Calathea genus comprises about 300 species of green permanent, perennial, originating in the subtropical regions of South America.
These indoor flowers are grown for their beauty and decorative effect conferred by characteristic ellipsoidal leaves; they show on the top designs in shades of dark green and light green (colors vary depending on the species) who meet on the underside brown beautiful drawings. The contrast of colors obtained, forms and distribution of the leaf design in a way reminiscent of peacock feathers.
Many species of Calathea were included in the genus Maranta, very similar to plants belonging to this genre. Calathea plant blossoms crispy (also known as the “eternal flame”) are globular, orange or red colors were sharp FOMA so, they seem like little burning torches that are held close dense foliage.
The crispy Calathea, which can reach 0.5 – 0.7 m, grows well in a damp, light, but away from direct sunlight beating at temperatures not below 18 degrees Celsius, preferably to be held at 20 degrees Celsius. Also it is important to be protected from drafts (otherwise it will lose leaves). To produce more moisture you can sit on a tray filled with crispy Calathea gravel or a wet clay pot with wet balls. Manage and fertilizer every 2-3 days. Even through the fall and winter, humidity is fundamental. In these seasons the plant is thoroughly watered but not enough to keep soil moist. In winter it is advisable to be watered.
You can also spray the leaves, so that it combats the effect of sunlight on leaves. Calathea spraying crisp in summer needed to be daily, not with cold water but with a warm one. Spraying done on plant leaves, will cause white spots due to hard water, which removes the leaves harder. Therefore, a solution would be beneficial to delete Calathea crispy leaves with a damp sponge.
If the roots have filled the pot, replanting is carried out in March, during the rest vegetable. From April to September is recommended to daily watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 1-2 cm. Calathea plant propagation is made by division of crispy leaves, in February-March. Remove plant from pot, shake a little the earth from the roots, and then divide the fragments of a portion of rhizome and leaves and roots at the base. Unloading is done carefully so as not to injure the roots. Each division is then planted in pots.
Calathea Croce Pictures Gallery