Maybe it didn't like the gritty mix. I have a small one in a west window in mix w/ lots of pumice. Get's watered infrequently, but is just fine.

I'd put it in a C&S mix w/ heavy perlite or pumice & try watering it more.

When you water, do you water thoroughly, like 'til it runs out the bottom?

I'd water more frequently, as long as it's a very porous mix, it should be fine.

Disclaimer: I don't use gritty mix or the 511.

Half sifted potting soil, half perlite, full sun, if you can give it that, and a weekly or so watering. If it's drying out that quickly, there's too much in organic in it. Kalanchoe orgyalis is a fantastic plant, but winter isn't the best season to judge its growth.

I have 2, and they both have same happening to oldest leaves. By the time 1 is dry enough, I see another may follow - but it isn't really that often. I was alarmed when I got it first, but plant is still alive after 4 years...so I jus let it do what it wants. It looks best when outside, in full sun. I have it in gritty (but all my succulents are). I do not water it too often in winter, but IIRC they are opportunistic growers. Outdoors, it gets water when it rains. If no rain for a while, I water well. I guess it would get water approx. 1x/week?

I like yours with some branches, my plant was not branching. As you know I cut it & now, hopefully, will have some branches.

Thanks, everyone. I was really stressing over this plant. Rina, based on your description of yours, perhaps the leaves are not drying up from lack of water? Just because they are old? That would help explain a lot and give me some relief.

ive been wanting to move it to a brighter spot, but the leaves were drying up, so that seemed like a bad decision.

Karen and cactus: what it's in now is pretty much a perlite soil mix with lots of bark. It's not a proper 511 mix. And, yes, you are so right about not assessing the plant in the winter. But it's been very warm here in the desert for pretty much the entire winter, with the exception of one cold week.

Karen: to be honest, no, I don't let the water run through anymore. I just dampen it. I am so afraid I'll rot the roots.

sigh.

Get rid of the bark (for everything, but I digress) - potting soil and pumice would be ideal, but if you can't, perlite in place of the pumice.

Lauren

That is what I am assuming (do not know any better, haha). I think I read that it 'thrives on neglect' - I like plants like that! More I used to fuss, more I killed...

I wonder if they loose oldest leaves same way in warm climates, where they grow outdoors year round :)

I would worry if it was lots of leaves, at the same time, and more or less constantly.

Cactus: o.k., I'll excise the bark tonight! I'll report back, and thank you for your help:).

rina: you probably cultivate your plants to become tolerant to neglect eventually! But I've learned a LOT from your style of growing "hard" as you say. I've had much more success embracing your principles.

I did not know much about this plant and was wiping dust off my others and wiped the leaves of this plant off! I now have found those are tiny hairs. Will it still survive? I love this plant

It should survive...IIRC, there are some varieties with smooth leaves. Many succulents have tiny hairs or powdery coating on the leaves that help to protect leaves; sometimes from sun, sometimes from water, sometimes from foraging animals and probably many other reasons :). Do not try to wipe these off in the future...enjoy your plant. It may even bloom with nice, yellow blooms.