comparatively, the leaves have thinned and softened considerably since I received it, and there has been a bit excessive foliage loss. thank you so much for the I.d., though!

but also, I have two Christmas Kalanchoe that are much smaller and are blooming spectacularly and their leaves aren't nearly as rounded as this one's is?

There are many species of Kalanchoe, which grow from South Africa through East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula into India. A lot of them are from Madagascar, too. The Christmas Kalanchoe you write about may be the result of laboratory creations (the Kalendiva type, for example).

thanks for the reply! I will care for it like I do my other kalanchoes and hopefully it will thrive once more!

Did it ever bloom that you remember?

It will likely grow longer stem, they eventually become quite woody. If the leaves are soft, that could be sign or over- or under-watering. They do not like too much water, but shouldn't be dry for too long either. Should it get too leggy, you could always cut off the top part and stick in the pot - they root quite easily. And you probably know that leaves just laid on top of the mix, will grow babies and/or roots too.

I have never seen this plant bloom, not even at the funeral, and neither has my mother so I was a little confused when you said it was Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana because I have two of those whom are much, much smaller and have countless vibrant flowers blooming from them and they have triangular serrated leaves instead of circular ones but plants are diverse so it really could be the same. also, I've been erring on the side of underwatering because I've been under the impression that it is a succulent and doesnt want much water, but I will monitor that.

The reaon I asked about flowers is to better ID the plants.

I had one 3-4 years ago bought as small plant with yellow flowers (very common plant). It grew into about 3.4' tall plant with large leaves. I cut it up eventually. Here is a small plants from that original plant - cutting from a cutting...perhaps 4th or 5th 'round'.

Maybe you can post photo of your other kalanchoe?

About watering: it looks like your plant is in peaty soil? I mentioned that it could be either over- or under-watered. If the peaty soil became hydrophobic, it doesn't let water to penetrate and regardless how much you water, none (or very, very little) is getting to roots. From what you saying, it may be thirsty (mine get limpy leaves if thirsty).

Daegon... hello! I recently posted a request for an ID, for what I think is the same plant as yours! http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4266362/succulent-id-needed-aeonium I had the same reaction to the ID that you did: "Really...?!" But I googled it, and was able to find some pictures that looked just like mine. Now I guess it's just a long waiting game to see if I ever get blooms! :)

i'm sorry I ever doubted you guys, thanks so much!! the soil is indeed very peaty and hydrophobic when dry so it has caked the roots of my poor little plant and made it unable to absorb water as affectively. I have made my own growing medium composed of humus, lava rock, low-peat soil and coconut coir and I shall replant this Kalanchoe today and hopefully it will enjoy it's new environment. again, thank you guys a bunch.

I'm sure your plant will do well. I still have a K. blossfeldiana from my father's funeral in 2010. It never bloomed for my mother, so she gave it to me. This is just a couple of months after she gave it to me. She should have waited a little longer! LOL

When it gets leggy with woody stems, like this, I take cuttings.

Cuttings root rather easily and the original stem may sprout new branches. I sometimes put several in one pot, or I go a little wild and pot them up separately. All this is from the original plant (except the little jade on the left, of course.)

Good luck and enjoy!!

DC

If you don't mind me saying - I think the mix you are describing isn't going to be as well draining as you think. You are planning on mixing coir, soil and humus with some lava rock. Putting together 3 first ingredients is already making it more 'dense' - IMO, I see no point of adding the lava rock as it won't really do anything (partially depends on amount of it).

Succulents grow in their natural habitat in quite rocky soils, with no - or very little - organics. If you feel that you need soil component, why not just choosing one of the 3, and keep it at small %. You could get bag of perlite and add that to the mixture. Size of it also matters - do you know it or have a photo?