| 10 months ago :: Jun 17, 2009 - 2:22PM #1 | |
|
I bought a kalanchoe assorted back on 5-09. I was told to pour out the excess water...it seemed that there was water under the pot, between the pot & the wrapping around it. The flower tipped over on the way home, which caused some of the water to spill out. So I didn't pour anymore water out, bc I thought when it spilled out it would take care of the extra water. I was told to water it the next day, & then every fourth day. I usually would get a drinking glass & pour about an inch of water in there, which is what I was reccomended to do. I did that for at least 3 times or so. I was also told to make sure that I didn't over water it, & the soil was still damp, so I went a while without watering it. The flower blooms started to gradually look bad. Now more recently, the leaves are starting to look bas as well, in a couple of places. They told me when I bought the flower that I can cut the blooms off, & they would grow back. I'm not sure whats wrong w/ the plant. Does it sound like it was over or underwatered? I also didn't know if there was anything I could do to get the fllower to recover, or if it was too late. |
|
| 10 months ago :: Jun 17, 2009 - 5:44PM #2 | |
|
Aaron, it sounds (maybe) a slow decline to overwatering, but more so to perhaps to lack of light. I make the latter assumption since you say you bought a kalanchoe that had that decorative colored plastic wrap around the pot, just like what florists do for a temporary houseplant. Is it indoors? Kalanchoe needs very bright light and warmth, both are usually lacking in a home enviroment this time of year, unless it was placed in a southern or eastern window. That plastic wrapping, although pretty with the flowering plant, does pool the water. Chances are the top of the pot would be dry to the touch, but the bottom of the pot could very well be sitting in an inch of water. Get rid of the wrapping, or pull out the pot when you water, let it sit in the sink for 15 minutes, and then slip it back in the wrapping sleeve. Let the soil become barely moist before you rewater--and even then, just enough water so the water soaks in and then starts to drip out of the pot drainage holes. The kalanchoe can still be salvaged. It might not flower for you right away, since if daylength is over 12 hours, it won't produce new flowers too quickly, if at all. Do pinch off those spent flowers and their tiny stems now though. If you can water it correctly and give it some sun/very bright light over the next few months, the flowers may again form in October. If you relocate the plant outdoors for the summer (not hot direct sunlight right away), the plant may produce flowers as soon as early September. |
|
| 10 months ago :: Jun 17, 2009 - 10:36PM #3 | |
|
I was told that it was on indoor plant, but that it could also be planted outside as well. We just planned on keeping it inside. I just checked & it's about 14 inches from the window, & the blinds are open. I guess it must have had more water in it than I realized in the beginning. Like I said, I started out watering it. My mom was telling me that it seemed to her like it had too much water...so she didn't water it for a while. Then eventually, she tried watering it again...after I said something, but I'm sure that was the only time. I asked them what to do at work where I bought it, & they said it would probably be ok, but to just not water it for a while...if it had too much water. It's just gotten worse. It still seems to me like the soil on top is damp. So should I still not water it for a while? So do you still think it's from overwatering, or a lighting issue? Would you just do what you said, & cut off the blooms? I guess you're saying if I do that, that it will take a while for the blooms to grow back. |
|
| 10 months ago :: Jun 18, 2009 - 11:53PM #4 | |
|
Only water it when it needs it--when the soil on top has changed from moist to barely damp or lightly dry. You can check every few days, but sometimes you may find you need to add a little water every 4 days, and the next time it might be 6 days. Bright light is a necessity. The more light (and warmth) the kalanchoe has, the less finicky it will be about too damp of soil. Only remove/pinch off the flower stems once all the tiny flowers have dried and are tan. There will be a point that no new little blossoms will open, signifying that blooming cycle has completed. |
|
