Calathea Ornata Care Tips and How to Propagate - WITH UPDATES!

Summary

In this informative video, Sean, a houseplant enthusiast from Jakarta, shares his experience with Calathea Ornata care and propagation. He discusses the plant's love for low light, the importance of humidity, and the specific care needed to avoid common issues like overwatering and spider mites. Sean also provides a detailed guide on propagating Calathea Ornata through root division, offering insights into plant growth, signs of stress, and tips for successful propagation. His advice is tailored to his environment, making it relatable for those in similar tropical climates. A helpful guide for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Calathea ornata is a South American plant, particularly from Colombia and Venezuela, known for its striking pink or white striped leaves.
• 😀 These plants thrive in low light environments, with pink stripes appearing in very low light and white stripes when light levels are slightly increased.
• 😀 Excessive light can cause the leaves to curl, indicating that it's too much for the plant.
• 😀 Calatheas require light watering as they have thin leaves, but they should never be allowed to dry out completely. They also don’t like to sit in water.
• 😀 A terracotta pot is preferred for Calatheas, especially in humid climates like Jakarta, as it helps with quicker drainage compared to plastic pots.
• 😀 Signs of overwatering include crispy edges with yellowing, while underwatering typically results in crispy leaves without yellow rims.
• 😀 Fertilize Calatheas lightly and ensure that the potting mix doesn’t become stagnant. Avoid overwatering and root rot.
• 😀 These plants are particularly susceptible to spider mites, especially indoors, so maintaining humidity is important. Use a humidifier or group plants together to help with this.
• 😀 Use water that’s free of high mineral content to avoid damaging the leaves, and avoid misting the leaves as bacteria or fungus can cause spots.
• 😀 Calatheas can be propagated through root division by cutting rhizomes into smaller sections, each with its own root system. Be careful with pests like mealybugs when dividing.
• 😀 The propagation process may take some time, but with proper care, new growth will emerge, and the plant will reward you with vibrant foliage.

Q & A

What is the origin of the Calathea ornata plant?

The Calathea ornata is native to South America, specifically from Colombia and Venezuela.

What lighting conditions do Calathea ornata plants prefer?

Calathea ornata plants thrive in low light conditions. In low light, they produce beautiful pink stripes on their leaves, but in higher light, they tend to produce white stripes.

How can you tell if a Calathea ornata is getting too much light?

If a Calathea ornata gets too much light, the leaves will curl up, which is a clear sign of light stress.

How often should Calathea ornata be watered?

Calathea ornata should be watered lightly every day. While they need consistent moisture, they cannot be left to dry out completely, and it's important not to overwater them.

Why is it important to use a terracotta pot for Calathea ornata?

A terracotta pot is recommended for Calathea ornata because it allows the soil to dry out more quickly than plastic pots, reducing the risk of root rot in humid environments.

What kind of potting mix is ideal for Calathea ornata?

Calathea ornata prefers a very airy and well-draining potting mix, such as the 'fourth floor potting mix' mentioned in the video, which helps maintain humidity without the risk of root rot.

How do you differentiate between underwatering and overwatering in Calathea ornata?

Underwatered Calathea ornata will have crispy leaves, but the edges will not typically have a yellow rim. Overwatered plants, on the other hand, will show yellowing around the edges of the leaves, and in extreme cases, the leaves may fall off.

What pests are Calathea ornata particularly susceptible to?

Calathea ornata is especially prone to spider mites, particularly when grown indoors under low humidity conditions.

How can you increase humidity for Calathea ornata indoors?

To increase humidity indoors, you can use a humidifier, group the plant with other plants, or place a pebble tray with water below the plant to create ambient moisture through evaporation.

How is Calathea ornata propagated?

Calathea ornata is propagated by root division. The plant produces rhizomes, which can be separated and divided into multiple plants. These rhizomes can be cut into pieces, with each piece having its own roots to grow into a new plant.