NOTE: The terms Chocolate soldier plant and Kalanchoe tomentosa are identical in this text; in reality, Kalanchoe tomentosa is Chocolate soldier plant’s biological word.
If you’ve ever browsed for plants, you’ve probably seen a chocolate soldier plant. Chocolate soldiers are very popular because they are easy to care for. They are sold at most nurseries, garden centers, and plant shops, and are easily identifiable because they are characterized by blue-green fuzzy leaves that are rimmed with dark red or chocolate brown.
Why does my Kalanchoe tomentosa roots have rot?
Root rot on your Chocolate soldier plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) can be dangerous if left untreated. In order to keep your plant alive, we strongly suggest that you follow our advice if the signs start to show: blackened and mushy roots.
Why does my Chocolate soldier plant have gray mold spots?
A particular fungus known as gray mold spots spreads quickly and frequently damages flowers. This fungus is probably to blame if you see any brown (or gray) spots. If you disregard these warning signs, your plant could die.
Our Solution
The answer is obvious once you recognize the cause of the problem. Most frequently, it results from the Kalanchoe tomentosa being overwatered. We strongly advise you to remove the damaged plant parts, cut off the diseased roots and leaves, and then repot your plant in a new container with sterile potting soil.
Why does my Chocolate soldier plant have leaf spots?
This type of disease is one of the most frustrating for Chocolate soldier plant owners, we give you all the leads to spot and save your plants that present symptoms such as leaves that suddenly change color, or wilt/droop.
Why are my Chocolate soldier plant leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves are arguably the most prevalent issue in the gardening world. Overwatering or a lack of nutrients are the 2 main causes of this issue.
Whether you think your plants are getting too much water, cut back on how often you water them, and take the following measures to see if they might be nutritionally deficient:
Here are some indicators of yellowing on the Kalanchoe tomentosa brought on by its numerous flaws:
- Yellow patches between leaf veins on elder leaves are the first sign of magnesium shortage. Veins continue to be green while the leaf’s core turns yellow. The leaf’s edges yellow last.
- Another indicator of iron deficiency is yellowing between leaf veins, but young leaves on plant tops and branch tips are first affected.
- Sulfur deficiency starts with the newest leaves, turning them yellow throughout.
- Insufficient potassium causes the leaf edges to turn brilliant yellow while the interior of the leaf stays green. Older leaves show the symptoms initially, and the leaf edges quickly darken.
- A broad yellowing indicates a nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing starts with older, inner leaves. Yellowing spreads as it advances, eventually touching new leaves as well.
Our Solution
You only need to act in accordance with the symptoms listed above. You can address a potassium or nitrogen deficiency by buying a particular soil, and a gardening store consultant will be able to advise you on how to do that. Furthermore, you can also limit how frequently you water your plants.
Is my Chocolate soldier plant sunburned?
You can easily tell if your Chocolate soldier plant (your Kalanchoe tomentosa) has a sunburn. In this case, your plant will change color, starting to turn yellow or white, much like it does on us.
The leaves of your Chocolate soldier plant can also change color in case it gets too much water or not enough light, as we saw above.
To find out if the yellow leaves have been sunburned, look at the part of the bottom that is tinted closer to the base. The yellow leaf is probably burnt and not something else if this portion stays greener.
Why are my Chocolate soldier plant leaves turning brown?
Most of the time, leaves of a Chocolate soldier plant that turn brown is a sign that your plant has been sunburned, it has probably been exposed to too much direct sunlight. Don’t panic, your plant probably won’t die from this, but its growth will take a hit.
Should I leave my Kalanchoe tomentosa in direct sunlight?
No! If your Kalanchoe tomentosa (or Chocolate soldier plant) has the symptoms described above, don’t leave it in direct sunlight, that’s the reason why your Chocolate soldier plant is in such a state!
Our Solution
The remedy, as said in the paragraph above, is simple: just move your plant’s Chocolate soldier plant out of direct sunlight. Your plant should swiftly re-grow with this strategy and appropriate watering.
Why are my Kalanchoe tomentosa leaves drooping or wilting ?
In most cases, this happens when your Kalanchoe tomentosa lacks water. This is especially the case for large plants, naturally they need more water than others.
Whether your Kalanchoe tomentosa plant’s pot appears light, the soil and roots are likely fairly dry and need water, so you can readily tell if it needs to be hydrated.
Our Solution
If the soil in the container is completely dry, you must first moisten it to guarantee that your plant’s roots absorb the benefits of the water. One common mistake is to drown the Chocolate soldier plant right away after a dry time because you think it needs a lot of water.
This is true, but the easiest way to end it is to give too much water at once. Instead, you should water the soil properly, returning to a peaceful watering rhythm.
Caring Tips for Kalanchoe tomentosa
Water Occasionally
Water is essential to the survival of your plant, however, it is important to balance the rate of watering. As we explained above, overwatering could have fatal consequences for your Kalanchoe tomentosa.
Touching the soil will let you know whether your plant needs water or not; if it still feels damp, it’s generally best to wait a few more days.
Always keep temperatures stable
It’s also a good idea to keep your Kalanchoe tomentosa at a constant temperature, especially if it’s kept indoors. In general, at GreenShack, we suggest booking a temperature between 65 and 85 degrees F. Of course, keep your Kalanchoe tomentosa away from radiators, air conditioners, and other sources of hot or cold air.
Keep your Chocolate soldier plant Dust-Free
This one concerns indoor plants, just like on your furniture, dust is also deposited on the leaves of your indoor plants, the problem is that it can prevent them from receiving the necessary light, this would slow down (or even stop) the photosynthesis process, and eventually, they would lose their colors.
This would be a true journey into hell for your Chocolate soldier plant and would also satisfy the pests.
Take a microfiber cloth and gently massage the plant’s leaves to get rid of the dust. Use a damp cloth to make dust removal easier, but avoid using corrosive materials like rubbing alcohol!
Keep drainage in mind
If you have a tendency to overwater, you need to keep an eye on your drainage, we advise you to opt for a pot with drainage holes if it is not already the case and a saucer.
You can add volcanic rocks (or any other pebbles with holes) to the bottom of your pot in the interim if your pots don’t already have holes in them. This will help to form a channel so that the water doesn’t pool there for too long (preventing the rot of the roots!).
