Cultivation of Green Apple Calathea
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Green Apple Calathea is originally produced in countries like Brazil and was selected and cultivated by Europeans from round-leaf calathea. It prefers a semi-shaded environment with high temperature and humidity, dislikes the cold, and avoids strong sunlight. For cultivation, it is suitable to use loose, fertile, well-drained, acidic leaf mold soil or peat soil rich in organic matter. The main management points are as follows:
Watering
Green Apple Calathea prefers moisture and dislikes drought. Dry air can cause leaf edge browning and poor growth. During the growing season, in addition to watering once a day, it is necessary to strengthen foliar and environmental misting to keep the relative humidity of the air at 85% to 90% or above. When the cold winter comes, in addition to keeping warm, it is also necessary to strictly control watering. Over-wet potting soil can cause root and stem rot, while maintaining slightly dry potting soil can help the plant survive even if the leaves wither. When new leaves start to sprout, it is also not advisable to water excessively. Water should be increased gradually with the growth of new leaves to promote healthy plant growth.
Fertilization
During the growing period, Green Apple Calathea can be watered with a thin organic fertilizer once a week. For potted plants displayed in homes or public places, a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be applied. After entering summer, when the temperature exceeds 32°C, fertilization should be stopped. In late autumn and early winter, if the greenhouse temperature is below 18°C, all forms of top dressing should also be stopped to avoid root rot caused by excessive fertilizer.
Light
Green Apple Calathea prefers semi-shade and avoids strong sunlight. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, shading is required. Excessive sunlight can cause the leaves to become pale and dry, or even suffer severe burns. However, the light should not be too weak either, as it can lead to thin and dull leaves, losing their vibrant beauty. Therefore, potted plants placed in greenhouses during winter should be provided with supplementary lighting.
Temperature
Green Apple Calathea prefers a warm and peaceful environment, does not tolerate extreme heat, and has poor cold resistance. Its optimal growing temperature is between 18°C and 30°C. When the ambient temperature exceeds 25°C at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, measures such as shading and environmental misting should be taken to create a cool, ventilated, and semi-shaded environment. In winter, the ambient temperature should not be lower than 10°C. When the greenhouse temperature is below 5°C, the above-ground parts will suffer severe frostbite. Generally, before the ambient temperature drops to 10°C in late autumn, it should be moved to a sunny place inside the greenhouse.
Diseases
Common diseases of Green Apple Calathea include leaf spot and rust, which can be controlled by spraying with a Bordeaux mixture of 0.5:0.5:100 or a 50% carbendazim wettable powder 800 times solution every 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive times, to achieve good control results.
Pests
Under high temperature and dry conditions, the leaves may develop numerous small yellow spots due to red spider mite infestation, severely reducing their ornamental value. This can be controlled by spraying with a 25% Beltrapa wettable powder 2000 times solution. Sometimes, scale insects can also cause harm.
The detailed explanation of the cultivation of Green Apple Calathea shared above is for reference and suggestion only.