Did you choose the Calathea orbifolia with its large original leaves to put a little green inside? We will give you the necessary advice to take care of it and that it is maintained. This is a native plant of a tropical zone, therefore, avoid leaving it out because it can't stand the cold.
Features
La Calathea orbifolia it is a plant that does not require much light. Unlike the others, it is a shade plantIn fact, it will do well in a dimly lit room. The plant will be able to withstand the winter sun but not all day.
Watering is different according to the seasons, since during the summer it will be necessary to make sure that your substrate remains moist. Water your plant every 2-3 days. On the contrary and in winter water, once every two weeks slightly and let the substrate dry between each watering. Calathea orbifolia leaves require regular maintenance and to clean leaves that tend to retain dust, you can use a damp sponge. Be careful, you must use non-calcareous water otherwise it will only add unsightly tasks to the leaves and a very damaging limestone deposit for the plant.
Some leaves can change color after drying, so feel free to remove them so that the plant's energy is focused on vibrations and good health. To keep this type of plant healthy and promote its growth, it is requires your full attention. A fertilizer is necessary throughout the year and between April and September it will be necessary to give it liquid fertilizer (chosen a fertilizer composed of trace elements) every 15 days. In winter, the plant's compost will be added every month.
Cultivation of the Calathea orbifolia
The multiplication and cultivation is a complicated task and the stems are solid, so it will be necessary to put a little conviction and don't be afraid to damage the roots a bit, it is unavoidable.
We advise you to only divide the plant into two, because it is the "forest" effect that gives the plant its decorative appearance, making it possible to cut "unique" stems, although it really is you should choose a leaf with the longest stem possible To put the odds on your side
Care
¿Why decorate your home with a Calatea? As we have already mentioned previously, the care of this plant is easy, being this ideal to give a touch of joy to the room, since it will provide color to the house in places where other plants will not take long. In addition to the living room, it can be perfectly placed in dark places in the house, such as in the hallway.
But what about the bathroom? In this environment with low light and humidity, the Calathea orbifolia feels like home, since they have a great peculiarity, the foliage. And is that the plant has a circadian rhythm, having the nickname "living plant". The closing of the leaves is also audible, as it is heard as a whisper. Remember that the care of the Calatea is quite important.
Planting and multiplication
To this rainforest plant likes soils rich in humus and quite draining, so a mixture of leaves should be mixed with a quarter of heather soil for drainage and acidity. It grows under the trees of the Amazon rainforest and multiplication takes place practically from June to September.
Like all tropical plants, this one likes humid air and warmth. Irrigation will be consistent in the summer no stagnation of water in the plate, but always being wet. Indoors it is not possible to grow it, except in a room with little heat and little light, unless a humid atmosphere is created by steaming regularly and placing large trays filled with wet volcanic rocks under the plant.
Remember that the cultivation is done with a fertilizer for green plants and every 15 days. Due to its slow growth, the leaves are cut as little as possible and are kept with a damp sponge.