Kalanchoe daigremontiana

January 7, 2010

If you ever get to the southwest of Madagascar, we find Kalanchoe daigremontiana, which inhabits sandstone and limestone in open lesících. This species, however, as a neophyte now has the subtropical zone around the globe. Not only that, the other inhabited even much colder, northern temperate zone. Here it inhabits the hottest niches, especially offices and living rooms. With this kind will meet much more frequently in indoor cultivation of plants than in collections of succulent growers. The reason is probably its ease of cultivation, because the weeds, it requires more water than is usual in other succulents and has a short life cycle. The species is more commonly known under the name of Bryophyllum, Kalanchoe than the name.

The nomenclature of the species included in the section Bryophyllum, but some authors consider as a separate genus Bryophyllum. Though assigned to the genus Bryophyllum lovers of independence in these articles will adhere Kalanchoe name to most readers in a more focused and more generally used name.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana is expressed as two years, in reality, the multi-species, only the second year already receding from its vitality, beauty and ability to bloom. Does not stem the massive leaves, their colors are less pronounced, the shape is so perfect, we tend to show them various pathological deviations in shape. For strong healthy plant is a stalk usually two feet tall, occasionally reaching up to 80 cm. The stem is a separate, nevětvený, upright, and only rarely procumbent. Then when contacting soil easily spices. Plant roots are wiry, sometimes creates airy, chůdovité, roots support, especially during wetter growing. The color of the stem is brownish, with distinct scars detached leaves.

The sheet is usually elongated triangle, but very variable in shape, so we can meet with an egg-shaped leaves and elongated egg-shaped. The leaves have a distinct stalk. The stem is objímavá. Base of leaf blade is štítovitá (grow together with the axis of the stem leaf blades from the bottom - it seems podsunutá the leaf blade). The color is dark green leaves. In the shade of the color remains, sun spots appear extensive, initially even darker green to brown to deep sunburn. However, we can meet the "tygrováním" ivory white in color. This color also appears frequently on the underside of the leaf. Leaf blade margin is regularly zoubkovitý.

On zoubkách arise repeatedly duplicator propagule - new young plantlets which after litterfall on soil spices quickly grow in new plant. From ever popular name of "parachutists". Because ability vegetative formation propagule so powerful in tropical countries plant called "Mother thousands".

° 'Old Hat'

Clone that has been around a long time in culture in a single clone, until he was in the not too distant time again brought. The name is a derogatory local paraphrase the title "Mexican sombrero". It has dark spots on the underside of the leaf, which creates a discontinuous strip, towards the leaf base. Even in direct sunlight does not lose leaves bright green color.

'Felley Priory'

Recently discovered by one clone of horticultural center. It is distinguished by dark spots forming on the underside of a continuous strip, leading to the leaf base. In full sun, with dark brown spots extending the olive green, until they almost filled the entire sheet. Clone is likely to appear in the lexokonu Sajeva & Costanzo, 2000: 172, 6007th photo

Umístnnění and propagule formation at the edges of the leaves in cultivars recessive trait and may be useful in determining the character of the parents.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana in the culture of non-blooming and too many people happy with the flowers still entertained. Inflorescence is loose mnohokvětý paniculata cyme with weeping, occasionally spilling over with flowers. The flowers sit on stopečkách 5-11 mm long. The cup is 3-4 mm long tube, the chips are triangular, sharp, 3-5 mm long. The crown is bell, and reddish purple. The tube is 1.5 - 2 cm long, flower-shaped flaps obvejčitého and 7-8 mm long. Sticks are established under the middle of calyx tube and protrude above the neck of the crown. Anthers are kidney-shaped, 1.5 - 2 mm large.

This species readily hybridize with other species. Can occur at a particular hybrids with K. rosea and K. delagoensis. Growing is described in the text, but you can wolf growing culture with the environment, the plants get a fresh, more green, with chůdovitými, supporting roots. During winter reduce watering only slightly, place the plants on the window sill, oriented to the south. Plants slowly continues its growth. This production is suitable for panel, dry flats. Another growing method is the "hard" treatment. Plants provide maximum sunlight and watering weaker, ventilated environment and poorer draining soils. During the winter the temperature should not fall below 5 ° C, the location of the light and weak, holding watering only once a month. Plants are colorfully painted, they are smaller size, propagule propagules are less and easier to grow.

Plants kind Kalanchoe daigremontiana used metabolism type CAM only dry periods wet spell apply usual type metabolism. Nature contains many substances that can be used in therapy. One difficulty is that the type of substance ingested, both agents affecting heart function. Although their content is not high, we can say that chewing is not good for health.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet & H. Perrier, Ann. Inst Bot.-Geol. Colon. Marseille, ser. 3, 2: 128 - 132 (1914)

Synonyms:

Bryophyllum daigremontianum (Hamet & H. Perrier) A. Berger (1930)