Plate No. 57

Copper Spoons

Kalanchoe orgyalis

"New leaves the colour of hammered copper"

Native to

Rocky escarpments of southwestern Madagascar

Botanical illustration of Copper Spoons
Kalanchoe orgyalis — drawn from life
History

A brief account

Malagasy in origin, this shrubby kalanchoe unfurls each new pair of spoon-shaped leaves in a warm cinnamon-copper felt that slowly fades to silvery-grey with age — giving mature plants a beautiful two-tone effect. Wild specimens on limestone ridges may reach two metres, though pot-grown plants stay compact.

How to care for

Place Copper Spoons according to its light needs: Bright light with several hours of direct sun to keep the copper hue. For watering, every two to three weeks in summer; dry in winter. For the potting medium, use standard succulent mix with extra pumice. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer. 15–30°C. Frost-tender. Check the compost before watering instead of following a rigid calendar, since light, temperature, pot size and season all affect how quickly it dries. During slower growth, reduce watering and wait longer between drinks.

How to propagate

Stem or leaf cuttings root readily. Propagation is most reliable during the plant's active growing season, when warmth and good light help new roots establish. Start with clean tools and healthy material, and keep the new plant in conditions appropriate for the parent. Where a cutting or division creates a wound, allow the surface to dry before planting unless the method calls for immediate rooting in water or moist mix. Once roots form and fresh growth appears, gradually move the young Copper Spoons into its normal watering routine; excess moisture is especially risky while the root system is still small.
Cultivation

Quick tips for care & planting

Light
Bright light with several hours of direct sun to keep the copper hue.
Water
Every two to three weeks in summer; dry in winter.
Soil
Standard succulent mix with extra pumice.
Temperature
15–30°C. Frost-tender.
Propagation
Stem or leaf cuttings root readily.