Kalanchoe is July's Houseplant of the Month

Kalanchoe is a member of the Crassulaceae family, which also includes many other succulents such as Crassula and Echeveria. The most common flowering variety is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, which can have both single and double flowers. There are also Kalanchoes that stand out because of their beautiful bell-shaped flowers or leaves. The plants grow in Madagascar, south and east Africa, south-east Asia and China. The name is derived from that latter country: Kalan Chau was ‘latinised’ into Kalanchoe.

Photo: The Joy of Plants

Kalanchoe is a short day plant. That means that the plants form buds when the days are less than 12 hours long. Growers have the opportunity to play with light and dark. Hence short and long days can be reproduced in the greenhouse in order to get the plant to flower all year round.

Buying factors

When buying Kalanchoe, the pot size (they’re available from mini through to large bowls), the diameter and thickness of the plant, the number of buds and the ripeness all play a role. The flowers must still be in bud, but showing some colour.
Check that the plant is free of pests and diseases. When the flowers or the foliage are damaged or flawed, this is often the result of shipping or storage. Wilted flowers or yellow leaves indicate that the plant is not in top condition.
if too much moisture is left between the leaves for a long time as a result of condensation, botrytis can occur. There are virtually no other pests or diseases present on Kalanchoe during the sale phase.
Make sure the plants get enough light during shipping and at the point of sale in order to prevent the flower stems from stretching.
Kalanchoe cannot cope with temperatures below 12°C . You should therefore leave the plant in the sleeve during the shipping and storage phase in order to avoid cold damage.
There is also a risk of damage when Kalanchoe is placed outdoors. Keep an eye on the temperature.

Choice of range
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is the most common species in the range. They’re usually not sold by cultivar, but by colour or in mixed trays. The plants come in many different colours: red, orange, yellow, green, white, pink, lilac, salmon and bicoloured varieties. The flower can be single (e.g. Calanday) or double-flowered (e.g. Calandiva or Rosalina). The size the flowers can also vary - there are increasing numbers of varieties with larger flowers on the market. The Bells series offers alternative flower shapes. These Kalanchoes have sprays of pale green hollow cushions from which bell-shaped flowers emerge. Mirabella has much smaller flowers and is particularly sold as a patio plant. Alongside flowering Kalanchoes, there’s also an attractive range of foliage Kalanchoes with beautiful thick leaves. The best-known is Kalanchoe thyrisflora.

Sales and display tips for Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe works well in a display based on colour, is suitable for kokedama and can be lucratively used for special seasonal occasions: red for Valentine’s Day, red and white Christmas, yellow for Easter, pink for Mother’s Day and orange for the autumn. The mini varieties work very well in indoor gardening arrangements and table pieces, particularly combined with foliage Kalanchoes, Echeveria or Crassula. Their minis are also a suitable gift the children, as an easy first plant in the playroom. Kalanchoe is long-lasting in containers and baskets, a budget-friendly floral solution for the hospitality and commercial sector, and an ideal plant gift for students. One of its strengths is that Kalanchoe can cope with sunlight and can therefore furnish a whole windowsill with colour.

For more information:
Thejoyofplants.co.uk