Make A Kalanchoe Rebloom: Tips and Tricks

Kalanchoes are beautiful, low-maintenance houseplants that produce stunning blooms throughout the year. However, after the initial blooming period, your kalanchoe may stop producing flowers for a while. If you want to make your kalanchoe bloom again, there are a few things you can do to encourage it to rebloom. In this article, we will share some tips and tricks to help you make your kalanchoe rebloom.

Understanding Your Kalanchoe Plant

The first step to making your kalanchoe rebloom is to understand the plant's life cycle. Kalanchoes are short-day plants, which means they need long periods of darkness to trigger flowering. As a result, you need to control the amount of light your kalanchoe receives to encourage it to bloom.

Another important factor to consider is the plant's age. Kalanchoes typically bloom in their second year of growth, so if your plant is still young, it may take some time before it produces flowers.

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions

To get your kalanchoe to rebloom, you need to provide it with optimal growing conditions. This includes:

• Light: As mentioned earlier, kalanchoes need long periods of darkness to trigger flowering. To promote blooming, make sure your plant gets at least 12-14 hours of darkness each day. You can cover the plant with a dark cloth or move it to a dark room during the night.
• Temperature: Kalanchoes prefer temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing your plant to extreme temperatures or drafts as this can affect its growth and blooming.
• Watering: Don't overwater your kalanchoe. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers as this can cause damage.
• Fertilizer: Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer once every two weeks during the growing season to encourage blooming. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and avoid over-fertilizing as this can cause burn and damage to the plant.

Pruning Your Kalanchoe

If your kalanchoe has finished blooming and hasn't produced any new flowers, it may be time to prune it. Pruning helps to stimulate new growth and encourages the plant to produce more buds. Here's how to do it:

1. Cut back the spent blooms and stem to just above a leaf node using sharp, clean scissors.
2. Remove any dead or damaged leaves from the plant.
3. You can also pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching and bushier growth.

Stimulating Flowering

Once you have provided your kalanchoe with optimal growing conditions and pruned it, you can take additional steps to stimulate flowering. Here are some tips:

• Adjust the temperature: Exposing your kalanchoe to cooler temperatures (around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few weeks can help trigger flowering.
• Use artificial lighting: If you can't provide your plant with enough natural light, you can use artificial lighting to supplement it. Place a grow light near the plant and keep it on for 12-14 hours per day.
• Use ethylene gas: Ethylene gas is a natural plant hormone that can trigger flowering. You can place your kalanchoe in a plastic bag with an apple or banana for a few days to expose it to ethylene gas.

A beautiful kalanchoe in full bloom

Final Thoughts

Making a kalanchoe rebloom requires patience, care, and attention to detail. By providing your plant with optimal growing conditions, pruning it, and taking additional steps to stimulate flowering, you can enjoy beautiful blooms year-round. Remember to handle your kalanchoe with care and avoid overwatering or exposing it to extreme temperatures.

kalanchoe, houseplants, plant care, indoor gardening, flower gardening