Photo: original image may be credited to Joe Rockwell (on Instagram)
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There Blooms a Garden, 07 Jan 2019
The image of a spectacular Kalanchoe blossom jump-started some online investigation this week. I wanted to know more about this popular succulent and this image in particular.
It turns out the plant in the photo is actually Bryophyllum delagoense, often called Mother of Millions. It is frequently placed in the Kalanchoe plant genus and is labelled as such. The small structures you can see in the image are tiny plantlets that break off and ultimately take root. It's a great adaption for success.
I should have realized this colourful bloom couldn't belong to
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (also called Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow’s-thrill or Flaming Katy). But then, every plant family has its 'colourful' relatives, right?
The more common Kalanchoe I know grows well indoors, given judicious watering and good drainage. When its blooms are spent, it can be coaxed into bloom again with a simulated six-week winter. It takes a little effort, but with such bright rewarding blooms, it is worth it.
I browsed several articles about Kalanchoe. I recommend reading Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Care & Reblooming (2 Jan 2018) by fellow blogger Kat McCarthy at The Succulent Eclectic. It's an excellent primer. Then head off to the supermarket or florist to purchase one of these sweet little succulents. What a nice way to brighten the winter days.
It turns out the plant in the photo is actually Bryophyllum delagoense, often called Mother of Millions. It is frequently placed in the Kalanchoe plant genus and is labelled as such. The small structures you can see in the image are tiny plantlets that break off and ultimately take root. It's a great adaption for success.
I should have realized this colourful bloom couldn't belong to
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (also called Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow’s-thrill or Flaming Katy). But then, every plant family has its 'colourful' relatives, right?
The more common Kalanchoe I know grows well indoors, given judicious watering and good drainage. When its blooms are spent, it can be coaxed into bloom again with a simulated six-week winter. It takes a little effort, but with such bright rewarding blooms, it is worth it.
I browsed several articles about Kalanchoe. I recommend reading Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Care & Reblooming (2 Jan 2018) by fellow blogger Kat McCarthy at The Succulent Eclectic. It's an excellent primer. Then head off to the supermarket or florist to purchase one of these sweet little succulents. What a nice way to brighten the winter days.
Photo: Peter Miller | Kalanchoe cultivar
Want to know more?
Kalanchoe is among the top ten most difficult common plant names, according to David Beaulieu, who compiled the list in his article Why We Use Scientific Names for Plants. Kalanchoe has four pronunciations, all of which are correct!
Kalanchoe is among the top ten most difficult common plant names, according to David Beaulieu, who compiled the list in his article Why We Use Scientific Names for Plants. Kalanchoe has four pronunciations, all of which are correct!
- KA-luhn-KO-e
- kuh-LANG-ko-e
- KAL-uhn-cho
- kuh-LAN-cho
