Calathea orbifolia is one of the most beautiful and decorative houseplants distinguished by large round leaves of silver-grey shades with a dark green border. This plant belongs to the Marantaceae family, which is very popular for its appearance and an opportunity to create a tropical environment inside the house. For Calathea orbifold-interested readers, in this article, we will take a deeper look into the plant, from where it comes from, how it needs to be cared for, what common issues are associated with the plant, and the good things about having the plant in a household as a home accessory.
Origin and Natural Habitat
Calathea orbifolia comes from the southern slopes of Bolivia and it is commonly found in the tropical rainforest. It naturally grows in regions with warm and high humidity and requires filtered light, which adapts the plant care for grown at home. Its native environment has lots of moisture, constant temperature, and good friable soil.
Botanical Description
Calathea orbifolia is classified as a rhizomatous perennial plant that prefers to grow up to 60 cm in both height and width. Its unique feature is the large and rounded base leaves with maximum diameters of up to 12 inches. The leaves are large and bright green with parallel grey or silvery stripes along the length of the leaf running alongside the central vein. The lower side of the leaves is normally lighter green which enhances the beauty of the plant.
Cinta of Calathea orbifolia is not only beautiful but also performs a specific function of the leaves themselves. The plant has nyctinastic movement in which the leaves open and close with the cycles of the day and night. In the daytime, the leaves move in such a way that they cover the illuminated areas, and at night, they contract, which makes the plant rather expressive looking.
Care Requirements
Calathea orbifolia is usually considered a rather demanding plant, but with proper care, it can grow and be the focus of any indoor greens.
Here are the key care requirements for this plant:
Light:
The bright light does not directly affect the plant while the indirect light is appropriate. It will limit Photosynthesis itself through the implication of direct sunlight which has the potential of burning the leaves hence fading the color. The exposure of recommended light is filtered light from the east side of the home. If natural light is inadequate, fluorescent or LED grow lights should be employed to compensate for the shortage.
Temperature:
The climate for this plant is between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). It is temperature-dependent and should be stored in a cool place free from direct ventilation, heat sources, and instruments such as heaters or conditioners. Alteration in temperature can also negatively affect the plant and may harm the leaves.
Humidity:
Humidity plays a vital role in the plant’s life and should be provided with high humidity. Make sure that dew points are as high as 60%-70%. If you have dry surroundings, use a humidifier or place the plant on a pebble tray with water. The former can also prove beneficial but does not overwater the plants, as the excess moisture on the foliage is favorable for fungi.
Watering:
This Calathea variety needs consistently wet soil but should not be overwatered. Water the plant when it appears to be dry on the surface, specifically when the top inch of the soil is dry. It is recommended to use filtered water at room temperature or rainwater because chlorine and fluoride present in tap water are not suitable for the plant. Ensure that the pot has drainage at the bottom, it will not develop root rot.
Soil:
When growing jewel orchids indoors, use a well-draining mix such as peat moss or succulent. Peat, perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir are ideal in this case although you can also mix some old soil. Water still should not make soil compacted but should enable air to get to the plant’s roots.
Fertilizing:
In spring and summer having your plant go through its growing period, fertilize Calathea orbifolia with a standard water-soluble fertilizer, every four to six weeks. To avoid over-giving the nutrients to the plants, mix it with water, half the strength required as it can lead to the burning of the roots due to accumulation of salts.
Common Problems and Solutions
Some of the problems that this plant can experience similar to other indoor tropical plants are as follows: Here are some issues you might encounter and how to address them:
1. Leaf Curling:
Common symptoms are withering, browning, and curling of leaves, and all of these effects can be caused by over or under-watering low humidity, or drafts. Feel the soil, if it is dry add water to the plants as required. Optimize and make sure that the plant is not exposed to cold currents and heat sources.
2. Brown Leaf Edges:
Brown edges are attributed to low humidity, under-watering, or hard tap water whose chemical substances can harm the plant. Higher humidity should be provided, the watering regimen should be changed, and either filtered or distilled water should be used.
3. Yellowing Leaves:
If leaves are yellowing then it means that the plant is overwatered or has poorly drained soil or lacks nutrients. This requires that one check if the soil has the right capabilities of draining water and change the frequency of giving the plant water. Look for signs of root rot, and if present then transfer the plant to a new pot with new soil. The veterinarian may suggest a balanced fertilizer is applied to the plants if nutrient deficiency is likely to be the cause of the situation.
4. Pests:
It is also very sensitive to insects like spider bits, aphids, and mealy bugs. Any webbing or sticky residue should indicate that the plant is infested with one sort of bug or another, and should be checked more often. Spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil and immediately quarantine the plant to avoid spreading the pests to other houseplants.
Propagation
Vegetative propagation is the common method of reproducing Calathea orbifolia through cuttings is not very effective. This method is most effective when done in the growing period when invulnerability of the plant to pests is achieved.
Here’s how to propagate Calathea orbifold:
Prepare Tools and Medium:
To do this, you need to use clean and sharp blades, be it scissors or a knife while sowing the plant. First, they need a good drainage mixture and suitable pots where the divisions will be placed.
Remove the Plant:
It is recommended to carefully take out the plant from its container and also tap the container to displace the sheltering dirt and reveal the rhizomes.
Divide the Plant:
The next step is to divide the rhizomes naturally, to receive in the section at least one healthy leaf and root system. Delicately try to cut them apart or to tear them into divisions.
Pot the Divisions:
Repot each division in a new pot using a new potting mix. Water it well and put it in an area that has access to a medium amount of light, but no direct sunlight.
Aftercare:
Ensure there is a high humidity and the moisture is maintained all through in the newly potted divisions. Sometimes, it can take approximately two or more weeks for the new plants to set in and develop new shoots.
Benefits of Calathea Orbifolia
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Calathea orbifold offers several benefits as a houseplant:
1. Air Purification:
Like most other indoor plants, Calathea orbifolia plays the role of purifying the air around the house by removing most of the toxic compounds and yielding oxygen to make the house air fresh.
2. Aesthetic Enhancement:
Its leaves are the main reason which makes it interesting to be planted in the house since it gives a tropical look. It is also an exciting and interesting plant to watch due to the dynamic style of movement of the leaves.
3. Low Allergen:
The Calathea orbifolia is completely safe for pets and humans, you can even have them at home with the children.
4. Stress Reduction:
Research has indicated that there are health benefits to having plants in interior spaces because they lower eye strain and enhance the person’s mood. These plants add a touch of colour to the interior while Calathea orbifolia’s green colour gives a more relaxed feel.
Conclusion
The Calathea orbifolia is one of the beautiful and relatively interesting plants for cultivation, whose picture has been provided as well above. It can take a little more attention to get it in the right conditions to grow but it is worth it for the aesthetic purposes it adds to any indoor garden. To sum up, taking into account the needs of the plant, amateurs in this field will be able to enjoy the magnificent and graceful look of this tropical plant for many years. Even though you are an experienced plant enthusiast or a beginner to indoor plants, the Calathea orbifolia will make its way into your heart with its appealing leaves and elegant appearance.
