Pinching Kalanchoe at home. Proper pruning of Kalanchoe is the key to its health and abundant flowering.

12.06.2019

Every time you pass by flower shop, looked at the pretty lush green bushes, and the desire to get at least one for myself was getting stronger. But then the long-awaited Kalanchoe appeared in the house: bright, with lush greenery and beautiful scarlet flowers.

And after flowering, the chic flower has changed beyond recognition: there are no flowers anymore, the leaves are small, and the trunk is bare. Having studied the information, I came to the conclusion that everything is normal for this period.

In total, about two hundred varieties of this plant are known for growing at home. Each of which has its own characteristics, and, accordingly, you need to take care of it, having previously studied the information. Kalanchoe is no exception.

In principle, the plant is unpretentious, but some points just need to be known and tracked in order to subsequently enjoy magnificent flowering and lush greenery.

Kalanchoe belongs to the Tolstyankov family, this plant is a succulent. Its leaves are bright green in color, fleshy in texture, with a shiny glossy surface.
Flowering is expressed by apical lush inflorescences of various colors. Depending on the variety, the flowers have the structure of a bell, an elongated tube or a double inflorescence with many petals.
The shrub reaches a height of about 40 cm, but there are varieties that grow up to one meter. Recently, "gift" dwarf options have also appeared.
In addition to decorativeness, the flower has medicinal properties that are known in traditional medicine over 200 years. The juice of the plant really helps with colds and runny nose. Therefore, Kalanchoe is grown not only for beauty, but also for good.
The most famous varieties room option are Kalanchoe Blossfeld and Degremont.
At good care the plant can bloom almost all year round. It is enough that the air temperature in the room does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius, the soil in the pot is constantly moderately moistened, and that the direct scorching rays of the sun do not fall on the flower.

A separate column in the rules of care is cropping. Let's study this issue in more detail.

Why do you need pruning Kalanchoe

This is a mandatory procedure for this flower. The shoots of the plant grow quite quickly and actively, so if you do not form a crown, then the bush will simply lose its neat appearance. However, the flower pruning process serves additional purposes.

The upper parts of the shoots must be pinched, then the crown will be round and neat. Since the upper shoots are actively growing, pinching will cause the bush to grow in width.
Old shoots tend to become bare and shed their leaves, so they also need to be removed so that the plant has a more attractive appearance.
Those inflorescences that have faded and begun to fade also need to be cut off. So the flower will not become infected with any diseases and will subsequently bloom even more magnificently.
Anti-aging pruning is done to maintain the healthy state of the bush. If there are no old shoots, then the juice is evenly distributed over all tissues.

Varieties react differently to the pruning process. Kalanchoe Blossfeld and Kalandiva tolerate such procedures perfectly, but hybrid varieties quite painfully react to pruning. Therefore, they pinch only the upper parts of the bushes.

Types of pruning Kalanchoe

There are several stages in this process and different goals for each of them. Attention should be paid to this, because timely and competent pruning and the formation of a bush depends on how appearance plants and their health.

We form a bush correctly

This procedure has its own subtleties, which should be studied in more detail.

Before you start pruning, you need to know exactly the varietal affiliation of the plant. The features of crown formation also depend on this.
If you have just recently purchased a flower, then you should not immediately engage in pruning. The plant should take root in a new place. Pause.
AT winter period when Kalanchoe is at rest, then pruning is not recommended.
All instruments must be disinfected before and after procedures to prevent infection. Knife, secateurs or scissors must be sharp.
If you manually cut off the leaves and inflorescences, then Kalanchoe may begin to fade.
The pruning procedure is recommended to be carried out either in morning hours, or in the evening. During this period, try to determine the pot with a bush in a place so that the rays of the sun do not fall on it.
When you have trimmed, the cut points should immediately be sprinkled with crushed charcoal or activated charcoal.
In case the flower has just been transplanted, wait a few weeks with pruning so that the plant can take root and adapt.
When you see that the bush is suffering from the invasion of pests, then only after their complete destruction is it worth pruning.

First pruning

It is carried out for preventive purposes. The most suitable period for this procedure is spring. Here's what you need to know.

When the flower wakes up, after 30 days, the first pruning should be done. At this stage, several leaves on the tops of the shoots are removed.
After the procedure, it is not recommended to place the bush on the south or southeast side of the room so that it does not start to grow too actively. The view of Kalanchoe will then quickly lose its accuracy.

Sample for preventive purposes

As the plant grows quite actively, this type of pruning is relevant. There are several reasons why this procedure is necessary.

In places where shoots and leaves were previously cut, new shoots begin to form in the axils and buds. It is also necessary to remove several leaves from them so that the crown remains formed according to your idea.
Inspect the plant regularly, and immediately remove all dry or rotten parts, then Kalanchoe will be healthy and you can not be afraid of the appearance of various rots.
The lower shoots of the bush gradually shed their leaves and become bare. The view is unattractive. Therefore, the recommendation is as follows: as the flower grows, remove the bare lower branches. In this case, only fresh and juicy green young foliage will remain.
In the summer, the upper shoots begin to stretch very actively. In order for the lateral ones to grow, and the shape of the bush to be lush, then the tops should be pinched.

If the upper shoots have grown to 10 - 12 cm, then they can be safely used for reproduction. It is very simple and does not require any effort - put in water at room temperature, leaves and cuttings release roots after a while. You can plant a young plant in the ground.

What to do after flowering

The period of active flowering in this decorative flower begins at the end of winter and continues into the spring months. The specificity of the development of Kalanchoe is such that flower stalks are formed precisely at the time when the daylight hours are short.

In the case when the second half of the spring period has already begun, and flowering does not occur, then 3-4 top leaves are pruned on each shoot - this procedure will force the bush to develop flower stalks more actively.
No need to wait for all the branches to dry after flowering and all the petals to fall off. Prune back as soon as you see that flowering has ended. Then, at the place of the cut, young branches with leaves and new buds will immediately begin to form. It is better to remove faded shoots under the root in order to prevent the entire plant from drying out.
After it's over pruning kalanchoe after the flowering period, it is necessary to give him time to rest and rest. To do this, the flower is determined in a dark and cool place where there will be no sun and the air temperature does not exceed + 15 - 17 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to water very little at this time - only once every 20 days.

Basic rules of care

In order for your flower to have fresh green leaves and bloom beautifully, you need to follow a few simple rules. The main criteria to be monitored are watering, soil composition, top dressing and fertilizers.

The soil should be loose, light and nutritious. It is enough to pay when boarding equal parts humus and peat to ordinary garden soil and then you can not fertilize the flower.
The length of daylight hours for a plant should not exceed 8 - 10 hours. It is not advisable to expose the pot in direct sunlight, but light is needed, and better diffused.
Humates, herbal infusions and peat can only be applied during the period of active flowering, the rest of the time it is not necessary to feed Kalanchoe, especially do not apply nitrogen-containing substances. Otherwise, the bush will grow very quickly, and flowering may not occur.
The pot needs a drainage layer, moderate watering of the plant, as succulents do not tolerate excessive waterlogging. This can lead to rotting of the root system and death.

Conclusion

Kalanchoe is a completely unpretentious and undemanding flower, which, subject to the simplest rules, is able to grow well and bloom for a long time.
Nitrogen-containing fertilizers, exposing the pot under the scorching sun and waterlogging the soil can destroy the plant.
In order for the flower to have a neat and well-groomed appearance, maximum attention should be paid to the formation of a bush, pruning of shoots and faded inflorescences. Do not forget about the rest period, which the flower needs for further growth and flowering.

Kalanchoe is famous not only for its remarkable appearance and unpretentiousness, but is also used for medicinal purposes. Any grower is familiar with this plant. Our article will tell you about the important "ritual" that gives your green friend the final refined appearance - how to pinch a Kalanchoe.

Step-by-step instruction at your service.

1 Things to know before pinching

In the photo Kalanchoe

The heroes of our article belong to plants that have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Juice was squeezed out of their leaves, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, applied to wounds, burns, and even from the “scourge of mankind” - the common cold (for which, until now, there are almost no more effective drugs). Especially after pinching, Kalanchoë grows fast,

Although almost all varieties of Kalanchoë need pinching, there are certain species that do not need to be pinched - they already have a complete form all year round, without shoots that periodically dry out at the ends in other species. One of these - the most famous of all, among scientists and gardeners is called Degremona, and among the people he received the honorary name "doctor" (or "surgeon"), for exceptional medicinal properties. And also - "crocodile", behind the fleshy toothed leaves growing in pairs, between which the "younger generation" huddles. Although this Kalanchoe pinching withstands steadfastly, and if desired, this can be done, lateral shoots after this procedure grow without much zeal.

About Kalanchoe

2 How to pinch Kalanchoe - step by step

Let's start with observation. We see that any Kalanchoë feels great even in the bank, and grows by leaps and bounds. The main thing is that he gets plenty of light, so it would be a bad idea to put a flowerpot with him in a poorly lit corner of the room. Over time, in most varieties, thinning of the upper shoots can be noticed. In parallel with this, the leaves on them are becoming smaller and smaller. This is a sign that not enough juices are coming into these areas. Such shoots can not only not bloom, but also dry out entirely. Seeing this, it's time to start pinching off the weakened shoots.

You can tear off the top of the plant without any preparation of the green pet for the procedure. You can do this with scissors, and just nails, without fear of the formation of wounds. Occasionally the latter, however, appear. This happens if you go too far with pinching, pinching further than necessary. However, wounds are treated very simply. It is enough to sprinkle them with ashes, or better - with charcoal. After some time, the vacated space will give rise to two side shoots.

As new shoots form, continue to observe their growth. The compact flower shape can be maintained for a long time after this operation, but in some cases you may again notice signs of drying out of new branches. Then you should carry out with them the same manipulations that we considered in the second paragraph.

The photo shows how to pinch Kalanchoe

3 Other useful things to know about pinching

There is one more moment when it is very desirable to pinch Kalanchoe - if it should bloom, but still will not give buds. Please note that standing on the northern windowsill, the flower grows with noticeable effort and may not bloom. If it is in the south, it should be pinched before the onset of December, and if it looks to the west or east - on any convenient day. By courting Kalanchoë in this way, you will no doubt expect gratitude from him.

About caring for Kalanchoe

Often gardeners ask a question specifically about Kalanchoe kalandiva, how to pinch this flower. The main thing to consider is that the plant must be thoroughly cut immediately after flowering. The rest are the same instructions.

Whether it is necessary to pinch Kalanchoe - everyone decides for himself and his green pet, without this operation the plant will not die. However, we recall that the procedure can help the process of healthy lush growth, as well as improve the aesthetics of the appearance.

Note that this is one of the unpretentious and decorative indoor plants. It is very popular with flower growers, because it is not only an easy-to-care and beautiful-looking flower, but also has a whole range of medicinal properties. The people call Kalanchoe - "Tree of Life".

Today, there are more than two hundred varieties of this flower, which are successfully grown at home. Proper care for Kalanchoe includes:

landing;
watering;
top dressing;
swelling of the soil;
pruning.

In this article, we will dwell in more detail on how to cut Kalanchoe and why this should be done.

Why you need to cut Kalanchoe

Home care for Kalanchoe, in addition to watering and feeding, should also be aimed at pruning the plant. There are absolutely no difficulties in this process. All, without exception, varieties of this houseplant successfully tolerate pruning. The main task of the grower, in its implementation, adhere to certain rules.

What is pruning? First of all, it is the removal of a certain part of the leaves and peduncles. These manipulations make it possible to form a beautiful and compact bush from long stems of Kalanchoe, which grow in a random direction.

Pruning is also carried out in order to give the plant vitality. The fact is that Kalanchoe belongs to quite juicy and fragile flowers, therefore the formation of its ground part not only makes the bush visually beautiful, but also more viable, since the juice inside the flower spreads evenly along its stems, making them more resilient and strong. And this means that in case of adverse conditions, the plant will have a much greater chance of surviving (not withering and not dying).

There are three main types of pruning:

primary;
preventive;
after flowering.

All of them are carried out according to certain rules, which should be followed so as not to harm the plant. Let's consider in detail how to properly trim Kalanchoe.

How to do your own pruning

Pruning Kalanchoe at home should be carried out in compliance with safety regulations, both for the grower himself and for the plant. Leaves and flower stalks are strictly cut off, and in no case are they broken off. This should be done with a sharp knife or a clerical blade. To prevent infection of the flower, the knife must be ignited over a fire before use.

Also, before proceeding with the removal of leaves, it is necessary to remember that despite the fact that all types of Kalanchoe tolerate pruning perfectly, there are some nuances to this process. Some varieties, for example, Blossfeld, this type of Kalanchoe can be recognized by the beautiful flowers of a juicy red color, it is completely restored even after the most radical pruning. His bush can be cut almost to the ground, and he will soon grow a green mass again, even more dense than before.

But the varieties of Kalanchoe with white and yellow flowers, are hard to recover from excessive removal of their leaves, and may even die.

Therefore, when starting pruning, it is necessary to take into account this feature of the plant.

And so, we will consider all types of pruning of leaves in Kalanchoe in stages.

Primary pruning. These actions are aimed at preserving forces young plant and bookmark a beautiful shape in the future. First time kalanchoe bush pruned at a fairly early age, when the plant is fully rooted and has formed a small, but already branched green mass. Technically, pruning is carried out by pinching young shoots. You should also remove one upper leaf on each young branch. After the manipulations, the flower must be removed from the bright sun, for it to recover and accumulate strength for further development requires light partial shade for the next ten days.

Preventive pruning. As the houseplant grows and develops, preventive or formative pruning is carried out. It consists in the periodic removal of new leaves and part of the shoots. To give Kalanchoe a presentable appearance. When cutting leaves from a bush, you need to make sure that an infection does not get into the wound. It is best to crush the cuts immediately with crushed charcoal.

Preventive removal is carried out immediately after the appearance of young leaves on pinched or previously cut shoots. Thus, the flower will not waste its strength in vain.

It is impossible to cut leaves and shoots during flowering kalanchoe and in winter.

Pruning Kalanchoe after flowering. Even a formed Kalanchoe bush must be maintained in proper shape. It is necessary not only to periodically remove excess leaves, which branches and spoil the appearance of the plant, but also flower stalks.

Before you start pruning Kalanchoe after flowering, you need to inspect the plant and take action only when all the flowers on the bush have already faded.

First of all, remove all wilted inflorescences and cut off one or two leaves on the apical shoots.

Removing flower stalks not only has an aesthetic function, but also stimulates the plant to form new flowers.

Pruning Kalanchoe is carried out in the morning. After, the flowers are removed from the sun and provide them with light partial shade for ten to fifteen days.

For a full recovery, Kalanchoe will take about a month.

Correctly actions taken will be of great benefit. Kalanchoe flower will delight with a magnificent form and abundant and long flowering.

Almost all varieties of Kalanchoe are unpretentious in care and have medicinal properties, due to which this plant is grown by many flower growers. One of the conditions for good growth and development of a crop is its proper pruning. It is not difficult to perform this procedure on your own, but you need to know how to do it correctly and at what time to carry out the procedure. You also need to take into account that not all varieties of Kalanchoe are cut in the same way.

The essence of pruning and its types

Pruning is a necessary step in the care of Kalanchoe. The procedure is the removal of faded buds, wilted leaves and extra shoots that take away the strength of the flower for its development. Pruning is performed to give the plant a neat and well-groomed appearance, as well as to properly form a beautiful dense crown.

With the help of pruning, you can adjust the growth and development of the plant in the right direction. When unnecessary consumers of moisture and nutrients are removed, the flower gets the opportunity to nourish and develop the root system and the aerial part. After a properly performed procedure, the plant becomes stronger and more beautiful.

Depending on the reason for pruning and the time of its implementation, the following types of procedure are distinguished:

primary;
preventive;
after the end of flowering.

To cut the plant correctly, you need to use a sharp knife, cutting off the leaves at the base of the shoot. Do not cut off unnecessary parts with your hands, as this can cause the culture to wither.

How to cut Kalanchoe depending on the variety?

Now about 200 varieties of Kalanchoe are known, but only a few of them are grown at home. The rules and timing of the haircut for different varieties differ:

Variety name	Cropping Features	A photo
Kalanchoe Kalandiva	This variety of Kalanchoe is very fast growing. In just a year, a bush can grow by 30 cm. Therefore, when growing this succulent, you cannot do without a timely haircut. Young plants need to be pinched as soon as their active growth begins. To do this, remove a pair of top leaves on each branch. Then, during the growing season, branches are cut as necessary to form a beautiful crown. During the flowering period, pruning is not carried out. After the plant has faded, the flower stalks are cut off at the base. Pruning Kalanchoe Kalandiva Mini is done in the same way
Kalanchoe Degremont	This type of succulent is valued for its decorative leaves and medicinal properties. To prevent the plant from stretching, it is necessary to pinch the growth point in time by removing the top of the main and side shoots. This species blooms very rarely and during flowering the bush is weakened. Therefore, it is recommended to remove all flower stalks as soon as they appear, so as not to provoke decay.
Kalanchoe Blossfeld	This variety of Kalanchoe is grown at home most often. The plant tolerates the shearing procedure very easily, so it can be carried out at any time and in an unlimited amount. Even if you cut off all the shoots of this flower completely, soon new young shoots will appear from the remaining hemp.

Initial and prophylactic procedure

Initial pruning should be done immediately after purchasing the plant. This procedure sets the direction of subsequent growth and allows you to form the crown correctly. To do this, immediately cut off the top so that the plant does not stretch up, but grows to the sides. If time is lost, and an ugly frail top has formed on the bush, it is simply cut off. The cut off part can be used as a cutting and planted in a pot with fertile soil to get a new plant.

Kalanchoe bush after pruning

To form a dense bush on each new shoot, the top two leaves are removed. This causes Kalanchoe to branch. After a while, two new shoots appear at the cut point. They are allowed to grow to the third pair of leaves and are cut at that level. Then again they wait for the appearance of two shoots and cut them off after the appearance of the third pair of leaves.

Formation of the Kalanchoe crown

This is done until the desired Kalanchoe crown is formed. Subsequently, preventive pruning is regularly carried out for the plant, removing all unnecessary shoots. The last time pruning is carried out in November or in winter, if the bush is in a lit place.

In winter, Kalanchoe cannot be cut, since during this period the plant is at rest.

With the onset of spring, you can continue the sanitary cleaning of the plant, but only if flowering has not occurred. In this case, there is no need to wait until new leaves and shoots grow, they can be cut off immediately after they have appeared. After pruning, you can not put a flower on a lighted windowsill. The abundance of sunlight provokes growth, and Kalanchoe can stretch out a lot. It will be correct to leave the plants in partial shade.

Kalanchoe is a plant that can be seen in many apartments. And there is an explanation for this: almost all of its varieties are unpretentious and are able to have a therapeutic effect on the body. However, even the most picky flower needs proper care. This is watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, pruning. Pruning is a simple process, but in order not to harm the flower, you need to know how to cut Kalanchoe, namely the sequence of the procedure and the best time for this.

What is Kalanchoe pruning at home and why is it needed?

Pruning Kalanchoe is the removal of excess leaves or flower stalks. It is necessary to give the flower a neat rounded shape. Growing in the form of a small bush, the plant looks more original than a long thin stem stretched upwards with chaotic branches.

In addition to the decorative purpose, pruning Kalanchoe at home is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for the life of the plant. The accumulated juice inside the flower is distributed evenly over the shoots, filling the leaves. The plant becomes succulent and more resistant to drying and wilting.

Pruning Kalanchoe is of three types:

initial;
preventive;
after flowering.

To cut a flower, it is better to use a sharp table knife or a stationery blade. Picking the leaves off by hand can damage the plant and cause it to wilt.

How to prune Kalanchoe depending on the type of flower

Depending on the variety of Kalanchoe, pruning rules also differ. To date, more than 200 varieties of the plant are known, however, few can grow at home. The most common is the Blossfeld variety, which blooms with bright red flowers. Pruning of its excess leaves can be done in unlimited quantities. Even if you cut off all adventitious branches and leaves, leaving only a "stump", this flower will again be covered with thick leaves after a while.

The situation is more complicated with varieties of Kalanchoe, blooming white and yellow flowers. Such varieties of it are quite rare and whimsical. Excessive removal of leaves can lead to detrimental consequences for the plant. Before pinching Kalanchoe rare species, it is necessary to accurately determine its grade.

As a rule, competent pruning of Kalanchoe occurs painlessly for a flower. However, in the case of a wound on the stem in the form of rotting, it is necessary to sprinkle this place with a small amount of wood ash.

Initial and preventive pruning

A young plant must be pinched almost immediately, as soon as it has taken root and began to grow. On each of the shoots of Kalanchoe, it is necessary to cut off one or two upper leaves. This is the original pruning of the flower. Further, as necessary, preventive pruning will already take place: new shoots will appear at the place of splitting off, on which leaves will form. This procedure must be repeated until the plant takes a neat rounded or bushy shape.

If you have any questions, you can watch a video on how to cut Kalanchoe at any stage of its growth.

In winter, in particular, after November, it is advisable to stop pruning. It will be possible to resume the procedure in late spring, however, at this time the flower may bloom, and then pruning will already be contraindicated.

Preventive pruning can be carried out immediately when new leaves form on the shoots. You don't have to wait until they grow up.

During the initial formation of a flower, you should not keep it in a heavily lit room. In bright light, the plant quickly sprouts, as a result of which its overgrowth occurs.

Pruning Kalanchoe after flowering

After flowering, Kalanchoe pruning is done not only to remove excess leaves, but also to free the flower from peduncles. The leaves are removed, as with normal pruning: one or two extreme on the stems.

Before pruning Kalanchoe after flowering, you need to make sure that all of its flowers have completely faded. Flower stalks must be removed at the very base so that the plant does not begin to rot. They must be removed every single one after each flowering of the plant.

This procedure stimulates new growth of stems ready to bloom. Upon completion of pruning Kalanchoe after flowering, the plant needs a dormant period. This is the time to cut back on watering and ensure there is no direct sunlight. The time for which the flower will come to its senses again is about 20 - 40 days.