How to cultivate Calathea to make it more vigorous
In relation to the common knowledge of how most people can cultivate Calathea to make it more vigorous and the methods and techniques of Calathea cultivation, let's learn about it together next.
Calathea is a tropical ornamental flower, with its leaves always green and relatively thick, usually growing in the shape of a heart or an arrow. Its white flowers resemble the shape of a horse's hoof, hence the name. Below are the cultivation methods and precautions for Calathea.
1. Buying potted plants
Calathea itself has poor cold resistance, usually planted after the weather warms up in spring. You can directly buy some small seedlings to cultivate, or buy potted plants for care. The most economical method is to buy some Calathea bulbs to cultivate.
2. Planting bulbs
Calathea is usually propagated by bulbs. You can buy some strong and plump bulbs without any damage and plant them when the weather cools down in autumn, and then propagate through bulb division.
3. Pruning leaves
Calathea usually blooms from April to June. After the flowers wither, the withered flowers should be cut off, and the leaves should be left to continue photosynthesis. The leaves should be cut off when they wither in mid-summer.
4. Temperature management
Calathea prefers a warm and humid growing environment, so it's best to place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It is also not cold-resistant, and must be moved indoors for care in winter. The indoor temperature should preferably be between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, and at least not lower than 10 degrees Celsius, as this will affect its normal growth and flowering. Also, keep the soil sufficiently moist and frequently spray the leaves to ensure they absorb enough moisture.
5. Light requirements
Calathea loves sunlight, especially when it is growing vigorously and preparing to bloom, more sunlight is needed. Insufficient light will affect the quality of flowering and prevent the buds from blooming.
6. Precautions
Calathea prefers a well-ventilated environment, especially in winter. When moved indoors, poor ventilation often leads to pest infestations. For example, scale insects can be removed with a soft brush if the number is small, but if the number is too high, it can only be treated with pesticides. There is also sooty mold that occurs due to poor ventilation, which can be cleaned off the leaves with water at the beginning of the disease, and if severe, a diluted solution of thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim should be sprayed for prevention and treatment.
The above introduction about how to cultivate Calathea to make it more vigorous and the specific methods and techniques of Calathea cultivation, I hope it brings some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.