Calathea

Genus Calathea is a sort of ornamental plant with beautiful leaves. The color of the stripe on its leaves varies in growing period. Young leaves have beautiful pink stripes, while the stripes on older leaves will turn white and finally disappear. The plant has white corolla tube and hard fruit. 
Calathea prefers half-shade and warm, humid environmental conditions. Its growing period is from April to September, and the optimum temperature for growth is around 15℃ to 30℃. In summer, remember to avoid direct sunlight towards it. The plant requires fresh and moist air, but the condition cannot be too shady. You may grow it in loose and fertile cultivation substrate with good air permeability. 
Calathea can be propagated by dividing the root. Propagation can be carried out in early summer, when the temperature is around 20℃. If the temperature is too low, it will affect the survival of young plant. After digging out the old plant, divide it along the underground rhizomes, and leave 2-3 buds each section. Grow the new plant into the basin immediately, and put them in shade for a week. Then you may move them outdoor with sunlight. Remember not to water too much at the initial stage of growing, and provide adequate water after the new roots are developed. 
Calathea can also be reproduced by cutting. In summer, cut young branch with 2 to 3 leaves and buried the base of the branch in soil. Keep the soil moist and new roots will grow out about 5 weeks. 
During the growing season, it is necessary to keep the basin soil and the surrounding air moist. In the dry season, you can spray water 2 to 3 times a day to increase air humidity. Liquid fertilizer can be applied once a month in growing season. In winter and spring, when the climate is dry, in order to keep the color of plant leaves fresh, you can use plastic cover to keep wet and heat preservation. During winter, only apply basic water, and do not use fertilizer. The pot soil should be slightly dry, but cannot be drought for a long time. 
Calathea has underground roots or tubers. At the junction of the leaf and petiole, there is a enlarged joint called the "leaf pillow", which contains water-storing cells. This structure can help to regulate the direction of the leaf, making the leaf stands upright at night and expands during the day. This is also a characteristic of genus Calathea. 
Genus Calathea is rich in color, and has strong resistance to shade. It can be directly planted in hotels, shopping malls, and other public places for permanent layout decoration. In the process of cultivation and management, light should be properly applied to help growth. Because of the bright color of the leaves with striking patterns, it is an ideal leaf cutting material, which can be directly used as flower arrangement material. 

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Calathea

Calathea

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