Nature and growth of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Variegata
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi variegata also known as the Tricolor Lavender Scallops is one of the inexpensive yet amazing succulent any garden can be proud of. This humble plant hardly needs any care. This is one of the most neglected plants in my garden. True to its name 'kalanchoe' or mother of thousands it reproduces like crazy. Plant it and the ground and you'd see that your whole yard taken over by these bushes in no time.
I love seeing these plants change color when highly stressed. In the heat of the Indian sun these plants tend to show leaf burns. So for us here it is important to keep them in indirect bright light or dappled light. However, I see color changes happen when the temperature drops suddenly or when they haven't been watered in a while. However, the best colors appear when I toss them carelessly on to some bin and forget to throw them into the compost bin. Then the plant is totally stressed and starts to put out pale pink leaves with darker tints at the scallops.
When stressed the plant not only changes color but also starts to produce tiny babies in the reddish petioles along the scallops. These plants look their best when stressed, the creamy hue and the pink edges make these look quite stunning. The rosette like formation of leaves and the scallops make them even more attractive to the sight.
These plants look amazing in rock gardens. They seem to take so well to the sloping nature of the landscape and grow along the rock edges making the whole landscape look colorful and stunning.
The kalanchoe tricolor can grow into a big bush. It can grow up to a height of one meter in height. I have had these for years and I haven't seen these bloom.
I have been trying to contain this succulent and I have been tossing away the trimmings into the compost bin. To my chagrin these grow and produce more babies even in those conditions.
Care of Kalanchoe tricolor
I believe the less you care for it the better. Ignore the plant and it will thrive. I have never bothered to fertilize these plants or even repot them.
The less you water them the better for them. Water them once a week and they are happy.
They grow much faster than other succulents and need constant trimming to keep them in shape. when planted on the ground they tend to grow aerial roots and spread wildly.
Disease and pests
I have never seen these plants being attacked by any bugs or disease. Unlike the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana even butterflies don't seem to prefer these.
These Kalanchoe tricolor are the easiest and stress free plants to grow.
Financial aspects
If you plan to sell your succulents this is one of the best plants to do so. The reproduction of this succulent is so fast that you'll have a good collection in no time. Trim and grow the cuttings.
Once they have rooted keep these in a well lit place. As the plant starts to grow reduce watering and stress them out. You will have a colorful attractive plant to sell.
I used to sell these for about a dollar here. I am sure these can be sold at higher prices elsewhere. A bushy plant can fetch me anything up to $3 with little or no effort.
If you can get these to produce flowers they will become an added attraction. The tiny red blooms add to the beauty, personally speaking the colorful leaves are beautiful enough for me.
Thanks for your support. Have a great day!
