Calathea is the name of a large genus of plants with beautiful patterned leaves. The most memorable among all representatives of the genus is the calathea medallion. The features of the cultivation of this flower will be discussed in today's article.

Botanical description of the plant

The most remarkable medallion in the shape of the calathea is its large oval-shaped patterned leaves. Their main tone is green. Inside each leaf, another “leaf” of dark green color with light, pink, yellow veins is outlined in light color; the back side of the sheet may have a purple tint.

Did you know? In the era of the ancient Greeks, baskets were woven from the leaves of calathea. Hence the name of the genus, Kalathos, which means “basket”.

Each new sheet emerges from the basal outlet; first it has the shape of a tube, which gradually unfolds. Another feature of the foliage of a flower is a change in position depending on the time of day. In the morning, the leaf plates are horizontal, in the evening they become perpendicular to the ground.

Calathea blooms not abundantly. The flowers appear small, inconspicuous, white or cream color. In them, the seeds ripen for the reproduction of the plant.

Microclimate

The flower is very moody, so you need to carefully select a location for it and ensure constant care.

Location and Lighting

The flower is photophilous, but does not tolerate direct sunlight - therefore, if you place it on the windowsill, you must definitely shade the plant, and it is best to place it near the window, where direct rays can not get it.

At the same time, it is important not to remove the kalatea far from the light source, since a lack of lighting will provoke a change in the color of the foliage to a lighter and less expressive one. A suitable location is a northern, partially curtained window. In winter, you need to organize additional illumination of the flower for three hours.

Temperature and humidity

Kalatea loves heat, +18 ... + 24 ° С, and reacts very poorly to drafts, temperature jumps and temperature deviation from the optimal range. With all this, she loves moisture, or rather, moist air, so it must be sprayed regularly, but so that the drops do not fall on the leaves. In summer, the frequency of the procedure is 1-2 times a day, and in winter - 1-2 times a week. You can not spray it, but wipe the foliage with a damp cloth.

Home Care

Due to the fact that the kalatea medallion is a very moody plant, it will be extremely difficult to grow a flower at home without knowing some of the features for its care.

Watering

The tropical beauty loves moisture very much, but in moderation. It reacts equally poorly to both its excess and deficiency, therefore, it should be watered in the summer only when the soil dries a little, and in the winter when it dries by 2-3 cm. Use only well-maintained warm water. The frequency of watering is approximately as follows: every 3-4 days in the summer, once every 7-8 days in the winter.

Video: Calathea Medallion Home Care

Fertilizer application

Fertilizers are applied from spring to autumn. Frequency of feeding - once every 14 days. Complex liquid fertilizers are used for decorative leafy flowers.

Important! For feeding calathea need to take half the recommended dose per pack.

Pruning

Pruning a flower is permissible only during transplantation. Only old and dried leaves are cut off - it is strictly forbidden to touch the rest, since the plant may then begin to wither.

Transfer

A flower is replanted every year if it is young (under 4 years old), and after a year if it is an adult. The procedure is carried out in the spring. The pot is selected shallow, but wide, because the roots of the calathea spread over the surface. The tank is filled with a mixture of sheet soil, peat, humus and sand (2: 1: 1: 1). Be sure to pour a layer of drainage.

It is transferred from the old pot to the new calathea by transshipment; ground from the roots is not removed. It is very important to do everything carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Breeding

The plant propagates by dividing the bush, cuttings and seeds. Each method has its own characteristics and difficulties.

Rhizome division

You can divide the bush only during transplantation.

This must be done very carefully, as if you move incorrectly, you can easily damage the root and the plant will die:

1. The root is cut with a knife so that each part of it is with leaves and a strong root system.
2. Each process is immersed in a separate pot filled with a substrate, and covered with a bag or a cut bottle.
3. When young leaves appear, the cover can be removed.

Important! This method of reproduction is best used when absolutely necessary, as it can harm a sensitive plant.

Cuttings

This is the most effective and practical way to breed calathea:

1. A petiole 15 cm long is cut from the mother bush with one (or more) internodes, or two or three leaves.
2. Its slice is treated with activated carbon powder, then it is immersed in a moist substrate for rooting.
3. Above the petiole is covered with a cropped bottle.
4. The container goes to a warm, bright place until a fresh leaf appears.

Seeds

For this method, a shallow tank is selected, filled with a substrate with a drainage layer:

1. Harvested seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil.
2. From above, seeds are sprinkled with earth.
3. The container is covered with a film and sent to a warm place.
4. Every day, the soil moisture is checked in the greenhouse and a half-hour airing is carried out.
5. When the seedlings become 3-4 cm high, they are dived into individual pots.

Did you know? The second name of all flowers from the genus of calatheas is «prayer plant». It turned out from the fact that their leaves can take either vertical or horizontal position.

Growing difficulties

Due to the capriciousness of the calathea medallion, many flower growers constantly encounter various difficulties in its cultivation. For example, leaves may dry and curl. This may occur due to the fact that the rules of irrigation are not followed (less water than necessary), or due to insufficient moisture. The ends of the leaves may also begin to dry. The reason is the same - dry air.

Among the pests are:

Thus, caring for a moody flower is difficult - only experienced gardeners can do it. But for this painstaking work, they will be rewarded with the unusual beauty of the plant.