There are many decorative foliage plants that can be grown at home. And a special place in this variety is occupied by striped calathea. This culture, despite the capricious character, is very popular among gardeners, because it with its large and bright leaves fits into any interior.
Description
The striped calathea belongs to the large family of arrowroot. In the natural environment, this perennial herb can be found in the tropical rainforests of Brazil. Photos of the striped calathea flower clearly show how attractive this plant is. It has large elliptical leaves that reach up to 40 cm in length and about 15 cm in width. Their seamy side is painted a pale red hue, and the front side is emerald green. In addition, the surface of the leaves is covered by pronounced feathery strips, because of which the variety got its name. In addition to the motley color, the striped calathea differs from its relatives in a less capricious character. Thanks to this, she became a favorite flower of plant growers.
Home Care
Calathea striped refers to not very moody plants. And the only difficulty in growing is to maintain high humidity in the room where the flower is located. The rest of the plant needs ordinary care, which consists of the following agrotechnical measures:
- regular watering;
- periodic top dressing;
- scheduled transplantation;
- prevention of diseases and pests.
In addition, it is important to provide the plant with a comfortable temperature and lighting, and then it will thank the fast growth and attractive appearance.
Lighting
Striped calathea, the photo of which is given in the article, refers to photophilous plants. In full shadow, the emerald color of the leaves of the plant fades noticeably. But the direct rays of the sun to a tropical beauty are contraindicated, because from this she can get a burn. Therefore, it is advisable to grow a flower on the east or west side of the room, choosing places a little further from the window.
Temperature
This beauty prefers warm conditions, while the optimum temperature for her is considered to be +24 ° C. She calmly tolerates even the heat, but in this case it is necessary to increase the number of irrigation. But lowering the temperature to +16 ° C can be detrimental to flowers. Calathea striped, in addition, categorically does not tolerate drafts. Therefore, it is worth protecting the plant from such stressful situations.
Watering
Striped calathea is a moisture-loving culture, and from spring to late autumn it needs regular and plentiful watering. It is advisable that the soil is in a moistened, but not wet state, so always drain the water from the pan 1-2 hours after watering. Otherwise, the roots of the flower will rot due to stagnation of moisture. Reduce watering in winter, but do not allow the soil to dry out - this will adversely affect the health of the beautiful woman.
At any time of the year, carefully monitor the quality of the water you use for irrigation. Its temperature should exceed the temperature in the room by 1-2 degrees. In addition, it is advisable to use rain or melt water. If this is not possible, be sure to prepare a tap before watering the flower with it. To do this, draw water from the tap into a bucket and dip 2-3 handfuls of peat wrapped in gauze into it. Infuse the liquid for at least 12 hours, and then use as needed.
Air humidity
Like most tropical plants, striped calathea (and silver) loves high humidity. Moreover, experts recommend bringing this parameter to 90%. But since maintaining such a humidity level at home is practically unrealistic, it is advisable to install a special device next to the pot - a humidifier.
If this is not possible, then place the flower on trays with wet pebbles or moss. Also, keep water containers near the plant. In addition, regularly spray the foliage of the flower with warm water from the spray bottle and wipe it with a soft sponge. And also at least once a week, arrange a flower for a warm shower, especially in the summer.
Top dressing
Calathea striped responds well to fertilizing, so you need to regularly feed the flower. But at the same time, it is not recommended to get involved in dressings, because the plant begins to hurt from an excess of nutrients. Therefore, make preparations no more than once every 15 days. Use liquid mineral fertilizers for decorative leaf crops. And bring them only after watering, otherwise the preparations will burn the delicate roots of the flower.
Transplant Rules
Young flowers need this event every year. But adult specimens need to be transplanted a little less often, every 2-3 years. In any case, carry out this procedure in early spring, then the flower will more easily bear the stress of the event. To plant a striped kalatea, choose a wide and shallow pot, and you can use both plastic and clay flowerpots.
As for the soil, the flower prefers loose and nutritious soil with good breathability.
You can buy the finished mixture for calatheas in the store or make a substrate yourself. To do this, mix the following components:
- part of peat;
- part of the humus;
- part of the sheet land;
- half of calcined river sand.
If you make the mixture yourself, then be sure to sanitize it before transplanting. To do this, calcine the substrate in the oven or hold it over steam, otherwise the flower will die from pathogens living in the soil.
Transplant the calathea by transshipment, trying not to destroy the earthball. But before that, be sure to pour a thick layer of broken brick or large pebble drainage to the bottom of the new pot to prevent stagnation of moisture at the roots.
Flower propagation
Propagating calathea at home is not so simple. After all, new plants are difficult to take root and do not give roots. Nevertheless, with due effort, a large colony of this attractive plant can be grown. The main thing is to choose the most optimal breeding methods, which include such methods:
- division of the bush;
- cuttings;
- growing from seed.
Each of these striped calathea breeding methods has its advantages and disadvantages. And then you will learn more about each of these methods.
Bush division
This breeding method is suitable for adult specimens with a developed root system. It is better to carry out such an event in the spring during a planned transplant. For each new plant, prepare a pot with a diameter of at least 8 cm, as well as drainage and substrate (for more information about the soil, see the section "Transplantation Rules"). How to propagate calathea by dividing the bush:
- Remove the flower from the pot and gently free the roots from the old earthen coma. If necessary, rinse the plant under low pressure.
- With a sharp disinfected knife (scissors), cut the rhizome of the plant into several parts. Make sure that each leaflet has a sufficient number of leaves and roots.
- Pour a layer of drainage onto the bottom of the new containers. To do this, use expanded clay or pebbles. Sprinkle the drain with a thin layer of substrate.
- Place each part exactly in the center of the individual pots. Fill the voids with soil and slightly compact the top layer.
In order for plants to take root, try to maintain high temperature and humidity in the room. To do this, install a heater and a humidifier or water containers near the pots. It is also advisable to keep young flowers in a shaded place. Regularly moisten the soil, preventing it from drying out, and do not forget to spray the leaves with warm water from the spray gun. Rooting flowers will take a lot of time, and the result largely depends on how careful flower care you provide.
Propagation by cuttings
This method is quite simple, but it does not give a 100% guarantee that the cuttings will take root. In addition, rooting takes a lot of time, and all this period you need to ensure maximum planting care. Here's how to propagate the flower with cuttings:
- Prepare a suitable pot with a diameter of 8-9 cm. Fill it with a substrate, and do not forget to make drainage from expanded clay or pebbles.
- Use a sharp knife to cut a strong aerial stalk and plant it in moist soil. Choose a shoot of at least 15 cm in length and with at least one growth point.
- Cover the landing with a cropped plastic bottle or foil and place in a warm and shaded place.
While the plant will take root, do not forget to spray the soil with warm water from the spray gun. And do not remove the shelter until the flower takes root.
Seed cultivation
It is extremely difficult to grow a flower from seeds, because even high-quality material quickly loses its viability. But still there are chances. If you want to try your hand at such cultivation of flowers, then prepare a small container with drainage holes and fill it with a substrate of sand and sheet soil (proportion - 1 to 2). Spray the soil with water and sow seeds on it, slightly compacting them into the soil. Cover the landing with glass or polyethylene.
Keep an impromptu greenhouse in a room with a temperature of 22-25 degrees and spray the substrate with warm water. When the shoots break through, ventilate the planting daily for 25 minutes. Dive seedlings into individual pots, as soon as 2-3 real leaflets appear on them. When transplanting, use soil with the same composition as when sowing.
Pests
As a rule, pest is not attacked by striped calathea. But if you don’t provide the plant with high humidity, then it can appear on the scale insects, spider mites and thrips. You can see these parasites with the naked eye, moreover, their vital activity leads to yellowing and wilting of foliage.
Therefore, if your flower looks unhealthy and there is a sticky coating, a thin web or strange dots of a pale color, then immediately start pest control. To do this, rinse the calathea in a soapy solution. If this procedure does not help, treat the flower with an insecticide, such as Actellic or Actara.
Possible problems and solutions
With proper care, striped calathea does not cause much trouble. But if you regularly violate the rules of agricultural technology, then the plant begins to be capricious and sick. Most often, flower growers encounter such problems:
- The tips of the leaves dry. Thus, the plant signals insufficient moisture in the room. Install water containers near the pot, spray the foliage more often, and the situation will return to normal.
- Dry spots appear on the leaves. This phenomenon occurs if, after spraying the plant, large drops of water remain on the foliage. And when the sun's rays fall on them, the plant gets burns. To avoid this, wipe the leaves with a soft rag or sponge after spraying.
- The foliage dries up. Draft, insufficient watering or thrips can lead to this phenomenon. Adjust the care according to the situation.
- The foliage turned yellow. If only the lower plates have changed color, then there is nothing to worry about, because the death of the lower leaves is a natural process. If the top of the plant turns yellow, then an excess of fertilizers or improper watering can lead to this. Moreover, the leaves change color both from insufficient moisture and from stagnation of moisture at the roots. In addition, keeping in cool conditions leads to a similar phenomenon. To correct the situation, adjust the care according to the situation.
- Foliage curls. This phenomenon leads to maintenance in cold conditions, as well as exposure to draft. Move the pot to a warm room and avoid sudden changes in temperature - the situation will quickly change for the better.
Follow the rules of cultivation, provide the plant with optimal care, and no problems will arise with it. In addition, if you make some effort, the striped calatea will become an adornment of your collection of home flowers and will long delight you with its colorful coloring and splendor of the bush.