Calathea orbifolia , also have sex as the orbifolia petition flora , is a type of prayer industrial plant that is pop for its large and striking gullible - striped leaves .
This entreaty plant life species is native to Bolivia , and thus enjoys humid and tropical climates that mimic the rain forest of South America . Despite its love of humidness , it ’s fairly easy to maintain the works ’s necessary in your own family — which is partly why it ’s such a darling houseplant .
If you ’re new to the industrial plant world or face to add another member to your indoor hobo camp , here is the ultimate Calathea orbifolia care and growing template !
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About Calathea orbifolia
A Calathea orbifolia plant life is a beautiful and alien choice , peculiarly if you love the jungle vibration of other tropical plants ( likeAlocasia ‘ Polly’and otherAlocasia variety ) or appeal plant in oecumenical ( likeMaranta , Ctenanthe , andStromanthe , whose leaves also fold up up at night ) .
The name of the plant is somewhat puzzling though , as many coinage in the genus Calathea were reclassify in the later twentieth one C . Calathea orbifolia is now classify as Goeppertia orbifolia , though the original classification is still the most vulgar name for the plant and what you ’ll find it label as in most nurseries and plant shop .
As an away , the puzzling name change — which still has n’t caught on with houseplant enthusiasts — also find to other Calatheas , including the popularCalathea makoyanaandCalathea ornata(which are now part of Goeppertia , but nearly everyone continues to call them Calathea ) .
Calathea orbifolia grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 foot panoptic with each leaf mature up to 12 inches wide , making this one of the expectant orison flora metal money . The growth rate is temperate , and the industrial plant will go through a catamenia of quiescency in winter .
Orbifolia petition plants are known for their striking leave : ellipse - shaped and all-embracing , exhibiting a predominantly green base with light immature or silver streak . These streaks mimic the same patterns as a confect cane , gain them attend particularly unique .
Where to buy
Caring for Calathea orbifolia
The orbifolia prayer plant life has temperate maintenance requirement , though it ’s sometimes known for being a diva in the flora world because its necessary ( particularly for temperature and humidness ) are so specific . However , this usher aims to thin through the mental confusion of care for your Calathea orbifolia and make it a worthy houseplant for both beginners and advanced plant hobbyists likewise .
Light and temperature
Because Calathea orbifolia is part of the forest undergrowth in its lifelike habitat , it prefers these types of soft faint conditions in your habitation as well .
The industrial plant opt to be in a bright room without photo to verbatim sunlight , so it ’ll mirthfully subsist in a kitchen , lav , or bedroom where it commence indirect light and is n’t too close to a window . Direct sunlight is too rough on the flora ( potentially scorching the leaf ) and can desiccate it too quickly .
Temperature - wise , most homes that keep a comfortable and coherent ambient room temperature will have no trouble keeping their plant well-chosen .
Calathea orbifolia like temperatures between 65 ° F and 75 ° F . It ’ll countenance you screw if it is n’t enjoying the temperature in your household , however . If the leaves begin to droop , this think the temperature is too insensate . If the leaves start to curl , this mean the temperature is too tender .
prove to keep your Calathea orbifolia off from drafts , A / C unit , radiators , heating system vents , and fireplaces . The plants does n’t do well with sudden change in temperature , as it can lead to leaf discolouration , leaf loss , and other signs of stress .
Water and humidity
Calathea orbifolia likes to remain moist but not soggy , and it copes better with less urine than too much water .
In general , I recommend watering your orbifolia prayer plant once a hebdomad depending on its moisture grade . The best manner to check whether your Calathea orbifolia needs to be water is by sticking your finger about an inch down into the grime . If the stain feels dry , give it some water , but make certain the water drains freely out the bottom of the throne before generate more water .
While you ’ll probably end up irrigate your Calathea orbifolia once a hebdomad in summer , the watering metre can be reduced to once every two to three calendar week in the colder months while the plant is dormant .
Calathea orbifolia is native to the tropic rainforests of Bolivia , so its humidity necessity are rather eminent but distinctive for this character of flora . It flourish in eminent - humidity areas of 50 to 60 per centum at minimum . unluckily , the modal humidness in a house is typically below 50 per centum , which is n’t desirable for the entreaty plant .
To preserve proper humidity , I recommend running a room humidifier nearby , keep your plant in the bathroom where it benefits from the naturally strong and humid environment , or thinly misting your Calathea orbifolia every day . Not only will this facilitate mimic the humidity in a rainforest , but misting the leave-taking will aid them stay shiny and clean from debris .
If you have other like houseplant , you could aggroup them together to create a more humid microclimate in your home . This is a terrific way to show off all your other hobo camp plant or prayer plant while keeping thing a little lower - sustainment for you .
Soil and planting
As with most tropic houseplant , Calathea orbifolia requires well - drain dirt that stay moist but not too wet . The idealistic soil pH is around 6.5 , which can be achieved by produce ( or buying ) your own peat - based potting filth .
I like to unite equal parts of potting mixture , a moisture - retaining constituent ( like peat moss , sphagnum moss , or coco coir ) , and a drainage - advertise ingredient ( likeperlite , pumice , or orchid barque ) to help my industrial plant prosper .
Make certain you use a flock with drainage holes in the bottom , and judge to avoid terra cotta pots ( unless you ’re prostrate to overwatering ) . Terra cotta is a porous stuff and incline to dry out the soil too cursorily .
Recommended merchandise for Calathea orbifolia guardianship :
Fertilizing
Calathea orbifolias are n’t the thirsty of works , so unless you ’re wanting very debauched growth , you do n’t have to concern too much about fertilise . The safe time to fecundate an orbifolia prayer plant is during the growth time of year , which is typically between spring and summer .
you’re able to feed your plant once a calendar month with a liquid houseplant fertilizer with low potassium levels and high nitrogen levels , as this will meliorate the size and color of the vivid leaves .
There ’s no need to feed your Calathea orbifolia during wintertime , as this is when the plant break into its dormant state . Doing socan cauterise the its theme , ultimately lead in the death of the plant .
besides , do n’t fertilize when the plant is doing badly — seek to troubleshoot the root word of the problem ( watering , light , or humidity ) and harbor it back to wellness first . ( I ’ll babble out more about mutual Calathea orbifolia problem below and what you’re able to do about them . ) Basically , if you ’re in dubiousness about when to fertilize your Calathea orbifolia — don’t . Overfertilizing is a common and difficult - to - hole problem with all houseplant .
recommend fertilizers for Calathea orbifolia :
Pruning
A calathea orbifolia does n’t require much pruning throughout the twelvemonth unless necessary . Extra leave-taking or aerial shoots can be burn off with a sharp knife or a pair of scissor hold if the plant life is count too bushy , but this come down to personal druthers .
You should unquestionably remove damaged , dry , or yellow-bellied leave , as this will stop the plant from unnecessarily wasting food on component part of the plant that can not be bring through . However , forfend pruning your Calathea orbifolia during tumble and winter . This is when the flora is about to enter ( or is in ) its abeyant period , which means it require all of its nutrient to emerge from this stage .
Dividing or repotting
Calathea orbifolia is one of the largest entreaty plant specie , make it a premier candidate for segmentation when its size of it becomes too much for the space you ’ve reach it . In early spring to early summertime , simply remove the offshoots ( I ’ll cover how to do that in the next section on propagation ) and pot them up separately ; that style , the female parent plant can stay in her original pot .
Otherwise , you could repot your Calathea orbifolia when the roots start to protrude from the bottom of the drainage holes . incur a larger heap ( just one size up — it does n’t like being in a pot that ’s too large ) and fill up it with fresh , well - draining soil . I recommend repotting your plant once every two years or so depending on its increase . If you choose not to repot your industrial plant , you should give it sassy potting soil at the same two - twelvemonth interval to keep it healthy .
You might notice that your Calathea orbifolia appears unhappy after it ’s repotted , but this is normal . Just continue giving it the correct amount of pee ( not too much and not too niggling ) and it should start to perk back up in a few day . In some cases , the plant might not produce any new ontogeny for a couple of calendar month , but if it otherwise see healthy , exit it be .
Propagating Calathea orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia is notoriously guileful to propagate since it ’s sensitive to repot and ascendant flutter . Because of this , I commend propagating an orbifolia prayer works in bound ( the start of its outgrowth period ) and doing it at the same time you ’re repot to minimize stress on the plant . This way , it still has the whole season to regain .
While you’re able to technically broadcast a Calathea orbifolia through bow cuttings , this method acting is largely unsuccessful .
Instead , rhizome division is the good way to propagate this industrial plant species , and it ’s nigh fail - proof . Here ’s how to do it :
Troubleshooting Calathea orbifolia problems
As with any houseplant , Calathea orbifolia is susceptible to some coarse problems that , in most cases , can be treated with preventative amount .
Root rot
Undoubtedly the most serious problem of all , root rotting is an unfortunately common problem in Calathea orbifolia . Root rot is a disease that pass off when the plant life has been overwatered , which basically drowns the root and kills them off . Without treatment , the putrefaction can spread amongst the roots and into the plant itself . This means that in a lot of casing , ancestor rot is incurable .
The unspoilt means to heal root rot is to check that you ’re not overwatering your plant . While Calathea orbifolia prefers a moist environment , it will fare well in more or less dry and underwatered soil than waterlogged soil .
Always do the “ finger test ” ( or use a moisture measure like this one ) to go over that the first inch of soil is completely juiceless before watering the works . wait for excess water freely drain out the bottom of the pot before watering again .
It ’s not always well-fixed to tell if your plant is lose from root rot until it ’s almost too late . The best fashion to check for root decomposition is when you repot the plant , as this will appropriate you to view the root without all that soil in the style .
If you see molder roots ( which are brown and soppy ) , you may off them by cutting them off with a knife or scissors hold . You should also repot the plant in fresh potting filth that ’s amended with perlite , pumice , or orchid bark to aid with drainage .
Clogged pores
Due to the tumid size of the leave of absence , Calathea orbifolia is prone to developing clogged pores as a solution of collecting dust .
Not only does detritus make the flora reckon dull , it can constipate the pores and prevent the works from expeditiously gathering enough sunlight . While this wo n’t dissemble the overall wellness of your plant , I urge wiping the leaves about once a calendar month with a clean , slightly damp textile on both side .
Pests
Calathea orbifolia plants are commonlyinfected with pest such as spider mitesand aphids , which suck on the tomfool from the leaves . Without discussion , these pests can create discoloration or even holes in the plant , affecting its overall health .
The best elbow room toget rid of aphidsand spider mites is to spray them withinsecticidal soap , which you may well make at home . check that to test just one foliage first before applying insecticidal soap to the whole works .
Discolored leaves
Calathea orbifolia plants are notorious for showing you if they ’re thriving or not through their leaves . alas , this means the leaves are prostrate to grow discoloration or changing in anatomy in response to stress .
In most pillowcase , when the leaves are start to release brown and crispy , or if they ’re originate to curl , this means the plant has been underwatered or is in direct sunlight . Sometimes , if you notice this problem early enough , you’re able to repair it by make a motion the works elsewhere and giving it more water .
On the other hand , if the leaf turn icteric and droopy , this is a sign of overwatering or waterlogged soil . Other symptom will ordinarily company this , including scrawny growth and the appearance of rotted roots .
If your plant is getting quite honest-to-god and the leave are turning chocolate-brown , this is whole normal and unavoidable . This happens as a consequence of extensive photosynthesis , which is indicative of aim former .
Transplant shock
This is a fairly common payoff in Calathea orbifolia plant life . Since these prayer works are so sensible to even the slightest change in their environs , they can go into a inactive jounce after being graft into a new pot .
It does n’t weigh whether they need to be repot due to outgrowing their previous pot or if they have root rot — it has to be done . Just be prepared for your works to be a mo striking about it .
My advice is to endeavor to make the organ transplant as smooth as possible by mimic the accurate soil mixture in the new pot , and make certain to irrigate the flora immediately after repot it . Also , do n’t move the new pot into another locating in your home ! If your plant has been flourish in its current position , do n’t try out to cook what is n’t broken .
Common questions about Calathea orbifolia care
Is Calathea orbifolia hard to care for?
Calathea orbifolia industrial plant are n’t the hardest houseplants to handle for , but they also are n’t the easiest . The only specific must for these plant are indirect light , quick temperatures , and humidity , as well as the standard soil and tearing requirements .
Since orbifolia entreaty plants tend to communicate any problems through forcible signs such as leaf discolouration , it ’s quite wanton to evidence when they ’re happy or not .
How often do you water Calathea orbifolia?
Depending on the soil composition and other factor like sun , temperature , and humidity , you should water a Calathea orbifolia once every one to two weeks . The plant life should only be water when the first inch of soil is completely teetotal , which you’re able to discern by wedge your finger into the grunge .
Orbifolia prayer works require less watering during winter , as this is their dormancy period .
Is Calathea orbifolia toxic to cats and dogs?
Calathea orbifolia is an creature - friendly works , as it ’s safe for both cats and dogs . So , do n’t be afraid to display these plants all around your home !
