Calathea

Calatheus are often confused with arrowroot. All because they are relatives. But unlike the arrowroot, a calathe of higher height, and care for them requires more attentive. They are harder to grow. For skilled flower growers, Kalatheya can be grown in an ordinary flower pot. But for beginners it is better to try growing a terrarium or the so-called "bottle garden".

Appearance of Calathea

Calathea refers to the ornamental leaf indoor plants (read the article Varieties of indoor plants). It can reach a height of 80 cm. The calathea has a well-developed rhizome.

The oval-shaped calatheum leaves, usually large, are about 30 cm long. The leaf color is very original and diverse. Leaves can be just green or patterned. The pattern is usually represented by stripes of different thickness and spots of various colors: yellow, pink, red, brown, and their shades. The color of the leaves of some species is so intricate that it resembles the plumage of fabulous birds.

Calathea blooms in summer or spring. The flowers are varied colored: white, orange, yellow, purple, etc. They are collected in spike inflorescences.

Types of Calathea

Almost all types of calathea are grown for the sake of leaves. However, there is a kind of exception - Calathea saffron.

1. Calathea saffron blooms with orange-red flowers on straight small peduncles. Her leaves are plain.
2. Calathea Makoya - the most spectacular. She has leaves up to 30 cm long, very thin, with a beautiful pattern.
3. The decorated Kalathea leaves are smaller than those of the previous species and the pattern, in contrast to the calathea Makoya, is not white but pink. This species has its own spectacular varieties: Calathea painted and Calathea Queen Maui.
4. Calathea is wonderful - leaves are up to 45 cm long, wavy edges, the underside of leaves is purple.
5. Calathea Linden has erect leaves.
6. Calathea Bache - small species, the leaves are horizontal.

Calathean location in the house

Calathea can grow well in any room of your home. The main thing is to comply with the necessary conditions for its maintenance, which we will discuss below.

The plant is shade-loving. Therefore, put it on the western and eastern windows and shade. It is good to have calathea in the depth of the room. But if it is in the darkest corners of your house, periodically arrange its sunbaths of diffused light.

Caring for calathea

In the care of Calathea is very capricious. But you can still come to terms with it. The main thing for her is moisture, shade and heat.

• Illumination - a shadow or a penumbra.
• The temperature should be relatively constant. Calathea does not like sudden changes in temperature. It also needs warmth in winter. The lowest temperature in the cold season for calathea is 15 ° C.
• Humidity is high. Calatheas require frequent spraying of leaves and ambient air. In winter, this is not necessary, only during the active growing season (from spring to autumn).
• Watery But do not pour the soil, let it dry out slightly between waterings. Excessive waterlogging of the earth can lead to fungal diseases. For irrigation should use soft rainwater.

• Calathea propagates by rhizome division. This is the most convenient way of breeding in room conditions.
• Repot early spring each year.
• Kalatee during the active growing season requires regular feeding. Usually they are carried out 1-2 times a month. Fertilizers should not contain calcium salts!

See also:How to grow a voodoo lily?

Pests and diseases

Calathea can be affected by a spider mite. Eliminating dry air and spraying the plant with soap and water will help get rid of it.

With excessive watering, the roots of the plant can rot, and there may be signs of fungal diseases.

With proper care, all these problems do not arise.

Calathea will be the undoubted decoration of any room in your home.