The habitual name of the plant is Galatea, in printed editions it appears as Calathea. This representative of the flora belongs to the arrowroot family and is the largest. originally from South and Central America.
All the beauty is in the oval shape of the leaves with embossed patterns. Foliage can be painted in various colors: yellow, brown, green, red. The color can be monochromatic - green or contain two or three colors.
In length, the leaves can reach up to 30 cm, be more rounded or narrow in shape and are always decorated with a beautiful border, spots or stripes.
Regardless of the type of Calathea, the care for her is about the same.
Flowering occurs during the active period - spring-summer. In general, many novice growers may recognize this plant as capricious.
Flower care
The main requirements for caring for a plant include ensuring a moderate indoor temperature. It is also worth avoiding drops, as Galatea can react negatively to them. Flowers such as:
Read also:
How to grow stevia at home
And since the plant is decorative, all the beauty of the foliage will be provided with proper lighting. It is necessary to hide the plant from the direct rays of the sun, but this does not mean that Galatea will do without natural light. If there is sufficient lighting, the number of leaves will be within the normal range, and their decorative color will also be.
Watering is carried out by natural settled warm water... Spraying should be regular. In order to prevent white spots from forming on the leaves of flowers, it is recommended to pour boiled water into a spray bottle.
It is advisable to wipe the leaves with a glossy surface with a damp soft cloth. Calathea - indoor plant-conservator, which reacts negatively to various changes in the usual microclimate.
Since this houseplant is thermophilic, even in winter period he needs to provide a temperature of at least + 18C.
During the period of active growth, Galatea must be fertilized with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers for indoor ornamental or flowering plants about twice a month. If dry areas appear on the tips of the leaves, then the plant needs to be humidified and sprayed. Calathea should not be placed near appliances heating system, as this leads to overdrying of the air and can contribute to the defeat of the plant by the scabbard or spider mite.
Calathea is a very beautiful houseplant. It is appreciated by flower growers for the unusual color of the leaves.
Requires careful care, top dressing, additional spraying.
In good conditions, it blooms with amazing fragrant flowers. It has a large number of varieties of varieties.
general description
Calathea is a magnificent houseplant related to family Marantaceae... On average, it reaches a height of 65-85 cm. It grows underground shoots that form a root system with rosettes of leaves. It has elongated oblong leaves, reaching a length of more than 30 cm. It has gained wide popularity due to the unusual color of the leaves.
Leaves have light emerald shade that contains spots, stripes, or other darkest patterns. The upper color of the leaves can be amber, brown, bloody or purple. In ancient times, these leaves were used to weave baskets "calathos", which is why they got this amazing name.
Important! In addition to the magnificent color of the leaves, it amazes flower growers with another amazing ability. In the evening, the leaves rise up, revealing their emerald lower part.
And in the morning, with the sunrise, the leaves themselves go down, creating a rolled ball. If you observe during the day, you can notice a slight movement of the leaves.
In the photo you can visually familiarize yourself with Calathea:
Views from photo
- the plant has elongated rounded leaves of a dark emerald hue with a light image next to the vein. They are endowed with terry. Calathea forms spike-shaped beige inflorescences.
- grows unusual leaves in ellipses, which reach a length of more than 35 cm. The main upper color is dark green. Endowed with a large light feathery pattern. Forms spike-shaped inflorescences of a lilac shade.
- possesses "false" flowers, collected in thyroid inflorescences. It has high peduncles and nondescript fragrant flowers. Endowed with velvety flowers dark emerald shade.
- a large tall plant. It has elongated leaves, reaching a length of 60-90 cm. It is endowed with a pronounced leaf plate of an emerald hue. Has small spots and a serrated edge.
- reaches a height of 50 cm. large oval leaves snow-white, almost transparent shade. The upper side of the leaves is endowed with emerald elongated veins and stripes.
- has a characteristic color of the leaf plate. The main shade is light emerald. From the center, the color expands to dark, then to the lightest. The drawing resembles closed medallion, thanks to which the plant received such a name.
- in the common people is called the red-beard. On the underside of the leaves is endowed with a light fluff. It has elongated serrated leaves emerald color. Not endowed with a pattern.
- endowed with amazing leaves almost brown shade... The upper side of the leaves is colored emerald. A special feature is the regular flowering of magnificent amber inflorescences.
It has emerald-brown leaves with graceful snow-white or pink veins. The pattern is formed in groups, gradually moving away from the edge.
At home, it reaches a height of no more than 50 cm. wild conditions can grow up to 2 m. This species is difficult to grow at home.
Wonderful- has elongated leaves, reaching a length of more than 25 cm. It has a pronounced leaf plate. Has a serrated edge and an emerald petiole without pubescence. The main background of the leaves is light emerald. They are decorated with dark wavy lines in an oval or burst pattern.
The leaf cushion and the back of the leaves are dark lilac in color. Thanks to this color, experienced florists call this subspecies lanceolate. The plant loves a lot of sunlight. Grows well on windowsills next to light-colored windows.
Litze- grows in the wild in the tropics of Brazil. Reaches more than 55 cm in height.Forms basal leaves elliptical... The leaves have a jagged surface and reach a length of 12-15 cm. The upper surface of the leaves is endowed with a silver metallic tint.
There are large dark stripes on it. dark emerald color... The reverse side of the leaves has a blood-purple hue. The plant forms small spike-shaped inflorescences of a bright snow-white shade. Litze responds well to feeding. In good conditions it forms dense thickets.
It grows well both in the wild and at home. It grows up to 50-70 cm.
Growing rapidly. Therefore, the width can reach 40-55 cm.
This representative of the flora is endowed with large wide leaves of a light emerald hue.
There are pronounced silvery streaks on the upper side of the sheets.
Bottom part sheets of light emerald hue. The homeland is the tropics of Brazil.
Ornata- is one of the most popular types. Bred by hybridization of the Sanderian variety. It is considered the most amazing and spectacular plant. And in the common people this subspecies is called "decorated". This name is due to the graceful clear lines of snow-white, cream, silver or bloody colors.
They are located on a light emerald background perpendicularly from the middle of the vein. The reverse side of the leaves is endowed with a purple or burgundy tint. Plant forms spike inflorescences... But it does not bloom at home.
Striped- is an evergreen perennial. It got its name from its characteristic zebra-like pattern.
The plant forms elongated leaves, reaching a length of 25-40 cm. The upper part of the leaves has a light emerald hue. There are dark stripes near the central vein.
In height, Calathea reaches 80-90 cm. Forms lilac or snow-white flowers with a pleasant fragrant aroma. At home, it blooms very rarely. In most cases, forms decorative, odorless miniature flowers. Prefers high humidity.
Roseopicta- is a compact plant with large elongated leaves... The main color of the leaves is light emerald. Pink stripes are located near the central vein. After the time has elapsed decorative pattern begins to brighten.
The other side has a homogeneous pink color... The flower reaches a height of no more than 50 cm. It has a wide root system. It grows well in slightly acidic soils with a small amount of peat. Does not bloom at home.
Forms axillary or apical inflorescences. Depending on the species, the flowers have a snow-white, amber, orange or lilac hue. It responds well to top dressing. Prefers high humidity.
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Indoor flowers Calathea is a plant of the Marantovaya family, native to the countries of South America. Many of the calathea species are known as potted plants for their extraordinarily picturesque leaves and charming flower buds. The name originates from the ancient Greek word "Kalathos" - a basket (famous baskets and containers are woven from its carpels in the countries of Asia and South America).
The calathea plant has gained popularity due to the presence of unusually tough and huge leaves, which have proved to be very useful in the manufacture of small goods. Sometimes they are used unprocessed, for example, in Brazil, in fisheries, leaves are used instead of a wrapper for catch, in Colombia, artisans produce pots and containers from them (the most famous is a rice container from Thailand).
Calathea flower: photo and description
Most of the description of the calathea flower should be devoted to the decorative properties of the foliage. You can look at the photo of the calathea and make sure that such a guest from the tropics will make your home unusually cozy and similar to an exotic paradise.
Calathea leaves have an unusual patterned ornament (the pattern can be absolutely any). In most members of the family, they are oblong-oval or lanceolate. Underground shoots form rhizomes, and they, in turn, form an inflorescence of leaves. The most elegant of the rosettes contains only one fully developed leaf. Their shade can be just green or yellow, or it can turn out to be pink, or, for example, silver.
Check out the numerous photos of calathea that we have prepared for you on this page:
Types of calathea with photo
Calathea has great amount variations and varieties, but most of them, due to the destruction of the usual living environment, are now under threat of complete extinction. The main types of calathea in the photo, which are presented here, can be purchased at a large flower shop. Also on sale there are seeds that have a high percentage of germination. However, by cuttings, you will quickly get the result in the form of a luxurious calathea bush.
Saffron calathea "Crocata"
Calathea crocata saffron has excellent decorative properties... This is perhaps the only species of this indoor plant that has such marvelous colors that rightfully compete with the exquisite beauty of the foliage. Taken together, it turns out amazingly graceful plant, which is able to delight your eye for almost the entire year.
Naturally, long-lasting flowering of Crocata saffron calathea is achieved by proper care and timely feeding. But there is one secret. To ensure long-term flowering, it is necessary to transplant the bush into a new pot at least once a year, which will be 1 - 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one, depending on the age of the plant.
Krokata calathea bushes should be renewed every 3 years. To do this, use the method of dividing the bush.
Indoor calathea saffron blooms with bright orange and yellow inflorescences.
Ecuadorian Calathea species
Calathea allouia originally from Central America. All over the world, it is grown as a root vegetable for hot regions.
Calathea curaraya grown in Ecuador. The natural habitat of the flower is tropical and subtropical lowlands in forests.
Calathea ecuadoriana originally from Ecuador. The places of its distribution are subtropical and tropical forests and mountain slopes. The leaves have a standard greenish tint with light streaks, but from the turn they have a rich red or purple color. Calathea hagbergii lives in the tropics and subtropical mountain forests of Ecuador.
Calathea veitchiana originally from Ecuador. The first habitat was discovered back in 1862 by the American botanist Richard Pearce near Cuenca.
Calathea "Lancifolia"
Calathea lancifolia is a flowering variety of the Maranth category that lives in the forests and foothills of Brazil. It is absolutely undemanding - the main thing is that the temperature does not drop below 16 ̊С. In temperate regions, it may well play the role of decorating your windowsill, but again, the minimum temperature should be observed. Calathea "Lansifolia" can reach 80 cm in height, has thin, pistachio-colored leaves up to 50 centimeters in diameter, and at the bottom - purple color. You may notice dark spots all over their surface.
Calathea "Laseneri"
Calathea loeseneri is an integral part of the Marantov family. Her homeland is Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. The peculiarity of this species lies in its ability to grow at the level of one and a half meters. The flower has wonderful light green leaves and white pointed flowers.
Calathea "Makoya"
Indoor flowers Calathea makoyana is native to the forests and rocky regions of eastern Brazil. The flower can be up to 50 cm high, with rounded pale green leaves. The outer surface has dark green spots along the veins, while the reverse has an unusual purple hue. For normal life and growth, they need a soil and indoor temperature of at least 16 degrees Celsius. In temperate climates, it is often used as a window sill plant.
Calathea "Medallion"
Calathea picturata is native to northwestern Brazil. It reaches 40 centimeters in height, and its leaves are purple below and dark green outside (with silvery veins on the entire surface). The “Medallion” calathea species has a very delicate nature - the minimum temperature at which it grows quietly is 16 ̊С and the soil temperature is not less than 20 degrees - otherwise it will immediately start to rot. In our region, experts advise growing it in a closed, but sunny room with excellent humidity, like an ordinary houseplant.
Less common types of calathea
Calathea orbifolia originally from Bolivia. The plant will feel great in incomplete shade when high temperature, constituting at least 10 ̊С.
Calathea roseopicta Is a familiar sight for northwestern Brazil. It is an evergreen, perennial plant with a stem length of up to 50 centimeters. The leaves are rounded, dark green above and red below. But this is not the only difference from the remaining species and variations - the leaves of calathea are covered with exotic spots of a creamy and pale pink hue around the veins and in the very core.
Calathea zebrina. This evergreen plant can grow up to one meter in length, stems are thirty centimeters, while the diameter of the leaves is at least fifty centimeters. As you can see, this type of calathea is not at all small, and it looks quite picturesque. The shade of the outer surface of the leaves is a rich green, and the bottom is red. Thorns, veins and fields are distinguished by a shade of lime green.
Caring for calathea at home
Indoor flowers, calathea, at home, are generally not demanding on special agrotechnical techniques. This is enough unpretentious plant, which pleases the human eye throughout the growing season.
Caring for calathea at home consists in regular watering, loosening the topsoil, since the root system needs oxygen to penetrate and remove carbon dioxide, fertilizing. To accelerate plant growth, we recommend using constant or diffused light in the room. Do not expose kalameya to direct sunlight - moisture from the leaves will evaporate, and this can cause dryness and premature falling of leaves and other diseases.
Since the calathea flower comes from tropical and subtropical regions, therefore, it needs a correspondingly high moisture. In winter, watering should be reduced, but during the spring and summer, the soil should be regularly moistened. The required moisture can be recreated with a humidifier in the room or a pebble dish placed under the plant pot (this will make it easier for moisture to penetrate the roots).
The air temperature should remain at 20 degrees (the plant is accustomed not only to a warm, but also a fairly humid atmosphere, so try to duplicate it in the conditions of your apartment). The soil should be well-drained and kept at a temperature of at least 18 degrees in winter, and around 23 degrees during spring and summer. You should also be aware that root hypothermia can kill the flower.
During growth, do not forget to feed the kalamea with mineral fertilizers for flower seedlings- once every two weeks from spring to autumn, and once every five to six weeks in winter. Timely care it also doesn't hurt at all - wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and remove yellowed leaves, and varieties with velvet leaves must be sprayed next to the plant.
Reproduction and transplantation of calathea
Calathea is transplanted every year in late spring or early summer days - for young, and every two years for old flowering.
There are several ways to propagate calathea, but the fastest and most convenient is by dividing the rhizome. In adult plants, they are quite branched and you can safely remove them for further transplantation. The soil for a new flower should consist of a substrate of peat and sand with elements of leafy earth (if there is a little charcoal available, then it can also be safely added to the soil). Please note that the finished soil must be sufficiently loose, slightly acidic and drained.
Then the pot with the finished seedling should be placed in polyethylene and stored in a warm room until the first leaves appear.
Calathea diseases: why do leaves turn yellow and dry?
The main problem in growing a plant at home is that the leaves of the calathea gradually turn yellow and dry. It is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes of flowers and determine if there is a problem. If the ends of the leaves become dry and acquire Brown color, then the problem may be too dry air. But they get yellow they are the result of an overabundance or lack of nutrients in the soil. It should also be constantly damp, with regular watering - otherwise, the leaves begin to curl up and become stained.
The root cause of decayed and sluggish stems can be either low air temperature or excessively high humidity.
If the leaves fall off, it's time to take care of sufficient moisture or, conversely, reduce the amount of watering. Calathea can be attacked by spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies, and mealybugs.
Calathea is prized among flower growers for its extraordinarily attractive greenery. With proper care, variegated leaves able to outshine with their beauty even flowering plants... However, this resident of window sills is very whimsical. It is only possible to grow it at home experienced florists, because for full growth the calathea will need constant high humidity, as well as specific light and temperature conditions.
Description of the plant
The genus Calathea (lat.Calathea) is the largest in the arrowroot family. Under natural conditions, this plant is found in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. There are more than 130 wild species of Calathea, but in indoor conditions most often no more than 20 of them are grown.
The flower got its name from the ancient Greek calathos - a basket, because baskets have been woven from dry calathea stems from ancient times to the present day.
Calathea is a perennial ornamental deciduous plant with underground rhizomes that form a superficial root system. Vertical shoots with rosettes of leaves extend from the rhizomes, and one rosette can contain only one fully developed leaf. The leaf blades are on long, upright petioles 30 to 80 cm tall. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm, oval, although there are lanceolate-leaved species. Their color is very diverse: there are calatheas with green, red, white leaves. All species are united by an extraordinary variegation - veins and lines of a contrasting color stand out on the leaf plate. Calathea blooms with small flowers, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences.
Calathea foliage is very decorative
Why does a flower raise leaves up in the evening and lower them in the morning
Calathea has one interesting feature... In the evenings, its leaves rise up, and in the morning they drop again and turn towards the sun. This behavior of a flower is associated with the conditions of its growth in its natural environment. At home in tropical forests, among thickets of other plants, Kalatea has to catch every ray of light, which is why its leaves have become so mobile.
For the ability to fold and straighten the leaves of calathea, it was called "prayer flower". There is a belief that, turning to the sun, Calathea prays for the welfare and prosperity of the house in which it grows.
Calathea is undoubtedly a very attractive plant. But in order for its foliage to really decorate the interior, and not to languish with a miserable bush, it requires tireless care and compliance with the rules of maintenance. Only experienced flower growers can grow a calathea.
Zebrina, crocata, medallion and other common types
Calathea saffron, or calathea crocata (Calathea crocata). This species is distinguished not only by decorative foliage, but also by beautiful bright orange flowers. The leaves are dark green with light stripes, and with inside burgundy. Flowering occurs in mid-winter and lasts about two months.
Calathea saffron is less whimsical than its other brethren, so you should start getting to know this family with it.
Calathea lancifolia, or wonderful (Calathea lancifolia). The species has long lanceolate leaves with a slightly wavy edge and low petioles. The color is usually light green with short dark veins.
Calathea orbifolia, or round-leaved (Calathea orbifolia). The name speaks for itself - this species has an almost round leaf blade located on a petiole 40-60 cm high. The leaf is colored with alternating stripes of green and white.
Calathea makoyana. One of the most popular types. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm in size, light green, with an unusual pattern of dark green stripes and red veins. The lower part of the leaf is pale pink.
Decorated Calathea, or Ornata (Calathea Ornata). The plant is about 50 cm tall with large brown-green leaves, on which white and pink veins are clearly distinguished.
Calathea rose-colored, or Medallion (Calathea roseopicta). A compact, low bush with rounded leaves. The color is zonal, combining light green, milky and pinkish colors.
Calathea rufibarba. Lanceolate look. The color is deep green, the petiole and the lower part of the leaf are covered with a rusty-red fluff, for which the plant got its name, which translates as "red beard".
Calathea zebrina, or striped (Calathea zebrina). The plant is about 40-60 cm high with large oval leaves. The color is bright green with light and brownish stripes. The lower part of the leaf is burgundy.
Calathea Zebrina is capable of flowering indoors, although this happens very rarely.
Calathea warscewiczii. Leaves are dark green in color with lighter stripes. The seamy side of the leaf plate is red-burgundy. The plant sometimes produces cone-shaped inflorescences with creamy, white, or pinkish flowers.
How to transplant a flower, including after purchase
After purchase, the plant must be transplanted. Calathea roots release toxic substances into the ground, so replacing the pot and soil is necessary. In the future, the bush requires transplanting into a larger pot every 1-2 years. The best time for this - February or March.
For calathea, you should choose a wide, shallow pot, since the entire root system of the plant is located immediately below the surface of the soil. At the bottom you need to do good layer drainage from pebbles or expanded clay to exclude stagnant water.
The pot for calathea should be low
The soil can be bought ready-made (for arrowroot) or prepared by yourself in the following proportions:
- leaf land - 2 parts;
- humus or compost - 2 parts;
- peat - 2 parts;
- coarse sand - 1 part.
Calathea does not tolerate calcareous soil, therefore, the composition and quality of both purchased and homemade soil must be carefully monitored.
Calathea has a very delicate root system, it can be easily damaged. Therefore, take it out for transplanting with little effort, gradually, together with an earthen lump, turning the pot to one side.
When planting, it is unacceptable to compactly crush the soil around the roots.
The nuances of home care
In order for calathea to grow and develop well, it must be carefully looked after.
How often to water
The plant is very demanding for watering. The delicate superficial root system can suffer from both dryness and excess moisture. Calathea is abundantly moistened with soft water at room temperature as the top layer of the soil dries up. Water is plentiful in summer, slightly less in autumn and winter.
This culture does not tolerate cold water- leaves and roots lose their elasticity and rot. Calathea Makoya is especially sensitive to water temperature.
Lighting
Calathea is a tropical forest plant, therefore direct sunlight, however, like deep shadow, is contraindicated for it. In bright light, the leaves lose their color and shrink, and with a lack of lighting, the plant turns pale and stretches. Most the best way- strong enough, but diffused light. The eastern and western windows are ideal for growing calathea. In south-facing rooms, the flower will have to be shaded from direct sunlight.
In the diffused bright light, calathea grows magnificently
For the full growth of kalatea, a long daylight hours are required at any time of the year, therefore, in the autumn-winter period, the plants are "supplemented" with fluorescent lamps.
Microclimate
To get the most decorative leaves, it is necessary to create a suitable microclimate for calathea. The most important condition is high humidity within 70-90%. For this, the plants are sprayed once or twice a day from a fine spray. Large drops of water should not fall on the leaf plate, this can provoke the appearance of brown spots.
In rooms with very dry air, as well as in the summer, pots with calathea are placed on pallets with wet moss or expanded clay. The bottom of the pot should not be in the water.
One more important factor content - temperature. In summer, it is maintained within 25-30 degrees during the daytime and 23-27 degrees at night. In winter, the room should be slightly cooler - 18-25 degrees. At the same time, do not forget about the soil temperature, because it often happens that the plants stand in warm room but on a cold windowsill. In the case of calathea, this is unacceptable. The temperature of the earthen coma should be kept within 20-25 degrees. The plant does not tolerate drafts and temperature changes, so the pots are placed away from the vents and heating appliances.
Calathea grows well in florariums, indoor greenhouses, paludariums. Only there it is possible to create conditions for her that are as close to tropical as possible.
Well-groomed calathea looks very decorative
When and what can you feed
From mid-spring to early autumn, calathea is fed in one to two weeks with complex fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants. In winter, feeding is reduced to 1 per month. Fertilizers are applied only after abundant watering, so as not to burn the roots. Flowering species of kalata are fed with fertilizer for flowering plants.
Table: fertilizers suitable for calathea
| Drug name | Dosage | When and how to deposit |
| Liquid fertilizer Etisso | Dissolve 10 ml (1 dispenser) in 1.5 l of water | From March to September - once a week, from October to February - once a month |
| Master for decorative foliage plants | 5 g (1 teaspoon) in 2 liters of water | Water at the root every 10-14 days during the period of active growth |
| "Gilea" for decorative deciduous plants | 1 cap for 1 liter of water | Water every two weeks in the spring and summer, in winter, reduce the fertilizer concentration by half (1 cap per 2 liters of water) |
| Agricola for flowering plants | 5 g (1 teaspoon) powder in 2 liters of water | To water flowering species kalatea during budding and flowering every 7-10 days |
Blooming calathea care
Most often, in room conditions, saffron calathea blooms. In order for the flowering to be abundant and long, the plant must be properly prepared. From mid-autumn to January, when the first buds begin to appear, a dormant period with a shortened daylight hours is organized for the flower. To do this, from six in the evening until eight in the morning, that is, 14 o'clock, the pot must be in the dark - it is covered with a large opaque box or simply taken out into an unlit room.The leaves of plants from the arrowroot family curl from a lack of moisture in the soil and in the air
Table: care errors and ways to solve them
| Problem | Possible reasons | Solution |
| The edges of the leaves turn brown and dry. | Air is too dry | Spray the plant regularly (at least 1 time per day), put the pot on a pallet with wet expanded clay or pebbles. |
| Round brown spots appear on the leaf blade. | Sunburn. They can also appear from large drops of water falling on the leaves when spraying or watering. | Spray calathea only from a fine spray, do it in the morning or evening, so that the sun's rays do not fall on wet leaves. |
| The leaves curl up into a tube and dry out. |
| Urgently increase watering and increase the overall humidity. If increased moistening and spraying does not help, you can cut off the dried leaves and try to save the roots. To do this, the pot is placed on wet expanded clay and covered with a plastic bag until new shoots appear. |
| On the underside of the leaf blade (behind), sticky transparent crystals appear. | Sudden changes in temperature and humidity. If everything is in order with the conditions of detention, most likely, this is a natural process of secretion of cell juice: this is how calathea reacts to changes in the weather. | Adjust the temperature regime, exclude drafts and drops in humidity. |
| The roots and stems rot, the leaves turn yellow and wither. |
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How to save calathea from diseases and pests
This indoor flower infect spider mites, scale insects, thrips, fusarium wilting. This is often a consequence improper care behind the plant.Table: methods of treating a flower from diseases and pests
| Disease or pest | Signs | Treatment |
| Spider mite | A white bloom appears on the underside of the leaves, and over time, a cobweb. The tick itself is very small, it is almost impossible to see it. Affected leaves turn yellow and die off. | The tick loves dry air, so the calathea must be sprayed. In addition, the treatment is carried out with "Aktara" (2 g of the drug per 2.5 liters of water). |
| Shield | Rounded brown plaques appear on the stems and leaf blade. The leaves lose their color, dry out. | Wash off the scabbards with a solution laundry soap and a soft cloth, then spray the plant with "Fitoverm" (1 ampoule per 1 liter of water). |
| Thrips | Discolored dots appear on the leaves, which eventually merge into solid spots. On the ground, you can see small, oblong insects, moving in leaps. | Rinse the plant well in the shower. Spray twice with Intavir (0.5 tablets per 5 liters of water). Pour the soil in the pot with the same solution. |
| Sooty mushroom | Usually appears along with pests. Leaves and stems are covered with a dark bloom, similar to soot. | To combat this disease, it is often enough to thoroughly wash it off. soapy water. |
| Fusarium wilting | Leaves and stems turn black, curl. Rot spreads upward from the roots, as a result of which the plant dies. | Unfortunately, fusarium wilting of calathea is not cured. Plants are destroyed. |
Reproduction
There are several ways to reproduce a whimsical beauty:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- growing from seeds.
Florists usually use the first two methods. Only especially valuable varietal specimens are grown from seeds.
By dividing the roots
The easiest way to propagate calathea is by dividing the bush during transplantation. Divide well-developed two-three-year-old bushes. Step by step, this process looks like this:
Cut cuttings
For propagation by cuttings, a strong, healthy mother plant is chosen. Lightly rake the ground and carefully cut or break out the stalk at the very base of the rhizome. Place it in a small pot with ready-made mortar for arrowroot.
The container with the handle is placed on a pallet with wet expanded clay, covered with a plastic bag or a cut plastic bottle. After two to three weeks, when the plant sprouts and starts growing, the shelter is removed.
Is it possible to grow calathea from seeds
Getting calathea seeds at home is very difficult. However, if you become the owner of the cherished seeds, you can try to grow full-fledged plants from them.
Plant calathea (lat.Calathea) represents the most numerous genus of the Marantovy family, numbering up to 130 species, which grow naturally in Central and South America. The name of the genus comes from the ancient Greek word Kalathos, which means "basket": baskets were actually woven from the leaves of kalatei. But today calathea flowers have nothing at all utilitarian value, but rather aesthetic, since the motley and incredibly attractive beauty of the foliage of these plants fascinates not only amateurs, but also seasoned professionals. However, caring for a calathea flower can only be done by experienced growers, because it is incredibly capricious and requires a lot of attention.
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Planting and caring for calathea (in short)
- Bloom: most of species are grown as ornamental deciduous plants, Varshevich and saffron calatheas bloom in January-February.
- Lighting: light partial shade.
- Temperature: usual for residential premises, but not lower than 16 ˚C.
- Watering: plentiful in the growing season, moderate in winter.
- Air humidity: 90%: It is recommended to regularly spray the leaves with a fine spray or keep the calathea on a pallet with damp pebbles.
- Top dressing: from April to August, twice a month with complex fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants.
- Rest period: not pronounced, approximately from September to January.
- Transfer: young plants are transplanted annually, adults - once every 2-3 years.
- Reproduction: dividing the bush, cuttings and seeds.
- Pests: thrips, scale insects, spider mites.
- Diseases: rhizoctonia, loss of decorative leaves due to improper care.
Read more about growing calathea below.
Calathea flower - cultivation features
The main feature of kalata is their unusual leaves, but there are other properties and distinctive features to be aware of if you are going to take care of homemade calathea... In most plant species, underground shoots form a superficial root system, from which rosettes of large oval leaves grow up to 30-40 cm long, on long petioles. In height, the calathea flower can reach 70-90 cm.The flowering of the calathea is unattractive, the only exceptions are the saffron calathea and the Varshevich calathea, in which nondescript flowers are hidden behind bright bracts of cream, white, orange and pink shades.
The home flower calathea is very demanding to care for, but there are species that are more adapted to growing conditions in indoor conditions and less adapted. The former include Bahema's calathea, as well as decorated, Makoya, striped, Veicha (Vicha) and some others.
Kalata have one common feature for all arrowroot: in the evenings, the leaves of the plant fold and rise up, like palms during prayer, and in the morning the leaves fall and open. For this, calathea, like arrowroot, is called a "prayer flower".
Caring for calathea at home
How to care for calathea
Indoor flower calathea, like everyone else tropical plants, warm and light-loving, but, as they say, a measure is needed in everything: if the leaves of the calathea turn pale from a lack of lighting and lose their decorative effect, then from the excess of light the leaves turn brown, which also does not add to their attractiveness. Caring for calathea involves balancing all the needs of calathea and constantly maintaining this delicate balance, so the best place for calathea is light partial shade, where bright sunlight does not fall. Temperature regime you need a smooth, no sudden changes, a lower limit of 16 ºC, and no drafts!
As for soil moisture, the most important thing in this matter is the quality of water. The water for irrigation should be warm (2-3 degrees warmer than the air in the room) and soft, rain or melt, but if there is none, put two or three handfuls of peat wrapped in gauze in a bucket of ordinary tap water in the evening, and in the morning this moisten the soil of the plant with water. Watering in the spring and summer should be abundant, but excess water that leaked into the pallet must be drained so that the roots do not get rotted. In winter, watering is not much reduced. The main principle watering is so that the calathea's soil is always slightly moist, but not wet.
Calathea at home, like its wild relatives, needs very high air humidity, which ideally should be 90%, but since ordinary house it is difficult to achieve this; you will often have to spray from a fine spray or wipe the calathea leaves with a damp sponge. But only if you are growing a variety with smooth, tough leaves. Varieties with velvety leaves cannot be moistened by washing, so you will have to keep such specimens on a pallet with wet pebbles so that the bottom of the flowerpot does not touch the water. But indoor calathea feels best in glass containers (aquariums, florariums), where high humidity is constantly maintained.
Fertilizer calathea
In this matter, the houseplant calathea also requires a balance: there should be enough fertilizers, but in no case more than the plant needs. As top dressing, once every two weeks from April to August, complex fertilizers are used for decorative leafy plants, and saffron and Varshevich calatheas are fertilized with dressings for decorative flowering plants.
Calathea transplant
Young calatheas require an annual transplant, adults - every two to three years. Transplant is carried out in the spring. The pot needs to be small and wide rather than deep. The soil for calathea should be slightly acidic, breathable and loose, like for other arrowroot or rhododendrons, and it is better to buy it in a specialized store. But if you want to make a soil mixture for calathea yourself, then you need to mix one part of humus, peat, leafy earth and half of the calcined river sand for this.
How to transplant calathea? First, place in a pot in a thick layer drainage material, then a layer of fresh soil, on which you need to carefully, trying not to destroy the earthen lump and not damage the roots, overload the calathea, and then pour so much new soil on the sides so that it fills the entire space of the pot.
Reproduction of calathea
Reproduction of calathea by dividing the bush
During spring transplant plants can be divided into parts of its rhizome so that each cut has several leaves and formed roots. Delenki are seated in pots with a diameter of 7-9 cm in the ground for arrowroots and kept in partial shade, in a warm and humid place - best of all on a pallet with wet expanded clay next to heating radiator... Calathea takes root for a long time, but it all depends on how you take care of it.
Cutting calathea
The aboveground cutting is very carefully separated from the mother plant, planted in moist soil and covered with a film or a transparent bottle, which is not removed until the cutting is rooted. It should be noted that not everyone succeeds in propagating calathea by cuttings.
Reproduction of calathea seeds
This is the most difficult way, because even high-quality calathea seeds may not germinate. Seeds are sown in bowls with a mixture of leafy earth (two parts) and sand (one part) and grown at a temperature of 21-25 ºC. When a couple of leaves appear, the seedlings dive into boxes with the same soil mixture, and later, when they get stronger, they are planted in individual pots.
Calathea pests and diseases
Insect pests calathea
If you have not created the necessary level of humidity for calathea, it can become a victim spider mites, thrips or scale insects. And in that, and in the other, and in the third case, the leaves of the calathea turn yellow and fall off. How to save calathea from pest attacks? If you see a thin cobweb, sticky bloom or light dots on the leaves, take action: scale insects and thrips are destroyed by treating the leaves with soapy water. But if this measure does not help, you will have to apply an insecticide treatment, as is the case with a spider mite.
Calathea leaves dry
If only the tips of the leaves dry out in calathea, the reason is insufficient air humidity. It is necessary to increase the frequency of spraying the leaves and rearrange the plant on wet pebbles. If dry spots appear on the leaves, then these may be traces sunburn caused by spraying the leaves with too coarse spray, which, remaining on the leaves, turns into magnifying glasses under the sun's rays. Why is Calathea still drying? Due to insufficient watering, drafts and thrips damage.
Calathea turns yellow
If only the lower leaves of the calathea turn yellow, then this is the natural course of things: old leaves die off, new ones appear. But sometimes calathea turns yellow not only in the lower part, and there can be at least two reasons for this: firstly, improper watering and secondly, an overdose of fertilizers. Insufficient watering, as well as excessive or too frequent, can provoke yellow leaves. The earthen lump between waterings should dry out two centimeters deep, otherwise, due to the poor supply of oxygen to the roots, young roots will begin to rot, and the leaves will turn yellow.
As for dressings, even during the period of active growth, half the dose recommended by fertilizer manufacturers is enough for calatheas. Calathea leaves can turn yellow when it gets cold.
Calathea leaves curl
Calathea leaves dry and curl from too dry or cool indoor air or from drafts. As you can see, any malaise of the calathea is caused by a violation of the rules of maintenance, and in order not to ask later why the leaves of the calathea curl or why they turn yellow and dry, it is enough to simply observe the agrotechnical conditions for this plant. Calathea is capricious, but nothing is impossible in her demands.
Names and types of kalata
The following varieties of kalata are grown in culture:
Calathea bachemiana
One of the most unpretentious kalata comes from Brazil. It has no stems, and the lanceolate leathery leaves, silvery-green with a dark green pattern along the midrib, reach a length of 40 cm.
Calathea makoyana
Also Brazilian, up to 50 cm high. Its leaves are broadly oval, up to 20 cm long, up to 10 cm wide, the white, almost transparent upper side of the leaf is lined with dark green stripes, reddish spots and bright green veins.
Calathea picturata
The leaves are oblong up to 20 cm in length, the central vein and a strip along the edge of a light shade, the middle is dark green.
Calathea leopardina
The plant is stemless 40-50 cm in height, oval lanceolate leaves 10-12 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, light green with dark green elliptical spots connected by a central vein.
Decorated calathea (Calathea ornata)
Originally from the humid forests of Colombia. This is a dwarf plant up to only 15 cm in height. Oval leaves up to 20 cm long and 6 cm wide on top are yellowish-green with silvery and pink lines, the underside of the leaf is purple. It has two varieties: Calathea ornata roseolineata and Calathea sanderiana.
Calathea crocata
It is distinguished by leaves of a dark green color on the upper side and almost brown below. If you have ever seen how this calathea blooms, you will want to see it again: beautiful bright yellow, almost orange inflorescences appear in January or February, but only if you manage to organize a ten-hour daylight for the plant.