How to cultivate green apple calathea
Compared to the knowledge of green apple calathea cultivation and propagation methods for most people, the editor below will provide you with detailed answers.
Many calathea enthusiasts lost their plants during last winter because of their poor cold resistance. The safest overwintering temperature should be consistently above 10 degrees Celsius; temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius may cause frostbite or death, including the common green apple calathea.
The green apple calathea has relatively high aesthetic value. It prefers ample diffused light and higher air humidity but dislikes constantly moist soil. If its roots are grown in relatively moist soil for a long time, it is prone to root rot and can be more difficult to cultivate than other calatheas.
The green apple calathea is native to the region of Brazil in South America. It has particularly large leaves, with young leaves being bright green (older leaves are white-green), and the veins surrounded by deep green, making it a very beautiful ornamental plant.
Green apple calathea flowers
If provided with a consistently warm environment and ample diffused light, the green apple calathea can bloom. The flowers are white and not very bright, but its leaves are more attractive.
1. Sunlight
The most crucial aspect of cultivating potted green apple calathea is the environment. It is a small plant that doesn't grow very tall. It prefers ample diffused light and is averse to direct strong sunlight. It naturally grows under trees in forests, enjoying light filtered through trees and glass, and should be protected from direct sunlight.
Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, causing them to become sunburned and the leaves to scorch. The green apple calathea can tolerate low light conditions but should be kept away from overly dark places. It can occasionally be moved indoors for display, but it should receive at least 3-5 hours of diffused light daily.
2. Temperature
The green apple calathea prefers a warm and humid environment, with the best cultivation temperature being 20-28 degrees Celsius and the minimum cultivation temperature above 10 degrees Celsius. Frost should be avoided at all costs, and water should be controlled in low temperatures.
Usually, the green apple calathea should be placed in a well-ventilated area, away from air vents, especially远离空调 and heating systems.
3. Watering
Supplying water to the green apple calathea can be challenging. Too much water or drought can lead to poor growth. It prefers a dry-wet cycle for the potting soil and dislikes soil that is constantly moist. Watering should be done when the top 3-5 centimeters of soil are dry.
When its root system is strong, many robust fleshy roots will grow at the bottom. Excess water can lead to root rot. If the pot has a saucer, it must not have standing water; any excess water in the saucer should be poured off within half an hour.
Green apple calathea with root rot
If possible, use neutral or slightly acidic water to water it (rainwater is best; tap water can be stored in a container for a day or two before use). It is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine compounds in tap water. Directly watering with fluoride and chlorine-containing tap water can easily lead to poor leaf condition, such as leaf tip burn (water quality varies by region; in some places, watering directly with tap water does not cause a problem).
4. Humidity
The green apple calathea prefers humidity. Maintaining more than 50% air humidity is essential if the environment is well-ventilated. If the air is dry, a humidifier can be used, or water can be sprayed in a mist form, but care should be taken to avoid leaving water on the leaves, especially not allowing water to accumulate in the leaf center, as this can easily lead to leaf rot.
5. Soil
The soil for planting green apple calathea should have good drainage to ensure that moisture can evaporate promptly. Adding more perlite, pine bark, or coarse coconut husk to the soil can increase its aeration and allow moisture to evaporate early, preventing the soil from remaining moist.
For example, using a common mix of peat, perlite, and coarse coconut husk in a ratio of 5:2:3, and mixing in a small amount of slow-release fertilizer can result in a healthy green apple calathea.
6. Fertilizer
The green apple calathea does not require a lot of fertilizer. Occasional feeding can promote more vigorous leaf growth and a brighter leaf appearance. Fertilizing should be done during the growing season when the temperature is between 18-28 degrees Celsius. It can be applied every 2-3 weeks, with the concentration reduced to 1/3-1/4 of normal, as its growth rate is relatively slow and the fertilizer concentration should be lower.