Kalanchoe beharensis Fang (Felt Plant Fang)

Kalanchoe beharensis Fang

The kalanchoe beharensis fang, also known as velvet elephant ear kalanchoe or felt plant, Kalanchoe fang, felt bush, or just fang plant, is an interesting succulent plant that produces several small plantlets at the tips of its leaf stalks. Its flowers are bright yellow, and it produces bright red berry-like fruit in the fall through early winter months.

The kalanchoe beharensis fang gets its name from the way its leaves overlap each other and can make your fingers fang if you touch them without gloves on!

If you’re looking to add some style to your garden, deck, or tabletop with an interesting plant, the felt plant (Kalanchoe beharensis fang) may be the perfect option for you.

This bromeliad has bright purple flowers that bloom in the spring and summer, and its felt-like leaves are uniquely beautiful. This plant is extremely easy to grow, too, which makes it a good choice if you don’t have much experience growing indoor plants.

Take the Kalanchoe beharensis fang and you have an easy-to-grow succulent that produces decorative felt leaves on its stem. With bright, vibrant colors, this unique houseplant is one of the most attention-grabbing plants available.

However, despite its visually stunning appearance, the kalanchoe beharensis fang requires little maintenance and makes an excellent addition to any home or office space year-round.

Let’s take a closer look at how to care for this fascinating plant!

Origin and distribution

The origin of Kalanchoe beharensis was in South Africa, but it is found in many areas across southern Africa. There are several common names for Kalanchoe beharensis: Velvet Elephant Ear, Felt Bush, and Spotted Rabbit’s Foot. These plants have large fang-like leaves and creamy white flowers that appear in summer and autumn.

These features aid in the identification of these plants. The distribution of felt bush is small and localized. In Zimbabwe, they can be found on hillsides at altitudes between 1500 m and 2000 m above sea level. It grows well in full sun to partial shade conditions.

In cultivation, Kalanchoe beharensis will tolerate a wide range of soil types from sand to clay loam as long as there is good drainage. They do not like standing water around their roots or poor drainage soils.

Kalanchoe beharensis fang propagation

Kalanchoe beharensis Fang

The propagation method for Kalanchoe beharensis is called leaf cuttings. You’ll want to place your leaf cutting in some water and wait until it starts to grow roots.

Once that happens, you can then transfer your new plant into a pot filled with some soil. From there you should be able to care for it just like any other type of Kalanchoe.

Another thing to keep in mind when propagating Kalanchoe plants is to make sure that you have more than one.

They are known as kalanchoes because they propagate by themselves through their rhizomes or stolons which makes them very easy to share with friends! The fang has large green leaves with white edges giving it an almost glow appearance under certain lighting conditions.

Its petioles also create an impressive visual element by wrapping around its pseudobulbs creating almost horns or fangs. It does well in shade to partial sun conditions but thrives best under bright light where its leaves will stand out even more due to its dark green coloration.

Kalanchoe beharensis fang care information

Kalanchoe beharensis Fang

Kalanchoe fang is a kalanchoe variety, therefore it’s no surprise that proper care of it is similar to other houseplants in its family.

One should water kalanchoes regularly so that they stay moist at all times but never overwatered, or their roots will rot. When you water your felt plant, use lukewarm water since cold or hot water may injure its leaves and roots.

Do not allow your kalanchoe fang to sit in direct sunlight for long periods of time as doing so can cause its leaves to burn and dry out. If possible, place it near a window with indirect sunlight where it can still receive enough light for photosynthesis without getting too much sun exposure.

Light requirement

Kalanchoe beharensis fang is a succulent so it requires low light. This plant prefers bright indirect sunlight, which means that you can keep it on your windowsill all year round. A couple of hours of direct sunlight per day should be sufficient during the summer months.

When you want to start growing your plant, keep it in a completely dark place. Kalanchoe beharensis fang requires very little light and should not be exposed to more than 50-foot candles of light when young.

Although it will still grow well if you let it sit in indirect sunlight, that way of growing is not ideal for its long-term health.

Soil/potting mix

The soil mix should be rich in nutrients, but not have any fertilizer added. Feeding too much or too little can both be harmful to plants. Use an all-purpose potting mix that is light and well-draining. A good rule of thumb is to use two parts garden soil, one-part sand, and one part perlite.

Perlite gives more oxygen and aeration than just using sand alone, which helps prevent root rot.

Mix it together with your hands until it feels right; if you want you can also add some organic material like peat moss. Be sure to leave room for extra water when filling up your pots!

It’s better to err on the side of too much space rather than being cramped and then having a plant that’s drowning.

Watering

Despite its name, kalanchoe is not a cactus but rather an epiphyte. That means it needs good air circulation but only light watering. It’s important to avoid overwatering, as wet roots can cause root rot.

Also, look out for signs of rot on older plants; if left unattended, these will spread quickly throughout your plant and may even kill it. Kalanchoes are susceptible to overwatering in combination with cool temperatures and low light levels.

Fertilizer

This species is a heavy feeder, so don’t skimp on fertilizer. In addition to a liquid fertilizer like Schultz’s 5-10-5 or similar, add granular fertilizers like Schultz’s Blossom Boost, Schultz’s 20-20-20 Flower and Vegetable Food, or Schultz’s Super Phosphate to your irrigation water during all active growth periods. Too much phosphorous can cause softness in plants and trigger blossom end rot in tomatoes.

Temperature

A plant’s temperature requirements are directly related to how it evolved to survive in its native habitat. Because of their tropical origins, kalanchoes can grow outside year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10 but require temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during their dormant periods.

The ideal temperature for your Kalanchoe beharensis fang is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you find that your plant begins to suffer from a lack of water, it may be because of too much heat in its environment. If you can’t adjust its location, try placing it in front of a fan or opening a window to allow for better air circulation around it.

Humidity

The humidity of your home and garden should be monitored if you own a Kalanchoe beharensis fang. Be sure to watch for greyish or brown tips on your leaves and signs of wilting.

This could mean that your plant is either suffering from too much moisture or not enough water in its soil. Instead of moving it to a drier environment, try moving it closer to its original location and make sure you are keeping it watered well.

The ideal humidity range is 50% – 60% relative humidity.

Pruning

Kalanchoe beharensis Fang

Kalanchoe beharensis fang requires little maintenance other than a little pruning to keep it looking its best. If you’re not sure how to prune a fang, take a few stems and cut them back. The cut stems will grow right back, showing you where and how much to prune.

For example, if there is more than one stem coming out of a single leaf node on your fang plant, cut back some of those stems so that all branches come from only one leaf node instead.

You should also remove any dead leaves as they appear. Dead leaves left on too long can lead to rot or pests such as aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites.

When to repot

It’s time to repot your fang kalanchoe when it outgrows its pot. This can happen quickly, depending on how often you water your plant and whether or not you give it enough light.

Generally, most plants will grow outward before they grow upward. To prevent breaking off roots and damaging stems, wait until you see new growth appear on top of your plant before repotting.

Then, use a container that is one size larger than your current one—but make sure there is at least 1-2 inches between soil level and the rim of your container. Fill in around the root ball with soil mix, taking care not to pack down too tightly. Water thoroughly after planting; then place in an area with bright indirect sunlight for best results.

Dormancy

When not being cared for, Kalanchoe beharensis fang enters dormancy. After about four months of dormancy, move your plant into a room with indirect sunlight and temperatures between 65°F and 75°F.

Keep it there until new growth appears on your plant. While your kalanchoe beharensis fang is dormant, do not disturb it or change its environment at all. Do not water or fertilize during dormancy either—this may cause rot and damage to delicate leaves.

However, you can gently mist plants every few weeks to keep them hydrated. Be careful never to expose them directly to moisture; as succulents do, Kalanchoe beharensis fang does best with dry conditions and should never be allowed to sit in water.

Flowers & Fragrance

The plant has beautiful flowers that grow in a cup shape and have petals of green and red with white tips.

The fragrance is said to smell like honeydew melon. This plant’s most distinctive feature, however, is its fuzzy leaves. These leaves are covered in a thick layer of soft hairs that give them their characteristic look.

Growth rate

Kalanchoe beharensis fang is a slow-growing perennial, which makes it an ideal houseplant. You can expect a growth rate of between one and six inches per year. With proper care, you can expect it to live for up to 20 years. The plant blooms in summer and fall with ivory flowers that smell like honeysuckle.

Toxicity

Kalanchoe beharensis fang is toxic to cats and dogs. If you have pets, make sure they do not eat them. Also, avoid children from playing with them or ingesting them because of their toxicity.

Never put these plants in your room because even though it’s non-toxic for humans, breathing it could cause irritation in people with allergies to latex or similar substances.

USDA Hardiness Zones

Kalanchoe beharensis fang thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. If you live outside of these zones, you can still grow kalanchoe beharensis fang but you’ll need to protect it from freezing temperatures during winter.

The plant does not tolerate low temperatures well, so make sure to bring it indoors if temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pests and diseases

Kalanchoe plants are pretty resilient and easy to grow in most conditions, but there are a few pests and diseases that can be problematic.

If you notice some black spots on your plant leaves or stems that don’t seem to go away, it might be a sign of a pest called mealybugs. They aren’t particularly dangerous by themselves, but they tend to spread quickly if left unchecked.

To get rid of them, try spraying them with a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part rubbing alcohol. You may also want to consider using sticky traps, which will catch any bugs that come into contact with them before they have a chance to get near your kalanchoe plants.

As for disease prevention, one thing you can do is keep an eye out for any yellowing leaves. Yellowing leaves may indicate that your plant is getting too much or too little water—or even having issues with its pH balance.

Conclusion

The Kalanchoe beharensis fang will thrive in a pot that is 10 to 12 inches in diameter and filled with good, high-quality soil. The plant will do well in sun or partial shade and prefers temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant needs frequent watering and prefers humidity as it grows indoors. The plant also produces lovely flowers that are pink to lavender when mature. The kalanchoe beharensis fang is an easy indoor plant that can be grown in any home.

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