and place it in a place with plenty of light but not direct.
How long does it take to root? Not much: in a week at most, it will start to take root. But you will have to keep it in this pot for a while, until you see its roots coming out of the holes in the container.
Do you dare to cultivate the Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea?