Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services has developed two new Kalanchoe cultivars, 'White Teen' and 'Sunny Teen,' reflecting consumer preferences.
Kalanchoe is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family, valued for its ornamental appeal due to a wide range of flower colors such as orange, red, yellow, and white, as well as diverse petal forms including single and double flowers. It is also easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners.
In Korea, about 35 farms currently cultivate Kalanchoe, but most rely on imported varieties that feature vivid flower colors and abundant blooms.
To address this, Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services began developing domestic cultivars in 2009 to substitute imports. In June, they introduced two new varieties, 'White Teen' and 'Sunny Teen,' which combine both market potential and ornamental value.
'White Teen' features a clear and pure white flower color that is rarely seen in the domestic market, giving it a refined and elegant appearance. 'Sunny Teen' is characterized by a vibrant orange hue with a gradient effect that becomes lighter toward the center of the flower. Both varieties offer unique colors not found in imported cultivars, and are expected to be highly favored by consumers.
The institute plans to first distribute the new cultivars to farms in Gyeonggi-do, and then gradually expand supply nationwide.
Sung Jehun, Director of Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "We developed these new cultivars to reduce dependency on imported Kalanchoe seeds and to provide domestic growers with more options. We expect this to have a positive impact on the potted plant market."
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