Kalanchoe Scapigera

Kalanchoe Scapigera is called the Flower of Life for a reason. This is the most useful houseplant with many medicinal properties. The leaves and sap of this flower have been used since ancient times in folk medicine in countries of natural growth.

In the countries of the former USSR, various parts of Kalanchoe Scapigera are also used to treat burns, skin diseases, and prepare ointments and decoctions. In addition to its medicinal properties, the flower is very beautiful as an ornamental plant that can decorate any living room, work or public space. 

Botanical description

Kalanchoe Scapigera is a perennial herb with a short, branching root, dense straight or branched stem, jagged leaves and small flowers. It is a succulent. Among the representatives of the genus, epiphytes and lianas are found.

Depending on the species, the specimens differ in the structure of the bush, the shape and color of the leaves. It is a medicinal plant. The main breeding method is vegetative.

What family does it belong to

The plant is a member of the Fat family. The genus has several dozen species, of which no more than five are used for decorative purposes. Distant relatives of the flower are the Money Tree, Molodilo and Sedum.

Plant structure

Externally, the plants differ significantly depending on the variety. However, there are several things in common.

Roots

The flower has a fibrous root system. The rhizome is branched, but short. Basically, the roots are located in the upper soil layer. This means that it is not necessary to select too deep a container for the plant.

Leaves

The leaves of the plant are curly with a serrated edge, arranged alternately. They grow on petioles. The leaf plates are dense, saturated green. Although there are specimens with dark, almost purple leaves. The shape of the leaves varies considerably depending on the Kalanchoe Scapigera species. They can be simple, oval, narrow, heart-shaped, lobed, etc.

Flowers

Flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences. One inflorescence contains about 10 flowers. The flowers themselves are small in size, located on the peduncle. They consist of 4 petals, which can grow together in a tube or remain separate. The color varies. There are red, yellow, pink, orange and white shades.

Fruit 

The plant bears fruit. The Kalanchoe Scapigera fruit is a multi-seeded leaflet. Despite this fact, the plant practically does not reproduce by seeds.

Homeland of Kalanchoe Scapigera

Despite the Chinese origin of the name, the Kalanchoe Scapigera homeland is the tropics of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Two of the most famous Kalanchoe Scapigera species (Blossfeld and Degremon) were introduced to Europe from Madagascar in the 1920s.

Signs and superstitions associated with Kalanchoe Scapigera

In addition to scientifically proven healing properties, the flower has some magical effects:

• Kalanchoe Scapigera purifies the energy of the room and the human biofield. 
• A flowering plant improves the atmosphere in the home and the relationship between family members. 
• Disease and wilting of a flower is a sign of imminent misfortunes in the house. 
• Kalanchoe Scapigera is considered a plant with extremely positive energy. 
• A pot with a flower is recommended to be placed on the desktop during rush jobs and complex orders that require utmost concentration. 
• If you put a flower in the far left corner away from prying eyes, then it will attract wealth to the house.

Plant care

Kalanchoe Scapigera is a hardy plant that is completely unpretentious to growing conditions. The flower is a succulent, which means the ability to store moisture. Thanks to this feature, the plant is undemanding to the frequency and abundance of watering. However, if you want the plant to look healthy and bloom luxuriantly, it needs to be watered every 5 days in summer and every 2 weeks in winter.

IMPORTANT! A flower lives better without water than with an excess of it. Overflows are fraught with root rot and the development of fungal diseases.

Kalanchoe Scapigera comes from the hot tropics, so it loves high temperatures (up to 28 degrees). The plant loves the sun, but for flowering it needs a short daylight hours (no more than 8 hours). Otherwise, Kalanchoe Scapigera will simply accumulate green mass and will not bloom. The flower calmly tolerates the dry air of city apartments, but in summer it can be sprayed or wiped with a damp cloth.

The flower should be pruned regularly. First, it is needed for decorative purposes. Secondly, the plant has a short rhizome, which simply cannot withstand the overgrown aerial part. As a result, the flower will simply fall off. In winter, the plant must be allowed to rest. At this time, the flower accumulates strength for flowering next year.

Growth

For growing Kalanchoe Scapigera indoors, a clay flower pot is preferred. This capacity will provide comfort to the sensitive roots of the plant. The container should be sized to match the root system of the instance. 

Kalanchoe Scapigera is suitable for ready-made soil mixture "For cactuses and succulents" or peat soil with perlite 2: 1. At the bottom of the pot, a drainage layer of at least 1.5–2 cm is poured. The acidity of the soil is neutral, pH 6.0–7.0.

It is better to place Kalanchoe Scapigera on a south-east or south-west orientation window, but not in direct sunlight.

Watering is moderate, when the topsoil dries up. Water is taken at room temperature, softened, without excess lime and chlorine in the composition. Direct spraying of leaves and stems is not necessary. In extreme heat or with intensive operation of heating devices, it is advisable to humidify the air near the plant from a spray bottle. 

The temperature of the content is + 18‒25 ° C. During the dormant period, from October to February, Kalanchoe Scapigera is kept at a temperature of + 16‒18 ° C. At the same time, watering and lighting are minimized, the percentage of air humidity is reduced, fertilizers are not applied. The plant is fed during active growth and flowering, once every two weeks. Complex feedings for succulents are suitable.

Diseases and pests

Due to violation of the rules of maintenance and care, Kalanchoe Scapigera suffer from powdery mildew, gray and root rot, late blight, "black leg". For the treatment and prevention of diseases, plants require treatment with fungicides: Maxim, Abiga-Peak , Alirin-B , Fitosporin-M.

If Kalanchoe Scapigera bred scale insects, thrips, mealybugs, help drug that is dedicated to the material: "Insecticides assistance in pest control".

Reproduction

Kalanchoe Scapigera reproduce by brood buds, or daughter plants, by cuttings, leaf blades and by seed. Reproduction by daughter plants in "viviparous" species.

Brood buds with aerial roots are separated from the mother leaf and planted in a fertile substrate with a slight deepening. For young Kalanchoe Scapigera, a mixture of humus, peat and leafy soil in equal proportions, with a small amount of sand, is optimal. 

You can raise the "kids" of Kalanchoe Scapigera yourself. To do this, the plucked leaves are laid with the convex side down and sprinkled with a layer of nutrient substrate 2 - 2.5 cm thick. When growing brood buds, the temperature is maintained at least + 20 ° C. The leaves are watered moderately daily and are periodically sprayed when the air is dry. One Kalanchoe Scapigera leaf germinated in this way is capable of producing up to seven daughter plants.

Brood buds take root easily, do not require special care, except for regular watering. They are grown and transplanted into new containers in the coming spring.

Cuttings

In May-June, leaf or stem cuttings of Kalanchoe Scapigera are taken. The tops of a mature plant, separated during the pinching, are also suitable for cuttings.

The lower part of the shoot is slightly trimmed, leaving only the upper leaves. Then the cuttings are rooted in a 1: 1 peat and sand substrate at a temperature of + 20‒25 ° C. You can germinate shoots in water, and when roots appear, plant them in a soil mixture for succulents. 

Reproduction by leaf blades 

It is preferable to propagate Kalanchoe Scapigera with leaves in June. To obtain young specimens, cut and fallen leaves are used. In order for a leaf to take root, it is enough to plant it in wet sand and protect it with a transparent coating from moisture evaporation.

After the appearance of the first roots, the leaves are planted in soil mixture for young Kalanchoe Scapigera.

Growing from seeds

Kalanchoe Scapigera is sown in February or March, in a sand-peat mixture 1: 1. Sowing shallow, without embedding in the soil. The sown seeds are watered abundantly, covered with glass and placed in a bright place with an air temperature of + 20‒25 ° C. Seedlings appear in ten to fourteen days. If necessary, Kalanchoe Scapigera seedlings dive. Plants obtained from seeds bloom in eight to ten months, depending on the variety and variety.

Conclusion

Kalanchoe Scapigera is an interesting plant to grow. It is suitable only for real flower growers. The flower must be monitored so that it retains its decorative effect. Otherwise, you will grow a branchy shrub with long, curved stems. But, if you are attentive to flowers, then growing Kalanchoe Scapigera will not cause you any difficulties. The plant is very unpretentious to care for, and with proper skill it can fit into any floral collection.