Calathea Orbifolia 15cm

Calathea Orbifolia Care
These plants need a lot of attention to thrive, and trying to keep Calatheas alive can be challenging even for the most experienced plant parents. One of the reasons they are often grown in greenhouses is their need for a warm, moist environment. But if you can recreate the tropical conditions they love, you get to admire the beauty of the Calathea orbifolia in your own home. Think moist air, shady places, and balmy temperatures.

Regular dusting of your plant's leaves helps prevent their pores from clogging, allowing them to capture light most efficiently and help promote healthy growth.

Light
Calathea orbifolia is all about encouraging lush, healthy looking foliage, and providing the right diffused light is one of the keys to success. Direct sun gives unsightly brown spots, leaf burn and fading markings. However, if the light conditions are too low, the leaves will not look fuller or healthier. Turning the plant every month also helps promote balanced growth.
Soil
Calathea orbifolia has fragile, slender roots, so a fine, loose and light potting mix works best. Since these plants need a lot of moisture, you'll want to choose something that holds water well. Mixtures designed for African violets work well. If you want to make something yourself, choose a slightly acidic mixture. Something like one part peat moss (or, as a sustainable alternative, coconut coir), one part perlite, and one part vermiculite.

Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Although Calathea orbifolia likes constant humidity, waterlogging leads to root rot.

Watering
Watering errors are where many owners of round-leaved Calatheas who are watering for the first time go wrong. Getting the balance right can be tricky, as overwatering leads to root rot and eventual death of your plant. Always check the top few inches of soil with your finger. If it feels damp and soil is loosening on your finger, wait a few days and check again. When the soil feels dry, it's usually time to water.

Although they need consistent moisture, these plants don't tolerate waterlogged roots. The little and often approach works best, and watering from below helps the moisture reach the roots and center of the pot. Watering from above often results in the water running all the way to the bottom. Be sure to check the soil after a few hours. When the soil is moist to the top, drain excess water from the saucer or tray under the pot.

Using distilled, filtered, or overnight tap water helps prevent the cracking of leaf margins or yellowing of the leaves that can cause some problematic minerals

Temperature and humidity
These plants don't like chilly temperatures, drafts, or scorching heating or AC. They need constant heat and humidity. Temperatures below 15 degrees are problematic. If your home stays between 18 and 24 degrees, those are ideal temperatures for Calathea orbifolia.

Round-leaved calathea are good candidates for bright, warm bathrooms. Humidity above 50% is necessary for your plant to look healthy, although 60% humidity is more likely to help your plant thrive. If your home doesn't naturally provide this, consider using a humidifier, placing your plant in a large terrarium or under a glass dome, or using a pebbled container of water in the bottom under your plant. Regular misting can also help improve humidity levels.

Fertilizer
Although applying a weak dose of high-nitrogen fertilizer about once a month during the growing season can help maintain lush, healthy leaf, you should not exaggerate. Too much or too strong fertilizer can scorch the leaves.