Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi aka Lavender Scallops

Taxonomy

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, formerly known as Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, is a low-growing, frost-tender perennial succulent native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. It is widely sold as a house or garden plant and has established itself in the wild in some southern parts of the United States of America. Its specific epithet fedtschenkoi honors botanist Boris Fedtschenko (1873-1947). The plant prefers dry, open ground and grows to 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall as an untidy, low, rounded herb. The stems are round, smooth and lax with visible leaf scars and often bend and touch the ground where they produce roots and new plants. The fleshy, alternate, blue-green leaves are oval or obovate with fine scalloped edges, which may turn pink or red under strong sunlight or drought conditions. The tubular flowers are in corymbs, often multi-layered in good conditions. Each flower has a short calyx edged with delta-shaped segments, which is shorter than its tubular corolla. The corolla is an orange/coral/apricot color and the flowers are pendant. Commonly called ‘Lavender Scallops’ from the shape and color of its leaves, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi has few pests but may harbor mealy bugs or occasionally scale insects. The Kalanchoe genus includes plants with rubbery green leaves, leopard print, and some that are even fuzzy. The word Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese name for these plants, pronounced Ka-lun-koh-ee in English. These succulent plants store water in their leaves during droughts, making them able to tolerate skipped waterings.

Common names

Lavender Scallops, Kalanchoe

How to care for Lavender Scallops

Difficulty

Lavender Scallops presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Lavender Scallops does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To ensure the health of your Lavender Scallops, it's crucial to use a potting soil that won't hold too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to store-bought cactus soil is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Lavender Scallops thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Lavender Scallops.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Lavender Scallops to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Lavender Scallops is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

Lavender Scallops prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Lavender Scallops is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Lavender Scallops grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Lavender Scallops’s native range is Madagascar and Tropical Africa.

Flower

Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Lavender Scallops blooming.


More info:
Wikipedia