Many the great unwashed confuse the Mother of Millions with Mother of Thousand , due largely in part to the similarity of their names . However , these are two distinct plant . The well-off way to name one from the other is to look at their leaf .
Mother of Millions vs. Mother of Thousands, which is which?
TheMother of Thousands(Kalanchoe daigremontiana ) has broad , split - shaped parting that arise in pairs that are located on the opposite side of the prow . One pair is place about 90 degrees away from the other pair .
This folio growing figure ensures that one pair of leaves does not block out the sunshine for the other leaves . The leaves of the Mother of Thousands contain ridges where the plantlet grow .
On the other bridge player , the Mother of Millions ( Kalanchoe delagoensis ) has minute leaves . Typically , this succulent has four leaves that rise from the same node . Additionally , the plantlet of the Mother of Millions only maturate on the tips of the leaves . As such , the plant life has fewer plantlet , commonly between two to five per leaf .
Apart from their leaves , the plants are unlike in their growth figure . The Mother of Thousands has only one key stalk that grows upward . As the plant grows heavy with the sheer number of leave of absence and plantlets , the fundamental straw will wilt .
The Mother of Millions , on the other hand , has several stems that also grow upward . However , these stems typically induce the plant to rise like a bush .
Similarities between the Mother of Millions and the Mother of Thousands
If you look closely at both plant , you will notice that they share a few similarities , apart from their names and their yield of plantlets on their leaves . For starters , both plants amount from Madagascar .
Both share similar care requirements . Both thrive under lineal sunlight but can tolerate partial shade . As succulents , both plants take to be water profoundly but infrequently . They also flourish in well - enfeeble soil .
But if there is one uncanny law of similarity between the two , that would be their power to spread their plantlet with such great ease . In fact , both species can easily overgrow a garden . That is why these plant are often considered encroaching species because of their efficiency in crowding out native plant life coinage .
The plantlets grow by both plant are more than quick to grow upon reach the ground . In sum , these plantlet are just miniature versions of the independent plants . They can grow and survive even before they drop to the ground . All of these give the plantlets a trenchant advantage over most plants .
Although both plants produce flowers and seeds , they do not blossom often and rely almost exclusively on their plantlet for propagation .
Finally , both industrial plant are know to be toxicant , especially to beast . That is why many governments look for to actively control the growth of these plants . Both plants release a milky sap when their stems are check . This sap contains a dangerous toxin that is venomous to favorite and stock .
A tale of 2 Kalanchoes
Kalanchoes are succulent that originate from Madagascar and Africa . This flora genus consists of 125 coinage , include the Mother of Thousands and Mother of Millions .
Kalanchoes share a few similarity . For one , their leaves are thick . Second , these plants open their flowers by producing new cellular phone on the inside surface of the petal . The yield of these unexampled cells forces the flower to open up outwards .
The flowers are lead - shaped and bloom from winter to spring .
Kalanchoes boom well in fast - enfeeble grunge and mild temperatures .
Like most succulent , Kalanchoes need minimal upkeep and are susceptible to only a smattering of pests and diseases .
Mother of Thousands
Also live as the Devil ’s Backbone , Alligator Plant , and Mexican Hat Plant , the Mother of Thousands is a succulent that originates from Madagascar . Typically kept as a foliage plant , the succulent is often recommended to beginners because it is easy to care for and propagate .
Like most succulent , the Mother of Thousands require dirt with good drain . If you are plan on go along this plant , you could use a commercial cactus pot mix . Somesucculent custodian use vernacular potting soilmixed with coarse sand to boost drain .
Unlike other succulent , the Mother of Thousands like its dirt moist . However , do not water the soil to the full stop that it gets too soggy .
This plant life prefers bright but indirect sun . If you are keep this plant alfresco , do not come in it under direct sunlight .
Terracotta mint make easily for these plants . think to repot your female parent of Thousands only after it outgrow its current container , ideally during leap .
The most interesting aspect of this plant is that it is easy to spread . The Mother of Thousands is a prolific multiplier , evolve to multiply like no other . While other plants reproduce through seed or cuttings , this succulent relies on its plantlets . Although the Mother of Thousands acquire flowers , it rarely does so , especially when hold back indoors .
Upon reaching matureness , spoon - mould goad formulate on the edge of the leaves . These spurs carry plantlets which , in essence , are clones of the female parent plant . Over sentence , these plantlet produce large and produce their own roots . As the plantlet continue growing , the leaves carrying these sag due to the weight they express .
To propagate this plant life , you will need to take one to two plantlets and hive away these in a pliant bag . Keeping the plantlets is substantive to keep these moist . Otherwise , the plantlets can become juiceless and finally conk out .
After securing executable plantlet , you’re able to then put these on top of a pot of soil . annul pushing the plantlet into the soil and give them enough quad apart from each other . Once you have planted the plantlets , cover the wad with cling wrapper . This see to it that the baby plants are moist . Place the pot in a place with copious sun . Keep the plantlet covered in plastic wrap just until they grow taller .
Mother of Millions
Like the Mother of Thousands , the Mother of Millions originally comes from Madagascar .
Also known as the Chandelier Plant , Mission Bells , and Christmas Bells , this flowering succulent can grow over two feet magniloquent .
The Mother of Millions can be acquire outdoors and indoors . Like most succulent , it prefer well - drain grunge and partial shade . The plant should be repot every two to three years , ideally with tonic soil .
The Mother of Millions can tolerate warm temperature and prefers sunny locations . However , the plant should not be placed under direct sunlight .
Although the succulent is drouth - large-minded , it should be watered one to two times a week , especially between natural spring and twilight . you may water it less frequently during winter . When overwatered , the leaves get to droop and the flora put down its plantlets .
Like the Mother of Thousands , the Mother of Millions iseasy to disseminate . Topropagate this succulent , you will need to expect until the plantlet found on the edges of the leaves protrude to drop and take root . The plantlet can be plant in separate containers or little groups in a exclusive pot . Either way , you have to check that that you apply well - drain filth . As the plantlet grow , these should be transplanted to larger pots .
The Mother of Millions is a resilient works and seldom succumbs to pestis and disease . One particular problem to ascertain out for is mildew infection which typically arises when the air is too teetotal .
The plant has long been associated with cattle death . In the wild , the plant can be well spread in pasturelands through floodwater , animals , and vehicles . This , combined with the plant ’s perniciousness , make the succulent a threat to livestock . When cows ingest the plant and its flowers , the animals can become poisoned , and when result untreated , become flat .
Keeping your plants in check
There is no doubt that both the Mother of Millions and Mother of Thousands are interesting plants because of their unique power to propagate . But these same qualities can make these plants pestilence , specially when left on their own devices . This is specially true if you populate in an country where the climate provides these plants with the right living shape .
To put it succinctly , go along either of these plant entails responsibility , peculiarly in terminal figure of curb the spreadhead of their plantlets . Keep these plants in separate containers . This will make it wanton for you to control the spread of the plantlets and prevent the young plant from making their way outside of your property .
Unless you are design to propagate either of these plants , you should regularly check the female parent plants and remove the plantlet before these take etymon and grow .
What makes a plant invasive?
Plants that are view as invasive , like the Mother of Millions and Mother of Thousands , are not inherently harmful . The character that make these plant invasive are in fact adaptations that allow them to survive and compete with other organism in their aboriginal localization .
In their rude habitat , numerous factor keep their population in confirmation , ranging from vulture to environmental condition . encroaching plants cause problems when they are brought from their place of origin to locations where they may have an unjust reward over indigenous plant .
When you bring a plant to a unexampled location , two thing can find . It can die because it is unsound to live in that new placement or it can flourish because there is short to no competition that will keep its universe in check .
incursive plant species share a few quality that make them successful . These include the ability to multiply and rise rapidly , timber present in both the Mother of Thousands and Mother of Millions .
These qualities are not inherently forged , particularly when seen in the context of last in their places of origin . However , these same quality put native plants at a disadvantage when both types of Kalanchoes are released outdoors .
A big responsibility
There is no doubt that both the Mother of Millions and Mother of Thousands make excellent additions to any succulent ingathering , but due to the nature of their reproduction , you should be aware of the affiliate responsibilities of keeping both plants in your garden .
Be mindful of the tendencies of both plants and put into place protective measures to foreclose their spread in your local surroundings .
Image : istockphoto.com / skymoon13
