How to Care for Kalanchoe

I’ve written about caring for indoor holiday plants, and included Kalanchoe (the pretty little flowering variety called Kalanchoe beharensis) in the post. Well in Southern California those plants and a lot of the genus can be used outdoors in our gardens, so I thought I’d give you some tips for caring for them outdoors.

Kalanchoes that are planted outside well drained, alkaline soil. Wet and cold climates are not great for kalanchoes, so much of Southern California is perfect for them. That said, a cold snap could damage your kalanchoe, so it needs protection either from other plants or frost cloth when the temperatures go below 40. If you are worried about them in a planter bed, they are fantastic in container designs. If you put them on wheels they can be pushed into your garage or under protection when the weather gets too cool.

Spacing is important – make sure you know that mature width of your plants and space them accordingly, plants that are crowded are more susceptible to problems such as leaf spot and the pests that attack the plants (notes below). They are salt tolerant, so they can be planted near the ocean (and it is more moderate there, so that is an added bonus).




Kalanchoes can be planted in both the fall and the spring here in Southern California, other parts of the country should stick to spring after danger of frost has past. You should fertilize your kalanchoes once a year with a nice all-purpose (organic if possible) fertilizer.

Kalanchoes are easy to propagate, many send out small plants on the edges of their leaves, which when big enough can be removed and planted in their own pots. You can also take a cutting with at least 2 leaves (more is better), let it dry out for 24 hours and place it in potting soil. Make sure to water frequently, and soon you’ll have a new baby.

There are some garden pests that are a problem for Kalanchoes – slugs are number one on the list! Here is a photo of a slug attack!




Caterpillars, aphids, and mealy bugs can be a problem look for natural pest controls, your kalanchoe and your garden will be happier for it.
Now time to talk about animals… Kalanchoe is POISONOUS to both dogs and cats! So think about where (or if) you want to plant them in your garden. For a nice selection of kalanchoe, please visit my friends at Worldwide Exotics in Lake View Terrace.

If you would like help beautifying your life, think about creating a garden with me. You can call me at 661-917-3521, contact me via email julie@thegrassisalwaysgreener.net or visit my website

Wordless Wednesday - Want Birds?

Pyracantha

Rhaphiolepis

Nandina

If you would like to hire me to beautify your life, think about creating a beautiful garden with me. Call 661-917-3521, contact julie@thegrassisalwaysgreener.net or visit my website.

Inspiration and Healing

Inspiration and healing never comes when you expect it. If you go looking, you won't find them but if you open yourself up to the world around you, there they are.



I am from the east coast, specifically the Greater New York area. I have lived in Manhattan, on Long Island, and in upstate New York and since my family is still there I go back to visit fairly often. A family event sent us back this past weekend and although it was too short (it always is) I enjoyed every moment. I walked the streets, and drove the back roads of my youth and found inspiration and healing by sharing a different perspective with my (now older) children. I really appreciate that they are at ages of discernment and that I can share much more with them.

photo by Marlon Molinare

I spent a day in Manhattan with my eldest son; I took him to the West Village, home of my first apartment, which I shared fresh out of college - just a shade younger than he is now. And later we spent an extraordinary 90 minutes at The Mandarin's Tea Room, I entered thinking that I would be learning more about the teas that my son Marlon, of Chan Teas, loves and walked out with a firmer connection on some of the principles I have been trying to foster in myself. I felt the tea brewing meditative (which I have been working on cultivating in my life) and the scents, tastes, textures, and sounds that Tim shared with us were extraordinary. It allowed me to participate more fully in the subsequent tea brewing sessions that Marlon shared with our family and created another great family memory.



How does this tie in to inspiration and healing you ask? I find beauty and inspiration all around. Have you ever designed a garden based on a beautiful curlicue or a antique pattern? I have.



Walking the city streets with the chill air in our faces, enjoying the branching structures of trees that I don’t normally see, drinking in the vibe, and coming upon surprise secret gardens tucked away among the big buildings gave me pause. I can see using all of these elements in my clients’ gardens, and how each and every piece of inspiration can lead to the creation of another garden that will connect families, heal hearts and minds, and foster enjoyment.

Stepping from the brisk streets into the warm tearoom provided another opportunity for me to understand that these are the kind of feelings (warm, comfortable, safe, healthy) I want to bring to people.



Long Island, the deserted beach at sunrise – cold and stark but beautiful and inviting. The birds circled above, the beach grasses rustled in the breeze, the water lapped against the shores. I felt completely at peace, completely aware, and completely inspired.

Nature can bring harmony, healing, and comfort to humanity, so why not bring it into your home by creating a healing garden? What I took away from this trip is that the world needs people to share their experiences with each other, to help others, and to realize that we are one. We are all in it together, so taking some time to center is really important. No matter how you do it, yoga, meditation, drinking tea, hiking, creating a garden. Get inspired and just take that step forward.

I think that the world needs more gardens and fewer yards.



If you are interested in learning more about adding permanent aspects to your healing garden, I’m offering another complimentary teleclass, This is second in the series.

I will be chatting with Special Guest, Alex Ventura of Ventura & Son Masonry.

Please join me for a complimentary teleclass I'm giving on what you need to know before making changes to your hardscape.

This call is good for any climate, any zone, anywhere! All you need is the desire to make your garden shine.

Monday February 13, 2012 at 6:30 pm PST

To learn more about it – take a look at this link