How to Grow and Care for Calathea orbifolia: Methods and Precautions Explained

Calathea orbifolia is a plant grown for its foliage. Its leaves are fairly large and evergreen, with distinctive white stripes running across the leaf surface. Calathea orbifolia is a plant very well suited to growing at home and helps purify the air. So how should you grow it to keep it growing well?

How to Grow Calathea orbifolia

1. The suitable growing temperature for Calathea orbifolia is 20-30°C; the best daytime growing temperature is 18-21°C, at night 16-18°C, and the safe overwintering temperature is 10°C. Therefore, in summer, prevent exposure to high temperatures and place it in a shady spot; in winter, take care to protect it from the cold, and you can move the plant to a wind-free, relatively warm indoor spot to overwinter.

2. Calathea orbifolia dislikes direct sunlight and grows better under indirect radiation or diffused light. Especially in summer, direct sunlight easily causes leaf scorch, so in production it is grown under artificially controlled light with a 75%-80% shade net. If leaf scorch is found, immediately move it to a place without direct light, or to a location with shade facilities or under tree shade, and cut off the scorched leaves to prevent other pathogenic bacteria from entering through the wounds. At the same time, strengthen water and fertilizer management.

Cultivation Methods for Calathea orbifolia

1. Temperature. Calathea orbifolia prefers a warm environment; the suitable growing temperature is 20°C—30°C, the best daytime growing temperature is 18°C—21°C, at night 16°C—18°C, and it can overwinter safely above 10°C. So in summer, prevent high-temperature sun exposure and place Calathea orbifolia in a shady spot; in winter, take care to protect it from the cold and move the plant indoors.

2. Watering. The vigorous growth period of Calathea orbifolia is from March—October, and air humidity should be kept at 75%-85%. High air humidity is beneficial for leaf unfurling, so during the growing period it should be watered more and the leaves should be misted frequently. A suitable watering method is to mist the leaves in the morning, water the potting soil in the afternoon, and water the whole plant in the evening.

3. Light. Calathea orbifolia is not tolerant of direct sunlight, so shade it well in summer. Let Calathea orbifolia receive diffused light.

4. Soil. Calathea orbifolia prefers fertile, loose soil and dislikes compacted soil and waterlogging. Generally, fertile humus soil and porous coarse medium are used as the substrate.

5. Fertilizing. Fertilizing Calathea orbifolia should follow the principle of “small amounts, many times”; during the peak growing season, apply a mixed fertilizer of peanut bran and compound fertilizer or decomposed compost once every 2 weeks.

Precautions for Calathea orbifolia

1. Summer sunlight is strong, and the leaves of Calathea orbifolia are easily scorched under direct sunlight, so place the plant where there is no direct light. If leaves are found to be scorched, cut them off immediately to prevent pathogenic bacteria from entering.

2. Stop fertilizing during the winter dormant period and the hot summer period. Do not make the fertilizer concentration too strong, otherwise it will cause leaf scorch, and in severe cases the plant will die.

Common Diseases of Calathea orbifolia and Their Control Methods

1. Southern blight. Control method: add 70% quintozene at 0.2% of the soil weight to the potting soil to disinfect the soil. Before sclerotia form, pull out the diseased plants, discard the soil, and use new soil. During daily care, pay attention to ventilation frequently, and do not plant too densely.

2. Leaf spot. Control method: apply more base fertilizer to ensure the soil is fertile and enhance disease resistance. Promptly remove diseased leaves when found to prevent further spread of the pathogen; if the plant is seriously diseased, dispose of it promptly. Before the disease occurs, spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 500-600 times dilution, or spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 1000 times dilution plus 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 1000 times dilution for control.

The cultivation methods for Calathea orbifolia can start from its growth habits. When growing it, you must do a good job with temperature and light. It cannot tolerate prolonged direct strong light, so in summer it is best to provide shading. Disease prevention and control for Calathea orbifolia is also very important and must be done properly.