Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is well known as an indoor flowering pot plant in. The Calandiva series bred by Fides Goldstock Breeding in Holland has given the plant a new lease of life. CalandivaŽ varieties produce very attractive rose-shaped flower heads with multiple layers of petals. The double flowers last for at least six weeks and are available in Orange, Pink, Purple, White, Red, Charming Red, Pink Purple, Dark Pink, Soft Pink and a bicolor White with Pink. Two recent additions (on display at Hortifair 2004) are soft-yellow (Fonda) and cerise Pink (Taylor). Both new varieties have dark green middle sized leaves, a response time of 11 weeks and require less growth retardent.
Kalanchoe is a short-day plant with a critical photoperiod of 12 hours. During winter (15th Sept to 31st March) plants must receive additional light (cyclic or supplemental) to remain vegetative. From 15th March to 15th October, plants require short days (14 hours of darkness) to initiate flower buds. A minimum of six weeks of short days is needed, although it is recommended to maintain short days until flowering, which can help produce more compact plants. The response between CalandivaŽ varieties is fairly uniform at 11-11.5 weeks and is realtively considered short in the world of kalanchoes. For further information contact: Franz Veit Jungpflanzen, fax 0471 633637, E-mail: veitbz@tin.it or the head office: Fax 0031 174 530055, E-mail: info@fidespotplants.nl www.fidespotplants.nl |
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