Calathea flower home care varieties of Calathea with photos and names. Calathea, home care - how to tame a capricious flower

This exotic flower able to purify the air from formaldehyde in the air by 10%. In addition, the plant has a calming effect, it is especially useful for people suffering from insomnia.

According to Chinese scientists, this flower is able to protect a person from colds, because it has a special energy and warms the body. Calathea promotes the resorption of blood clots.

There is an opinion that this plant helps in trade and personal life. Timid people gain confidence next to him and inner strength.

How to care for Calathea at home?

Let's take a closer look at how to properly care for a Calathea indoor flower at home.

The main rule for growing Calathea- creating warm and humid conditions for it, only in this case the plant will feel good and retain its decorative effect.

Location

For Calathea, you need to choose a place with enough light, but no direct sun. The direct rays of the plant is contraindicated.

The most suitable for growing are southeast or southwest windows.

Oriental ones are also suitable. western sides, but on the north side the plant will suffer from a lack of light.

On the south window, the leaves will lose their decorative effect, turn pale.

If there is not enough light for Calathea, it will stop growing, and the leaves will begin to dry and fall off..

You need to grow a flower at some distance from the window. If you keep it on the windowsill, then the leaves will lean towards the sun and the plant will lose its shape.

Temperature

Calathea feels good at a temperature of 20-25 degrees. It can even tolerate intense heat at 30-35, but subject to sufficient humidity.

In winter, the temperature should not fall below 16-17 degrees. Under such conditions, the root system will begin to rot.

Drafts and temperature changes are very harmful for Calathea.. When airing the room, make sure that the wind from the window does not fall on the plants.

Humidity and watering rules

Sufficient air humidity is one of the main requirements for flower maintenance.. It is best to maintain the required humidity using a humidifier. You can put a container with Calathea in a pan with pebbles, moss or expanded clay, into which water is poured.

IMPORTANT! There should be enough water in the pan so that the bottom of the pot does not touch it.

It is also possible to use the method of spraying the air around the plant. In this case, the plant itself is not recommended to be sprayed. You can only occasionally wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

Highly effective way maintaining the balance of moisture and temperature for Calathea is its cultivation in an aquarium.

A layer of sand is poured into it, which is periodically moistened.

It is in such conditions that Calathea will be at a stable temperature, the walls of the aquarium will protect it from drafts and prevent overdrying of the air.

The frequency of watering directly depends on the air temperature. In the heat, watering is carried out every three days, while wetting the soil properly. Water must not be allowed to stagnate in the pan after watering, it must be drained immediately. If this is not done, the roots will surely begin to rot.

IMPORTANT! Do not water the plant until the top layer is 3-4 centimeters dry. Calathea should be watered only with soft, settled water. Also, the water needs to be warmer. room temperature a few degrees.

top dressing

From the beginning of April to the end of August, the plant is fed twice a month. fit universal fertilizers for decorative foliage indoor flowers. AT winter period top dressing is sharply reduced to once every one and a half months.

ATTENTION! Do not feed Calathea with nitrogen mixtures, she does not tolerate them well.

Soil and transplant rules

How to transplant Calathea?

Transplantation is carried out in the spring strictly once every two years.. The soil for Calathea is prepared as follows: a mixture of leafy soil, humus, peat and sand (1X1X1X0.5). From ready-made mixtures, land is suitable for azaleas.

IMPORTANT! The soil should not contain lime, Calathea does not tolerate it.

A pot for transplanting must be taken 4-5 centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one. The container is selected wide, but shallow. A large layer of drainage is laid at the bottom.

Transplantation is carried out by the method of transshipment with partial replacement of the soil.

IMPORTANT! The roots of the plant are quite fragile, so it must be transplanted carefully so as not to damage them.

crown formation

Calathea independently copes with the formation of a beautiful bush, so she does not need pruning. It is only recommended to remove damaged and dried leaves from the plant.

How does decorative Calathea bloom?

Calathea blooms only if created for it ideal conditions content.

The main condition is the humidity of the air and soil.

If the roots are allowed to dry out or there is a lack of moisture in the air, even for a short time, the plant will not be able to form flower buds.

Another reason for the lack of flowers is unsuitable soil..

This flower needs a special composition with increased air permeability, while having a slightly acidic reaction. Only under all conditions can this capricious flower bloom.

However, some types of plants delight their owners with flowering every year. It blooms with orange, lush inflorescences, and has cream or white-pink flowers.

Reproduction methods

The plant can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings.

• The best way is to divide the bush. The root system of this flower is tubers - modified shoots. They have sufficient branching and are easily separated from each other.

  After dividing, the bushes are planted in separate pots and, for better rooting, are covered with a film until they are completely rooted;

• somewhat more difficult to propagate Calathea leaf or cuttings. In the first case, a leaf with a growth point is separated from an adult specimen, planted in a separate pot, moistened and covered with a transparent cap.

  Cuttings are carried out using a shoot 15 cm long, having three to four leaves. Growth points must be present on the workpiece. The cutting, like the leaf, is rooted in a moist substrate;

• seed propagation Calathea- an occupation for an experienced and patient grower. Seeds have very poor germination and are only good for a very short period of time. Therefore, when purchasing them in a store, be careful.

Calathea is sown in a mixture of leafy soil and sand.

Shallowly planted seeds are covered with a film and placed in a room with an air temperature of at least 22-25 degrees.

Sprouts with a favorable outcome will appear only after 25-30 days.

At the age of 20-30 days, the sprouts are placed in separate pots.

When transplanting, you need to be as careful as possible, since any damage to the roots will not allow seedlings to take root and start growing.

Growing difficulties

She reacts very sharply to inappropriate conditions of detention. If she doesn't like something, . It reacts especially sharply to the cold emanating from window panes and open windows, so you should not keep this plant on the windowsill.

This capricious flower demands special attention. But if you follow all the rules for caring for Calathea, then she will delight you with her unusual beauty for a long time.

Useful video

Watch a helpful video about Calathea below:

You have probably seen this flower with large wide leaves of unusually beautiful colors. Calathea looks luxurious both on the window and anywhere in the room; it will serve as a real decoration of the house. It seems that she is docile and unpretentious, but this is not at all the case: Calathea is demanding to care, therefore only experienced growers successfully engaged in the cultivation and breeding of this plant at home. If you are still new to the cultivation of indoor flowers, but Calathea has already taken a place in your heart and in your apartment, this article is for you.

it herbaceous plant belongs to the Marantov family. Its underground shoots form rhizomes near the soil surface, on which rosettes of leaves are located, growing strictly vertically. Since under natural conditions, Calathea grows in the tropical forests of South America, mainly on the banks of reservoirs, it is very demanding on humidity. This plant loves regular abundant watering, but its excess can be fatal. . It is these "whims" and the search for compromises that become the biggest difficulty when growing calathea at home.

It has long been used in the homeland of calathea not at all to decorate the house, but for quite banal domestic purposes: baskets were woven from its leaves (from the word kalathos - a basket - the name of the flower came from), mattresses were made, fish were wrapped in them.

There are about 130 types of Calathea. Some of them are up to 80 cm high. hallmark each species is the shape and color of the leaf. They are united by the fact that they are large, about 30 cm long and grow from a rosette.

There are many types of calathea, and each of them can be a decoration for your home.

Calathea flowers also differ slightly depending on the species (mainly in color), and what they have in common is rounded or spike-shaped inflorescences. Not only the external beauty of the leaves is attractive in Calathea. They have one feature: in the evenings, the plant raises the leaves up, and in the morning lowers them down again. Calathea seems to elevate evening prayer. It is for this feature that she received another name - a prayer flower.

An interesting small feature in the structure of flowers, due to which, under natural conditions, only the smallest species of bees can pollinate Calathea. Inside the flower is a hook-shaped outgrowth that blocks the path to pollen. The pollination process looks like this: the bee sits on the selected flower, inserts its proboscis into it and stumbles upon this process, pushing it. The hook straightens, slapping the stigma on the bee, thereby leaving pollen on it from its surface. The insect shudders at such cotton, shaking off the pollen taken from another flower.

Video about the content of Calathea at home

plant varieties

Each type of calathea is unique and unlike the others. This applies to both leaves and flowers. To achieve maximum decorative effect you can create a mix of several varieties of calathea.

Each variety of calathea has original, uniquely beautiful leaves.

1. Calathea Medallion, or Roseopicta (Calathea roseopicta). One of the most common types of calathea. Leaves up to 20 cm long, 10–15 cm wide. The color has a bright, clear pattern of several shades. Green colour. The underside of the leaf is purple.
2. Saffron Calathea, or Crocat (Calathea crocata). A plant with a dark green upper side of the leaves and an almost brown underside. The peculiarity of saffron calathea is that it blooms regularly. With proper lighting and temperature conditions, you can get the first bright yellow inflorescences as early as February.
3. Calathea Rufibarba (Calathea rufibarba). Red-bearded calathea, as it is popularly called because of the light fluff on the petioles and leaves. The shape of the leaves of this species is oblong, elongated, wavy along the edges. Coloring without drawing, from light green to dark green.
4. Calathea Varshevich (Calathea warscewiczii). A plant with oval-shaped leaves, a dark green base color interspersed with a light pattern diverging from the central vein. The underside is purple. The surface is velvety. Inflorescence spike-shaped, white, cream or pink.
5. flower with long narrow leaves, which can reach a height of 90 cm from the base of the cutting. Coloring - several tones of green contrasting to each other, from light to dark.
6. Calathea Ornata (decorated). Its varieties are Roseolineata and Sanderiana. undersized plant, rarely reaches a height of more than 15 cm. The leaves are elliptical, 20 cm long and 6 wide. The underside of the leaf is purple, the top is yellow-green, with a silver and pink pattern. Flowers are white or purple.
7. Calathea Zebrina, or striped (Calathea zebrina). Originally from Brazil. The leaves are elliptical, reach 40 cm in length and 15 cm in width. On the green outer surface of the leaf pinnate light stripes, inner side reddish. Inflorescences spike-shaped, white or purple.
8. Calathea Lubbers (Calathea Lubbersii). main feature- unusual coloring. In other types of calathea, the leaf pattern is strictly symmetrical, in the same yellow spots are randomly located on the green surface. The underside of the leaf is green, not purple or reddish.
9. Calathea Veitchiana (Calathea veitchiana). A plant up to 80–90 cm high with oval leaves reaching 30 cm in length and 10 cm in width, dense, smooth-glossy. The color of the upper side of the sheet is yellow patterns on a green background, the lower side is yellow on red. Spike inflorescences are usually white.
10. Leopard calathea (Calathea leopardina). A small plant, reaching a height of no more than 50 cm. Lanceolate leaves 15 cm long and 5 cm wide on top are painted alternately with light green and dark green spots radiating from the central vein. yellow flowers collected in an ear.
11. Calathea Litze (Calathea lietzei). Growing in its natural environment - the tropical forests of Brazil, it forms dense thickets, reaching 60 cm in height. The leaves are elliptical in shape, medium-sized - only 6 cm wide and 15 cm long, slightly wavy. On the upper side, the color of the leaf is bright green with a silvery sheen, on the lower side - reddish-purple. Inflorescences are short, spike-shaped, white.
12. Calathea painted (Calathea picturata). The leaves are oblong, reach 20 cm in length. An interesting multi-level coloration: symmetrical dark stripes diverge from the light central vein, surrounded by a light stripe.
13. Network, or mosaic calathea (Calathea musaica Network). The white, translucent plate is lined with bright green veins into small rectangles, which gives the impression that the surface of the plant is really composed of a mosaic.

A variety of types of Calathea in the photo

Calathea saffron differs in regular abundant flowering

Calathea Sanderiana - a subspecies of Calathea decorated
Calathea Rufibarba can reach up to 90 cm in height
Calathea Roseolineata with original leaf color
Calathea Ornata - another subspecies of calathea decorated
The leaves of Calathea Network resemble a mosaic in their color
Calathea Medallion - perhaps the most common variety
Calathea Lubbers has an asymmetrical leaf color


Calathea Lansifolia reaches 60 cm in height
Blooming Calathea Zebrina
Interesting contrasting color of Calathea Veitch
Blooming Calathea Varshevich

Landing and transplant

Calathea does not tolerate transplants very well, but they are necessary due to rapid development root system. Therefore, you will have to repot it every 2-4 years, and a young plant will need a transplant every year to provide more room to grow.

1. The pot should be wide and low, because the root system is superficial. Do not take too much capacity in the hope that the plant will have a reserve of space for the future: the soil will quickly turn sour and become destructive to the roots. For one cutting, a pot with a diameter of 7–9 cm will suffice; in subsequent transplants, take dishes 3–5 cm wider.

   For calathea, choose low wide pots

2. It is very important to provide a powerful drainage layer for the calathea. At the bottom of the pot up to a third of its height, pour expanded clay, fine gravel, broken shards, pebbles.

   Be sure to provide good drainage for the flower

3. For good growth calathea needs a slightly acidic substrate, loose and well breathable. You can make your own with 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts leafy soil and 1 part sand. It will be useful to add crushed pine bark, coco soil, charcoal, sphagnum, the more the better. You can mix the prepared substrate with these loosening components in a ratio of 1:1.

   It is important to choose the right substrate

4. If you decide to use a store-bought substrate for planting calathea, add coarse sand to it (1 part sand to 2 parts soil).
5. You need to transplant the plant in the spring, in April, when it gets warmer. Prepare the pot, put drainage on the bottom, pour some substrate. If you are planting a young cutting, carefully straighten its roots and fill the pot to the top with the substrate, slightly crushing it, but not compacting it.
6. When transplanting an old plant, you may find that the root system has grown and braided the entire clod of soil. Do not try to untangle the roots and extract the earth. Just take a larger pot so that the whole bush with an earthy clod fits in it and there is space left, about 1-2 cm to the wall of the dish.
7. After the transplant is completed, water the plant with a solution of Zircon (4 drops per 1 liter of water).

   Zircon will help Calathea adapt after transplantation

How to transplant calathea - video

Like any plant, calathea requires proper care. Any mistakes and incorrect actions can lead to problems with the flower - it will begin to stain, dry and eventually die.

Watering

In spring and summer, during the hot sunny period, calathea needs abundant watering, in winter - moderate. For irrigation, you need to use only soft, settled water for at least a day.

The frequency of watering can be determined by touch. Touch the top layer of soil: it should dry at least 2 cm from the surface, and preferably on the upper third of the pot. To verify this, pierce the soil wooden stick, wet soil will remain on it, you can easily determine its depth.

Proper watering- pledge spectacular view calatheas

At a room temperature below +20 ° C, the earth should dry out on the entire upper half of the pot. Otherwise, you need to wait a few more days before the next watering. Do not forget that frequent watering does not at all compensate for insufficient air humidity, on the contrary, having gone too far with water in the soil, you risk losing calathea, as its young roots will begin to rot.

Lighting

Although Calathea came to us from the hot tropics, she does not like direct sunlight. Provide the flower with good, but diffused lighting around and light partial shade directly nearby.

If there is not enough light, the leaves will begin to lose their contrasting color, becoming gradually evenly green. Too much light will cause the leaves to turn reddish-brown and scorch.

Provide good lighting to the calathea by choosing a west or east window

The best place for this flower will be windows witheast or west side. Calathea tolerates shade well, but it needs good lighting for growth: without it, it will not become large and thick. Therefore, in winter, when the daylight hours are very short, and the sun is very scarce, provide your pet with additional lighting using fluorescent or LED lamps.

Air temperature and humidity level

Calathea belongs to heat-loving plants, in addition, it does not tolerate drafts and large temperature changes. In summer, the flower will feel great at normal temperatures. environment on the fresh air e.g. on a balcony or veranda. But the plant tolerates heat with difficulty. If the temperature outside or indoors is above +28 ° C, move the calathea to the floor, or even better, place it in trays with water.

In winter, provide the flower with a temperature not lower than +16 °C, optimally - +18 ... +22 °C. Calathea can adapt and harden over time, so it can tolerate night temperatures of about +13 ° C if there are no drafts.

Moisturize the calathea with a spray bottle only if its leaves are smooth and glossy.

Calathea, as a resident of the tropics, simply needs high humidity, about 60-70%. Unfortunately, in the conditions of an apartment with central heating it is very difficult to achieve such an indicator: in winter it does not rise above 20%, and in summer in dry weather it is no more than 45%. You can use one of the following methods:

1. Spray calathea leaves from a spray bottle as often as possible. True, this lesson is quite laborious: you have to repeat the action every 2 hours.
2. Place the calathea pot on a tray of wet pebbles or wet sphagnum moss. Naturally, there should be holes in the bottom of the pot. You only need to moisten the tray filler from time to time.
3. Buy a humidifier. This is the best solution for those who keep any flowers of the Marantov family in the apartment.

You can also wipe the leaves of the plant on both sides with a damp sponge. But remember: this is only valid for those varieties of calathea whose leaves are smooth and glossy. A thin velvety surface indicates that water cannot get on it, as it can cause burns. For the same reason, calatheas of such varieties cannot be sprayed from a spray bottle.

Top dressing and fertilizers

As with all other care, Calathea is also quite demanding in terms of feeding and needs a strict balance. The plant should receive the required amount of fertilizer, but in no case should they be allowed to be in excess.

From April to August, feed the calathea every 2 weeks with complex fertilizers for ornamental foliage plants. At the same time, try to reduce the dosage indicated by the manufacturer by half. If there is not enough fertilizer, Calathea will let you know this, and this situation will be much easier to fix than root rot from an oversupply of top dressing.

Calatheas that bloom more often than other species (saffron and Varshevich's calathea) are best fed with fertilizers for ornamental flowering plants.

Feed calathea with special fertilizers for arrowroot or ornamental foliage plants.

In winter, top dressing should be reduced: 1 time in 5-6 weeks will be enough. Do not forget that Calathea does not tolerate excess nitrogen and calcium in the soil.

Fertilizer schedule - table

flowering period

Almost all varieties of calathea bloom on average 1 time per year, usually in summer. Flowering is modest, with the exception of Calathea saffron, whose flowers are not inferior in beauty to exotic luxurious leaves. This species, with proper care, begins to bloom in January-February, flowering continues for several months.

During the flowering period, calathea requires the same care as the rest of the time. Control the drying of the soil in the pot so that you do not miss watering and do not over-wet the soil. Maintain humidity - during flowering, this is especially important. Feed with fertilizer for flowering plants.

Care mistakes: how to notice and correct in time?

If the air in the apartment is too dry in winter, this can cause the leaves to dry out. Try to increase the humidity of the air by spraying the plant and the area around it, cover the radiators with wet towels.

It is possible to get a more hardy calathea adapted to housing conditions by re-rooting it. A small part of the root with leaves should be cut with a sharp knife. Treat the cut with chopped charcoal or ground cinnamon. Plant the shoot in a small container with a substrate and place it in a place with diffused light. Spray the plant as often as possible, using epin for this. After a month, the young calathea will grow, and you can transplant it into a larger pot.

Education on the leaves brown spots- evidence of sunburn or waterlogging of the soil by the plant. In the first case, rearrange the flower in a place where it will not have access to direct sunlight. In the second - change the irrigation scheme, check the soil for drying.

Spots on the leaves, dry edges - evidence of improper watering

Are the edges of the leaves brown and dry? This means that either the air in the apartment is dry, or the plant does not have enough watering, or you are using too hard water. To save the calathea, carefully cut off the dry ends, leaving a border and not touching the living tissue. Provide air humidity, check before the next watering how dry the earth is in the pot, use only soft, well-settled water at room temperature.

From direct exposure to bright sunlight, calathea leaves begin to curl and gradually turn pale, losing color contrast. Drafts can also cause leaves to curl. As soon as you notice such troubles, immediately rearrange the flower pot to a more comfortable place.

Calathea leaves curl from exposure to sunlight or lack of moisture

What to do if the calathea began to turn yellow? Take a closer look at the plant: if only turned yellow lower leaves, then there is no cause for concern, this is the natural death of old tissues. These leaves can simply be cut off (it is better to do this when transplanting).

If the calathea turned yellow not only in the lower part, then there can be two reasons: either improper watering, or an excess of fertilizers. We have already talked about how to stabilize soil moisture and ensure proper watering. As for fertilizers, most often calathea is enough ½ the dose indicated by the manufacturer, even during active growth. Do not overfeed the flower: this can cause rotting of young roots.

Yellowed leaves are the most common problem in caring for calathea.

If you are sure that you are watering and fertilizing the calathea correctly, and the leaves are still turning yellow, then the flower is freezing. Give him the right temperature.

There are 3 ways to breed Calathea:

• dividing the bush;
• cuttings;
• seeds.

The division of the bush

cuttings

This method is not as simple as the previous one. Not everyone manages to propagate calathea by cuttings, but you can try.

seeds

The most difficult, time-consuming and even unreliable way. Not all calathea seeds, even high-quality ones, can germinate.

Calathea seeds rarely germinate at home

1. When the calathea blooms, collect all the seeds from it. Sow them in bowls with soil consisting of 1 part of sand and 2 parts of leafy soil, after moistening it, lightly press down.
2. Cover the plantings with film or glass. Germination should take place at a temperature of +21...+25 °C. As soon as the seeds germinate, cover them with a 1 cm layer of soil.
3. When the first two leaves appear, dive the seedlings into boxes or pots with the same soil. A month later, they will get stronger and let out a few more leaves. At this stage, you can transplant the seedlings into separate pots.

Calathea is a unique flower that belongs to the Maranth family. In a flower shop, one cannot fail to notice this indoor plant, because it is precisely this plant that many flower growers propagate for the sake of beautiful leaves. Despite the wide variety of Calathea species, not all flower lovers can afford to enjoy this masterpiece of nature at home due to the lack necessary conditions, as well as the skills to grow a capricious crop. This is especially true for those who have just started their activities in growing various types flowers and plants.

Calathea requires special attention, as it is very capricious in care. In wildlife, the plant is found near rivers or lakes. From this we can conclude that calathea requires careful care, as it loves water, which means it needs high humidity and abundant watering.

Common types of calathea

There are many types of flower. The most common are those that do not require huge attention when caring for calathea flowers is organized.

Medallion is a type of plant that is popular and common in Northwestern Brazil. Its height reaches 40 centimeters. The leaves are purple below and dark green above. In order for this species to grow well, it is necessary that the plant is in sunny and indoors. Plant calathea Medallion care requires careful, taking into account many nuances. The air temperature should reach at least 16 degrees Celsius, and the soil - at least 20. In the worst case, the plant will begin to rot.

Lasenenri is a type of calathea that grows well in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru or Ecuador. The plant is very beautiful, as it has original pointed white flowers and light green leaves.

Less common types

Orbifolia is a flower native to Bolivia. He will feel great at an air temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius.

Rosiopicta is a species that grows in Northwestern Brazil. The leaves of this plant are amazingly beautiful. They have exotic spots of pale pink.

In order for the calathea indoor flower to appreciate the care and please its appearance, some rules must be followed.

Temperature regime

A beautiful culture of calathea requires care at a certain air temperature. In particular, it is necessary that indoors in the winter on the thermometer was not lower than 16 degrees. Yes, and sharp drops are not for her, since the plant is sensitive to such a phenomenon and may die. Even a slight draft can lead to rotting and lethargy of the leaves.

Light

Despite the fact that calathea care in relation to light does not require too special and complex, it should be remembered that the plant must be provided with partial shade. In particular, if you put it in a dark corner, it will not die. However, the leaves will lose their color, and also become small and noticeably slow down growth. But also too bright sun, namely direct rays, calathea does not tolerate. The leaves can be seriously scorched, and ugly yellow spots will appear on them.

Watering

Despite the fact that the plant loves a lot of moisture, watering should be done carefully. Calathea requires home care using prepared water. In particular, the hard type of moisture will not work. The best option would be thawed or rainwater. If we talk about the ideal, then for irrigation it is warm water. In the hot season for a plant, moisture should not be regretted. But in winter it is best to reduce watering. Otherwise, root rot may occur.

Air humidity

Despite the fact that the plant is quite often found at home on the windowsill, not many people know that Calathea care in this case requires more than careful attention. This is especially true for air humidity. This figure should reach 90%. In normal home conditions, it is quite difficult to achieve such a characteristic. Therefore, many flower growers prefer to grow a flower in an aquarium, terrarium and other similar places.

In the event that the calathea grows on the windowsill, it is often necessary to spray it or wipe the leaves with a wet sponge. This procedure also requires taking into account some nuances. In particular, when spraying, it is necessary to moisten the area that is around the plant. Drops of water that fall on the leaves can cause unsightly spots. For spraying, water with a temperature of at least 25-27 degrees is suitable.

top dressing

It is necessary to feed calathea from the first days of April to the end of August. To do this, you must use a special fertilizer in liquid form. Top dressing is done twice in 30 days, but you should not get carried away, as the plant is sensitive to an excess of complementary foods. In this case, it may slow down in growth, and the leaves will also become unsightly in appearance.

We transplant the plant

Calathea is a capricious plant and needs to be repotted every two years. This must be done, also taking into account some of the nuances. It's best to do it in early spring using drainage. In this case, if you have to purchase ready-made soil, then you should use a mixture that is intended for azaleas or rhododendrons.

You can make a mixture for transplantation and yourself. To do this, you need to use 1 part of peat, the same amount of humus and leafy soil. Add 0.5 parts of sand there. Such a mixture would be ideal for transplanting calathea.

reproduction

Described culture - very beautiful plant. That is why many flower growers are trying to propagate it, however, for this, the calathea flower requires care rather attentive, as well as the process of reproduction itself. Most often this happens by the method of division during plant transplantation. The air temperature during division should be 20-22 degrees.

Small plants must be placed in pots with a diameter of 7-9 cm. For this procedure, it is necessary to prepare the soil in advance. In equal proportions, peat, sand and leafy soil should be mixed. Sprouts that have roots must be transplanted into pots that have larger size than the previous one. In this case, the soil must be prepared, as for an adult plant, but only sand must be used not 0.5, but 1 part.

Despite the fact that adult calathea care at home requires more than attentive, young plants are even more capricious. For them, it is necessary to provide a temperature equal to 22-24 degrees, but not less than 20. The plant must be constantly watered and sprayed without fail. In no case do not put the pot on the windowsill, where there is direct sunlight, and do not put the plant in the shade. Small flowers need to be fed once every three weeks. After about a year, the plant can be transplanted into a large pot, and Calathea can now receive care, like an adult plant.

Another way to reproduce

It is possible to propagate the culture in question not only using the division method. The use of seeds is also widespread. Like all home flowers, calathea care requires quite careful, seed propagation is a more laborious process. Before planting the material, it is necessary to prepare the soil. To do this, use 1 part of leafy soil, as well as 0.5 parts of sand. Plant the seeds in this mixture. The temperature should be 22-24 degrees.

The main disease of the plant

Even if Calathea receives home care according to all the nuances and features, these plants can often manifest various kinds of diseases. The most common disease is one in which the leaves dry and turn yellowish. In order to exclude in time possible diseases, it is necessary to regularly inspect the flowers and determine the presence of problems associated with diseases.

In the event that the ends of the leaves become dry and turn brownish, then the problem may be the presence of dry air. If the leaves turn yellow, then this indicates a deficiency. nutrients in the soil or about an overabundance of those.

They look amazing with a photo calathea plant. Care must be appropriate. If it was worthy, but the leaves fell off, then you need to take care of moistening the flower or, on the contrary, reduce the amount of moisture. Remember the rules for watering. In particular, Calathea prefers home care in cold weather with less water when watering.

Among other things, the plant may be adversely affected by the attacks of spider mites, mealybugs and whiteflies. That is why it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the flower.

Sometimes when it seems like houseplants calathea care is correct, other problems may arise that say that it is necessary to adjust the rules of behavior with the plant.

1. In the event that the leaves turn yellow and begin to curl, try moving the flower to a different location, and adjust the humidity. Be sure to check for drafts.
2. The leaves are getting dark color and dry spots may appear. The reason here may be a draft, as well as insufficient humidity.
3. Leaf yellowing is a common problem for this plant. The reasons for the appearance of this color may be great amount. This is dry or cold air, overflow or lack of moisture, overfeeding with fertilizers. Here you need to analyze your actions and decide what you did wrong.
4. The leaves change shape, namely, they become thin and stretched. This shortcoming can be corrected by adding a little light. However, you should not put the pot on the windowsill, where direct sunlight will fall on the leaves.
5. Spots appear on the leaves. It all depends on what color they are. In particular, if they are light, it means that strong sunlight is burning the foliage. In the event that the spots are brown, it means that moisture falls on the leaves quite often and a lot. This can happen during spraying.

In general, the plant must be sincerely loved, as it likes attention to itself. Proper watering, provision required amount light, as well as top dressing, will allow you to get on your windowsill a really real masterpiece in a pot in the form of a calathea.

Calathea is an unusual flower, in which the foliage is horizontal in the early morning, and in the evening the leaves of the plant are strictly vertical. Like all arrowroots, to which this plant belongs, the leaves of calathea fold at night or during rain. In the homeland of calatheas, in the evenings, a friendly rustling of leaves is sometimes heard when they rise in the evening. Because of this feature, many flower growers call this flower "prayer book".

As a rule, calathea is bought not as an ornamental flowering plant, but as a decorative and deciduous plant, because of the beautiful leaves. The leaves are openwork, come in a variety of shapes: oval, elongated, and round. But not only the shape is different, but also the color. A feature of calathea leaves is the purple underside of the leaf plate.

Calathea grows well and retains the color of the leaves in partial shade, in bright light the leaves lose their color, the leaves will not be expressive. There are calatheas that they buy because of the flowers - her leaves are not very beautiful, but she pleases the owners with orange flowers on high peduncles - this Calathea saffron. This species is the most capricious, but its beauty is simply amazing. Bright orange flowers will make you abandon all your affairs and take care of the sissy, because the result is worth it.

Features of caring for calathea

She is very demanding on air humidity, does not like drafts. The temperature when keeping calathea at home should be from 16 degrees and above. Calathea is transplanted every two years. It can be propagated by division, but the plant does not tolerate such a procedure very well. But if you did share the calathea, then after that she needs to provide greenhouse conditions- you can wrap it in cellophane, and put it in heat so that it takes root well. But even if the plant is divided into 2 bushes, it is not a fact that it will survive.

Calatheas are increasingly found in flower shops, but in institutions and apartments they are not so widespread. It would seem that it is not clear why such a chic plant did not gain great popularity among indoor flower growers? And only those who have ever tried to grow calathea will easily understand why it did not become the second ficus in our homes. This plant can not be called unpretentious. Without careful attention and thoughtful care, it is unlikely to be saved.

Air humidity

Calathea still belongs to capricious plants, because the humidity of the air is very high. It is either necessary to constantly spray it, or you can make a double pot - one pot is inserted into the second larger one, and the gap between them is filled with wet sphagnum moss, or wet peat can be used instead of sphagnum, but not wet. If there is not enough moisture, then the tips of the leaves dry at the calathea, and it can also be affected spider mite with high air dryness. Therefore, when buying a plant, you should immediately inspect for the presence of pests. If pests are wound up, then you need to treat with insecticides.

Calathea fertilizer

From April to August, calathea is fed with liquid complex fertilizer for indoor decorative leafy plants every 2 weeks. Calathea saffron is fed with fertilizer for decorative flowering houseplants.

How to water calathea

It is better to alternate watering with fertilizers and watering clean water, given that the number of feedings per month should not exceed 2. Calathea loves slightly acidified soil. If you buy special land for kalats, then you do not need to add anything additional to it for acidification. And if the land was compiled independently, then you can water the calathea with slightly acidified water. It is enough to add citric acid literally at the tip of a knife to half a liter of water.

Calathea - signs

Specialists who study the bioenergetic properties of plants claim that the arrow-shaped energy of the calathea is directed outward. The plant will benefit in a house where a large family lives, where everyone is busy with vigorous activity. Calathea absorbs the energy of aggression, contributes to the success of any collective undertaking, as it helps to bring the work begun to the end, avoiding quarrels and contradictions. Calathea helps to decide, makes timid people more courageous, encourages bored people to find something to their liking. Thanks to her, a person acquires an inner core, begins to better understand what he wants from life. Believe it or not - it's up to you, but calathea among flower growers is considered a plant of family happiness.

Growing a Prayer Flower in captivity is not easy. Before you are several varieties of calathea in the photo. Care at home met all the needs of beautiful tropical women. Of the 130 species of calathea, most are valued for the beauty of their leaves. Flowering varieties are decorative bracts, the flowers themselves are inconspicuous.

What you need to know about the flower

Calathea is a plant of the second tier of the tropical forest and belongs to Marantov. The leaves of the calathea are oval and elliptical in length up to 30 cm. They are velvety and glossy, the back always has red shades in color. You can admire the complex pattern of the sheet plate endlessly.

The leaves grow on the stem, but it is short, the internodes are millimeters apart, it seems that the rosette is growing from the ground. Length leaf petioles happens different. Surprisingly, the flower loves classical music and cannot stand the swing of tobacco - an esthete!

Improper care for calathea at home will destroy the plant, as seen in the photo

Agrotechnics Calathea

In care it is necessary with knowledge of character " prayer flower» carry out procedures. So, the flower is called prayer because it raises the leaves higher and higher, at sunset. In the morning, the plates are in a horizontal position.

Reaction to improper care there will be a change in the color of the leaves, their drooping, the appearance of various spots, drying out of the edges. In another way, this is called the loss of decorativeness. Look!

How to care for calathea at home

You need to choose a flower depending on the possibility of creating acceptable conditions for its maintenance. Each variety requires the use of special care operations that correspond to this particular plant. The most demanding are flowering varieties calatheas. The most unpretentious is the Makoyan Calathea flower shown in the photo. Care at home for him is easier than for other species.

Consistently, by operations, we will analyze how to care for a capricious plant.

Lighting

The total daylight hours for Calathea, regardless of location, is 15-16 hours. This can be a shady place near the south window or when placed on the north side. You need to focus on the color of the leaves. With a lack of light, the leaves are pale, with an excess, they become smaller and curl up into a tube. If measures are not taken, then after blanching the leaves will dry out and fall off.

The photo shows how the saffron calathea blooms with proper care at home, if the winter regulation of the lighting duration is observed. The flower is encouraged to bloom by creating an adjustable length of day by covering it with opaque material from 6 pm to 8 am. When the rudiments of peduncles appear, the plant is introduced into the usual light regime.

Watering and microclimate

All varieties of calathea are watered only with soft settled water with a temperature of 2-3 degrees above room temperature. When watering, it is necessary to focus on the condition of the plant. If the leaves begin to lose tugor, stop moistening, dry the ground 2-3 cm deep into the soil and wait for the results. If the leaves do not rise, caring for the calathea requires replacing the soil and removing rotten roots.

To irrigation water soften, in a bucket of tap water you need to throw two handfuls of peat, stir and leave overnight. Filtered water will contain less calcium and magnesium.

The frequency of watering the calathea is as the clod of earth and the type of leaves dry out. In hot weather 3 times a week, in winter only once, checking the humidity of the coma.

Demanding on the microclimate, calathea does not like rough wetting of the leaves. Velvet leaves cannot be sprayed, other varieties allow mist. From the drops after drying, ugly spots remain. Therefore, it is impossible to create 50-70% humidity in an apartment with central heating. At home, caring for a calathea is associated with the use of special methods of humidifying the air.

If pebbles, small cobblestones are poured into a deep pan on which a pot of calathea is installed, and I cover it with sphagnum moss, then the water in the pan will evenly evaporate. A special layer of air is created around the plant. But here it is impossible to allow the bottom of the pot to come into contact with water, the roots will rot.

Less radical will be soaring from a wide plate with hot water, or use the neighborhood with large flowers, as a canopy of tropical trees. Once or twice a day around the bush you need to make a fine spray from a spray bottle. Glossy leaves are wiped with a damp cloth.

In the care of calathea, a balance is constantly maintained between excess and deficiency, and one should follow a sharp ridge.

Soil, transplant and maintenance temperature

Regardless of the season, temperature regime should be 18-24 degrees, regardless of the season. At the same time, a sharp change in temperature and a draft can lead to the death of the calathea.

Soil selection is one of the requirements for how to properly care for calathea. Given that the roots of the plant are superficial, grow in breadth, you need to select the appropriate pots. In a deep bucket, a larger drainage layer is created so that the soil below does not turn sour.

The substrate is bought ready for kalats, or Saintpaulia, but adding coarse sand. You can take the composition yourself:

• leaf humus - 6 parts;
• – 3 parts;
• sand - 1 part.

The composition of the soil should be slightly acidic, pH 6.

How to care for a calathea flower as it grows? A transplant will be required, by carefully dividing the rhizome when planting. In addition, each delenka should have a flower bud.

Usually the bush is divided in two, cut with a sharp knife and disinfected with a fresh cut. After the plant has been planted, it must be covered, a microclimate must be created near the leaves, but with ventilation. After new leaves begin to appear, remove the shelter. It is important that the temperature at this time was about 25 0 C, and the plant was in the shade.

Fertilizer and pruning calathea

When caring for calathea at home, only flowering ornamental plants are fed. For them, a composition is chosen from in which there is little or no nitrogen content and traces of calcium. Typically, such formulations are sold for the care of indoor flowers.

The peculiarity of kalats is that their roots secrete substances that change the composition of the soil and its acidity. The best top dressing will be a timely update of the substrate. For young plants, transplantation is carried out annually. After four years an adult plant is transplanted every two years.

To begin with, you can grow a beautiful calathea in a florarium, a tall vessel with transparent walls. So, it is easier to maintain a microclimate.