Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
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Flaming Käthchen ( Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ) |
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Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ( Syn .: Kalanchoe globulifera var. Coccinea H.Perrier) is aplant speciesfrom Madagascar in the genus Kalanchoe , which belongs to the family of thick-leaf plants (Crassulaceae). The specific epithet honors the German plant breeder and trader Robert Blossfeld (1882–1945).
description
They are perennial succulent plants that rarely exceed heights of 30 cm. The simple leaves are dark green and slightly fleshy. Because of these thickened leaves, the plants evaporate relatively little water.
The plant owes the name Flammendes Käthchen (also written Flammendes Kätchen) to the exclusively red flowers of the first varieties, of which up to 500 are on one plant. Today, blooming varieties are available in different colors; the color palette ranges from red, yellow, orange and white to pink and purple tones. Filled varieties are now also on the market.
Cultivation
The many varieties are part of the standard range of central European ornamental plants . The reproduction can be carried out vegetatively via cuttings, through tissue culture (" in vitro ") or generatively with seeds. 1 gram of seeds contains 70,000 to 80,000 grains.
A short day phase is required for flower formation ( flower induction ) . Flowering is only induced when the day length falls below 11 to 12.5 hours for a period of one month (depending on the variety). 8 to 9 hours are ideal. To achieve this in a natural way, the plant is cultivated in the winter months. An artificial creation of the short day by darkening with foil or other materials is possible all year round.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is relatively easy to care for and has a long shelf life. The plant blooms again the following year. The standard size of the pots is 9 to 13 cm, mini sizes have 7 cm pots.
literature
- K. Rücker: The plants in the house. Ulm 1998
- R. Röber (Ed.): Pot plant cultures. Ulm 1994
