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Help with trimming my Kalanchoe!

kelsi0kelsi0 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi everyone! 

I'm still very much a novice and would really appreciate tips on how to trim back and perhaps take some cuttings from my poor old leggy Kalanchoe. (See photos)

This plant has suffered! In its life span I have left it in direct sunny windowsills for over a month with no water, I've also over watered it. It had aphids, I dealt with them by overdosing with fairy liquid and putting the whole plant in the fridge.... Needless to say it's a miracle it's still alive!
I have been taking far better care of it recently and it rewarded me by flowering this winter :) I am hoping to take some cuttings from it to grow new baby Kalanchoe! I am also very aware it needs trimming but I'm not sure where to cut. The last thing I want is to end up killing it with kindness!

I hope you will all forgive me for my sins against this little guy and help me treat it better now :)

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Cuttings are fairly easy, as you've found out they're tough plants and take some killing. If you look along the stems you'll see some aerial roots sticking out so cutting below there is ideal as the stem will already have roots to work with. If that leaves you with stems that are too leggy though then just cut an inch or so below the fresh growth, give the stem a couple of days to heal over then pot into some dry compost. I use John Innes No2 with added grit and then finish the pot off with a top dress of grit as well. If you start with a stem that has roots on there then you can water after a few days and water a bit more frequently than you would the parent plant. Don't let the compost dry out completely but don't keep it soaking either. If you have a cutting with no roots then there's no need to water until it starts making roots as it can't do anything with the water. Don't pot the cuttings into too big a pot to start with so there's less chance of the soil staying too wet. A breathable terracotta pot is ideal rather than plastic but both will work. 

    I'd cut the fading flowers off and give the plant a feed with a half-strength liquid feed or a specialist succulent feed. Obviously don't feed it until the soil has dried out but just add it into your watering regime. Once the plant has had a chance to take in the feed and is looking healthy then take your cuttings.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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