Kalanchoe delagoensis (mother of millions)

Japanese name: 錦蝶
Scientific name: Kalanchoe delagoensis

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial 0.2–1 m tall, sometimes reaching 2 m.
A succulent plant.
The whole plant is tinged gray-green, and the stem is cylindrical and erect, though the base often lies on the ground while the upper part rises.
The leaves are usually simple, opposite or in whorls of 3, set at even intervals on the stem, 2.5–9 cm long and about 0.3–0.5 cm wide, nearly cylindrical with a groove on the upper surface, and marked with blackish purple to reddish brown blotches.
The leaf base is narrowed, and the margin is entire except for 2–9 teeth at the tip; adventitious buds emerge between the teeth.
The leaves at first stand upward, while those on the lower part of the stem spread horizontally.
A cyme-like inflorescence at the end of a flower stalk 10–25 cm long bears many drooping flowers.
The flowers are long bell-shaped, about 2.5–3.5 cm long and 1.5–1.8 cm across, and the corolla is 4-lobed and vermilion to scarlet.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated environment.
It is sensitive to cold, so bring it indoors to a sunny spot in winter.
It dislikes heat and humidity, so in summer place it in an airy spot in partial shade.
Place pots on a shelf or similar so air can reach the bottom, and move them out of the rain during long rainy spells.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly only after the soil in the pot has dried all the way through; in winter, keep it on the dry side, watering about once a month.
Apply a small amount of slow-release fertilizer in spring to autumn, excluding midsummer.
It is a short-day plant that flowers as the days shorten, so it flowers poorly where it is lit at night.
Pests and diseases include scale insects and aphids.

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