Paddle plant/ flap jack kalanchoe

My paddle plants (2) each have one long, curly stem. They have NOT flowered and have no baby rosettes. If I cut off the long stem, will they regrow if left out before repotting as most kolanchoes and other succulents do?

They look very dry but the foliage looks good. I don't know about cutting them at this stage but there will be someone who will let you know what they think. They may need a lot more light and some water.

I understand they die after flowering but will have some pups around the stalk.

Thank you for your comments. The pots look dry on top, but actually are soaked with rain water just under the surface. I just took them from an in-ground shady spot and repotted to pots I could put in the sun. I learned that the more sun, the more red they will show. I like your picture. The plant looks great. I'll keep waiting for an answer to my question. I'm tempted to just cut off the stem and see what happens. Patience, patience.

You could post this in the C&S forum where the experts are.

Sorry, what is C & S? Thanks

cactus and succulent

WE call those THE MONEY PLANTS, once you have them, you cant get rid, The reason the stems are so long and twisted is un- sufficient light, the top of the plant is stretching up to try get into the brighter light but the stem is too soft to carry such tall stems.

Place the plant closer to BRIGHT LIGHT BUT, not in a window where there is sun scorching the plant because of the glass magnifying the sun rays.

Mine flower BUT the flowers are so small and insignificant that soon as they appear, I nip off the little clusters. I water in summer every couple of days as they are succulents and they need the water to keep the leaves fat and healthy. the stems do go hard and woody with age, I only feed mine early spring and mid summer, have small grit mixed into the soil to prevent the roots sitting in soil that's too wet. pour any excess water away from the saucer after half hour as they like water but not the roots set into wet soil for long periods.

Hope this helps a bit.
Good luck. WeeNel.

Thank you. Lots of good info. I still need to know if I can cut the stem short and replant as most succulents allow. I need to join the site so that I can ask my questions on the cactus and succulent forum. It's probably good that you cut off the small flowers. I know that if they flower completely they die back but produce new babies you can plant.

The flowers cause no harm what-so-ever BUT, because they are so tiny, insignificant in size or colour, I go by the rule, why let any plant use up energy making flowers then seeds, when it's energy could be used towards growing good roots, nice healthy foliage or is some types of plants, new offspring made underground and send up new little plants. Plants grown for their flowers are a different thing all-together, but plants grown for their foliage are best to be disbudded when the buds are small to allow the greenery talk the talk.

You Can if you really HAVE to, cut off the top growth and hope the main stems will regrow BUT why not be a bit more patient and allow the plant to make new little offspring when it's mature enough to do so on it's own.
To be absolutely blunt, what the plants actually do need is a good drink of water, either a largish pebble laid in the pot and in a position where the head of the plant rests on the stone offering support, the reason the plant will continue to grow the stem around in circles is because the top of the plant is bending and twisting to get the light it requires. IF it is not helping by adding the stone to the pot, try a small cane and using SOFT twine (horticultural soft twine) tie this to the cane and it will give some support allowing the stem to be lifted from the soil.

I think maybe you are expecting too much from a young immature plant, so I would concentrate more on helping the plant put on more new side shoots rather than a tall curling single stem. Should the head get broken off from the stem for any reason, don't despair as a new side shoot MAYBE regrow therefore don't throw the plant out thinking it is going to fie over night. After several weeks, you should see new little side growths, as long as the stem is not soft and spongy, the plant is still growing and alive.

Hope this takes some of the worries your feeling, patience is not an item you can buy, you have to learn to let nature do what it does best at it's own speed, and only interfere with this cycle IF the plant is struggling without your help.
Good luck and Best Regards.
WeeNel.

What they need is a bigger pot, and not made of clay (which dries out too fast). The plant will fill a 3 gallon pot when mature, and underpotting can seriously retard growth. Water when almost dry. I think the flowers are beautiful (esp. the powdery bloom), but to each her own.