Pruning a giant Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

This 5-gallon Panda Plant was a massive project to tackle. It was pretty healthy but looked scraggly and overgrown.
After over 4 hours of work I got it all cut down.... watch to see how I determined where to cut, what fun surprises I found, and what the kids thought about the whole thing 😊
Here's some of the tools I used in this video (affiliate links #ad):
Bonsai Jack Succulent Mix: www.succulentsandsunshine.com...
Coconut Coir: amzn.to/39ahjXB
Pruning Scissors: amzn.to/2uKrnaU
Super awesome hose valve: amzn.to/2VvELuh
Learn all about how to propagate from leaves, cuttings, seeds and offsets here:
www.succulentsandsunshine.com...
Thanks so much for watching this video!
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Etsy: www.succulentsandsunshine.com...
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🧡 MY FAVORITE SUCCULENT SOIL:
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Looking for something else? Check out our commonly asked questions here:
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And if you'd like a more complete guide to growing succulents, with step-by-step instructions to get you started, you'll love our premium course, Successfully Growing Succulents.
No more searching endless blogs, books, and videos just to keep your succulents alive. This course will teach you everything you need to know to keep your succulents thriving, no matter where you live.
Learn more here:
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[@Oohkamitama]

If I went to my local home depot and saw this, I’d scream out of excitement.

[@b.a.ratcliff7529]

I Love the idea of bear stemming to have it grow back bushier.

[@ziaway1561]

This is exactly what I wanted to see!! Thank you! Just cut and separated a huge pig’s ear plant. I’m a beginner and starting to panic. I have as much cuttings as you. Watching this totally calmed me down. All my cuttings are drying and I can just let it be! Can’t wait to watch your next video. Well done!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

So glad the video was helpful! :)

[@liliareg5653]

Henry is absolutely one adorable little plant enthusiast. I want to take him home along with his turtle pot.

[@jennywhite3508]

This is amazing!! I didn’t know Home Depot had such huge succulents!!

[@wayneford4760]

Amazing. You would never see this at a Canadian Home Depot lol

[@alexandramunoz4551]

Henry AND his turtle are so cute!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

haha they certainly are :)

[@jennywhite3508]

Aww Henry wanted a cutting ❤️ melts my heart. I hope my 20 month old son is into plants in the future

[@woodlandsfarm]

Henry is so cute! You must have him on every video !!

[@dianneunterbrink3744]

Absolutely one of the all-time bests at showing/teaching us how to propagate our succulents. Some of my babies are finally at a point where I can take some cuttings from them and this was great at showing me what to do and not to do!! Thanks, Cassidy. You are an amazing teacher and your love of plants shines thru in all that you show us!!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you so much! Glad that the information has been helpful for you.

[@davidhimself9556]

PLANTS FOR DAYS!

[@patriciasumner5941]

This I very interesting. Thank you 💗

[@johnniejoemer]

Excellent video. You're an AWESOME teacher! Thanks so much!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you! 🥰

[@melmak26]

I ABSOLUTELY love this! I love the step by step and all of the information that seems to get lost in other videos that fast-forward too much! Thanks for your time!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

We're so glad you love it!

[@helencocran6895]

Henry is precious!

[@shufify]

So satisfying to watch! Can't wait to see the final potted versions and arrangements of these cuttings .

[@Ok-dw4gz]

Wow! 😱 its more of rehabilitation day😂 I admire your son is appreciative of plants too😊 I only have 1 stem Kalanchoe Tomentosa Panda and Choco Soldier but my panda is not that fast growing but it is healthy however my Choco Soldier is prolific grower😊

[@Traumatized1973]

As I do research on my succulents, I've come across a few if your videos. You are very informing. Thank you for sharing. I subscribed to your channel 🙏😊

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you! You are very welcome glad the videos have helped

[@dyrcosis]

Considering how resilient kalanchoes are, I think the base plants will bush out and look quite lovely in a few months. That was a LOT of work. Every time I watch one of your videos I often learn a little something new and always want to go work with my succulents as well.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you! And yes, that's what I'm hoping for with the original plant. It should be pretty covered and bushy by the end of summer.

[@agardenbeyondparadise9787]

This was so great to watch. I can't wait to one day take on a project like this with my boy.

[@dianneunterbrink3744]

I have to admit that at first I saw that this was half-hour long. But boy am I SOOO glad I watched clear to the end. See you wrestle with the root ball and seeing all the end results was worth every minute. I've learned so much and am thrilled at seeing you work so diligently at this project. Well done!!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@zombeefan6428]

Wow, what a beautiful plant!! Thanks for posting this! Your children are absolutely adorable!!!

[@lynnette245]

All of my succulents are babies, I had only started adopting them last year. I did end up propagating one of my Jade leaves but my mother killed it when I asked her to take care of my succulents when I was away. She didn't read my letter I wrote on how to take care of them. But I've been obsessed with trying to keep my succulents as healthy as possible so I can steadily grow them as large as they'll go. I want the largest succulents in the world. I want hugely over-sized succulents that are as healthy as they are shockingly large. And I'm going to find a way to do it, somehow. I've been watching a lot of succulent videos and I've been really enjoying the ones on this channel, I love how informative and fun they are. I'm still having bad luck with the leaves I've been attempting at propagating so I'm only doing one to a few at a time, also because I don't feel comfortable taking that many leaves from my babies, as the two plants I've been taking leaves from aren't too old. My Jade is probably three so it does have a lot of leaves but they're all small so I'm going to wait until she grows larger. She actually sprouted a new appendage recently and I've just noticed today. I want to collect so many succulents but our ledge is already full of succulents so I started filling the kitchen table that we don't use with plants. Since I don't have lights indoors (all my plants are indoors as I live in an area with too harsh of winters for any plants to be outside unless they're a tree or regrow every year) my succulents and I have been depending on the sunlight, so we're all really happy spring is coming so the sun will stay out longer. I'm going to have to get some lights here pretty soon, if only the ones with batteries weren't either so dim or so expensive with huge and also expensive batteries. The good lights use a lot of electricity and all. At least the plants don't want light all day, haha. I've been having a really fun time watching my succulents grow, I had no idea plants were so exciting but taking care of them is usually the best part of my day.

[@sheldonmurphy6031]

Yooo Ma'am! I have found myself in the same boat/path as yourself! It's really an excited life to think about while your doing it day by day! 😊 Now that it's two years later, how has things gone for you? Just a super quick of myself. I have been doing cacti for the last 2 years, and really only discover succulents, beyond what I normally thought succulents were. I saw the Mother Of Thousands, Millions, along witj Lavender Scallops, and I brought them home asap! These are sooo cool! 😁😁😁😁😁 Good Afternoon & Hope Your Weekemd Is Well Ma'am! 😊

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Thank you fir this and absolutely fantastic that you do follow ups for the massive resectioning of the large panda plant, great work.

[@virginial6082]

Learned a lot from this vid. Never will I give up hope on a leaf that doesn't break off clean at the end! I'd love for my succs to flourish like your Panda, but just watching you prune it made me tired~ha! I'm just a beginner, so watching you cut the plant strategically taught me a lot. Good job and thanks. I love sweet Henry's turtle.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

It was definitely the biggest project I've done. Thankfully most are much less exhausting 😆

[@conniesaria2958]

Wow i love panda plants, but im here in philippines, im your new subscriber

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you!

[@diannehopkirk9423]

What a great video! I'm always learning something new from you. The biggest thing I learned from this video was to leave the washed roots to dry out before re-potting. Thanks so much for spending the time sharing your knowledge.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

So glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂

[@nonamegivenatbirth]

Thank you so much for this video! I inherited a ton of succulents and some of them are huge. You’ve given me the confidence to start deconstructing the oversized ones so I can grow my succulent family and create some beautiful arrangements. 🥰🌵

[@sherrylthompson803]

Love to see your kids in videos! Great info!

[@mayhmmaydn]

That was an awesome turtle planter!! Lucky lil man!!

[@floorluna]

Oh my god! Have this plant two weeks now and it lost some leaves, put them in dirt and just now i taken them out. I'm a mommy again thank you.

[@johnspahr1679]

Great Job!!! Can't wait to see the next steps!

[@jtrose6995]

Probably over a thousand dollars worth of cuttings? Amazing!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

😆 Not quite... but definitely enough to justify the $80 I spent 😃

[@eshelovesdogs]

Your littles are super cute! Thank you for sharing this video. I'm super into propagation right now

[@LadyMordhaus]

Henry is so freaking cute!!!!!

[@Thankful_.]

So awesome!

[@kathleenzielinski3393]

Enjoyed the video and all the information you taught me.

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Hat is the plant trailing on the ground it’s a deep green, tine leaves. Just under you table with full tray on it. Thank you. Incredible such a deal 80 bucks most people would shy away but what you got from this is incredible. I’m a Succulent lover cacti lover too loser, heck I love all plants.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Isn't it beautiful? :) It's a trailing Portulacaria afra "Elephant Bush" and you can learn more about it here: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-elephant

[@bobbiechinn9578]

U have the cutest kids omg!!! 😃 I have a panda and a cinnamon (which I thought was a chocolate soldier and still not sure) lol. They're fast growers.

[@ronnieelipane1261]

Your kids are so cute!!!

[@cailho100]

Bravo.!

[@Huppy1234567]

what helps too is you get like a brick and just beat the soil it breaks it up

[@davie7199]

I never had luck with leaf propagating even it it grew a baby it dies so I just trim a stem or wait for the succulent to grow pups but even then I mess that up a bit

[@brandonlow1490]

Still so much work to do.. good luck

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

That’s the biggest potted Panda I’ve ever seen. It’s interesting that Home Depot has started stocking 5 gallon succulents this past year, at least in SoCal. I’ve seen some nice offerings in the $20 to $25 range. I bought a Pachypodium geayi with 9 stems for $23 !

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

That's a great deal!!

[@karinavalencia7799]

Can you make a video on how to grow succulents from seeds and how to care for them once they sprout? That would be so helpful!! :)

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

I have an entire course on growing succulents (from seed, leaves, cuttings) that is available now! Take a look here: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-propcourse

[@carolmahon5775]

That was fun to watch. Thank you. I love the turtle pot! Where did you get it?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

We got it at a local nursery, but there's quite a few places that sell the Talevera style pots.

[@ktrn285]

I was giving a stem of mother of millions but it is very leggy. I've done everything but pruned it. After watching this video, i think thats the solution to this plant, to cut back in order to save it bc right now it is still not looking very well

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Pruning it will help encourage new, thicker growth off the base plant. Once a succulent has stretched, it can't fix the already leggy areas. But, the new growth (with more light) can be more compact. Take a look here for more details: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-stretched

[@Sineadbrazil]

I have a propagated leaf that has its "baby" is about an inch and half tall already! The mother leaf isnt completely shrivelled up yet and I was wondering how often I should water the baby?

[@mysticalearthofferings]

water thoroughly and watch over the next few days you'll notice it becomes plump and probably a bit green , then once the leaves aren't quite as plump is a good time ☺ every 1 - 5 days has worked for me but mine are outdoors and can get a bit hot even in the shade so this will depend on their conditions . generally a good rule of thumb for propagated leaves is to water them until the top 1/4 - 1/2 inch of soil is damp , then water again when it's completely dry . pay close attention to how they look when they're hydrated , vs when they need a drink

[@mysticalearthofferings]

and good luck with your baby !

[@tandardwatch6768]

Wow! So it means that I can cut a single leaf into two and they both grow? thank you :)

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Most likely! Not all succulents do it super easily, but this one seems to be doing just fine that way. I've found most Kalanchoe varieties are quite adept at propagating even in less than ideal circumstances.

[@sunnylifecrochet]

My problem is what to do with propagated little plants. I'm running out of room and no one wants it (for free).

[@Clfike]

I notice you used several different soil media in the trays for your leaves. What do you recommend in general. I just received my cuttings and can't wait to get started!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

I recommend using coconut coir for the leaves. When I was doing this project I decided to "recycle" some soils I had that were mixed with other stuff. That's why the trays don't all look the same. A more organic mix works for leaves until they get to be an inch or two in size. Then I'd recommend moving them to a gritty mix. succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-prop1

[@Clfike]

@@Succulentsandsunshine Great! I figured it would be something like that. Thanks.

[@samanthazhou6259]

is it true that you can cut a leaf into different pieces and they will propagate from all the parts since they can grow from the broken part as well?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

It seems to be working with these Kalanchoe tomentosa leaves :) I'm sure there are some succulents that will do so more easily than other.

[@paradigmrouge8216]

I always heard that you aren't supposed to water a succulent right after you dig it up or re-plant them because the roots are always damaged in some way by being dug up. So, wouldn't using the high pressure jet of water be bad for the succulent?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Yes, that's right. With a succulent this large, this was the easiest way to remove the dirt. I let the roots dry out for a couple of days before replanting 😊

[@weasel9062]

How long do the panda plant leaves usually take to grow roots? They seem to be a bit on the slow side. Even for water propagation.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

They are definitely slow growers! It depends on your growing environment. As long as your plant isn't rotting from too much water, and you should hopefully see roots soon.

[@Starlabright]

Hey! It’s been 3 wks... what’s it lookin like now? What pot did you use? What soil medium? Did you put some of the cuttings in to make it fuller? What happened to Panda?!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Great question! It's taken me longer than I thought to get it all planted :) I should have a "part 2" video up in the next week or two.

[@sherrydee7880]

I have 2 questions. What zone do you live in & what brand of shoes are you wearing? They look comfy. Thanks. Great job deconstructing that plant. I may have given up & tossed the plant after an hour or so!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

😁 I'm in a zone 9, but the summers are super hot -- weeks of temps above 100. The shoes are Adidas. They are similar to go walks by sketchers. Super light weight and very comfy 😊

[@sherrydee7880]

@@Succulentsandsunshine Also in the 9 zone of NorCal. Summers can get to 115 for weeks on end & winters can be quite rainy & it snows occasionally! I got interested in succulents after watching Laura Eubanks on Design for Serenity. So far, I haven't jumped in due to their high prices & my not so great lot that has too much sun exposure for most plants. Everything needs a shade structure over it & a squirrel guard around it! I decided to subscribe so I can learn as much as I can. Thanks!

[@asiamarill]

i have also a tiny panda plant,but on the side there are like bright pink roots or something,what is that? i couldnt find any information about that

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Those are called aerial roots. You can learn more about them here: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-aerialroots

[@lindaowens2959]

I’m having a tough time with this plant. Mine won’t grow let alone propagate. Does this not work in winter months?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

It has a late summer dormancy, so it should be growing during the winter. Hopefully this post can help: www.succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-panda

[@DylanTV99]

Would love the link for the serrated spade

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

You can find it in our amazon store: #ad www.amazon.com/shop/succulentsandsunshine

[@kabookiearts6199]

Do you live in or around Chandler AZ, cause I swear I saw that exact giant plant on the store near me!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

I got it at Home Depot in Queen Creek 😊 There's another nursery not too far from there that we venture out to sometimes called Desert Horizon Nursery. We stopped at HD on the way home 😊

[@kabookiearts6199]

Haha I knew it! Yeah I looked at that one and was amazed how big it was. I wanted it but didn't have anywhere for that many cuttings to go! I hope you do an update of how they are doing and where you put all of them! And omg that little guy with his turtle pot 😍 so adorable!!

[@alvinrizani6756]

how long does it take a Kalanchoe Panda to grow from 10 cm pot to this big? sorry for my english

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

In the right climate (enough light and a mild temperature) with fertilizer, it could probably grow that large in 3 or so years. Otherwise it would be much longer.

[@solarwinds-]

Are the care needs of the Kalanchoe tomentosa Teddy Bear the same as for the Panda Plant?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Yes, you can give them the same care treatment

[@foliagecove355]

I'm just curious for kalancoe tomentosa propergating leaves of stem is better for it because my leaf propergating process doesn't work 🥺I need some advice 🥺🥺

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Cuttings are generally easier for most people. Take a look at this post for some tips on propagating: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-prop1

[@michellec.4994]

When repotting, do you water the plant immediately or wait a few days?

[@michellec.4994]

I have a 4in pot of Panda plant...needs repotting...extremely dry!!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Great question its best to wait a few days after replanting to let the roots recover and scab over 🙂

[@paulacraig8252]

You mentioned members that purchase succulents from you? Where do I find that

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

This was something we did for a short time earlier in the year as far as people who bought the course we would send out cuttings. You can still get pots and soil from us when you purchase. You can also purchase succulents through our affiliate partners that we list in the description of this video :)

[@jennywhite3508]

Do panda plants bloom? And if so does it die after it blooms?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

They do bloom! From what I understand, they are not monocarpic (die after blooming) like some other Kalanchoe varieties.

[@paulacraig8252]

What mix was in the trays where you put the leaves?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

It's the gritty mix from bonsai jack, you can find it here: www.succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-jack

[@Ok-dw4gz]

Maam what is your potting mix? Did you also make your own potting mix? Thanks

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

You can find all about soil and what we recommend here 😊 www.succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-mainsoil

[@melissajenkins9960]

So my panda plant has been turning yellow, mostly on the mid and bottom leaves, but not squishy and wet. They’re thin and yellow and one of the bottom big leaves completely shriveled. I tried beheading it at the base, but I couldn’t get my scissors through the stem, the center of the inside looks dried out and almost white..? Not sure what caused it, maybe my hard water ruined it or I let it dry out?? I’m taking leaves off and hoping I can save it. I also have bonsai jacks mix, we have low humidity here… is that good enough to use if I water them more frequently? Can I propagate them on paper towels? It’s still winter but it is turning yellow and I didn’t want to wait a few months to do anything.

[@melissajenkins9960]

Also, I’m guessing the dryness of the main stem might be the woodiness? This plant grew from a beheading that I bought last October (more than a year ago). The bottom leaves got huge and fanned put, the stem was about 1/4” thick and doing fine then the bottom leaves are all yellow and thin and floppy. I pulled it out of the pot, tons of roots. I don’t know what happened, I might pull all lower leaves off and let the beheaded part, which still has a woody center, rest and see if anything propagates…?

[@melissajenkins9960]

It had etoliated last year, then I got better lights and it has a nice cluster of growth starting about halfway up. I feel bad, I love this plant.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

If the center is that dried out, it sounds like it needs more frequent watering. You can propagate it from cuttings, but it needs to be put into soil after callousing over. It does really well in Bonsai Jack soil; it just needs to be watered whenever the soil is completely dried out. Learn more about "Panda Plant" here: succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-panda

[@melissajenkins9960]

@@Succulentsandsunshine thank you so much for the reply. I apologize for my rambling. I took off the offshoots, and all of the lone leaves and put them in a shallow pan of soil like you’ve shown. I’m also taking them out from under the bright lights. Here’s hoping!! I’ll go ahead and use bonsai jacks, I struggle with overwatering so I think that will be perfect. Again thank you! (Oh I want to add… thankfully there was no sign of brown in the leaves or offshoots at all.. thank goodness)

[@melissajenkins9960]

@@Succulentsandsunshine I meant to add that I’ll plant the offshoots as soon as they callous over. They’re pretty small though, only the top had started to grow offshoot clusters.

[@bearic_o]

Hi! I'm just curious, do you have an update for this project? 😊😁

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Not yet, but I'm planning it out :)

[@bearic_o]

@@Succulentsandsunshine looking forward to it! ☺️

[@maggietarleton6564]

Can you let us know where you got your knife and it's name? Thanks!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Yes it is called a hori-hori digging knife. You can find it here on our amazon shop 🙂 www.amazon.com/shop/succulentsandsunshine?listId=23I0479U2Y5VN

[@maggietarleton6564]

@@Succulentsandsunshine thank you!

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

You are welcome!

[@gwenday]

How old do you think this massive plant was?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

I would guess around 5, but possibly older.

[@alex-9611]

what happened to that turtle?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

It's not still alive, sadly!

[@ramanimudunkotuwa2037]

Hi I like your videos. I started to planting succulent recently. Do you selling succulent plants. If so how can I order with you Thanks 😊

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

We don't, but you can find links to our affiliate partners on our site. Just search for the succulent you are looking for here: www.succulentsandsunshine.com/yt-typesofsuccs

[@ramanimudunkotuwa2037]

Ok thanks

[@seriouslyreally5413]

That was a massive plant ! What are you going to do with dozens of plant propagations?! I recently repotted an etiolated succulent with dozens of leaves I was able to peel off when I shortened it. Now I don't know what to DO with so many new babies! The leaves sprouted and of course I repotted all of those babies into 2 inch pots! Now what?!🙈🤷‍♀️

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

We gave a lot of them away! :) Since you're replanted your succulents, you can just treat them like you would a grown plant, and water whenever the soil is completely dry.