The Calandiva is a popular flowering succulent, cherished for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms and attractive foliage. These plants feature double flowers that resemble miniature roses, available in a wide array of colors. Originating from Madagascar, Calandivas are well-suited for indoor cultivation, bringing a splash of color to any home. Pruning is an important practice for their overall health, maintaining their desired shape, and promoting continuous, abundant flowering.
Why and When to Prune Calandiva
Pruning a Calandiva offers several benefits, encouraging more blooms and maintaining a compact shape. Removing spent flowers, known as deadheading, redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to new flowers, significantly extending the blooming period. Pruning also improves air circulation, which helps reduce the risk of common plant issues.
The optimal time for pruning is after its blooming cycle concludes. Deadheading can be done regularly as flowers fade to encourage successive flushes of blooms. For more extensive shaping and to address leggy growth, late winter to early spring is ideal. Pruning before new growth appears allows the plant to direct energy into healing cuts and developing new shoots as the weather warms.
How to Prune Calandiva
Ensure you have clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears for precise cuts and to prevent disease. Sanitize tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) before and after use. For deadheading, pinch or snip off spent flower heads at the base of their stems. This encourages new buds rather than expending energy on fading flowers.
When addressing leggy or overgrown stems, cut back taller growth just above a leaf node or branching point. This encourages bushier growth by stimulating dormant buds. Remove about one-third to two-thirds of elongated stems, ensuring at least one set of leaves remains. Promptly remove any yellowed, damaged, or diseased leaves at their base to maintain plant vigor.
Post-Pruning Care and Tips
After pruning, proper care helps the Calandiva recover and thrive for future blooms. Water the plant sparingly, allowing the top inch of the soil to dry completely between waterings. Calandivas are succulents, sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Water the soil directly, avoiding wetting the foliage.
Place your pruned Calandiva in bright, indirect light. Intense direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. After new growth begins, consider a light fertilization with a balanced liquid fertilizer, applied monthly during spring and summer. This provides nutrients to support robust new growth and reblooming. Monitoring for pests and ensuring good air circulation also contribute to overall plant health.