How to Make a Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Entretien Bloom

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), sometimes called flaming Katy, is an evergreen succulent that has a variety of different bloom colors. The name is sometimes followed by the French word "entretien" on the plant label. This is not part of the plant's name but means "care," indicating the care instructions follow. Kalanchoe has scalloped green leaves and grows up to 18 inches tall. The plant does best in bright sun with some shade in summer. Keep it well watered but not soggy, and plant the kalanchoe in its own container or plant it in an outdoor bed. Kalanchoe will grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. Paying attention to light requirements is one way to help the plant bloom again.

Shears or scissors
General-purpose fertilizer
Watering can

Instructions

- 1
  Keep indoor kalanchoes in natural lighting only, starting in October. Do not put them near indoor artificial light sources. Kalanchoes bloom in the winter, with the buds triggered by at least six weeks of short days with eight to 10 hours of light. For outdoor plants, the light hours will naturally shorten during the winter. Indoors, the plant must be moved where it only gets natural light until buds form.
- 2
  Cut off spent blooms after the first bloom period. Cut the flower stalks back to just above a set of leaves after the kalanchoe has finished blooming.
- 3
  Apply all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks, when new growth appears in spring, at one-half strength. Dilute 1/2 tablespoon of fertilizer in 1 gallon of water in a watering can and water the fertilizer into the soil. Once the plant blooms, stop fertilizing until the next growth cycle. Check the package instructions as rates vary by brand.
- 4
  Keep the daytime temperature at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with night temperatures 10 F lower for indoor plants.
- 5
  Water with room-temperature water when the top of the soil feels dry. During the period after blooming until new growth appears, the plant will use less water.

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