Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana 'Magic Bells'

KALANCHOE BLOSSFELDIANA MAGIC BELLS - A succulent with fleshy broad notched leaves surrounding a central stem maturing to 18" . It produces a cathredral of pale green bells atop the stem . The bells open to orange flowers. A unique easy houseplant. The Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Cultivar 'Magic Bells', originally from Madagascar, is indeed magic and albeit quite alien when compared to most of its brethren, which normally have compact and bright flowers. Magic Bells have fleshy broad leaves, which are slightly jagged, surrounding a central stem holding the most fascinating flowers as if they were put on a pedestal. From the tall spire of the stem, the flowers dangle like bell-shaped green grapes that delicately open up with a soft tangerine colored lantern like bloom. They need to be in sun in order to thrive, but can sometimes get burnt if outside in direct sun all day in warmer climates during the summer. They have moderate to minimal watering needs -- allow the soil to dry and do not keep too wet or they will rot. Make sure that they are potted in a well-draining mix and avoid keeping the foliage wet. They bloom for 8-10 weeks and are triggered into flowering by dry spells and short days. Magic Bells are a great plant to have around during the winter, reminding you of spring soon to come. When it is done with its winter bloom, have some patience and move it outside to use in combination container plantings and another flower show will come soon. When you are selecting your Magic Bell, choose one that still has buds yet-to-open so that you can stretch out the enjoyment of the bloom that much longer. Plant Type: perennial succulent and cactus Height to: 24 to 36 in Sun Exposure: part sun Bloom Season: mid autumn late autumn Bloom Description: Kalanchoe 'Magic Bells' produce, pendent, orange flowers Soil Type: Under glass, grow in soil-based potting mix withy additional grit. Outdoors, grow in well drained, humus rich, moderately fertile soil Toxic: Yes Plant Perks: Rock Garden Suitable for Houseplant Container Gardening Drought Tolerant Pests and Diseases: mealybugs, aphids, powdery mildew, leaf spots, crown and root rots, bacterial soft rot, fasciation, virus diseases Propagation: Sow Kalanchoe 'Magic Bells' seed at 70ºF/21ºC in early spring. Remove offsets and plantlets from the leaves or inflorescences, or take stem cuttings in spring or summer Native to: Garden origin Winter Sowing Zones: None Notes for Identification: Kalanchoe 'Magic Bells' is a succulent with fleshy broad notched leaves surrounding a central stem maturing to 18in . It produces a cathredral of pale green bells atop the stem . The bells open to orange flowers. A unique easy houseplant.~Source: Accents for Home and Garden Source: Various sources including The American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and the USDA USDA Heat Zones (days above 86ºF): Any Heat Zone 1 to 210+ Days 150 to 180 days ZONE 10 Greater than 210 ZONE 12 The perennial Kalanchoes are cultivated as houseplants or rock or succulent garden plants. They have low water requirements, a wide variety of colours and are easy to propagate. New plants develop vegetatively as bulbils. These young plants eventually drop off and take root. Double flower varieties are distinctive for the fullness of the flowers. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is the most common variety of Kalanchoe. They are pretty low-maintenance plants, thriving in lots of light, preferably a south-facing window in winter and bright indirect light (or east/west window) in summer.

• 

  Full sun to partial shade

• 

  Very little water

• 

  Not Frost hardy

• 

  Light and free draining