A Detailed Guide to the Latest Calathea makoyana Care Methods

Calathea makoyana, also known as blue-flower banana and five-color arrowroot, is a perennial evergreen herb of the genus Calathea in the Marantaceae family, native to Brazil. Its leaves are thinly leathery and ovate-elliptic, with feather-like markings of dark green alternating with white or pale yellow on the leaf surface, just like the patterns on a peacock's tail feathers, graceful and uniquely charming. Now let us take a look at the care methods for Calathea makoyana!

Growth Habits of Calathea makoyana

Calathea makoyana prefers semi-shade and cannot tolerate direct sunlight, adapting to growth in warm, humid environments. When cultivating, it should be given a certain degree of shading, and the temperature should be kept at around 12-29°C; in winter the temperature should preferably be maintained at 16-18°C. It grows vigorously in spring and summer, requiring relatively high air humidity, and can be misted. It is not very demanding regarding soil, but the soil should be kept moderately moist. During the growing season, fertilize about once every 2 weeks, while in winter the soil can be slightly drier and cooler, and the frequency of fertilizing should be reduced.

Propagation Methods of Calathea makoyana

1. Division: Division propagation is carried out in early summer each year when the daily temperature is around 20°C. After digging up a densely grown old plant, divide it along the underground rhizome, keeping 2-3 buds per section. After dividing and cutting, plant immediately in pots, place in a cool place for one week, then gradually move to a spot with sufficient light. In the early stage after division planting, water should be controlled, and only after new roots have developed should it be watered thoroughly.

2. Cuttage: Cuttage propagation usually involves selecting in summer young shoots with 2 to 3 leaves at the base as cuttings, or using the creeping stems of some species for cuttage. A mixture of half peat soil and half river sand, or vermiculite and perlite, can be used as the substrate. Keep it moist, and roots will form in about 5 weeks, after which they can be divided and potted.

Care Methods for Calathea makoyana

1. Soil: For potted Calathea makoyana, it is best to use loose, fertile, well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic loam. Generally, it can be mixed with 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part peat or sawdust, and 1 part sand, with a small amount of bean cake added as base fertilizer. Avoid heavy garden soil. When potting, first place a 3 cm thick layer of coarse sand at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to facilitate drainage.

2. Water: During the growing period, Calathea makoyana should be given sufficient water. Especially in summer and autumn, in addition to keeping the potting soil moist at all times, it is also necessary to frequently spray water on the leaf surface to lower the temperature and maintain humidity. It requires relatively high air humidity, preferably reaching 70% to 80. Avoid dry air and dry potting soil, but do not let water accumulate. After late autumn, water should be controlled to help it resist the cold and survive winter.

3. Sunlight: During the growing season from May to September, Calathea makoyana should be placed in a shaded or semi-shaded spot, maintaining a light transmittance of 40-60%, avoiding direct sunlight. Excessive light or dry air can easily cause scorched leaf margins and tips and dull, lusterless leaf markings. However, if the light is too weak, growth will decline and the unique metallic luster of the leaves will be lost. In winter, it can receive direct sunlight through glass.

4. Fertilizer: When Calathea makoyana lacks fertilizer, the plant is noticeably shorter, the leaf color is dull, and the golden luster is not vivid. During the growing period, apply a thin liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 2:1:1, which can make the leaf color glossy and vivid. Be sure not to use too high a proportion of nitrogen fertilizer. For example, spraying a 0.2% liquid fertilizer directly on the leaf surface every 10 days is extremely beneficial for sprouting and growth. Stop fertilizing in winter and summer.

5. Pests and Diseases: Calathea makoyana has relatively few pests and diseases, but under conditions of dry air and poor ventilation, it is prone to scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 25% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate or a 1500-fold dilution of 40% omethoate.

6. Repotting: Calathea makoyana is generally repotted in spring when it is divided, once every 1-2 years. When repotting, new culture soil must be added, and residual roots and dead leaves should be pruned, then replanted to promote growth.