Image - Wikimedia / brewbooks
El Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea it is a beautiful crass plant, which you can plant in a pot and place it, for example, in the window, since it does not take up much space. Furthermore, it multiplies very quickly and easily by stem cuttings; so you always have the option of getting new specimens of your succulent.
But of course, you may wonder what care you need, right? It is not a complicated plant, but it is important to know how to take care of it, since this way the risk of getting sick is greatly reduced.
Does it have to be outside or can it be inside?
To answer this question, let me tell you something that is very, very important: his resistance to cold is relatively low. It can withstand frosts of up to -4ºC, but only if they occur occasionally. That is why 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 10ºC.
Another option is to always keep it indoors. As it is a small plant, this is possible. However, In case you choose to have it indoors, it is crucial that it be placed in a room that gets a lot of light from outside., since otherwise it will not grow in a healthy way. And of course, in case you keep it outside, it must be at least in semi-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 compacted too much. For this reason, it is necessary that it be planted in a sandy, light soil that filters water quickly so that its root system is not wet for a long time.
For example, In case you have it in a pot, you could put substrate for succulents; but if you want to plant it in the ground, it is advisable that you make a hole and fill it with water to see if it is absorbed quickly or not, since if it takes a long time you will have to fill it with the substrate that I mentioned before, or else with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts.
When should it be watered?
The watering of this kalanchoe will be rather low. During the summer it will be necessary to water a little more often, since 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 area, in the south of the island of Mallorca).
Therefore, It is highly recommended that you 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 preferable to insert a thin wooden or plastic stick. If after removing it you see that it comes out with a lot of soil attached to it, it means that it is still wet and, therefore, you will not have to water yet.
How is it watered?
To water it the right way, I advise you to follow this step by step:
- Fill the watering can with water.
- Pour the water on the earth.
- Continue pouring until well soaked (or until it runs out of the holes in the pot).
- If it is in a pot and you have put a plate under it, you must drain it after watering.
Likewise, you should know that the most appropriate time to hydrate the plant is in the afternoon, when it is no longer exposed to direct sunlight. And it is that if you water it and at that moment the sun shines on it, a large part of that water will be lost through evaporation. For this reason, you should always avoid watering the plants during the central hours of the day.
When do you have to pay Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea?
You can pay it while the good weather lasts; that is, as long as temperatures remain above 18ºC and below 35ºC (it doesn't like extreme heat too much). For it, what better than using liquid fertilizers, which usually have a fairly rapid effectiveness since the nutrients are absorbed by the roots almost instantly.
Of course: not any fertilizer or compost will serve you. To begin with, I recommend those that are ecological, especially if you have the plant outside since they respect the environment; but also, they must be appropriate for succulents (cacti and succulents). Also, keep in mind that you have to follow the instructions that you will find on the packaging to achieve the expected results.
How does it multiply?
Image - Wikimedia / brewbooks
As I mentioned at the beginning, it is very easy to get new copies. You simply have to wait for spring to arrive 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 want, you can do it before introducing it into the soil. Then, water and put it in a place with a lot of light but not direct.
How long does it take to root? Not much: in a week at the most it will start to take root. But you will have to keep it in that pot for a while, until you see its roots come out of the holes in the container.
Do you dare to cultivate the Kalanchoe longiflora var coccinea?