About Us

Kalanchoe (the genus) is derived from the native name for a Chinese species, while blossfeldiana (the species) is for the German hybridizer Robert Blossfeld, who introduced the plant to his native Germany in 1931. The plant had been discovered in 1927 by French botanist Perrier de la Bathie in Madagascar at the altitude of 2000 meters.

Robert Blossfeld recognized the commercial value as a winter flowering pot plant. For many years, the kalanchoe was used for just this purpose. Varieties such as Tetra Vulcan, Yellow Darling, and Tom Thumb were produced from seed for Christmas and Valentines Day.

In the early sixties J & L Plants Inc. founder, James Irwin began breeding existing seed varieties to produce the first commercial Kalanchoe hybrids. In 1972, Mr. James Irwin and his son, Larry, formed J & L Plants Inc. to market these new hybrid Kalanchoes. Over the years, 17 varieties were patented and produced. It is now estimated that the total world wide production is over 100 million cuttings per year.

Over the succeeding years J & L Plants Inc., has continued our breeding program and added Hiemalis Begonias and Geraniums to our product line.

James Irwin's Gift Nourishes Floriculture

James Irwin's Gift Nourishes Floriculture Long time industry leader, James“Jim” T. Irwin, held a special place in his heart for research — his wife Jean describes it as a passion. He understood the role The American Floral Endowment (AFE) plays in advancing knowledge for the floral industry through research. By giving $32,500 to AFE in his will, Irwin helped to ensure that the industry he loved would flourish and be grounded in research.

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