Viewing post #1818016 by Bigtattoo

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Sep 15, 2018 10:14 AM CST
Name: BigT
Central Illinois (Zone 5)
Birds Cactus and Succulents Sedums Sempervivums
Kalanchoe are photoperiodic plants, along with many others. This means that light cycles affect when these plants bloom. I have read studies of Kalanchoe, Shlumbergia, 'Christmas Cactus', Hatoria, 'Easter Cactus', Rhipsalis, and Rhipsaladosis, where control groups kept in complete darkness for more than 12 hours would bloom after only six weeks when returned to longer light cycles. The other group was subjected to 1 minute of red light during the dark cycle and these plants did not bloom. It didn't make any difference if these were natural cultivars or hybrids. Nurseries and growers, especially now with the better quality artificial lighting, can control these light cycles and force these plants to bloom at any time.

No, you don't need to do this now. I would agree to let it finish it's bloom cycle and have a period of rest before trying to cycle it again. You could have your Kalanchoe go through two bloom cycles per year, just by controlling the light cycle, with no detriment to the plant, providing you let it recover with a vegetative cycle of longer day lengths.

How many plant lovers have purchased a 'Christmas Cactus' covered in blooms around the holidays? In spite of quality care, living for years these plants never bloom again, because their night cycle is interrupted by ambient light. I feel very confidant this is true of your Kalanchoe, whether or not it's a hybrid. I've seen no studies to contraindicate the need for the dark cycle.

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