Caring For Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi: Expert Advice for Best Success

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, sometimes called lavender scallops, is a flowering succulent known for its scallop-edged, variegated leaves and colorful, bell-shaped blooms.

Native to Madagascar, it's a common garden plant and houseplant in temperate climates. Like other kalanchoe plants, kalanchoe fedtschenkoi spreads naturally and is very easy to propagate with stem or leaf cuttings.

Here's how to care for this plant in your garden or home.

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Care

• Give kalanchoe fedtschenkoi plenty of bright, indirect light.

• Plant kalanchoe fedtschenkoi in a gritty, well-drained potting mix.

• Water this succulent when the soil has completely dried out.

• Fertilize kalanchoe fedtschenkoi every two weeks in summer.

Light

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi grows best with bright, indirect light indoors and filtered or morning light outdoors.

Put outdoor plantings in a place with afternoon shade to protect from harsh direct sun. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

Soil

Use a gritty, well-drained potting mix such as cactus or succulent soil for kalanchoe fedtschenkoi.

Ideally, the mix should contain between 50 and 70 percent perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to allow for adequate drainage.

Water

Because kalanchoe fedtschenkoi stores water in its fleshy, succulent leaves, it's prone to rotting when overwatered.

Water this plant deeply after the soil has completely dried out, then allow it to dry out once more before watering again.

Slightly wrinkled or shriveled leaves are a sign that your plant is ready for a drink.

Temperature and Humidity

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi prefers temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees. This plant won't survive temperatures below 30 degrees, so gardeners in all but the warmest USDA hardiness zones should plan to bring container plantings indoors for winter or grow them as annuals.

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi doesn't do well in high humidity, but it grows well in typical indoor humidity of around 40 or 50 percent.

Fertilizer

Feed kalanchoe fedtschenkoi every two weeks with liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season. Begin fertilizing when you first see new growth in late winter or early spring, then continue through the end of summer.

Types of Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi

• 'Aurora Borealis': This cultivar has gently scalloped leaf margins edged with cream that may develop a pink tinge in full sun.

• 'Variegata': Also known as 'Marginata' or rainbow kalanchoe, this cultivar has cream leaf edges flecked with red and a bushy, upright growth habit.

• 'Majestic Scallops': This rare variety has wide, blue-green leaves whose scallops develop a hint of red when stressed by sunny, dry conditions.
  

Pruning

You can prune kalanchoe fedtschenkoi after it blooms to promote new growth, but never cut back more than about a third of the foliage at one time.

Dead limbs and damaged leaves can be trimmed off any time of year. Always use sharp, sterilized pruners to avoid transmitting plant diseases.

Propagating Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is easy to propagate by rooting stem cuttings in soil or by placing leaf cuttings on top of the soil. You'll need sterilized scissors or pruners, small plant pots, succulent soil mix, and water. Here's how to propagate kalanchoe fedtschenkoi.

Propagating Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Using Stem Cuttings

1. Choose a healthy stem on the mother plant that's at least 3 inches long and has several leaves. Make a diagonal cut just below a leaf node to remove the stem from the plant.

2. Allow the cut to callus over for a few days out of direct sun before proceeding to the next step.

3. When you're ready to plant, fill a pot with succulent soil and lightly moisten it with water. Poke a hole in the soil a few inches deep with your finger or a pencil.

4. Put the stem in the hole cut side down, ensuring that the lower portion of the stem without leaves is below the soil line. Pat the soil gently around the base of the cutting to hold it in place.

5. Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Water the cutting sparingly to avoid root rot. In two to three weeks, you can give the cutting a gentle tug. If it stays in place, the plant is rooted and you can care for it as usual.
   

Propagating Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Using Leaf Cuttings

1. Remove a healthy leaf from the mother plant. Use clean shears or pruners or twist off a leaf, ensuring that the cutting includes the entire leaf.

2. Let the leaf callus over for a few days in a shady place before the next step.

3. Fill a plant pot with succulent soil and spritz or sprinkle it lightly with water to moisten the surface.

4. Place the leaf flat on the soil surface. There's no need to bury the leaf or cover it with soil.

5. Allow the leaf to sit on the soil for a few weeks, occasionally spritzing the soil surface lightly with water. Soon, you'll see tiny plantlets begin to grow from the edges of the leaves.

6. When the plantlets are about half an inch tall, you can plant them in the soil and care for them as usual.
   

Potting and Repotting Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi

Plant to repot your kalanchoe fedtschenkoi every two years or so, going up one size from the previous pot. Handle plants delicately while repotting, as leaves can easily break off.

Terra cotta pots are ideal for these plants because they wick away excess moisture that could lead to root rot. Ensure that pots have drainage holes and that any saucers or drip trays are emptied after watering.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is susceptible to common houseplant pests like spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. Diseases to watch out for include fungal infections like root rot and powdery mildew, which can be prevented by avoiding overwatering.

How to Get Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi to Bloom

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi grows striking, colorful flowers, but they may take several years to appear. Once the plant blooms, it will die, leaving behind offsets and plantlets to take its place.

The plant responds to day length to determine when to bloom and requires 12 to 14 hours of darkness per night for several weeks before flower spikes will appear. You can allow this to occur naturally with outdoor plantings or simulate these conditions with indoor plantings.

Bloom Months

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi typically blooms in spring or early summer.

What Do Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi's flowers are bell-shaped, with a reddish-brown outer layer and red petals inside. The flowers hang down in clusters from reddish stems and are attractive to pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies.

Common Problems With Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi

White Spots on Leaves

White spots on the leaves of your kalanchoe fedtschenkoi are a common sign of powdery mildew. Remove affected plant parts and dispose of them in the trash. Prevent powdery mildew by watering the soil directly and keeping foliage dry.

Wrinkled Leaves

Wrinkled leaves on this kalanchoe are a sign that the plant needs water. Water the plant deeply and monitor soil moisture regularly. When the soil has completely dried out, it's time to water again.

Stem Turning Brown

If you notice brown stems on your kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, look closer. Over time, the lowest portion of a mature plant's stem will take on a woody, brown appearance, and that's nothing to worry about.

However, mushy brown areas on the plant's stem are an indication of severe overwatering and rot. In this case, cut away the healthy portions of the stem and propagate them into new plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does kalanchoe fedtschenkoi flower?

Yes, kalanchoe fedtschenkoi will grow bell-shaped, reddish-brown flowers with the proper care and conditions. Note that plants may not bloom for several years after planting.

What are other names for kalanchoe fedtschenkoi?

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is known by its common name, lavender scallops, which references the purple tips of its scallop-edged leaves. It was also formerly classified with the botanical name Bryophylloum fedtschenkoi.

Can kalanchoe fedtschenkoi grow indoors?

Yes, with sufficient light, warmth, and proper care, kalanchoe fedtschenkoi can thrive as a houseplant.

Read the original article on The Spruce.