Kalanchoe Degremona: description and care tips

Kalanchoe Degremona is considered one of the most useful medicinal plants, which has healing properties for humans. Almost every gardener knows about its medicinal characteristics, which are not inherent in similar succulent plants. This plant has large oblong leaves, which are almost impossible to confuse with anything else. In this article, we will learn in more detail about this plant and its properties, we will get acquainted with the processes of transplantation, reproduction and care.

Kalanchoe Degremona belongs to the succulent plants from the jungle family, which are actively growing all over the world. It is believed that this plant has been cultivated in Europe since the 20th century.

The Kalanchoe has a straight stem that does not branch. The maximum plant reaches a height of 1 meter, the leaves give off a green sheen, fleshy, and the edges are slightly curved inward. Buds are regularly formed on the teeth of the leaves, which, when they fall, immediately take root due to the presence of small roots on them.

The root system of the Kalanchoe is well developed, branched. When the plant is in bloom, pink or reddish flowers can be observed on it. Flowering, as a rule, lasts no more than 14 days and is not considered favorable for the Kalanchoe. It is believed that a plant begins to bloom when it is poorly looked after. This is due to the fact that in most cases, after flowering, the plant completely dies.

Kalanchoe Degremona is a succulent that is valued for its healing properties not only in folk medicine, but also in official medicine. On the basis of this plant, many drugs are created with a wide spectrum of action. Kalanchoe is believed to have certain anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. According to some reports, the plant helps in the regeneration of wounds of various origins. With the help of Kalanchoe juice and tincture on it, you can cure respiratory infections at home, as well as various dermatitis on the skin, burns and wounds.

Kalanchoe Degremona is considered not too demanding in care when developing at home. This plant is suitable for growing even for novice gardeners.

Kalanchoe is considered a light-loving succulent, and therefore penumbra indoor areas are quite suitable for its normal development. Ideal daylight hours for a plant should be approximately 12 hours. But in the summer, it is undesirable to take the plant out under the scorching sun, it is too dangerous for the leaves. Experts recommend placing Kalanchoe on the windowsills of the western or eastern side of the home.

The most comfortable and optimal temperature for growing is considered to be a temperature of +20 degrees.

Since Kalanchoe is a succulent plant, it is not necessary to spray it regularly, it tolerates dry air quite well. Excessive moisture and excessive watering can only harm, because Kalanchoe retains so much moisture in its large leaves.

Mostly, Kalanchoe loves dry and not waterlogged soil, so there is no need to water it constantly. Over-watering can lead to rotting of the root system and stems.

Kalanchoe Degremona over time stretches the stem very strongly, which is why it is often necessary to pinch it so that it does not stretch so much, and the plant does not become shapeless.

The cut off top is very often used as a cutting from which a new plant grows beautifully.

An adult Kalanchoe should be transplanted once every 2-3 years. This is due to the fact that the root system of this plant abundantly grows and the capacity in which it grows becomes small. As a result of untimely transplantation, the plant may die.

For transplanting, it is best to use succulent soil, which can be purchased at any gardening store. You can also prepare the soil yourself, usually sod land, humus and sand are used for this. At the bottom of the container for planting, holes are necessarily made and drainage is laid.

It is not recommended to use fertilizers from the garden during the first transplant, since pests can be introduced to the plant. That is why it is better to buy ready-made soil in the store.

Speaking about dressing, it should be noted that it is better to feed Kalanchoe in the middle of spring. Sometimes, according to the state of the Kalanchoe, feeding is carried out in the autumn season to prepare the plant for wintering.

Propagate Kalanchoe can be done in several ways:

• seeds (self-collected or store-bought);
• kidneys;
• vegetatively (that is, cuttings).

The easiest way is to reproduce by the kidneys. They fall off the plant themselves and take root themselves. To do this, it is best to transplant them into a separate pot with pre-prepared soil, in which peat and sand must be mixed. It is best to cover a small pot immediately after transplanting with glass or foil for faster rooting of the plant.

When propagating by cuttings, experts take parts of the stems from the top of about 5 cm each. Cuttings are deepened into the ground and sprayed with a spray bottle. If all is well, then the first roots will be visible in a couple of weeks.

When propagating by cuttings from leaves, you need to cut off the leaf from the mother plant and place it in a previously prepared moist soil. From above, it is advisable to cover the sheet with a glass jar or at least a glass.

As with any plant, pests can attack the Kalanchoe, or it can simply get sick. Most often the Kalanchoe is attacked by:

• aphid;
• shield;
• spider mite;
• root worm.

As a rule, Kalanchoe is not susceptible to diseases and insect attack, this happens extremely rarely. Most often, pests settle on Kalanchoe from neighboring plants and with improper care.

If the leaves are very curled, then this is definitely a sign of aphid parasitism. Also, a sign of an attack by this insect can be a sticky coating on the leaves. The insects themselves are easy to spot, although if there are few of them, then this can be difficult. The aphid is very small, has a greenish unremarkable color.

The scale insect is considered no less dangerous than the aphid. She feeds on the sap of the plant, as a result of which it slowly dies.The scale insects have a very strong shell, because of which many insecticides do not act on them, or they do, but most of the population survives. To cure Kalanchoe already from the first attack, it is recommended to remove the scale insects manually and only then spray the plant with an insecticide.

You can notice the spider mite by the characteristic yellow marks on the leaves and light cobwebs. It is not difficult to fight a spider mite, it can be done even with the help of folk remedies, for example, using a decoction of wood ash.

When a root worm appears, the Kalanchoe begins to slowly fade and dry.

If the Kalanchoe is not severely affected, then most likely only one insect repellent treatment is needed. It is not recommended to abuse insecticides, since they poison not only insects and plants, but can also negatively affect human health. Therefore, when processing Kalanchoe, personal safety measures should not be neglected. It is very important to wear gloves and a face shield.

In addition to insects and some pests, gray rot, which is formed due to the influence of the fungus, can also affect the plant. As you know, the fungus multiplies in an excessively humid environment, and therefore uncontrolled watering of the Kalanchoe and stagnant air in the room can lead to such a lesion. If gray rot overly affects the plant, then it may even have to be transplanted, treating and removing some of the affected areas. Otherwise, the Kalanchoe will simply die.

If the leaves of the Kalanchoe began to actively fall off, but outwardly it looks healthy, then this may mean that it does not have enough vitamins and minerals.

Yellow and falling leaves are a sign that the plant lacks lighting. Visible dark spots on the leaves may be due to exposure of the plant to low temperatures. In this case, it is best to move the pot with the plant to a warmer and lighter place.

For information on how to care for Kalanchoe Degremon, see the video below.