Decorative and deciduous houseplants are especially popular with flower growers. They allow you to decorate the interior, and also contribute to improving the microclimate of the apartment, moisturizing and enriching the air with oxygen. Calathea belongs to such a group of plants, although among its species blooming varieties are also found. But many flower growers choose it precisely for the beauty of foliage. Therefore, it is worthwhile to figure out what kind of care Calathea needs at home, and what difficulties may lie in wait.
Plant description
Calathea is a perennial herbaceous culture belonging to the Morant family. The height of the plant, under favorable conditions, reaches 70-80 cm. The length of the leaves is about 30 cm, and the width is from 5 to 20 cm, depending on the type of flower.
The shape of the leaves can be lanceolate or oval-round. Their color is also very diverse. The edge of the leaf plates can be smooth and wavy, depending on the type of flower. The main stem of the plant is absent, so the leaves grow directly from the ground on long stalks. The leaf's life potential is one year. After that, he dies and is replaced by new ones. Every year, Calathea produces 5-6 young leaves.
In most cases, the reverse side of the sheet plates has a deep purple saturated hue, and the top is green, with all kinds of decorative stripes, dots, strokes and lines. Such a variety of colors allows you to choose a flower to your liking and preferences.
Calathea root is the main storage organ for water and nutrients.
In spring and summer, Calatea begins a flowering period. Inflorescences appear between the foliage and have a sturdy peduncle that rises above a thick hat of leaves. Only in some species the flowers stand out for their brightness, in the rest - they do not differ in special decorativeness. Therefore, many flower growers recommend cutting off nondescript peduncles when they appear, since all the forces of the plant during this period go to the formation of flowers, to the detriment of the development of the bush.
A feature of this decorative culture is that at the end of the petiole near the base of the leaf there is some thickening. Thanks to him, the plant turns in the direction of evening sunlight and raises the leaves up. For this flower is popularly called - "Prayer."
Popular types of flower
In nature, there are about 280 varieties of Calathea. But at home, only some of them prefer to grow.
Saffron or Crocata (Calathea Crocata)
Home care for this species should meet all the requirements of the plant, as it relates to flowering varieties. The difference of this Calathea is bright orange flowers that confidently rise above the dark green plain leaves. The flowering period begins in late February - in mid-March and lasts 4 months.
Leaf plates have an elongated oval shape with waviness along the edge. Ignoring the basic rules of maintenance can cause a lack of flowering.
Calathea crocata, home care of this species of flower is slightly different from others, so this should be taken into account when growing it.
Wonderful or Lansifolia (Lancifolia)
The species is characterized by oblong lanceolate leaves 25-27 cm long and 5 cm wide. The main vein is clearly distinguished on them. On the edge of the sheet plates there is undulation. On the surface of the leaves there are decorative stripes and dark spots.
Leaf petiole has hairiness. Calathea Lansifolia, home care for this species is necessary the same as for other varieties of the flower.
Rufibarba or Redbeard
A variety of plants is characterized by a low spreading bush, the height of which reaches 45-50 cm. The red-bearded Kalatea narrow long leaves of a plain green color. The reverse side of the sheet plates has a lilac-pink hue. The surface of the sheets is slightly hairy.
Calathea Rufibarba, care at home for this kind of culture is slightly different, since it does not tolerate spraying foliage, unlike other species.
Medallion
The medallion is characterized by oval wide leaves, on which there are white contrasting stains. This unusual ornament resembles an exquisite decoration, which served as the name of the species. The reverse side of the sheet plate has a deep dark purple hue. Plant height reaches 60-70 cm.
Pictured is Calathea Locket. Home care for this type of plant is not particularly different from other decorative and deciduous plants.
Decorated (ornata)
In the photo, the flower of Calathea, care at home for it involves observing certain plant requirements.
This variety is distinguished by large oval leaves, on which there are white and pink stripes. But when the bush grows, the pink hue from the foliage disappears. The length of the sheet plate reaches 22-25 cm, and the width is 10-15 cm.
Decorated calathea in compliance with all the recommendations of the care reaches a height of 60-70 cm.
Makoya
In the photo, Calathea, home care for this type of plant does not differ from other varieties of the flower. The unusual color of Makoi is striking in its sophistication. The main shade of the leaves is emerald. Snow-white wide strokes extend from the central vein to the edge. On top of them are dark bright spots.
The height of Kalathea Makoy reaches 45-50 cm. The length of the leaves is 18-22 cm, the width is 8-12 cm.
The listed species of Calathea are only a small part of the variety of colors that can be found in flower shops. Therefore, if you wish, you can find exactly the kind of flower that best fits into the interior of the apartment and gives it a sense of sophistication and comfort.
Calathea: home care
Calathea belongs to the group of plants that needs to comply with the basic requirements of the culture. Ignoring the basic rules of maintenance leads to a loss of decorative plants, and sometimes to death.
Therefore, before you buy Calathea, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for caring for a flower at home, since not every beginner can cope with this task.
Location selection and lighting
Calathea is a shade-tolerant plant, but when kept in a place with limited access to light for a long time, it loses its decorativeness, leaves are smaller, the plant slows down development. Therefore, the optimal solution is to place Kalatem near the window so that light partial shade is present.
For home care, Kalatea Saffron is somewhat different, since during the formation of peduncles she needs more light than other species. Therefore, for lush flowering, it must be placed on the east or west window with a slight shade in the afternoon hours, which will help prevent burns on the leaves.
Watering and humidity
Calathea needs abundant and regular watering. The soil in the pot should always be slightly moist. Irregularities in irrigation cause the tips of the leaves to dry out. Water for irrigation should be settled and have a temperature of 18-20 degrees. In winter, hydration should be carried out 1 time in 5 days, and in summer 1 time in 2-3 days.
During irrigation, it is necessary to allow the root to absorb a sufficient amount of moisture. To do this, make sure that the water in the pan remains at least 1-2 hours after watering. Only then should the residues be poured. With this irrigation, moisture will be enough until the next watering, despite the intensive evaporation of it from the leaves.
In addition to watering, Calathea needs high humidity. To do this, additionally place containers filled with water near the flower. This will increase the evaporation area. Also, to increase humidity, the plant should be sprayed, but so that the moisture dissipates in the form of fog.
Plant species whose leaves have a margin cannot be sprayed on the leaf, as this will provoke the appearance of brown spots. To provide them with a sufficient level of humidity, the flower pot should be placed in a wide container. In which it is necessary to pour a layer of expanded clay 2 cm thick and pour water. It is important to ensure that the bottom of the pot stands on pebbles and does not come in contact with water, since moisture can trigger the development of root rot.
Content temperature
Calathea is a thermophilic plant. The optimum temperature regime for it should be in the range of 16-24 degrees. The plant is able to withstand a slight drop in temperature, but it slows down its growth and development.
The critical temperature for Calathea is 8-10 degrees. This leads to the development of irreversible processes in the tissues, after which the aerial part of the plant dies. At the same time, it is not worth throwing out the plant, it is necessary to water it periodically, preventing the earthen coma from drying out and then new young shoots will appear in the spring.
Top dressing
Calathea, home care for a flower involves regular dressing. For this, it is worth using fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants, which are sold in all flower shops.
Top dressing should be carried out from late February to mid September every 10-14 days.
Calathea Crocata, home care for this species should include the application of fertilizers for flowering crops, since with a lack of potassium and phosphorus, the plant may not bloom or flowering will be sparse. Apply this type of fertilizing should be from late January to mid-March every 10 days. In the rest of the period, the same fertilizers are used as for the other varieties of the flower.
Transfer
Calathea mix, home care includes a plant transplant annually in the spring. To do this, choose a wide, but not deep pot. Its diameter should be 3 cm wider than the previous one.
Calathea prefers to grow in a loose nutrient substrate with good breathability. This composition allows you to fully develop the root system and provide nutrition to the aerial part. Ready substrate for transplantation can be purchased at the store, choosing the soil with the addition of coconut fiber and river sand.
And you can prepare the nutrient mixture yourself by combining the following components;
- 1 part of sheet land;
- 1 part of turf;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part coconut fiber
- 1 part coconut substrate;
- 1 part of sand.
Young Calathea plants should be replanted annually in the spring, and more adults once every 2-3 years. The transplantation is recommended to be carried out by the transshipment method, filling the formed voids in a pot with a new substrate. It is impossible to ram the earth, do not disrupt the air access to the roots
Bush division
Calathea, home care of the plant involves periodic division of the bush in order to rejuvenate and reproduce it.
To do this, remove the bush from the pot and use a knife to divide it into 2-3 parts. Dividing into small processes is not recommended, as this can lead to their death.
Planting of delenoks is recommended to be carried out in the same nutrient substrate as during transplantation. After separation, the bushes should be watered with a Kornevin solution and placed in a shaded place for adaptation. After the plant recovers and grows, it must be rearranged to its usual place.
Possible difficulties
In the photo of Calathea, home care of a plant can be fraught with some difficulties. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the main problems when growing this flower, in order to know what to do when the first signs appear.
| Troubling signs | Cause | Repair methods |
| Leaves become sluggish and curl. | Inadequate watering, dry air | It is necessary to adjust the conditions of detention |
| The ends of the leaves are dry, slow growth | Low humidity | It is necessary to carry out regular spraying near the plant and place additional containers with water next to the flower |
| Dramatic yellowing of foliage | Watering with cold water, cold content | Correct care errors |
| Leaves lose their color, brown spots appear on them | Too bright light causing burns | The flower should be shaded or rearranged elsewhere |
| Pale brittle leaves | Lack of light | Move the pot closer to the light. |
| Rotting of cuttings of leaves at the base | Cold watering or maintenance | Correct conditions |
Plant pests
Improper care of the plant negatively affects its immunity. A weakened plant becomes susceptible to pests. Calathea can be affected by a spider mite, scabies and thrips.
Their presence is confirmed by the following symptoms:
- leaves lose their luster;
- the plant takes on a dejected appearance;
- leaves dry on the edge;
- sticky coating appears on the cuttings;
- small yellow dots appear in the center of the leaves;
- despite sufficient watering, the leaves continue to dry;
- the plant stops growing.
To control pests, it is necessary to carry out complex processing. The ground part should be sprayed, creating fog “Fitoverm” or “Actellik”, and add “Aktara” (1.4 g per 6 l) to the water for irrigation. After a week, this procedure should be repeated.
As soon as the plant grows, it should be fed and adjusted to the conditions of detention, since pests affect, most often, weakened plants.
Calathea, home care of the plant requires compliance with all crop requirements. Therefore, this flower is recommended to be grown by experienced gardeners who can provide him with the necessary conditions.