How to care for a Calathea plant
Let me share with you how to care for a Calathea plant and some related knowledge about its cultivation methods and techniques. Below, the editor will provide you with detailed answers.
Calathea belongs to the Araceae family and is a rhizomatic plant. It has a corm at the bottom, and its care is very simple. It is also a perennial plant, and many gardening enthusiasts like to keep one at home. However, Calathea plants grown at home often turn yellow or fail to thrive. How should we care for them at home? What things should we pay attention to?
When growing Calathea in pots at home, it is essential to ensure the temperature is appropriate. Calathea will enter a dormant state if the temperature is too high or too low, and its leaves will quickly wither and turn yellow. It prefers temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. If the temperature drops below 5 degrees or exceeds 25 degrees, its leaves will gradually turn yellow and dry, entering a dormant state and completely drying out. Therefore, maintaining the right temperature is key to caring for it properly.
In daily maintenance, the soil mix should be well-draining. Since it has a large rhizome and its root system is very developed, when growing Calathea, it's best not to use a large pot. The soil mix should be well-draining, and ideally, one rhizome should be planted in one pot. As long as the rhizome is large enough, it will produce many flowers. On the premise of a well-draining and moisture-retaining soil mix, it is important to keep the potting soil moist, as it loves water. The watering principle is to water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry, ensuring it does not lack water and avoids rotting.
Another point is to provide it with appropriate light. Calathea is a semi-shaded plant. During its growing season, avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the leaf edges to turn yellow. However, as it slowly forms flower buds, it must receive ample sunlight. Insufficient light can cause the flowers to have a green color. During the flowering period, adequate light is essential.
How to care for a Calathea plant
Also, regularly fertilize it. Its rhizome can store a lot of moisture and nutrients. During its growing season, try to use a multi-element fertilizer for balanced nutrient supplementation. Healthy leaves and good photosynthesis will allow the roots to rapidly absorb nutrients and supply the rhizome. Fertilizing twice or three times a month is sufficient. During the flowering season, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers must be abundant. It is recommended to use fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium content, with other elements not lacking, also twice or three times a month. Following the principle of frequent application of thin fertilizer will ensure rapid growth during the growing season and plenty of flowers during the flowering season.
Caring for Calathea is that simple. When caring for it at home, pay attention to these things. However, remember that it will enter a dormant state when the temperature is low and also when it is high in summer. During the summer dormant period, try to keep the potting soil slightly moist and place it in a well-ventilated area without fertilizing. Even if the entire plant withers, it will quickly sprout in the autumn when the temperature becomes more suitable. As long as the temperature does not drop below 10 degrees, it will slowly grow leaves, and once the leaves appear, it will quickly form flower buds and bloom. If you are in the south, and it grows all year round, try to create a low-temperature environment for it, such as wrapping it and placing it in the refrigerator's constant temperature room for one to two months to induce dormancy and flower bud differentiation. In the north, this is not necessary because the hot and cold temperatures will naturally induce dormancy and flower bud differentiation, and once planted, it will continue to bloom.
The above information about how to care for a Calathea plant and its cultivation methods and techniques introduced by Green Enthusiast Network [www.lvzhimi.com] can be used as a reference for green enthusiasts.