Staff Answer
Jun 02, 2021 - 09:05 AM
Oh no!
I have a question, and a couple of theories that could explain your missing Kalanchoe foliage. First, the question, did this happen suddenly, or over the course of several days? The answer to that question lends credence to one theory or another. These are my theories:
1) Snails, slugs and caterpillars are all prone to eat leaves surprisingly quickly; certainly not over the course of a single day, but in a week or two. The warm, early summer weather may have awakened some tiny herbivores. If the problem is snails or slugs, put a small cup of beer in the ground, so the lip of the cup is only one inch above the soil. The snails or slugs will be attracted to the beer and drown in it. If the problem is caterpillars, then you'll have to pluck them off your other plants and drop them into soapy water. It's a pain, but if you lower the population enough, it'll help. Also, try keeping the ground around your plants free from debris.
2) A larger herbivore like a horse or deer came along and ate it. Unless the animal is massive, like a bear, then this is a problem that sort of... fixes itself. I know that sounds morbid, but all parts of Kalanchoe luciae are poisonous, and especially the flowers. So if your neighbor ends up with a sick horse or a rabbit that is... no longer with us, then just offer your condolences quickly and maybe grow the plant indoors from now on.
I hope this helps and better luck next time!
I have a question, and a couple of theories that could explain your missing Kalanchoe foliage. First, the question, did this happen suddenly, or over the course of several days? The answer to that question lends credence to one theory or another. These are my theories:
1) Snails, slugs and caterpillars are all prone to eat leaves surprisingly quickly; certainly not over the course of a single day, but in a week or two. The warm, early summer weather may have awakened some tiny herbivores. If the problem is snails or slugs, put a small cup of beer in the ground, so the lip of the cup is only one inch above the soil. The snails or slugs will be attracted to the beer and drown in it. If the problem is caterpillars, then you'll have to pluck them off your other plants and drop them into soapy water. It's a pain, but if you lower the population enough, it'll help. Also, try keeping the ground around your plants free from debris.
2) A larger herbivore like a horse or deer came along and ate it. Unless the animal is massive, like a bear, then this is a problem that sort of... fixes itself. I know that sounds morbid, but all parts of Kalanchoe luciae are poisonous, and especially the flowers. So if your neighbor ends up with a sick horse or a rabbit that is... no longer with us, then just offer your condolences quickly and maybe grow the plant indoors from now on.
I hope this helps and better luck next time!
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