Calandiva Yellow is a vibrant flowering houseplant, cherished for its distinctive double yellow blooms and succulent-like foliage. This cultivar of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana offers a brilliant splash of color, making it a favored choice for indoor decor. Its thick, fleshy leaves and abundant, rose-like flowers brighten any indoor space.
Calandiva Yellow Plant Care
Calandiva Yellow thrives in environments that mimic its succulent nature, requiring specific conditions for optimal health. Bright, indirect light is ideal, such as near an east or south-facing window, where it receives ample light without direct, intense sun that might scorch its leaves. While the plant can tolerate lower light when flowers are fully open, consistent bright indirect light promotes better growth.
Watering is central to the health of Calandiva Yellow, as overwatering quickly leads to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, typically every one to two weeks depending on conditions. Apply water directly to the soil, avoiding foliage, and ensure excess water drains to prevent the plant from sitting in standing water. A well-draining potting mix, ideally for cacti and succulents, provides necessary aeration and drainage.
Average household temperatures from 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C) are suitable. The plant adapts well to indoor humidity and does not require misting. During the active growing season in spring and summer, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, diluted to half strength, every four to six weeks to support healthy development. Avoid fertilizing during the plant’s dormant period in fall and winter.
Encouraging Blooms and Pruning
Calandiva Yellow blooms during late winter and spring, with flowers lasting several weeks or even months under proper care. To encourage reblooming, the plant requires a specific light cycle, mimicking the shorter days of fall and winter. This involves providing 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for about six weeks. During this period, the plant should receive bright, indirect light during the day, and watering should be reduced.
Once the dark period is complete and buds begin to form, return the plant to its usual bright, indirect light conditions. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, helps maintain the plant’s appearance and encourages it to channel energy into new blooms rather than seed production. Pinching off withered blooms can prolong the flowering period.
Pruning maintains a compact and bushy form for Calandiva Yellow. After the flowering period, prune back taller stems and pinch off tip growth to prevent the plant from becoming leggy. This encourages fuller growth and helps shape the plant. Regularly removing any dead or damaged leaves contributes to overall plant health and air circulation.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Yellowing leaves on a Calandiva Yellow often indicate watering issues. Overwatering saturates the soil, displacing oxygen and leading to root suffocation and rot, which manifests as yellowing foliage. Conversely, underwatering can also cause leaves to yellow, often accompanied by dry, crispy leaf edges. Adjusting the watering schedule to ensure the soil dries out completely between waterings often resolves this. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause leaves to yellow.
Wilting or drooping leaves signal either a lack of water or root rot from overwatering. If the soil is dry, the plant needs water. If the soil is consistently wet, root rot is likely occurring. Allowing the soil to dry thoroughly before watering again can help address both extremes.
A lack of blooms stems from insufficient darkness during the plant’s rest period. Calandiva Yellow needs a consistent period of short days and long nights to initiate flower bud formation. Ensuring the plant receives 12-14 hours of complete darkness nightly for several weeks is crucial for reblooming. Pests like aphids and mealybugs can affect Calandiva Yellow. Regular inspection and prompt treatment, such as wiping them off with an alcohol-dipped swab or washing them off with a gentle stream of water, can help manage infestations.