Kalanchoe pumila

January 17, 2010

This species, Kalanchoe pumila, is very attractive and well suited to hanging basket or large bowl. Bright pink flowers contrast relatively large in the background appear white pomoučených sheets. But the cultivation of this kind is simple and easy. It's scary for me to spell. What is grown easily in my collection usually languish. I still can not find a suitable method for growing permanent habitat for this species. Grow more plants from Madagascar, from similar climatic conditions, but no problems with these types do not. What Kalanchoe pumila needs? Let's start with a description of the type:

The species is a small perennial herb that grows as occasionally epiphytic. Plant produces small, dense clumps to 30 cm high. The whole plant is glabrous and covered with Pele. The stems are erect, strongly branching, the branches have a creepy character. The leaves often completely cover the stem. They have a meaty texture. The leaves are sessile and nearly sessile. Their shape is obovate, with cuneate base, with blunt tip of a semi-sharp edges are notched at the top. Blade length is 2-4 cm, width is 1.5 - 2 cm. The leaves are completely covered with fine, white, waxy coating. The edges have a purple tint. Inflorescence is chocholíkovitá erect panicle with a few flowers. Lata is 2-7 cm wide. Flower stopečky are 6-10 mm long and povoskované. The cup has a green or red, purple and white fir. Calyx tube is 0.5 - 1 mm long tails have a triangular shape to lanceolate and sharp peak. They are 3-5 mm long and 1.5 to 2.5 mm wide. The Crown has a bell shape. The corolla tube is 4 - 8.5 mm long, by the points are spread out, with an elongated shape to obvejčitým. At the top are osinaté (pointed). Length of leaflets is 7-10 mm and width 3-5 mm. The stamens are initiated in the upper half of corolla tube and protrude slightly above her neck. Anthers have a kidney shape and size from 0.54 to 0.7 mm. Nektaria obdélníkovitý and have an elongated shape and are scalloped. Their length is 1 - 2.5 mm and width for about 0.6 mm. Karpel are 8-10 mm long, pistil is about 1.5 mm large. The seeds are obovate shape and are great about 1 mm.

Kalanchoe pumila occurs on the rocks of the central plateau of Madagascar, about 2000 M height above sea level. In such places, often overhanging grows, so occasionally applied as epiphyte.

The literature indicates that loves the sun, which also suggests location. Plants with me but never sunburn last, and in the local, central European climate, the level of solar radiation is much lower. Plants with me always rather prefer dappled shade. When it's hot, he asks more frequent watering soft rain water, but prolonged rains cause the decay of leaves and stems. Plants do not like lime soil mixture and acts as vápnostřežná plant. Plants I přihnojoval sporadically, but perhaps I should use more mineral fertilizer with enhanced proportion of phosphorus and no calcium. Plants should then richly bloom, and it is the view that pleases the soul, or mind. I must admit that I've seen some growers more beautiful specimen, which honestly I envy them. I firmly believe that one comes to the result which will be crowned with beautiful plants, flowering abundantly. I wish, kind of worth it.

Kalanchoe pumila Baker (Jour. of the Linn. Soc Bot. 20: 139-140 (1883)

Synonym:

Kalanchoe multiceps Baillon (1885)

Kalanchoe brevicaulis Baker (1887)

Kalanchoe pumila f venustior Boiteau Allorge ex-Boiteau (1995)

Kork