Care of the succulent plant Kalanchoe uniflora or Coral bells |
The genus Kalanchoe, family Crassulaceae, comprises 100 species of succulent plants native to Asia, Africa and Europe. Some species are: Kalanchoe uniflora, Kalanchoe tomentosa, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, Kalanchoe pumila, Kalanchoe marmorata, Kalanchoe longiflora, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, Kalanchoe beharensis, Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Kalanchoe manginii, Kalanchoe pinnata, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi. Common names: Coral bells, Coral berry, Kitchingia. This species is native to Madagascar. Scientific synonyms: Bryophyllum uniflorum, Kalanchoe ambrensis, Kitchingia uniflora. They are succulent plants with a hanging habit that reach 45 cm (1.47 feet) in height. The leaves are opposite, fleshy, bright green or greyish and reddish in color, have a rounded shape and are 2.5 cm (0.98") long. The showy and abundant hanging flowers of red or pinkish color appear in inflorescences at the tips of the branches. They can bloom from mid-winter to early spring. Coral bells is used in hanging pots under trees and as indoor or greenhouse plants. In regions without frost it's used on rockeries and edges. Kalanchoe uniflora prefers a semi-shadow exposure when young and full sun when adult. Indoors it prefers a lighted exposure without direct sun in the middle hours of the day. It does not tolerate frost. The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture of coarse sand, loam, and coarse gravel. Coral berry is a very resistant to drought plant; water regularly in spring, summer and fall waiting for the substrate to have completely dried. In winter water once a month. Fertilize monthly with mineral fertilizer for succulents from mid-spring to late summer. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact appearance. Kalanchoe uniflora is a plant quite resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. Coral bells propagates by cuttings and from seeds sown in early spring. |
Images of the succulent plant Kalanchoe uniflora or Coral bells |