Calathea setosa is a tropical plant that go by various names such as Never Never Plant , Compact Star Plant , and Zebra Plant . These perennial plants from the Marantaceae kinsperson require a humid climate as their place of origin is the Rainforests in Brazil , which has a tropic clime . Several species of Calathea setosa aid in distill the air , making it a preferred houseplant .
Description of Calathea setosa
The average size of the Calathea setosa is around 40 cm to 70 atomic number 96 . However , as an indoor Plant in a toilet , it could grow around an average of 15 cm . The Calathea setosa forms an fantabulous indoor plant life because of its beguiling cosmetic appearance .
These tropic evergreen plant plants are categorized with large and broad leaves . The leaves of these plants are silver in gloss with colored light-green nervure on the dorsal side and purple on the ventral side , thereby making them bicolored and variegate .
Nyctinasty of Calathea setosa
The most unique feature of the Calathea setosa is Nyctinasty . Nyctinastyis a very limited movement execute by the leave . The leaves of the Calathea setosa close every night and they reopen every morning . This cognitive process , known as Nyctinasty is exhibited by the Calathea setosa .
The closure of the leaves is shaped like that of hand at prayer . This is the reason that the Calathea setosa is also shout a Praying Plant . Marantacea is the common family unit of all such implore plants , under which the Calathea setosa also have a position
Calathea setosa species
There are several specie of Calathea setosa . They all carry major resemblances and disagree in minute of arc path . A few popular and common metal money are
-Calathea veitchiana ( Medallion calathea ) ,
-Calathea lancifolia ( Rattlesnake calathea ) ,
Calathea setosa(Zebra plant)
-Calathea ornata ( Pinstripe calathea )
-Calathea roseopicta ( Calathea Dottie )
Origin of Calathea setosa
The Calathea setosa belongs to the genus Ctenanthe , which belongs to the family of Marantaceae . The Calathea setosa was first refer by Charles Jacques Edward Morren and Karl Mortiz Schumann in 1902 . Since then , the Calathea setosa , a tropical industrial plant from Brazil has become a famous house plant .
Care for Calathea setosa
Calathea setosa , with its appealing leaves , make it as a worthy houseplant . However , the Calathea setosa requires certain care and tending to remain alive and prosper . With the gait of increase being at a moderate rate , the problem of pruning does not arise . With a little information and awareness , the Calathea setosa could be maintained and grown and ensure its development .
Potting
Since the zebra plant is a medium - sized plant , average - sized bay window would be the most appropriate , rather of smaller or turgid - sized plenty . One medium - sized pot for each zebra plant could insure the rate of survival of the plant . The cloth of the said muckle could be made from anything , include stone , charge plate , clay , and terra - cotta as long as there is a drainage muddle .
A waste pipe hole is the most important factor to keep in creative thinker while select a pot for the zebra plant as a drain golf hole check that the excess body of water gets drain . This is very vital as excessive water is very harmful to Calathea setosa and the stand water has the potential to even down the works .
Repotting
The growth rate of the zebra plant is pretty pace . Thus , repotting them to a large pot could be done after 1 or 2 years agree to the increment . Calathea setosa does not react well when its roots are disturbed . Thus , the utmost care has to be fill to protect the roots and do minimal damage to its roots while re - potting the plant
Soil
Just like all the other plants , the zebra industrial plant can get and come through in all commercial Pottery filth . However , to control the growth and development of the Calathea setosa , it would be necessary to see that the dirt is evenly packed with moisture . Though the zebra plant prefers and requires moisture , it would not survive in the case of standing body of water .
Excessive water has the potential to kill the plant and thus must be avoided at all monetary value . To accomplish an even healthier plant , the filth could be created by a compounding of peat , perlite , and Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . Such a combination of ground would give a healthy plant . tot up some uncouth material and girt would be very good as this would increase aeration in the soil . Making the dirt in such a style would profit the zebra industrial plant greatly .
pH value of the soil
The PH value of the soil pretend the ontogenesis of various industrial plant . Like most tropic industrial plant , Calathea Setosa prefers impersonal to acidic soil . This signifies that the PH level of the soil must be in the range of 6.1 to 7.1 . Thus , the PH level of the stain can be modified and altered to best suit the needs of the plant . Wood ash and dolomite calcium oxide are a few factors that can exchange the PH economic value of the filth .
In the pillow slip of the basic land , the acidity needs to be increase to control the survival of the zebra plant . Thus , in such cases , baking pop or wood ash tree could be added to correct the PH value of the soil and make it acidulous enough for the plant life . In casing of exuberant acidity , the soil has to be corrected to reduce the acidity . By add sulfur or aluminium sulfate , the acidity of the territory could be brought down , thereby giving the Calathea setosa the grime it requires
water
Another basic element for any plant or sustenance being to go is water . The indigence and essential for body of water variety from one works to another . The Calathea setosa has unique features regarding its water demand . The interaction of Calathea setosa with water must be compensate due attention to ensure the survival of the plant .
Zebra works prefers the soil to be moist and not wet . Even moisture diffuse over the entire soil is the most appropriate condition for Calathea setosa . The soil must never be wet as zebra plant does not favour excess water . The best way to provide pee to zebra plants is to wet and soak only the top 2 inches of the dry soil . This is the preferred method to ensure there is even moisture in the filth .
Another important aspect while dealing with water is that especial care must be deal to prevent water from fall on the leaves of the Zebra works . pee on the leaves of Calathea setosa is undesirable as it could lead to a fungous attack which is quite risky .
Due importance has to be commit to the drain pickle in the pot as this is full of life for take the excess water which is very unsound for zebra works . The use of distilled piss for the hydration of the plant is the most preferred mode as there are certain instances where pat body of water could not suitable for the plant . Zebra plant may not cope with certain compound found in tap water due to which distilled water had to remain the first choice
Light
The most complicated factor in maintaining the growing of Calathea setosa is the management of light . All plants need visible radiation for their growth and development . The photograph and intensity of light needed alteration for every mintage . The Calathea setosa , being a tropical industrial plant requires a lower limit of 6 to 8 hr of light in a day for its natural selection . The light require by Calathea setosa for 8 hour need not utilize sunlight as its only source . light-emitting diode light could be used as an alternative too .
However , in grammatical case the exposure of light to the Calathea setosa is from the sun , extra tutelage and precautions have to be taken so as not to expose to verbatim sunlight . unmediated sunlight is very unsound for Calathea setosa as it make going of colouration in its leaves . This could ultimately even obliterate the flora . This is the main reason that Calathea setosa do better as an indoor plant .
likewise , lesser light , where the light is subdued could also direct to various issue . Dim light will cause Calathea setosa to lose its vary structure . Thus , both heavy and dim light cause extreme discomfort to the plant life , and prolonged exposure to such a situation will result in the dying of the plant . circumspection must be take on to ensure the plant catch moderate light for 6 to 8 hours a daytime for its ontogenesis and growth .
Fertilizer
fecundation of the dirt is not require as the flora can expand without it . However , it becomes a necessity to apply natural and hokey fertilisation if the plant life does not show sufficient emergence .
Humidity
Humidity also affects the growth of a plant . 60 % of Humidity is prefer by the zebra industrial plant . humidness lesser than 60 % could cause browned leaves and crispy leaves which are very bad for the plant ’s health . Thus , the zebra industrial plant must be placed in a well - lit and humid topographic point or a humidifier must be used .
Temperature
Zebra plant , being tropic industrial plant , requires a fond climate throughout the twelvemonth . A temperature of 75 ° F is optimum and must be maintained at all times . During the winter , special care must be taken to keep the plant warm and protect it from the common cold .
Calathea setosa plant propagation
Stem cutting in soil
The most vernacular way to spread is base cutting in soil . This is the simplest and promiscuous way to propagate a Calathea Setosa . The first step is to secure a cutting . A newly grown part of q healthy plant has to be cut . Such a thinning must have a lower limit of 3 inches with node in it . The cutting must then be buried with the guest under the soil . To ascertain emergence , the cut has to be moisturized and kept in moderate sunlight for around 8 hour a day . This will see to it that the shoot grow from the cutting . Once the growth of shoots is visible , it is mandatory to wear that the development of roots has taken seat too .
Stem cutting in water
In this case , a part of the base is trend below the node where the flowers and parting are removed . This cutting is then submerged I ’m water . Utter tending has to be take to assure that there are no leaves on the submersed stem . The stem must be prevent near the window for sufficient light . Shoots and root will begin to appear and the unconscious process of potting can begin .
Division
All works which develop stems in clumps could be spread by the method of Divide . In this case , the first step is to dig and then separate the stems along with their roots from the clumps . This could be done with horticulture creature or even with gloved hands . The roots so taken must be repotted and the same care has to be given to its growth .
Problems faced by Zebra plant
The major problem faced by Calathea setosa is the drying of leaves and leafage curling . This is primarily caused due to the fact of hard water or low urine supply . Lack of humidity could also be a factor . Similarly , excessive H2O also creates problems for Calathea setosa . Excessive water supply causes the yellowing of its leave-taking . The problem of exuberant fertilization along with lack of wet could make the browning of leaves . This could ultimately make the plant to wither up . Drooping of leaves is an impact of lack of heat and moisture . These problems have a uncomplicated solution and can be easy compensate . However , when ignored it could cause likely hazards .
Conclusion
Calathea setosa is a unique plant with beautiful leaf and an likable loom which is preferred for its ability to purify the air travel . Thus with some knowledge and thought of how to sustain its ontogenesis , the Zebra plant could thrive .
