Calathea makoyana: perfect for indoors

It is enough to see the shape and color of the leaves to know how to connect the common name attributed to this plant, peacock plant Scientifically known as Calathea makoyana That is Goeppertia makoyanaa fantastic calathea to grow as a houseplant in well-lit spaces.

Its small size and the attractiveness of its leaves make it sought after by many growers and gardeners. In fact, he won the Garden of Merit Award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

In this article, we show you what are the main features of Calathea makoyanaadvice on its culture and knowing how to identify certain problems related to excess water, light or lack of nutrients.

Contents

Characteristics of the Calathea Peacock

Most grown indoor Calatheas they come from the brazilian jungle. It is used to growing in areas high ambient humidity Yes warm temperatures most of the year. In the case of Calathea makoyanaresponds to these same growing conditions, which is why in cold regions it is perfectly adapted to growing in pots.

This plant comes from Brazil, more precisely from the state of Espírito Santo. belongs to the genus Calatheaof the family Marantaceae.

Order Zingiberals
Family Marantaceae
Genre Calathea
Species Calathea makoyana

physically, Calathea makoyana it’s a evergreen ornamental species with an average size of 30-40 cm in height and, in general, a small size with large leaves. The attractiveness of this plant is found in the leaves, with a mosaic of designs and colors of different shades that characterizes its common name, peacock or cathedral mosaic.

In them you can see the upper part marked with dark green tones along the ribs and the lower part with purple tones.

Calathea makoyana. Photo by gardenbetty

Recommendations for the cultivation of Calathea makoyana

growing conditions

Regarding growing conditions, since it requires a certain ambient humidity and constant temperatures throughout the year, perfectly suited to home cultivationin jars.

Flash

Precisely because they come from the jungle areas of South America, requires dim light, something that we can easily get inside the house. We will not place it in the windows but in the central part of the room or any room, sheltered from the sun.

Temperature

Constant and typical temperatures inside the house. Below 15 ºC the plant stops growing, up to a maximum of 32-35 ºC, a very easy range to reach at home, where a medium 20-26 ºC throughout the year is practically ideal.

Humidity

In general, Calathea makoyana It will need an ambient humidity higher than what one can normally give it in an average house, except if one lives near the coast. The marked ideal for this plant is greater than 70%a range that reduces our comfort.

For this reason, although it can be grown without major problems, we will ensure that the the edges do not become brown and crispy, symptom of lack of humidity, for which it will be avoided by using a humidifier close to the plant or simply a foliar spray Once or twice a week with distilled water.

How much water my Calathea makoyana?

Watering this type of ornamental plants grown in pots drives many people crazy, because the 95% of the time it is overwatered. Nevertheless, Calathea makoyana and, in general, the whole group of plants of the genus Calatheais quite resistant to excesses, even if it must be moderate.

The key for this plant is to keep the substrate slightly moist, a feeling that, in contact with the fingertips, leaves neither humidity nor water in our body. The equivalent in days of irrigation for an average house and a temperature of 20-24 ºC is 1 watering per week in spring and summer and 1 watering every 15 days in autumn and winter.

Perhaps in houses with low humidity and higher temperatures we will have to water twice a week, but with a lower dose of water.

And now, speaking of dose of water, the equivalent for each irrigation is 1/8 the volume of a jar. A medium-sized Calathea will require pots of 3 to 5 liters in volume, with the equivalent of 375 or 600 ml of water per plant.

If the substrate is well chosen and the pot has good holes in the bottom, it is necessary drain about 10% of the water remains, something positive to reduce the accumulation of salts in the soil.

Recommendations to subscribers

Potted ornamentals also require recover nutrients in the substratesince the symbiosis with microorganisms (mainly bacteria and mycorrhizae), is limited by logical problems.

Therefore, it is recommended to apply the supply of nutrients through liquid or solid fertilizers. In early springcoinciding with the increase in sunshine and the germination of new leaves.

If you want to gain in comfort, the use of solid fertilizers in the form of granules is a good alternative for your Calathea makoyana. They contribute about once a month 10-20 grams per jar and repeats every month until the end of summer. We recommend a mixture of the NPK 12-8-16 type with micronutrients, quite complete and with a greater contribution of potassium.

If, on the other hand, you like to take care of the smallest detail, the the use of liquid fertilizers with water, facilitates the availability of nutrients more quickly. They are recommended at an average dose of between 1 and 2 ml/litre of water. A relationship similar to the previous case is ideal, not much nitrogensince we are not interested in the extremely large leaves which cause the plant to lose symmetry.

Substrate type

The appropriate substrate for the type of plant Calathea is the one who keeps moisture relatively well and fertility is highly valued. For this reason, the universal substrate mixture with earthworm humus is ideal, and this mixture can be further enhanced with a little coconut fiber.

Something like the following mixture:

  • Universal Substrate: 50%
  • Worm humus: 30%
  • Coco fiber: 20%

We prefer the use of slightly acidic pH (something common in most of them), where iron and other micronutrients will remain available for absorption by the roots. That said, spongy substrate (coconut fiber), medium consistency (universal substrate) and rich in nutrients (earthworm humus).

Problems related to the cultivation of Calathea makoyana

Home conditions can become slightly hostile for a plant that requires high humidity and light Thames. Many plant lovers make the mistake of associating ambient humidity with a soggy substrate, so they water too much and end up rotting the plant in a short time.

Let’s see what are the real situations where our Calathea makoyana may have difficulties and possible solutions.

Calathea with brown leaves

The brown leaves can be a symptom of excess water or quite the opposite. For this we will differentiate 2 clear situations:

soft brown leaves

Brown leaves, with a rotten appearance, loss of turgidity (the leaves are not able to maintain their firmness) and a limp appearance are symptom of excess water.

The first thing we need to do is oxygenate the environment, preferably placing the pot in an area with higher lighting or temperature. In addition, using a toothpick or any thin and thin element, we will move the substrate trying to oxygenate it and help excess water to dry faster.

If the substrate has not previously been contaminated with vascular fungi, the plant can be recovered with some ease. On the other hand, in front of flooded substrates and in lack of oxygenation, mushrooms like Phytophthora take advantage to progress in the vascular system of the plant and block the flow of sapkilling the plant in a short time.

Against this disease, you can use the active ingredient known as Fosetil-Al, the most effective in controlling this fungus, applied both in irrigation and in foliar spraying. You can also combine it with the use of copper.

It is always advisable to avoid excess humidity at all costs. The solution is complicated.

Crisp brown leaves

Exactly the opposite of the previous paragraphs. Crispy brown leaves, with a glittery appearance, can mean too much light or the lack of humidity in the environment and also in the substrate.

Solving this problem is much simpler than the previous case. It will suffice increase the irrigation dosereduce the disposition to light (and much more to direct Sun, never recommended) and apply water by foliar application with a sprayer to increase the humidity of the environment.

yellow leaves

yellow leaves in Calathea makoyana it can be the preliminary stage to an excess of water, before browning. However, if we carry out an exhaustive irrigation control, a lack of nutrients (nitrogen or iron) can affect the color of the leaves.

Although this plant does not need a lot of light, excessively shady conditions will also cause the loss of plant chlorophyll, turning the leaves a little yellow and giving them a rotten appearance. However, this process is slow.

Applying fertilizer, increasing light availability, and controlling excess moisture very well will allow your plant to recover to full condition.

Other Calatheas and Related Plants to Grow

Cover photo: David J. Stang.

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