As an already flowering houseplant in a decorative pot, the Flaming Käthchen is usually very compact in size, as they are mostly young plants blooming for the first time. If cared for well, the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana can also grow quite vigorously, so pruning may ultimately be appropriate for an aesthetic shape and to benefit flower formation.
When and how do I cut a Flaming Käthchen?
The Flaming Cat (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) should be cut back immediately after flowering to avoid unattractive growth and to promote flower formation. When cutting, you should be careful not to go too deep and use clean, sharp tools.
The best time to cut
There can be at least three good reasons for cutting back the plant when it comes to Flaming Käthchen:
- the unattractive “greening” of the shoots in a location that is too dark
- obtaining leaf or shoot cuttings
- the use of the flowers as perennial cut flowers
Since this houseplant is also sold flowering in the winter months, the time for the first pruning can only depend on the season to a limited extent. Of course, the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana can only be used as a cut flower if it is still in full bloom and the flowers have not already dried up. Otherwise, the time immediately after flowering is ideal for pruning the plant.
The correct procedure for cutting a Flaming Cat
You can be bold when pruning the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, as it tolerates severe pruning well. But they still wanted to be careful not to make the cut too deep. There should always be eyes left at the base of the plant from which the plant can sprout again. When cutting, use tools that are clean and sufficiently sharp so as not to compromise plant he alth more than is absolutely necessary. If the pruning is done to shorten a tall growth habit, the Flaming Käthchen should then be moved to a brighter location. Cutting back these plants can also be easily combined with repotting them in fresh succulent soil.
Propagate the Flaming Cat at the same time as cutting it
In order to easily grow young Flaming Käthchen plants, the top 10 to 15 cm of the shortened shoots are cut off and collected when pruning. These cuttings should then be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before they are placed in a lean soil-sand mixture or placed in a glass of water to form roots. The newly grown specimens also have to overwinter in a sufficiently dark place in order to be able to form buds for flowering in the following year.
Tip
Basically, the succulent Kalanchoe blossfeldiana should actually be watered a maximum of once a week, even in summer. Immediately after a cut during the summer months, watering should be carried out at more regular intervals (but still sparingly) in order to compensate for the evaporation losses of the plants due to the numerous cutting injuries.
