Kalatea
Kalatea - a popular houseplant fromthe family of the Mauritian. It is interesting first of all for its extremely decorative leaves of the original color. They can be just green or have patterns in the form of spots and stripes from yellow to brown hues. There are many types of kalatej. some of them even bloom beautifully, for example, Varsevich's kalatej and saffron kalatei.
Care for kalatei at home
This plant is thermophilic, drafts, sharpThe temperature drops are poor. This is fraught with wilting and rotting leaves. In summer it is recommended to keep the temperature at + 22-24 ° С, in winter - up to + 16 ° С. Kalatea is shade-loving, can not stand the direct light of the sun. The most suitable for her are windows oriented to the east and west.
On the southern windows the leaves of this plant can loseIts bright color and twist. But in the deep shadow of the kalatei can not grow. The pot with it in the back of the room is illuminated with fluorescent light. The moisture content of the environment for kalates is very important. Ideally, it should be almost 90%, which is difficult to achieve at home.
To increase the humidity level, differentways - from wet claydite in a pallet to artificial air humidifiers. It is effective to grow kalate in florariums, aquariums. Species with smooth leaves can be sprayed and wiped with damp sponges, with velvety it should not be done. The substrate for the coats should be loose, breathable.
A good and simple option - 2 pieces of sheetland, 2 parts of peat, 1 part of sand. In the mixture it is recommended to add charcoal, sphagnum. For watering kalates, use only non-rigid water. Watering should be abundant, but at the same time not excessive. Correctly selected substrate eliminates stagnation of moisture. Fertilize calatha every two weeks with organic fertilizers in a half dose. The kalathea breeds by dividing the bush, stem stems and seeds. The first way is the most popular.
From a large, healthy plant are separatedScions with one or more leaves and developed roots. They are planted in a lightweight substrate, and covered with a plastic bag. Stem cuttings of calatheia (15 cm long with a growth point and at least 3 leaves) are also rooted in a light substrate and a moist medium. Seeds of this plant are germinated on the surface of the soil under the glass, then they are covered with a layer of earth 1 cm. Seedlings grown and reaching a height of 2 cm can be planted separately.
Diseases of kalatei
The most common cause of disease kalateyis a lack of moisture. They can dry the tips of the leaves, there are dark spots. If the light or draft is too bright, the leaves of this plant are twisted. Kalat pests: spider mites, Jose scale, whitefly, mealybug.
