Quck answer
To cut back Kalanchoe, follow these steps:
1. Use clean and sharp pruning shears or scissors.
2. Identify the stems that need to be cut back. Look for any dead, damaged, or overgrown stems.
3. Cut the stems just above a leaf node, which is where a leaf is attached to the stem.
4. Make clean and angled cuts to promote new growth and prevent water from collecting on the cut surface.
5. Remove any fallen leaves or debris from the plant to maintain cleanliness.
6. Dispose of the pruned stems and leaves properly.
7. Monitor the plant for new growth and adjust watering and care accordingly.
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a succulent plant that produces flowers and can be grown year-round in certain regions. In areas with colder climates, kalanchoe can be grown in containers during the summer and brought indoors before the first frost.
Kalanchoes begin to form flower buds when the days become shorter and the nights become longer. As the days shorten in the fall, kalanchoes exposed to natural light will start to develop flowers in early October and bloom about three months later in January.
While kalanchoes are relatively easy to grow, they do require some pruning during the blooming period to remove dead flowers, a process called deadheading. They should also be pruned after they finish flowering to prepare them for the next blooming season.
Items You Will Need
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Disinfecting wipes
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Garden shears
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Planting pot
How to Prune Blooming Kalanchoe
1. Clean Your Garden Shears
Before you begin pruning your kalanchoes, wipe the blades of your garden shears with a disinfecting wipe. Each time you move to a new plant, use a fresh disinfecting wipe to clean the blades and prevent the spread of diseases from one plant to another.
2. Remove the Dead Flowers
Pinch off any flowers that have died and dried up, or use your shears to snip off the dried flower heads. While removing the flowers, trim the dried stems where they branch off from the main plant. Also, pinch off or snip away any dried leaves on the plant.
3. Shape the Plant
Inspect the plant and trim any leggy branches by about one-third of their length to maintain a compact shape.
How to Prune Kalanchoes After Blooming
1. Evaluate the Plant’s Shape
Identify branches that have grown too long or do not contribute to the rounded, compact appearance of a kalanchoe. Trim these branches back by about one-third or remove them entirely by cutting them down to the base.
2. Remove Dead and Unhealthy Stems
Cut away any stems that appear dead or unhealthy.
3. Repot the Kalanchoe if Necessary
Determine if the plant needs to be repotted into a larger container. Signs that a repotting is necessary include:
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- The potting mix in the container consistently drying out quickly.
- The plant’s growth appears to have halted.
If any of these signs are present, move the kalanchoe to a planting pot that is one size larger than its current pot.
Tip
You can propagate kalanchoe by rooting the shoots that you prune. Simply remove the bottom leaves from the stem, allow it to dry for a few days, and then plant it in a container with rooting medium. Keep the pot covered with a plastic bag to retain moisture and place it in an area with bright, indirect light. The plant should develop roots within two to three weeks and be ready for transplanting.
