Caring for a Kalanchoe

16 years ago

I received a kalanchoe in August. It was doing really well at first - lots of beautiful blooms, nice thick leaves, etc. After it quit blooming, I cut the blooms off (it looks like it might bloom again). But, the leaves are now turning yellow and I can't figure out why. Am I overwatering or underwatering? Too much sun or not enough (it's sitting in a north window)? Some of the small leaves are drying up (toward the bottom), but some of the big leaves toward the top are turning yellow but don't look dry at all. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I like to keep plants looking like they're ready to receive company too, but once the bloom has dried up, there is no physiological reason to remove it other than to make the plant look tidy, which is usually considered a pretty good reason by most. If by chance you wish the energy the plant devotes to its reproductive parts to be channeled into the plant's development, snip the bloom stalk off as soon as you recognize it for what it is. Energy sinks (parts of the plant to which energy is devoted) have a 'pecking order' -
first priority is blooms, then fruits/seeds, leaves, stems, and roots, in that order. The plant's growth and general development will be secondary during the reproductive phase of the growth cycle. Bonsai growers are always thinking about how to manage energy flow in their plants, so very often they do not allow themselves to enjoy the blooming plant or its fruits until much of the plant's fine development is complete. The average grower who has no interest in bonsai might want to remove blooms as soon as they are recognized as such if (s)he recognizes the plant producing the blooms is weak/stressed or in decline for any reason. Making blooms and building fruit is hard work and takes a LOT of energy, especially for containerized plants, so at some point you might recognize a circumstance where removing or limiting the number of blooms that occur on a compromised plant could potentially be what allows it to bloom another day.

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Comments (9)

lucy
16 years ago
Without knowing how often you do water, but that kalanchoe is a succulent, chances are the problem is overwatering.
mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
I would say not enough light, which is kind of the same thing as saying overwatering. Either water a lot less, or give it a lot more light. Ideally both: unless you have an exceptionally large north window, live in an exceptionally sunny climate, and have an exceptionally reflective white building to your north, the plant's going to start trying to stretch to get more light, and if it's not getting as much light as it wants, it's probably not using as much water as you're giving it, either.

It needs filtered / dappled sun at the absolute minimum, and is really best suited for full sun in a south window. Water when, and *only when*, the soil is dry halfway down the depth of the pot. Too much more than that and you're just asking for the roots to rot.
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country459
Original Author
16 years ago
Right now, I water about every 8 days or so. Maybe I'll try moving it and watering it less ...
greenlarry
16 years ago
I take it you have Flaming Katie,Kalanchoe blossfeldiana? This is normally a winter flowerer and appreciates a rest after flowering.(tho many are forced to flower at other times of the year) When mine has finished flowering I cut it back hard and reduce watering.(unlike many succulents I find these need quite a lot of water during the growing period) The leaves go yellow and it partially shuts down. Then next season i repot and increase water and light.
jedrollinger
5 years ago
I have a question also, do you cut off all the old dried up blooms?
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years ago
I usually do...
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
5 years ago
Me too. I've looked so many times & never found any seeds, even when they've bloomed while outside.
Kenneth Fitzgerald
5 years ago
The plant has beautiful pink flowers. Love it' Carol.