How to care for Calathea insignis (cat's eye prayer plant) in winter? Master these points to note

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Temperature In winter, if the temperature stays below 13°C for a long time, the leaves of Calathea insignis will suffer cold damage. Therefore, the wintering temperature for Calathea insignis must not be lower than 13°C. It is recommended to keep the temperature above 15°C, otherwise the plant's growth will be stunted. Light In winter, because light is relatively scarce

Temperature

In winter, if the temperature stays below 13°C for a long time, the leaves of Calathea insignis will suffer cold damage. Therefore, the wintering temperature for Calathea insignis must not be lower than 13°C. It is recommended to keep the temperature above 15°C, otherwise the plant's growth will be stunted.

Light

In winter, because light is relatively scarce, you need to meet the light needs of Calathea insignis, so at this time it should be exposed to more sunlight. And you must also make sure not to let Calathea insignis receive strong direct sunlight, as it may scorch its leaves.

When the temperature is too low in winter, it should not be placed in an overly sheltered environment, as this will affect the plant's growth vigor and cause the patterns to fade or even disappear. When carrying out winter care, it is recommended to place the Calathea insignis plant in a bright spot without strong direct light for care.

Watering

Calathea insignis has relatively large leaves, and during winter care you should also pay attention to ensuring sufficient water and keeping the potting soil moist. If the air humidity is not enough, the leaves will immediately curl, affecting the ornamental value. But it should not be too much either, otherwise it will cause root rot, and in severe cases the plant will die. You can always pay attention to the moisture condition of Calathea insignis; if it lacks water, spray the plant more. Whether in winter or summer, Calathea insignis should have a moist and cool growing environment.

The above is an introduction to Calathea insignis. To learn more, please follow TheNaturePlanet!

What to do if the leaves of Calathea insignis curl? Care methods for Calathea insignis

Calathea insignis is the most common indoor foliage plant. Some flower lovers who grow Calathea insignis encounter curled leaves and do not know what to do. Below we will tell you the care methods for Calathea insignis.

What to do if the leaves of Calathea insignis curl

1. Unsuitable ambient temperature and humidity

Unsuitable ambient temperature and humidity may cause the leaves of Calathea insignis to curl and no longer stretch freely. If measures are still not taken, over time Calathea insignis will develop rotten leaves and rotten roots, and may even wither and die. You should strengthen the daily water and fertilizer management of Calathea insignis. Except on rainy days, spray Calathea insignis and the surrounding environment 3 times a day. If the leaves of Calathea insignis are especially severely shrunken, you can cover the whole Calathea insignis with a plastic bag and poke some small holes about 5 mm above the pot rim, which can both maintain a certain humidity and allow appropriate ventilation, so as to help Calathea insignis recover.

2. Too little watering and too low humidity

Too little watering and too low humidity for Calathea insignis will also cause its leaves to curl, shown by the leaves curling and partially dying, and the lower leaves turning yellow and withered. By no means should the potting soil of Calathea insignis be waterlogged, nor should raw fertilizer, concentrated fertilizer or heavy fertilizer be applied, otherwise the nutrient fibrous roots of Calathea insignis will rot, which will likewise cause the leaves of Calathea insignis to curl and turn yellow.

Calathea insignis originates from the tropical rainforests of South America and requires a very moist special environment. The potting soil must be kept moist; do not wait until the potting soil dries out before watering Calathea insignis, and do not let waterlogging and root rot occur. Maintain a relatively high air humidity in the environment around Calathea insignis. In summer, Calathea insignis should be placed in a semi-shaded location, spray water on the leaf surface of Calathea insignis 2 to 3 times a day, and sprinkle water on the surrounding ground to increase humidity and lower temperature, promoting the robust growth of Calathea insignis.

Care methods for Calathea insignis:

Calathea insignis should be given sufficient water during the growing season. Especially in summer and autumn, in addition to often keeping the potting soil moist, you must also often spray water on the leaf surface to cool and moisturize. Calathea insignis requires relatively high air humidity, preferably reaching 70% to 80%. Calathea insignis is averse to dry air and dry potting soil, but it must not be waterlogged. After late autumn, water should be controlled to help it resist cold and overwinter. In winter, maintain a dry environment; if too wet, the basal leaves of Calathea insignis will turn yellow and scorched, affecting its ornamental value.

When Calathea insignis lacks fertilizer, it is noticeably stunted. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 2:1:1, which can make the leaf color of Calathea insignis glossy and brilliant. By no means should the nitrogen proportion be too large. If you usually spray a 0.2% liquid fertilizer directly on the leaf surface of Calathea insignis every 10 days, it is extremely beneficial for budding and growth. Stop fertilizing in winter and summer.

More information

How to grow Calathea insignis: cultivation methods and points to note for Calathea insignis

Calathea insignis is rich in color, with several different colors on a single leaf, and its leaves are broad and unique, with many small black dots on the leaf surface, just like a kitten's eyes, especially beautiful and elegant, very suitable for indoor ornamental planting. So do you know the care techniques for Calathea insignis? Let's learn about it together with the editor below!

How to grow Calathea insignis

Because Calathea insignis is not cold-tolerant, nor drought-tolerant, and fears scorching sun, direct sunlight will scorch the leaves, causing localized scorching at the leaf edges, stopping the growth of new leaves, and turning the leaf color yellow, so attention should be paid to shading during cultivation. But the growing environment should not be too shaded either, otherwise the plant will grow weakly, and the patterns on the leaf surface of certain variegated varieties will fade or even disappear. It is best to place it in a bright spot without direct sunlight for care. Maranta is relatively sensitive to water; during the growing season it should be watered thoroughly to keep the potting soil moist, but the soil should not be waterlogged, otherwise it will cause root rot and even plant death.

Because the leaves of Maranta are relatively large and water evaporates quickly, it has relatively high requirements for air humidity. If the air humidity is not enough, the leaves will immediately curl, reacting very sensitively. Especially during the new leaf growing period, the plant should be sprayed with water more often, otherwise dry air will make it difficult for new leaves to unfold, cause leaf edges to scorch and turn yellow, and make leaves small and lusterless. In varieties such as Calathea zebrina, the leaves will lose their velvety texture, seriously affecting the ornamental value. Therefore, indoor cultivation must maintain air humidity at 70% to 80%. For the sake of appearance, you can often wipe the leaves with a clean soft cloth dipped in clear water, so that the leaves are bright and glossy. In midsummer, when the temperature exceeds 35°C, it is unfavorable for leaf growth; attention should be paid to ventilation and spraying water to lower the temperature, so that the plant has a cool and moist environment.

Cultivation methods for Calathea insignis

1. Temperature

Calathea insignis is native to tropical and subtropical regions and is heat-tolerant. It is suitable for a growing environment of 20-30°C. The winter growing temperature should best be maintained at around 16-18°C.

2. Light

A shade-tolerant plant, it likes semi-shade by nature and should be placed in a bright spot indoors. It is averse to direct sunlight and scorching sun, so as to avoid scorching the leaves. In summer, do a good job of shading and ventilation.

3. Watering

During the growing period of Calathea insignis, water thoroughly and keep the potting soil moist. At the same time, also pay attention to avoiding waterlogging of the soil, to prevent root rot and even plant death. Because the leaves of Calathea insignis are relatively large and water evaporates relatively quickly, maintain relatively high air humidity around it. You can often spray the leaves to keep the air around the leaves moist, which is beneficial for the growth and unfolding of its leaves. Once the leaves are found to be curling and shrinking, it means the plant is in a state of water shortage.

4. Fertilizer

Follow the principle of "frequent application, thin application." During the winter dormant period and under continuously high temperatures in summer, stop fertilizing.

Points to note when cultivating Calathea insignis

1. Repotting

Repot once every other year. It is best to use fertile, loose, micro-acidic soil with good air permeability and drainage and rich in humus.

2. Pest control

Common pests mainly include scale insects and red spider mites. For scale insects, depending on the severity, you can spray 40% omethoate 1000-fold solution, or 50% dichlorvos 1000-fold solution, or 2.5% deltamethrin 3000-fold solution for control. For red spider mites, control is generally carried out during the adult stage after the eggs hatch. You can use 20% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution, or 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution for spraying and killing.

How Calathea insignis overwinters