Monday, 18 December 2017

Kalanchoe marnieriana – Marnier’s Kalanchoe

Scientific Name
Kalanchoe marnieriana H. Jacobsen

Common Names
Marnier’s Kalanchoe

Synonyms
Bryophyllum marnierianum, Kalanchoe humbertii

Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe

Description
Kalanchoe marnieriana is a gray leafed succulent subshrub that grows up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall and up to 3 feet (1.2 m) wide, with flat blue-green rounded leaves that are arranged oppositely and flatten together facing toward the branch tips like pages in a book and turn to a pink color in the winter. The rose-pink to red flowers emerge and dangle off reddish stalks at the end of the branches throughout the year – a particularly nice combination in winter when flowers are present above the pink foliage.

Kalanchoe marnieriana - Marnier's Kalanchoe4


Photo via davesgarden.com

How to Grow and Care
Kalanchoes are not particularly hard to grow, and the flowering varieties are highly rewarding for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. They prefer bright, sunny locations, especially in the summer growing season. During the winter, consider a south-facing window. Water moderately throughout the summer and reduce watering in the winter. Let the soil surface dry out between waterings, and in the winter, the plant can almost dry out. Watch the fleshy leaves for signs of water distress. They prefer warmth. Do not let fall below 55ºF (12.7ºC). An ordinary potting soil mix is fine. Feed bi-weekly in the summer with a liquid fertilizer, or use slow-release pellets.

Many kinds of Kalanchoe will produce tiny plantlets along the leaf margins that can be individually potted up… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe.

Origin
Native to Madagascar.