There are many decorative leafy plants that can be grown at home. And a special place in this variety is occupied by the striped calathea. This culture, despite its capricious nature, is very popular with flower growers, because with its large and bright leaves it fits into any interior.
Description
Kalathea striped belongs to a large family of arrowroot. In its natural environment, this perennial herbaceous plant can be found in the tropical rainforests of Brazil. Photos of the striped calathea flower clearly show how attractive this plant is. It has large elliptical leaves that reach up to 40 cm in length and about 15 cm in width. Their reverse side is painted in a pale red hue, and the front side is emerald green. In addition, the surface of the leaves is covered with pronounced feathery stripes, because of which the variety got its name. In addition to the variegated color, the striped calathea differs from its relatives in less capriciouscharacter. Thanks to this, it has become a favorite flower of growers.
Home care
Kalathea striped refers to not very capricious plants. And the only difficulty in growing is maintaining high humidity in the room where the flower is located. Otherwise, the plant needs regular care, which consists of the following agrotechnical measures:
- regular watering;
- periodic feeding;
- scheduled transplant;
- disease and pest prevention.
In addition, it is important to provide the plant with a comfortable temperature and lighting, and then it will thank the rapid growth and attractive appearance.
Lighting
Striped Calathea, the photo of which is given in the article, belongs to light-loving plants. In full shade, the emerald color of the leaves of the plant fades noticeably. But the direct rays of the sun are contraindicated for a tropical beauty, because from this she can get burned. Therefore, it is advisable to grow a flower on the east or west side of the room, choosing places slightly away from the window.
Temperature
This beauty prefers warm conditions, while +24 °C is considered the optimal temperature for her. She calmly tolerates even heat, but in this case, you need to increase the amount of watering. But lowering the temperature to +16 ° C can be detrimental to flowers. Calathea striped, in addition, categorically does not tolerate drafts. Therefore, it is worth protecting the plant from such stressful situations.
Irrigation
Striped Calathea is a moisture-loving crop, and from spring to late autumn it needs regular and plentiful watering. It is desirable that the soil be moist, but not wet, so always drain the water from the pan 1-2 hours after watering. Otherwise, the roots of the flower will rot from stagnant moisture. In winter, reduce watering, but do not allow the soil to dry out - this will have a bad effect on the he alth of the beauty.
At any time of the year, carefully monitor the quality of the water you use for irrigation. Its temperature should exceed the temperature in the room by 1-2 degrees. In addition, it is desirable to use rain or melt water. If this is not possible, then be sure to prepare tap water before watering the flower with it. To do this, draw water from the tap into a bucket and dip 2-3 handfuls of peat wrapped in gauze into it. Steep liquid for at least 12 hours, then use as needed.
Humidity
Like most tropical plants, striped (and silver) calathea loves high humidity. Moreover, experts recommend bringing this parameter to 90%. But since it is almost impossible to maintain such a level of humidity at home, it is advisable to install a special device next to the pot - a humidifier.
If this is not possible, then place the flower on pallets with wet pebbles or moss. Also, keep containers of water near the plant. In addition, regularly spray the foliage of the flower with warm water from a spray bottle and wipe with a soft sponge. And also at least once a week arrange a flowerwarm showers, especially in the summer.
Feeding
Calathea striped responds well to fertilization, so you need to regularly feed the flower. But at the same time, it is not recommended to get involved in top dressing, because the plant begins to hurt from an excess of nutrients. Therefore, make the drugs no more than once every 15 days. At the same time, use liquid mineral fertilizers intended for decorative and deciduous crops. And make them only after watering, otherwise the preparations will burn the delicate roots of the flower.
Transfer Rules
Young flowers need this event every year. But adult specimens need to be transplanted a little less often, once every 2-3 years. In any case, carry out this procedure in early spring, then the flower will more easily endure the stress of the event. To plant a striped calathea, choose a wide and shallow pot, and you can use both a plastic and a clay flowerpot.
As for the soil, the flower prefers loose and nutritious soil with good breathability.
You can buy ready-made calathea mix at the store or make your own substrate. To do this, mix the following components:
- piece of peat;
- part of the humus;
- part of leaf land;
- half part of calcined river sand.
If you make the mixture yourself, then be sure to disinfect it before transplanting. To do this, calcine the substrate in the oven or holdover fallow, otherwise the flower will die from pathogens living in the soil.
Replant Calathea using the transshipment method, trying not to destroy the earthen clod. But before that, be sure to put a thick layer of drainage from broken bricks or large pebbles on the bottom of the new pot to prevent stagnation of moisture at the roots.
Flower reproduction
Propagate calathea at home is not so easy. After all, new plants are difficult to take root and do not give roots. Nevertheless, with due effort, it is possible to grow a large colony of this attractive plant. The main thing is to choose the most optimal methods of reproduction, which include the following methods:
- dividing the bush;
- cutting;
- growing from seeds.
Each of these breeding methods for the striped calathea has its own advantages and disadvantages. And then you will learn about each of these methods in more detail.
Dividing the bush
This breeding method is suitable for adult specimens with a developed root system. It is better to hold such an event in the spring during a planned transplant. For each new plant, prepare a pot with a diameter of at least 8 cm, as well as drainage and a substrate (for more information about the soil, see the "Transplant Rules" section). How to propagate calathea by dividing a bush:
- Remove the flower from the pot and carefully free the roots from the old earthy clod. Rinse the plant under low pressure if necessary.
- With a sharp disinfected knife (you can use scissors), cut the rhizome of the plant into several parts. Make sure that each division has a sufficient number of leaves and roots.
- Pour a layer of drainage into the bottom of new containers. To do this, use expanded clay or pebbles. Sprinkle drainage with a thin layer of substrate.
- Place each piece exactly in the center of the individual pots. Fill the voids with soil and lightly compact the top layer.
In order for plants to take root, try to maintain high temperature and humidity in the room. To do this, install a heater and humidifier or water containers next to the pots. It is also advisable to keep young flowers in a shaded area. Moisten the soil regularly, preventing it from drying out, and do not forget to spray the leaves with warm water from a spray bottle. Rooting flowers will take a lot of time, and the result largely depends on how carefully you provide flowers with care.
Propagation by cuttings
This method is quite simple, but it does not give a 100% guarantee that the cuttings will take root. In addition, rooting takes a lot of time, and during this entire period it is necessary to ensure maximum care for the planting. Here's how to propagate a flower from cuttings:
- Prepare a suitable pot with a diameter of 8-9 cm. Fill it with the substrate, and do not forget to drain the expanded clay or pebbles.
- Use a sharp knife to cut off a strong above-ground cutting and plant it in moist soil. Choose a shoot that is at least 15 cm long and has at least one growing point.
- Cover the fit with a cut plastic bottle or cling film andput in a warm and shady place.
While the plant takes root, do not forget to spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle. And don't remove the cover until the flower has taken new roots.
Growing from seeds
Growing a flower from seeds is extremely difficult, because even high-quality material quickly loses its germination capacity. But still there are chances. If you want to try your hand at such a cultivation of flowers, then prepare a small container with drainage holes and fill it with a substrate of sand and sheet soil (proportion - 1 to 2). Spray the soil with water and sow the seeds on it, slightly compacting them into the ground. Cover the landing with glass or polyethylene.
Keep a makeshift greenhouse in a room with a temperature of 22-25 degrees and sprinkle the substrate with warm water. When the sprouts break through, ventilate the planting daily for 25 minutes. Dive seedlings into individual pots as soon as 2-3 true leaves appear on them. When transplanting, use soil with the same composition as when sowing.
Pests
As a rule, pests do not attack the striped calathea. But if you do not provide the plant with high humidity, then scale insects, spider mites and thrips may appear on it. You can see these parasites with the naked eye, besides, their vital activity leads to yellowing and wilting of foliage.
So if your flower looks unhe althy and has a sticky coating, thin cobwebs or strange pale color dots,then immediately start pest control. To do this, wash the calathea in soapy water. If this procedure does not help, treat the flower with an insecticide, such as Actellik or Aktara.
Possible problems and solutions
With proper care, striped calathea does not cause much trouble. But if you regularly violate the norms of agricultural technology, then the plant begins to act up and get sick. Most often, flower growers face such problems:
- The tips of the leaves dry up. Thus, the plant signals insufficient humidity in the room. Place water containers next to the pot, spray the foliage more often, and the situation will return to normal.
- Dry spots appear on the leaves. This phenomenon occurs if, after spraying the plant, large drops of water remain on the foliage. And when the sun's rays hit them, the plant gets burned. To avoid this, wipe the leaves with a soft cloth or sponge after spraying.
- The leaves are drying up. Drafts, insufficient watering or thrips can lead to this phenomenon. Adjust care depending on the situation.
- The foliage turned yellow. If only the lower plates have changed color, then there is nothing to worry about, because the death of the lower leaves is a natural process. If the top of the plant turns yellow, then excess fertilizer or improper watering can lead to this. Moreover, the leaves change color both from insufficient moisture and from stagnation of moisture at the roots. In addition, the content incool conditions. To correct the situation, adjust the care depending on the situation.
- The leaves are curling. This phenomenon leads to content in cold conditions, as well as exposure to drafts. Move the pot to a warm room and avoid sudden changes in temperature - the situation will quickly change for the better.
Stick to the rules of cultivation, provide the plant with optimal care, and there will be no problems with it. In addition, if you make some effort, the striped calathea will become an adornment of your collection of home flowers and will delight you with the variegated color and splendor of the bush for a long time.
