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Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi: Everything you Need to Know

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Facts, features, growth and maintenance tips, toxicity, uses of lavender scallops

A plant originally from Madagascar, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi (commonly known as lavender scallops) is commonly seen in home and garden settings. Native to Madagascar, this little succulent shrub will eventually get quite tall and spread its branches out as it grows. 

When the plant is under great stress, the scalloped-shaped leaves develop pink edges. Even though it only produces one flower, this succulent takes several years to blossom after it is first planted. Keep an eye out for red blooms during spring.

Source: Pinterest

Know about: ornamental 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Key facts 

Common Name Lavender scallops
Botanical Name Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
Family  Crassulaceae      
Native To Madagascar
Soil  Slightly acidic soil
Height  Upto 2 feet
Water  Occasional

 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Features

 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: How to propagate?

When it comes to multiplying your lavender scallops, you will have the best luck with seeds, cuttings, division, and even the little shoots that emerge around the edges of the pot. If you plant this type in the ground outside, the stems will die back and produce new plants in the fall. 

All of these are workable, but dividing is the most fruitful strategy. To initiate this way of spreading: 

 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Maintenance

Watering and fertilising

Every Kalanchoe variety is a succulent, meaning its leaves are genetically adapted to store water and make the plant drought-resistant. In such a context, your lavender scallop won’t need frequent watering sessions, even through the summer and spring, when the temperatures are considerably higher. 

So, if you don’t want to hurt the health of your plant by soaking it in water for too long, one or two sessions per week during the warmer months would be enough for this plant.

Make sure the first few inches of soil are completely dry before watering again. Feeding helps the plant develop and keep its vibrant foliage. Give your houseplant-soluble fertiliser twice a week during the summer.

Like most succulents in winter, you should also stop feeding them since growth hormones are barely reactive at freezing temperatures. Wait until the plant’s leaves begin to shrink before watering.

Soil and transplanting

Drainage requirements should be considered before settling on a potting mix for your young lavender scallop. When budding, plants need porous soil to prevent root rot. Mould formation in the soil is common because too much water slows plant growth. 

Simply put, you need permeable soil that drains quickly, like sand and perlite. Your Kalanchoe plant will eventually require repotting into a larger medium. If the conditions are right, it will sprout wildly and need to be transplanted every year. 

It has a huge potential to overrun the first container; thus, it’s important to replace the soil with one with more macronutrients. Since roots and leaves are fragile, be careful while doing this. You don’t want to harm this variety’s foliage appearance.

Light, humidity, and temperature

This Kalanchoe type is typically treated more like a houseplant than an outdoor landscaping item, so its ideal conditions—including the amount of light, temperature, and humidity—might differ depending on where you intend to set the container. The typical conditions for this are to store it somewhere that stays between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius during the day. 

This plant is hardy to 4–7 degrees Celsius at night, but you must ensure the soil is arid when the temperature drops dramatically. This plant does best in direct sunlight, whether you’re growing it indoors or outside.

Put the pots somewhere bright where the plants can get full sunlight, especially in the mornings throughout the summer. Always keep the relative humidity low and look for a window that faces south or west for the best results. 

Grooming 

In some cases, after leaves fall off, new shoots emerge to form miniature plants. Even though this is a very rare trait among plants, some people may only want one plant per container and may therefore choose to clip off any new growth as soon as it appears.

Source: Pinterest

 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Toxicity 

Like many other houseplants, the Kalanchoe family is very hazardous, yet some sources seem to dispute this. But since you wouldn’t want to take any chances, it’s incredibly important to keep the plant far from youngsters and pets.

 

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi: Uses 

General uses

Medicinal uses

 

FAQs

Can we use Kalanchoe as a facial cleanser?

Yes. The use of this plant can help soothe irritated skin.

Do Kalanchoe plants ever trigger allergic reactions?

For allergic people, kalanchoes are a great low-allergen option.

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