The calathea flower belongs to the most numerous family of Marantovs and has about 130 varieties. The natural habitat of calathea growth extends to the tropical regions of all continents.
The birthplace of Calathea is South and Central America... The name of the plant from ancient Greek (Kalathos) is a basket. Most often they use another name - prayer flower. This name is derived from the biological characteristics of the flower. Calathea leaves are arranged in such a way as to catch the remnants of the rays of the outgoing sun. As a result of this feature, in the evening, the flower lifts the leaves up. This is not surprising given that the homeland of the Marantovs is tropical rain forests, where there is a significant lack of sunlight.
Features of the structure of the plant - the shape of bushes, leaves and inflorescences
The plant is a lush bush that can reach a height of 1 meter. Leaves on thin and tall stems form bunches (rosettes), which are located on the shoots growing from the rhizome. As a rule, the bundle is formed by several sheets. In the most decorative kalata, one leaf is formed in the rosette.
Leaves are of different shapes: oval, oblong-oval, rounded, ovate, lanceolate. The length of the leaf varies from 15 cm to 30 cm. The decorative qualities of the calathea are highly valued for color palette and various intricate designs on the sheets. The lower part of the leaf in most species is dark pink and burgundy. The upper part of the calathea leaf can be presented in a solid color in green or have spots different shades... The spots have different shapes, geometrically correct or random. Average vein sheet is thick and it was she who was once used for weaving baskets. During the year, the flower forms 5 - 6 new leaves.
The inflorescence of calathea is an ear with small flowers. The flowering of the species lasts from March to August. Flowers come in various colors: white, orange, blue, pink, lilac, green. The duration of flowering of a calatea, depending on the species, ranges from 1 week to 2 months.
The most popular varieties of calathea suitable for home growing
Calathea Warscewiczii
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea Makoyana
Calathea Freddy
Calathea Varshevich (Calathea Warscewiczii). The rosettes are made up of multiple sheets. Plant height ranges from 30 cm to 1 meter. The inner part of the leaf is burgundy in color. External - has a herringbone pattern of bed-green color. Inflorescences are white or cream colored. Calathea Varshevich blooms up to 3 weeks.
Calathea Orbifolia . The plant reaches 50 - 70 cm in height and 45 cm in diameter. The leaves are large, rounded. The pattern of the leaves is made up of alternating stripes of green and bed-green colors. Does not bloom.
Calathea Freddy . Compact houseplant 40 cm high. Lanceolate leaves on a high petiole. The leaf has a bed-green color. The pattern consists of green, oblong spots extending from the central vein. Does not bloom.
Calathea Makoyana . Calathea Makoya grows up to 55 cm in height. Calathea Makoya has an oval leaf shape up to 22 cm long and 12 cm wide. The color of the leaf is a green brushstroke from the central vein to light background... Calathea Makoya blooms with small purple flowers.
Calathea Zebrina
Calathea Sanderiana
Calathea Beauty Star
Calathea mix
Calathea Zebrina ... Known as striped calathea. The plant got its name because of the bizarre pattern - the alternation of light and dark stripes. Calathea striped reaches 85 cm in height. Ovate leaves reach 35 cm. Striped calathea will bloom with white or cream flowers.
Calathe Sanderiana . Calathea Sanderiana is known as the ornated calathea or ornata. The birthplace of growth is Colombia. In height, the decorated calathea reaches 65 cm. The leaves of the plant grow up to 21 cm long. The width of the leaf plate reaches 11 cm. The leaf is shiny, emerald in color, decorated with lines extending from the central vein. Lines can be of various shades, from white to reddish. The inner side of the leaf is light burgundy. Decorated calathea does not bloom in indoor conditions. In nature, the plant blooms with purple flowers.
Calathea Beauty Star ... The plant reaches 40 cm in height. Leaves are lanceolate, glossy, on a short stem. The length of the leaf reaches 15 cm. The upper side of the leaf plate has an emerald color. The pattern is presented in the form of numerous brush strokes coming from the central vein.
Calathea mix . It grows up to 50 cm. Oval-shaped leaves up to 20 cm. The outer surface of the leaf is emerald green with light stripes.
Genus of ktenant and stromant. Bright representatives of the arrowroot family
Calathea Network
Calathea Roseopicta
Calathea Lancifolia
Calathea Leopardina
Calathea Network – ornamental houseplant up to 40 cm in height. The leaves are large, spear-shaped. The leaf is light green with a mesh pattern. The pattern of the leaf resembles a mosaic, in this regard, the look has earned the name - "Mosaic". Flowers are white on short peduncles, located at the roots.
Calathea Roseopicta . Another name for "Roseopictus". The plant has high decorative qualities. Calathea Medallion is a lush bush formed by wide oval leaves. The leaf has a feather-like pattern around the central vein and around the perimeter. The bottom of the leaf is colored burgundy. Calathea Medallion blooms with white or cream flowers.
Calathea Lancifolia . Calathea Lancifolia or Calathea wonderful is a lush plant with leaves on a short stem. The leaves are wavy, elongated, lanceolate. Leaf color is light with oval spots, emerald hue, different sizes... The inner side of the leaf is burgundy. Calathea lanceolate blooms with white flowers.
Calathea Leopardina – low ornamental plant up to 55 cm high. The leaves are stemless, reaching a length of 9 - 12 cm, and a width of 3 - 6 cm. The upper part of the leaf plate has a bed-green color. The pattern on the leaves is composed of elliptical spots extending from the central vein of a dark green color. The flowers are yellowish.
Calathea Lubbersii
Calathea Lietzei
Calathea Veitchiana
Calathea Dottie
Calathea Lubbersii. It grows up to 70 cm. The oval-shaped leaves are green on both sides. Waviness is poorly expressed. Leaf up to 25 cm long. The leaf pattern is a variety of irregular stripes and spots, ranging from yellowish to red. Calathea lubbers blooms with small flowers of different shades.
Calathea Lietzei. Reaches 55 - 60 cm in height. Leaves are oblong, glossy, on long stems. The length of the leaf is from 10 to 15 cm. The width is 5 to 7 cm. The leaf plate has a bright green color with wide emerald stripes. They bloom gently - pink flowers.
Calathea Veitchiana – the tall plant reaches 95 cm. The lush bush is formed by large, rounded, glossy leaves, up to 25 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. The pattern resembles a bird's feather. Cream-colored flowers are located on long peduncles.
Calathea Dottie – a short houseplant with beautifully painted leaves. Rounded leaves reach 25 cm in length. The leaf is brownish-green in color. The pattern is a strip on the central vein and an arc around the perimeter of the sheet. The color of the pattern is pink. The perianth is green, the flowers are small, white.
The most common types with solid foliage
Calathea Crocata
Calathea Rufibarba
Calathea Bachemiana
Calathea Crocata . Another name is Calathea Saffron. The outer part of the leaf is of a solid emerald color. Inner part magenta... Calathea Saffron blooms with pink or reddish flowers located in orange bracts. Calathea Saffron is a capricious plant and for the onset of flowering it needs a short daylight hours up to 10 hours, so it blooms at the end of February or the winter months.
Calathea Rufibarba . Calathea Rufibarba is a lush rosette of leaves with a shortened stem. Leaves are lanceolate, elongated, wavy, glossy. The color of the leaf is monochromatic, emerald. WITH inside burgundy leaf. The plant does not exceed 55 cm in height. Calathea Rufibarba blooms with yellow flowers.
Calathea Bachemiana – highly decorative look, reaches 40 cm in height. The leaf plate is lanceolate, oblong in shape. The base of the leaf is heart-shaped. The outer side of the leaf is silvery. The pattern is a twig with emerald-colored leaves. Leaf length from 14 to 20 cm. Width from 4 to 9 cm. Cream-colored flowers on a short peduncle.
The types of calathea are diverse and incomparable, they resemble princesses in fluffy dresses and most of them are very moody. But at the same time, the popularity of these decorative deciduous plants among flower growers is growing every year. New varieties of calathea delight with unusual foliage patterns and unpretentious care. In the phytodesign of a house or apartment, they are perfectly combined with flowering tropical plants. With the right content, calatheas will become the pride of your flower collection and purify the air from harmful impurities.
Calathei Are herbaceous stemless plants with brightly colored leaves. Some form small underground tubers, some form long underground rhizomes. Homeland of kalatei - tropical rainforests South America.
Calatheas belong to the arrowroot species. This species also includes ktenants and stromants. Calatheas can rightfully be called the most beautiful decorative deciduous plants of all that are grown in indoor conditions. But, unfortunately, they are also the most capricious of all arrowroots. Moreover, there is a pattern according to which the more beautiful the leaf of the plant, the more difficult it is to grow. The most difficult species to grow are those with velvet leaves.
Indoor views
Calathea Varshevich- this calathea can rightfully be called the most beautiful among indoor species... Slightly wavy velvety leaves of exceptional beauty, lighter at the central vein. The underside of the leaf is purple. The height of the plant is 90-120 cm. The color is a cream-colored nested ear. Demanding appearance. Requires careful spraying.
Calathea Zebrina- 1 of the most decorative species... Homeland - tropical rainforests of Brazil. Height 40-60 cm. Leaves are velvety light green with dark stripes extending from the central vein to the edges of the leaf, reaching 35-40 cm in length. Like all types with velvety leaves, it needs more high humidity and more accurate spraying with only boiled water.
Calathea Veitch- the homeland of Peru. Brightly colored look. Plant height up to 90 cm. Leaves are glossy, strong, wide, up to 30 cm long with dark green and light stripes, concentrically extending from the central leaf vein.
Decorated calathea- homeland of Colombia. The leaves are narrow, 15-20 cm long, dark green, covered with pink and silvery strokes extending from the central vein to the edge of the leaf. The lower part of the leaf is dark purple.
Calathea lanceolate- this species has unusually narrow (no more than 5 cm) and up to 30 cm long leaves with a beautiful wavy edge. The leaf is colored with alternating oval spots of larger and smaller sizes on a light green background. The underlay of the leaf is purple.
Calathea Makoya- a compact plant with a height of 30-40 cm, leaves are broadly oval, up to 20 cm long, bright green with dark green rounded stripes reaching the middle of the leaf. Quite easy to grow species. At good care quickly forms a leaf cap.
- not a large plant with dark green leaves slightly wavy along the edge. The underlay of the leaf is purple. Differs in beautiful flowering - small yellow-orange inflorescences very decorate the plant. This is the only species worth seeking flowering. Therefore, when feeding, fertilizers are alternated for decorative leafy plants and for decorative flowering plants.
Care
Accommodation
There is a misconception that calatheas can grow in the shade. In fact, these plants require bright, diffused light. Only with this arrangement can they please with a beautiful bright color of the leaves. However, calatheas must be carefully protected from direct sunlight, which, even with a short contact with leaves, can cause burns, leading to ugly dark spots on leaves and partial or even complete loss of decorative effect. These plants can be grown in artificial lighting, but at the same time, the length of artificial daylight hours should be at least 12 hours a day.
In addition, when placing it, it must be borne in mind that calatheas do not tolerate drafts at all.
Temperature
All year round, the temperature of the content should be in the range of 18-25 ° C. An increase in temperature above 25 ° C should be accompanied by an increase in air humidity. Lowering the temperature to 15 ° C can significantly worsen the decorative effect of the plant, and temperatures below 12 ° C will kill it. If the temperature in the room falls below 18 ° C, it is very important to keep the earthen ball warm, since cooling the roots leads the plant to death. For this reason, the plant should not be placed on a cold windowsill - place a piece of Styrofoam under the pot.
Watering
Watered often, but in moderation - usually after the top layer of the earth dries out. The water should be warm and well-separated, ideally filtered. The water is drained from the pallet.
Humidity
High air humidity is the main criterion successful cultivation calatheas. They feel best in the florarium or in the flower window. Under these conditions, the cultivation of these plants is not difficult. If this is not possible, the plant should be regularly sprayed with warm boiled or filtered water. Use tap water for spraying it is impossible, as it leaves spots on the leaves, which are almost impossible to remove from the velvety leaves. To increase humidity, especially in winter period, the plant can be placed on a pallet with or placed between the plants with bowls of water. An excellent solution to the problem of humidity can be a humidifier.
Top dressing
In spring and summer, calatheas are fertilized every 2 weeks with a complex fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants, diluted in 2 times less concentration than indicated on the label. In autumn and winter, feeding is either not produced at all, or reduced to 1 time per month.
Transfer
Kalata have a shallow root system, so they do not need a large deep pot. They are transplanted every spring in a slightly larger container with a drainage layer of 2-3 cm. The soil should be loose and consist of leafy earth, peat, and sand (6: 3: 2). If it is not possible to make a soil mixture, you can replace it with purchased soil for Saintpaulias (see also) or universal soil, into which it is desirable to add sand.
Reproduction
Propagated by carefully dividing it into several parts. Rhizome species can be propagated by cutting the rhizome with buds. Young plants are planted in separate shoots and covered with a bag for several days.
Diseases and pests
It is amazed, and. When damaged by a scabbard, a sweetish bloom appears on the leaves, and from thrips and a tick, the leaves curl into a tube or warp. They fight them with the help of "Fitoverm" or "", diluted in boiled water. However, the application will inevitably affect the appearance of plants with velvet leaves.
Growing problems:
- Leaves lose their brightness- the plant lacks lighting. Place it closer to a window or under artificial lighting;
- The tips of the leaves dry up- insufficient air humidity. Spray the leaves regularly;
- Leaves turn red and dry- too bright light - shade the plant;
- Brown spots on the leaves- burn from direct sunlight. Rearrange the plant or shade it;
- Stems are soft- you have supercooled the plant. Place it in a warmer room;
- Leaves curl up and dry around the edges- insufficient watering. Water the plant more often to keep the earthy coma from drying out. Sprinkle the leaves with Epin.
Of course, it is quite difficult to grow a healthy calathea, however, providing it with high humidity and good lighting, you will get a plant of delightful beauty, which is decorative 365 days a year and is able to decorate any interior.
In conclusion, I suggest watching a short video about calatheas.
Calathea is a representative of the Marantovaya family, occupies a leading place among variegated plants. Arrowroots are common in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America.
Calathea species have an extensive habitat, they are found in the tropical zone across all continents (except Australia). Endemic species grow in Africa. Some varieties can be found in Burma, India, the islands of Oceania and the Malay Archipelago.
Biological features of the Marantovaya family
Representatives of the arrowroot family are mainly liana-like and herbaceous ornamental deciduous plants. Their root system is the main storage organ that accumulates moisture and nutrients. They need constantly high humidity, otherwise they will quickly evaporate their reserves and die.
The leaves are large, variegated. They have an exclusive feature: closer to the leaf plate, there is a thickening at the end of the petiole, which lifts and turns the leaf towards the light source. Thanks to this, calathea is also called a "prayer flower". In the morning, the leaves are arranged horizontally, and in the evening they fold and rise, as if the palms are in prayer.
In some, the entire ground part dies off after flowering, but this is not a dormant period and not the death of the plant. With prolonged watering, after a while, young shoots appear and the plant comes to life again. There are 30 genera of the Marantovaya family, but only 4 are cultivated, including calathea.
Description of Calathea
Calathea is a perennial with a root system in the form of tubers or rhizomes. In indoor conditions, growth reaches a little more than 1 meter. Castings have different shapes: from lanceolate to oval-rounded with smooth or wavy edges. Leaf plates 10-20 cm long are attached on long petioles. On the underside, the color of the leaves is purple-pink, sometimes dark green. The surface is mottled, white lines divide the leaf into segments. The middle vein of the leaf is thick, tough, in ancient times it was used for weaving baskets (calathea in translation from Greek means "basket").
Each year the plant forms about 5 young leaves. Different types calatheas bloom with early spring until the summer. Small flowers from white to dark purple hue are collected in a compact spike-shaped inflorescence. Flowering lasts approximately 3 weeks. There are also species with especially beautiful flowers (Kalatea Varshevich, Calathea saffron, etc.)
How to care for calathea at home
Lighting and air temperature
The plant needs a low air temperature. In summer, the optimal range will be 16-24 ° C, in winter without irrigation, maintain 12-16 ° C.
Calathea is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and direct sunlight. Therefore, choose a place for a flower without drafts and excessive lighting. From an excess of light, the variegated color of the leaves is lost. Also, the plant will turn the leaf plates away from the light source, which does not look very decorative. The best place there will be a half-shaded corner of the room.
Priming
The soil needs light, breathable. You can mix leaf soil, peat and sand in a 2: 1: 1 ratio and add crushed charcoal, pieces of bark, a little coniferous earth. To increase soil fertility, add about 20-30% humus. A ready-made potting soil mixture for indoor flowers, which can be purchased at any flower shop or land from a coniferous forest, is also suitable.
Air humidity
The most important thing in caring for calathea is maintaining a sufficiently high air humidity. all year round... Spray the plant daily with a fine spray with standing water. The container with a flower should stand on a pallet with damp moss or pebbles; as the water evaporates, it is necessary to moisten the material in the pallet.
Plants with pubescent or velvety leaves are not directly possible. You can shower them twice a month or spray the air around the plant a couple of times a day. The surface of the leaf plate is very delicate and vulnerable, gently brush the dust off the plant with a brush or soft dry cloth.
Watering
- Watering kaleteya in the summer 2-3 times a week, and in winter, watering is reduced to 1 time every 6-8 days.
- Between watering procedures, the top layer of the soil should dry out by 2-4 cm.
- Avoid stagnant water in the sump, especially in winter.
- When watering, it is not advisable for drops of water to get on the leaves of the plant, so it is best to water from a watering can with a narrow spout, moving along the edges of the pot.
Top dressing
The aboveground mass of the plant is large and requires sufficient nutrition - it is necessary to systematically feed it. During the growing season (March-September), apply fertilizers for decorative leafy plants 2-3 times a month. In autumn and winter, it is enough to apply fertilizer every 6 weeks.
How to transplant calathea
- A transplant is required every year in early spring.
- Do not forget to place a drainage layer of large pebbles, expanded clay, ceramic fragments at the bottom of the pot, and only then pour a layer of soil.
- Gently roll the plant along with the earthy clod to avoid damaging the fragile roots.
- The root system is shallow, so choose a shallow and wide container.
- Increase the diameter of the pot by 2 cm each time.
- Place the rhizome in the center of the pot strictly vertically and add new soil around it.
- Slightly compact the soil at the root with your palm.
Reproduction of calathea at home
By dividing the bush
How to split a calathea bush photo
- During reproduction by dividing the root can be carried out.
- Each section should contain 2-3 roots and several leaves of a young root rosette.
- Plant the resulting seedlings in separate pots while maintaining the same planting level.
- For better adaptation, it is recommended to cover the plant with a plastic cap and maintain the air temperature within 23-24 ° C.
- You can also cut the tubers in half. The sections must be treated with charcoal. Then proceed as for a normal transplant.
Leaf and cuttings
Leafy and stem cuttings can be rooted.
- Prepared before rooting, treat it well with a root solution: keep them in it for a day, then root in water or soil.
- Plant the cuttings in moist soil and cover or place in a container of clean water.
- Provide diffused lighting.
- Keep warm and humid.
- The roots will appear within a month. Next, plant and care for the seedlings as if they were an adult plant.
Growing from seeds
Seed reproduction of calathea is the most difficult and lengthy way. It can take years to grow from seed. Moreover, even high-quality seeds do not always germinate.
- Before planting, the seeds should be held in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate.
- Prepare a mixture of two parts leafy earth and one part sand. The seeds are buried 0.5 cm.
- Maintain air temperature within 21-25ºC.
- With the appearance of a pair of real leaves, the plants dive into separate boxes with the same soil, when the seedlings get stronger, they are planted in separate pots.
- Soil and further care Necessary as for adult plants: maintain moisture, water regularly, protect from drafts and direct sunlight.
Diseases and pests of calathea
With the right calatheas, they are practically not susceptible to diseases and pests. Excess watering may cause root rot, and from a lack of moisture, the leaves turn yellow and fall off.
Calathea leaves dry and curl
Causes of the problem:
- Very dry indoor air, you need to put a humidifier next to it; in extreme cases, the plant is placed in a closed aquarium with high humidity until the condition returns to normal.
- Soil alkalization: frequent watering with hard water leads to a change in the acid-base reaction. An urgent transplant is required with a complete replacement of the soil (the earth from the coniferous forest will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the flower), and after transplanting, two weeks later, feed the beauty.
- Root decay - with constant overflow, the flower can get sick. An urgent resuscitation is needed: rotted roots and damaged leaves are cut off, the roots are washed, treated with a phytosporin solution and planted in a disinfected pot with fresh soil.
Why do calathea leaf tips dry?
The tips of the leaves dry out due to too dry air, not enough frequent spraying and lack of nutrients in the ground.
Calathea leaves wilted
If the flower is flooded too much, it can react with a sharp wilting of the leaves. After that, it is necessary to drain the water from the pan and not water the plant until the earth dries out. If the situation does not improve, a transplant with a complete soil replacement and fungicide treatment will be required. The affected roots are cut.
Pests
Delicate leaves of calathea are a tasty morsel for sucking and gnawing pests (spider mites, thrips, scale insects, aphids, whiteflies). If you find pests at least on the plants adjacent to the calathea, it is necessary to take preventive measures: treat the leaves of the plant with non-chemical preparations.
You can use a soapy solution (20 grams liquid soap for 1 liter of water). Stir thoroughly until foam forms, cover the soil with a film, and treat the leaves with a solution.
An infusion of onion peels, garlic, walnut leaves, and other natural insecticides is also suitable. Take about 200-300 grams of onion peel, a few cloves of garlic and some nut leaves, pour 1 liter of water and leave for a week. This will be the mother liquor. The working solution (directly for processing) is prepared from 1 part of the mother liquor to 50 parts of water.
If pests appear directly on the plant itself, treat with insecticides. Remember that you need to do this on fresh air to avoid human or animal poisoning.
Types of calathea with photos and names
Calathea makoyana
Originally from the rainforests of Brazil. Does not like spraying, it is best suited for growing in greenhouses. It tolerates artificial lighting well. The leaves are large (20 cm long and 10 cm wide), attached on petioles 14 cm long. The shape of the leaf is oval. The color of the leaf plate is light green with a dark green edge. Above, as if a pattern is drawn in the form of an odd-pinnate leaf of a dark green hue. on the reverse side of the sheet, the pattern is repeated in burgundy shades. The uniqueness of the underside of the leaf can be seen in all its glory in the evening when the leaf plates rise.
Calathea warszewiczii
A plant with a height of 30 cm to 1 meter. The bush has dense rosettes of leaves. The shape of the leaf plate is elongated-oval, the edges are slightly wavy. The leaf surface is velvety, the color is dark green with a herringbone pattern of a lighter green shade. The flowering is beautiful: the inflorescence is similar in shape to a rose, has a white or cream color. Flowers open in late spring and delight for three weeks.
Calathea crocata or crocata Calathea crocata
Originally from the shores of the Amazon. "False" flowers are attached to tall peduncles and are collected in shortened corymbose inflorescences. Real flowers are inconspicuous: they are small, pinkish or red in color, collected in large bracts of a bright orange, saffron hue. The leaves are velvety, 20-30 cm long, colored dark green. Flowering occurs in early spring or in the autumn-winter period (when daylight hours are shortened and is 8-10 hours).
Calathea lancifolia Calathea lancifolia
The plant is distinguished by an elongated leaf shape, with fantastic coloring: dark shades of burgundy below, bright lime with rich green transverse stripes on top. The leaves have an interesting accordion relief and are slightly curved inward along the central vein.
Calathea rufibarba or red-bearded Calathea rufibarba
The flower is quite tall, up to 70 cm in height, with long petioles and elongated pointed leaves that have a volumetric corrugation with a herringbone pattern and waves along the edge of the leaf. The bottom of the leaves and leaf petioles are colored red.
Calathea ( lat. Calathea)- houseplant, families Maranth (Marantaceae).
Homeland - Central and South America. This is the largest genus in the Marantov family.
Calathea Is an ornamental deciduous perennial rhizome plant about 70-80 cm tall. Most species have large, up to 30 cm long, oblong-oval leaves located on long petioles, but there are species with lanceolate leaves. Shoots are mainly underground, forming rhizomes, from which short vertical shoots with rosettes of leaves located on them. In the rosette of some, moreover, the most decorative ones, there is only one fully developed leaf.
Calathea blooms in spring and summer with spike-shaped inflorescences of various shades (white, yellow, orange, purple, etc.). The flowers are 3-membered, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences (spike-shaped thyrsus), apical or axillary.
Calathea is valued for the originality of the color of the leaves, which can be either pure green in color or with a different pattern of stripes and spots of various shades - from yellow to red-brown. In some species of calathea, the color of the leaves resembles the plumage of a peacock or some kind of fabulous birds.
In the old days, the leaves of calathea were often used for weaving, from which the name of the genus originated (Greek. "Calathos"- basket).
Calatheas are undeniably beautiful, but very capricious plants. Although they are not as whimsical as arrowroots in relation to air humidity, they still prefer high humidity... Also, plants do not tolerate temperature changes well. The ideal placement for a calathea is a closed flower window.
Types of calathea
Synonym: Maranta bachemiana ... Grows in tropical rainforests in Brazil. Plants are stemless, up to 40 cm tall. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate with a heart-shaped base, 15-25 cm long and 3-9 cm wide, tapering towards the apex, greenish-silvery above with dark green spots located along the midrib, below whitish-green, leathery Flowers collected in spike-shaped inflorescences (spicate thyrsus), up to 6 cm long, on pedicels 2-2.5 cm long. Highly decorative look.
... The leaves are velvety, oval dark green, with a light green pattern along the central vein, purple on the underside. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences (spike-shaped thyrsus), white or cream, pink, on a short peduncle.
Calathea Vicha or Veitch (Calathea veitchiana) ... Found in tropical rainforests in Peru. Plants up to 90 cm tall. Leaves are oval, 20-30 cm long and 10-15 cm wide, shortly pointed at the apex, weakly cordate at the base, strong, glossy, dark green, with light yellow-green stripes above, with light yellowish stripes on the bottom background. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, white, on a long, 20 cm long, stalk. Highly decorative look.
... Synonym: Calathea lancifolia ... It has narrow and long leaves (24-27 cm long by 5 cm wide), wavy edge of the leaf blade, green petiole without pubescence. Leaves are opaque. Dark green ovals are visible on top of the leaf, moreover, small and large, regularly alternating on a light green background. Below the leaves are purple, the same color as the leaf cushion.
... Synonym: Arrowroot Zebra (Maranta zebrina) ... It grows in tropical rainforests in Brazil. Plants are 40-60 cm tall. The leaves are basal, elliptical, up to 40 cm long and 16 cm wide, green above, with wide light feathery stripes, reddish below. The flowers are collected in dense, almost round or ovoid, spike-shaped inflorescences (spike-shaped thyrsus), white or purple, on a short stalk. Highly decorative look; suitable for culture in warm rooms.
... Synonym: Leopard arrowroot (Maranta leopardina) ... It lives in tropical rain forests in Tropical America. Plants are stemless, up to 40-50 cm tall. Leaves are elliptic-lanceolate, 10-12 cm long and 3-5 cm wide, light green above, with dark green elliptical-oblong spots, bordering the base with the midrib. Flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences (spike-shaped thyrsus), yellow. Highly decorative look.
... Synonym: Maranta lietzei ... It grows in tropical rainforests in Brazil. Plants up to 50-60 cm tall, form dense bushes... Leaves basal and on stems, oblong-elliptical, 12-15 cm long and 5-7 cm wide, wavy, bright green above with a metallic sheen and with wide dark green stripes, purple-red below. The flowers are collected in short, spike-shaped inflorescences, white. Highly decorative look; stable in room conditions.
... Synonym: Maranta makoyana ... It is found in tropical rainforests in Brazil. Plants are 30-50 cm tall. Leaves are broadly oval, 10-20 cm long and 8-12 cm wide, shortly pointed, bright green above (on a white transparent background), in oblong-elliptical dark green stripes extending from the midrib and reddish spots. Highly decorative look. This plant is quite capricious, needs diffused light, does not tolerate excess water in the soil, at low air humidity, the leaves curl up with a turbulent and dry out at the edges.
It has oblong leaves up to 20cm long. On the upper side of the leaf, there is a dark middle with symmetrical stripes, a light stripe along the edge and a light central vein.
... Synonym: Decorated arrowroot (Maranta ornata) ... Grows in tropical rainforests in Colombia. Low-growing plants. Leaves are elliptical, 10-20 cm long and 5-7 cm wide, yellowish-green, with silvery and pink lateral lines above, dark purple-red below. The petiole is 5-12 cm long. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences (spike-shaped thyrsus), 6-8 cm long, white or purple, on a long, up to 30 cm long, stem. Highly decorative look.
It has dark green leaves above and intense brownish below. This species blooms regularly. Bright saffron-yellow inflorescences usually appear in January or February. At least they can be expected if the plant in the fall is at a temperature of about 18 ° C and receives light, if possible, no more than 10 hours a day.
- this calathea does not like spraying, but is easily affected by a mite, if not enough wet air... It tolerates transplanting and dividing the bush (the cuts are sprinkled with coal). The difference between the ‘Blue Grass’ and ‘Wavestar’ is that the former has a green underside of the leaves, while the latter is purple-burgundy. With a lack of light, the leaves grow small, and their petioles are long. It grows well on a loose, light substrate made from a mixture of leaf humus, greenhouse soil and baking powder (vermiculite and expanded clay).
Calathea care
Lighting. Calathea - comparatively shade-tolerant plants, develop well in diffused light, like bright diffused light. V winter time good lighting is also desirable for plants. Poorly tolerated direct sunlight during the spring and summer months. The size and color of the leaves depends on whether the plant is successfully protected from the sun. If the light is very bright, the leaves lose their color, and the leaf blade also shrinks.
They grow well near the windows of the east and west direction, near the windows of the south direction it is necessary to shade from the direct sun. Calatheas can grow under artificial lighting fluorescent lamps within 16 hours a day.
Temperature. In the spring-summer period, during the day, the temperature suitable for kalatei is in the region of 22-30 ° С, at night it is slightly cooler. In winter - even at night - not lower than 18 ° С and not higher than 25 ° С. Plants are very sensitive to temperature changes and drafts. It is very important to maintain a soil temperature of 18-20 ° C, about 22 ° C in summer. Hypothermia of the roots is detrimental to the plant.
Watering. Watering is required abundant, as the top layer of the substrate dries up. In autumn and winter, watering is somewhat reduced. Watered with warm soft well-settled water. It is important to take care not to overdry, not swamp the soil and prevent the cooling of the root system. Calathea Makoya is especially sensitive to waterlogging of the substrate.
Air humidity. Calathea prefers high humidity (from 70 to 90%). It requires regular spraying throughout the year. Spray with well-settled or filtered water, with a fine spray, since large drops of water should not fall on the leaves - dark spots may appear on them.
For calathea, it is necessary to choose a place with the maximum air humidity. With dry indoor air, spraying is necessary at least once, and ideally twice a day. To increase humidity, the plant can be placed on a pallet with damp moss, expanded clay or pebbles, or you can use a humidifier indoors. In this case, the bottom of the pot should not touch the water. To maintain high humidity at night, you can put plastic bags on the plants. Calatheas grow well in mini-greenhouses, florariums, terrariums.
Fertilizer. Calatheas are fed from spring to autumn once every 2 weeks with flower fertilizer. In winter, feeding is reduced to 1 time in 5-6 weeks. Calathea reacts poorly to excess calcium and nitrogen in the soil.
Transfer. Young calatheas are transplanted annually, adults - every two years in late spring or summer. When transplanting, old dying leaves are removed. They take a shallow pot for calata. The soil is humus, loose and permeable, slightly acidic (pH up to 6). A mixture of leafy soil, peat and sand (2: 1: 1) is suitable, to which you can add crushed charcoal. If it is not possible to compose a soil mixture for calathea yourself, then you can use purchased soil for arrowroots, soil is also suitable for. Good drainage is essential.
Reproduction. Propagated by seeds and dividing rhizomes. Stemless calatheas form rhizomes and nodules. Having reached a respectable age, the rhizomes of plants branch out, and they are easy to divide during transplantation. Large plants carefully divide into 2-3 new copies, while trying not to damage the roots, and plant in a peat-based substrate, after which it must be thoroughly watered with lukewarm water and allowed to dry the surface before the next watering. The pots are placed in a loosely tied plastic bag and kept in a warm place until the plant hardens and new leaves appear.
Possible difficulties
The tips of the leaves are brown and dry, stunted growth. Possible reason- too dry air.
The ends of the leaves are yellow-brown when there is an excess or lack of nutrients in the soil.
Leaves curl up and become stained with insufficient watering. The soil should be moist at all times.
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Calathea- herbaceous perennial rhizome plant family Marantaceae (Marantaceae)... Calathea is native to the rainforests of South America. Up to 130 species grow in nature. Shoots of calathea, underground in most species, form surface rhizomes, on which vertical shoots with rosettes of leaves are located.
The height of some species of these decorative deciduous plants reaches 80 cm. Calathea has very beautiful leaves: they are large, up to 30 cm in length, oval or elliptical, sometimes elongated, grow immediately from the root rosette. Calathea leaves always turn towards the sun. Calathea flowers come in a wide variety of colors, collected in dense spike-shaped or rounded inflorescences.
Calathea flowers have an original structure and therefore in natural conditions can be pollinated only by the smallest species of bees. The pollination process is very entertaining. When a bee sits on a selected flower and begins to insert its proboscis into it, it turns out that a hook-shaped outgrowth blocks the path to the pollen. It is cocked like the trigger of a pistol. The bee pushes him. The hook straightens up, slaps the insect with its stigma, transferring the pollen on it to the bee. At the same time, the bee seems to get scared, shudders. At this time, the pollen brought from another flower is shaken off it.
For growing in indoor conditions, the most suitable are the most beautiful calathea, the decorated calathea, the Makoya calathea, the striped calathea, the Veich calathea and some others.
All calatheas except beautiful leaves striking one more feature. In the evening, the leaves of the plant rise up, showing lower part leaf, and in the morning they go down again. Watching the calathea from the side day after day, it seems that its leaves are moving. For this feature, Calathea received another name - prayer flower.
Like all tropical plants, Calathea is very warm and light-requiring, although the plant needs to be shaded from direct sunlight. Lighting is very important for calathea: with an excess of light, the leaves can turn brown, and with a lack of light, they quickly lose their bright color, and with it their decorative effect. For calathea, east and west windows are better suited. In winter, the air temperature in the room should not fall below +18 0 C. Calathea does not like rearrangements, rapid temperature changes, drafts.
Watering calathea
Calathea pests
In case of improper maintenance, scale insects settle on kalatea. They can be seen on the underside of the leaves, where they sit motionless and suck the sap from the leaves. The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, the shoots die off. If you do not start pest control in time, you can lose the plant. A sticky bloom on the leaves will help to recognize the scale insects in time. A sooty fungus settles on this sticky coating. It is unlikely that it will be possible to assemble the scale insects manually. If there are a lot of them, then one cannot do without four-fold processing with karbofos or actellik.
Spider mites also live on the underside of leaves. Their presence can be guessed by the thin cobwebs. They also feed on the sap of the leaves. Leaves damaged by spider mites turn yellow and fall off. Defeat of Calathea spider mite indicates insufficient humidity in the room. Spray the calathea leaves on both sides constantly. Give the plant a warm shower once every two to three days. In case of severe damage by a spider mite, spraying with actellik, phytoverm is recommended.
Types of calathea
Calathea Bahema (Calatheabachemiana) native to the tropics of Brazil. It has stems, lanceolate leaves, up to 35 cm in length and up to 7-9 cm in width, leathery, dense, silvery-greenish with dark green spots along the midrib. Flowers Bachem's calatheas collected in dense spike-shaped inflorescences.
Calathea Burle Marx "Blue Ice" - unique and gorgeous Calathea from Brazil. It is named after the famous landscape architect Burle Marx, who not only invented and implemented fabulous landscapes in life, but was also an avid florist. There are other color schemes of this type of calathea, but this one, slightly bluish, is the most attractive.
Calathea Varshevich (Calathea warscewiczii). Have calatheas Varshevich oval leaves of dark green color with a light green pattern along the central vein, velvety, purple on the underside. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, white or cream, pink.
Calathea Veitch or Vicha (Calathea veitchiana) reaches a height of 80-90 cm in height. Leaves are oval, up to 30 cm in length and up to 10 cm in width, very strong, glossy, dark green, the upper side of the leaf - with yellow-green stripes, the lower - with yellowish stripes on a reddish background. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences of predominantly white color.
Calathea is wonderful (Calathea insignis) ... Synonym: lanceolate calathea. It has narrow and long leaves up to 30 cm in length up to 5 cm in width, the leaf blade has a wavy edge, the petiole is green, without pubescence. The upper part of the leaf is decorated with dark green oval spots, large and small, alternating on a light green background. The underside of the leaves is purple, the same color as the leaf cushion.
Calathea Zebrina (Calathea zebrina) also originally from Brazil. She has elliptical leaves, up to 40 cm long and 15 cm wide. The upper side of the leaf plate is green with wide feathery light stripes, the lower side is slightly reddish. The flowers are collected in dense spike-shaped inflorescences, white or purple in color.
Calathea leopard (Calathealeopardina) d reaches a height of 40-50 cm. Leaves calathea leopard lanceolate, up to 15 cm long and up to 5 cm wide, the upper side of the leaves is light green in color with dark green oblong spots connected to the central vein of the leaf. The flowers are yellow, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences.
Calathea Litze (Calathea lietzei) in tropical rainforests of Brazil forms dense thickets up to 60 cm in height. Leaves, both basal and on stems, are elliptical, not very large, only up to 15 cm in length and up to 6 cm in width, slightly wavy. The upper side of the leaf is bright green with a silvery metallic sheen, with dark green broad stripes, the underside of the leaf is reddish-lilac. Flowers calathei litze collected in short spike-shaped inflorescences, white.
Calathea Makoya (Calatheamakoyana) naturally occurs in the tropics of Brazil, reaches a height of up to half a meter. Leaves are wide, oval, up to 20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. Top side of the sheet Calathea Makoya very decorative: a white, almost transparent background is lined with bright green veins, oblong dark green stripes extending from the central vein, and reddish spots.
(Calathea picturata) has oblong leaves up to 20 cm in length. On the upper side of the leaf, there is a dark middle with symmetrical stripes, a light stripe along the edge and a light central vein.
Calathearufibarba (Calathea rufibarba)... This calathea is called the red beard. Calathea rufibarba received this name for the light fluff on the underside of the leaves and on their petioles. The leaves of Calathea rufibarba are elongated, oblong, slightly wavy along the edge, of various shades from light to dark green, mostly without a pattern.
Calathea Lubbers (CalatheaLubbersii) differs in the extraordinary color of the leaves. The rest of the calatheas have a strictly symmetrical pattern on the leaves, and the leaves of the calathea Lubbers are painted on top with asymmetrical yellow and green spots, on the underside there are leaves Green colour, and not purple like other kalateas.
Decorated calathea (Calathea Ornata) grows everywhere in the humid forests of Colombia. Quite a stunted plant, leaf petioles reach only 15 cm in height. Leaves are elliptical up to 20 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. The upper side of the leaf plate has a yellowish-green color in silvery and pink lateral lines, the lower side is purple. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences of white or purple color. Decorated calathea has varieties: Calathearoseolineata (Calatheaornataroseolineata) and calathea sanderian (Calatheasanderiana).