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Cacti & Succulents

Please help ID these Kalanchoe.

Central_Cali369

14 years ago

These two kalanchoe (??) are from the big box stores. I've had them for a couple of months already, but wanted to know what they are, that way i could get them through the winter if they don't like frost. I am growing these in sunset zone 9/ USDA 9b (San Joaquin Valley, in the thermal belt at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills). These are the two plants in question:

#1

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I'm pretty sure this is a kalanchoe. The leaves are about 3-4 inches long and very rigid. It started getting the red coloring recently with cooler temperatures. It is in part shade for now, but will be in full sun when the cherry trees go decidious.

#2

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This one I'm not too sure about. The leaves are fuzzy and about 2 inches long. They are extremely drought tolerant. They seem to dislike summer water. Out of the several in the yard, one rotted this summer from, what I presume, a case of mild overwatering by my part. This one is in full sun.

Thanks for any input!

Josh

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Comments (8)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
14 years ago
Josh,

The first on is a Kalanchoe - I want to say Kalanchoe ceratophylla, but I don't think that that's it.

I think the second is an Echeveria species.
joscience
14 years ago
I'd agree the first is some sort of Kalanchoe, can't offer help on the species.

The second looks like Echeveria pulvintata that had been grown in shade before you got it into the sun.
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Good about re-potting! If not enough light, some CFL bulbs or fluorescents will help (I have many succulents in the basement due to lack of space - there are only small windows there, so supplemental lights are used. Once plants grow so stretched, they won't revert to compact growth, only new growth will be more compact. So anything that can be done during winter helps some. Putting the into sunniest/brightest spot you have is a step in right direction :) You could also search this site for info on gritty mix (also known as 1.1.1). That kind of potting mix is best for succulents - allows great drainage and aeration. Good luck with growing.
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Central_Cali369
Original Author
14 years ago
I looked online and K. Ceratophylla didn't seem to fit, but it led me to a couple of links and it seems that the first one could be K. Longiflora var. Coccinea (??) Pictures online give mixed reports. Some pictures look like mine and other don't. hmm.

Joscience, I think we've got a positive ID on the second one. Good to know it should be fine in our winter. All of my other echeverias are going into their growing modes.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
14 years ago
Josh,

You're absolutely correct on the second ID on the first plant - v. coccinea it is. I forget Kalanchoes now that I don't grow them so much.

On the Ech, if it's warm enough you should see substantial growth on it in the next few months, given that it's given water and sun, too.
norma_2006
14 years ago
I also believe it is Kalanchoe longiflora v. coccinea That is what my label reads. Doesn't mean that I'm right however, now I must look in the books, Norma
mfyss
14 years ago
It's probably K. sexangularis. If the stems are 4 sided, perhaps K. longiflora. Lots of confusion over these two, so misidentified plants are understandably common (ISI distributed K. s. under the name K. longiflora var. coccinea). Yale
norma_2006
14 years ago
Yale that is correct, and I would place my bet on the ISI name, that is what my label reads as well. Norma
norma_2006
14 years ago
That Kalanchoe longiflora will have bright yellow flowers, which is a nice contrast for the leaves. Most of the Crassulaceae family from Africa are winter growers, the ones from the Amiericas are not, and do like water in the summer. I have several tree Sedum, from Mexico that I really must water during the summer months and have very sweet smelling flowers. Norma

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