Flaming Katy or Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is standing out among all the colorful succulents thanks to its flame shaded flowers. This specific kind of succulent plant can bloom at any time of the year! Isn’t it great?
The vivid green plant and the flowers in many color variations can live up any situation. It cheers up your homes and offices with a positivity and a unique touch. Learn much more about Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana succulents and how to take care of it at interiors.
Let’s start with some definitions if you are ready…
Identification of the Species:
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
You can notice this bushy and evergreen houseplant is quite popular everywhere. You see them in big batches all around the flower shops with bright, fresh leaves and plenty of unopened buds.
The body of the plant has a smooth stem and large, thick leaves. Leaves are scalloped at the edges. Above the foliage number of flowers are hanged most of the time.
It is surprising that Flaming Katy is one of several succulents that are grown for its flowers. This type is able to rebloom within a few months. Green leaves change color at the margins when it faces up with plenty of sun. These glossy leaves are actually very brittle, they can fall off if you do not handle carefully.
Origin
This type of succulent is native to Madagascar. That means it does not tolerate wet soil, cold weather or lack of sunlight. That is why we see them mostly as houseplants, protected from breeze and cold in interior spaces.
Resulting from the habitat of Flaming Katy, it can store water inside its large and thick leaves in order to survive heat and dry just like other succulent plants.
Etymology
Flaming Katy is binomially named as Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana from the section of Kalanchoe genus. These species are also known for the common names of Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow’s Thrill.
The name of the genus Kalanchoe is believed to be originated from Chinese. And Blossfeldiana is given to this species because of botanist Robert Blossfeld, who introduced this plant firstly.
Level of Care
Taking care of Flaming Katy is really easy, like many succulent species. They usually suffer from too much watering. Actually, they would like a little bit neglection.
The easiness of maintaining and low level of effort to keep the plant healthy and beautiful is what makes Flaming Katy so popular, if you ask me.
Although it is so simple to keep the plant alive and vivid with flowers, reblossoming this succulent can be a little tricky. Reblooming is requiring a few more steps and there is a probability of a fail. But when it succeeded, seeing the result will worth it.
Size and Growth
Growing Flaming Katy from the seeds is difficult and it takes too much time. Fortunately, like all kinds of succulents, they propagate from the leaves very easy quick. The new plant grows out roots with a big chance and it will be ready to bloom some time after.
Sometimes I find it easier to propagate the adult Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana rather than encouraging it to rebloom.
How to Care Flaming Katy?
Flaming Katy is able to keep surviving tough conditions because of its nature as a succulent. But the common desire with this kind is to live up the pretty clusters of flowers as long as possible.
To maintain the bright green leaves fresh and to last the colorful flowers long, here is what you have to be careful when caring a Flaming Katy.
Temperature
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is generally living indoors as a houseplant because it is one of the least tolerant succulents to cold. The plant is in the best condition at average room temperature and humidity. It requires a narrow temperature range approximately between 18 – 21 degrees Celcius.
It is of course, possible to grow them outside at gardens and balconies. However, remind yourselves that they are very sensitive to cold weather and sudden temperature drops. You might consider of moving the outdoor Flaming Katy succulents to indoors before the winter.
Sunlight
Kalanchoes like the bright light and full sun. Place these plants on window sills where they can get the most sunlight during the day. Usually, a southern window is facing the direct light at all hours of a day. If not possible, the east and west facade also provide adequate light.
It is important to be sure that the Flaming Katy is having enough sunshine every day for long hours. Sun is what makes the leaves and flowers acquire a certain color.
Watering
You do not have to keep watering your Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana very often to maintain it healthy and blossoming. There is a thin line between enough water and overwatering when we talk about succulents.
Apply the same practice of watering indoor succulents to your Flaming Katy. Water the soil a good amount once and let the plant store water to use after for a long time. Allow the soil dries between two irrigations.
You can keep the soil slightly moistured during flowering. After the flowering period, you should water less frequent because the succulent is in rest.
Soil
Always plant Flaming Katy using a special type of soil mix prepared for succulents and cacti. These succulent soils are blended with some kind of a grain such as sand or perlite, to ensure a good drainage for the roots.
Wet soil is the most disturbing thing that your plant could experience. Regular potting soils are never recommended since they hold water inside the fibrous mixture.
It is possible to buy the special succulent soil mix online. But anyways mixing a potting soil with a grainous matter at home is cheaper than that and not difficult at all.
Drainage
Drainage is the key point to keep the roots of Flaming Katy away from moisture. A few drainage holes on the bottom side of the pot will work together with a good draining soil.
These two are more important than anyone thinks. The help of a well draining pot is a lifesaver if you ever overwater your plant.
Do Flaming Katy Need Fertilization?
Many people use fertilizers regularly with common blossoming houseplants. But succulents do not need fertilizers frequently. For most of them, it may help to apply a succulent or cacti fertilizer once a year at spring.
Flaming Katy can give flowers from late spring to early fall, at the active growing season. It is proposed to fertilize Flaming Katy by this period, once in a month.
Remember to use a diluted mix of a slow-release fertilizer. You do not want to cause roots to burn.
Propagation of Flaming Katy
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana roots are ready to give vegetative shoots. That is how is the plant reproduced for the commercial uses. But you can also reproduce Flaming Katy at home by taking cuttings. Late spring will be the best time for the propagation of Flaming Katy.
Cut out one of the vegetative stems with a clean knife. It should be one of the stems without flowers and should be about 8 centimeters. Allow the cutting loose extra water for a few days and give roots to be ready for planting in a new container.
Flowers of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
Flowers of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is coming out in diverse colors like yellow, orange, pink, red… They are hanging on top of a short stem above the foliage. Their leaves form scalloped little flowers in many clusters.
Reblooming Flaming Katy
Flaming Katy keeps the flowers for weeks. By this time, pick up the dead flowers in order to give space for the houseplants.
After the blooming period, you can make your Kalanchoe bloom again with a little bit support.
What you need to do is to stimulate the natural process of blossoming again. Simulate the winter conditions by decreasing water and the lightning period gradually, for around six weeks. Do not fertilize the plant during these weeks.
When the flower buds start to reappear, change your practice back to normal.
Is Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Toxicating?
Yes, Kalanchoes are toxic for cats and dogs, according to the information from American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Poisonous succulents are causing the pets to suffer digestive diseases. The symptoms are appearing as vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, animals have an instinct that is helping them to stay away from toxic plants as their nature. But if your cat or dog is showing similar symptoms of illness, you better visit a veterinary clinic.
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana, as in its common name Flaming Katy is the favorite of every succulent lover, thanks to its dense, energetic flowers that can be seen all around the year. A little embracing and this plant can rebloom any time.
Think about getting one as soon as possible, if you do not have already. They will give a colorful touch to the dark winter days.
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