Arrowroot tricolor - home care
Content:
Arrowroot tricolor or prayer flower is an evergreen perennial that can create a spectacular atmosphere in the house. It does not require special care, which is why anyone can grow it on their windowsill.
Description of the appearance of the plant
Arrowroot is a plant that belongs to the Arrow family. The rhizome is represented by tubers. On the stem in 2 rows there are green leaf plates up to 14 cm long. Usually they have an oval shape and patterns of various shades. At night, the leaves straighten, and then the plant stretches 35 cm in height.
In the center of the leaf there is a longitudinal vein with rays of red-violet color
The inflorescences are spike-shaped, which ends in an asymmetrical flower. The color of small buds has shades of white or light purple. The arrowroot fruit is a one-seeded capsule.
Common varieties
The genus Maranta includes about 40 species. The most popular varieties include:
- Tricolor;
- Two-color;
- Massange;
- Kerhoveana.
Healing properties
The rhizomes of Maranta arundinacea are of practical importance and are used in cooking and medicine. They are ground into flour and used for weight loss, added to baked goods and other dishes. The beneficial properties of the plant allow you to remove toxins and toxins from the body.
Doctors advise people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract to include flour from the rhizome of the plant in their diet. It has a warming effect, is rich in carbohydrates and microcomponents.
Briefly about the history of appearance
The homeland of the perennial is the tropical part of America. W. Houston once brought seeds to Europe from Brazil. The name of the herb was given in honor of the botanist and doctor who lived in the Middle Ages - Bartolomeo Maranta.
The second name for tricolor arrowroot - "fascinator" or "prayer flower" appeared due to the peculiarities of the plant's appearance. During bad weather, arrowroot folds the leaves in such a way that they look like the hands of a praying person.
Features of caring for a plant at home
Arrowroot fascinator tricolor is not demanding in care. If you follow simple and understandable rules, you can observe a healthy plant with beautiful leaves on your windowsill. In the spring and summer, pots of flowers are taken out to the street or balcony.
A hanging or tabletop ceramic or plastic pot is chosen as a container.
It is important to take care of the location of the prayer flower pot. The most unfavorable room is the kitchen. Arrowroot is bad for the products of natural gas combustion.
Use a damp cloth to remove dust from the sheet plates. With its help, they gently wipe the surface without pressing on the sheet.
Temperature
The optimal summer temperature for arrowroot is about 19-24 ℃ above zero. In winter, the reading on the thermometer should not fall below +15 ℃. Sudden temperature changes are undesirable for indoor perennials.
Lighting
The plant does not need a lot of light. Lighting for him should be moderate. It is recommended to put arrowroot on a shelf close to the western or eastern window of the apartment.
Watering
You need to water the prayer flower about 2-3 times a week. An abundance of moisture can negatively affect the root system of a perennial.
Spraying
Since the natural habitat of the plant is an area near swamps and water basins, it is important to maintain a moisture balance. To do this, every day it is necessary to spray the flower from a spray bottle with soft water.
Humidity
Under normal conditions, the humidity should be 60%. During particularly hot weather conditions, the humidity is required to rise to 80%.
Priming
The soil for the prayer flower should contain peat and sand. You can prepare such a soil yourself or purchase a ready-made one at a flower shop. The ground should not be heavy, it is important that air can penetrate inside.
Top dressing
Mineral supplements are required during the growing season. Twice a week, it is recommended to apply top dressing in the form of liquid mixtures.
In flower shops, you can easily buy fertilizer for arrowroot.
Features of care in winter, dormant period
Caring for the arrowroot tricolor at home in winter is practically no different from caring for other seasons. The dormant period of the flower lasts from October to February. At this time, the number of waterings is reduced to 1 time per week. In addition, the pot is transferred to a cooler place.
When and how it blooms
The plant blooms in small flowers that can be colored in light shades of purple and white.
Types and forms of flowers
The arrowroot bud has an elongated shape. The flowers of the plant are small, reaching 2-3 cm in length.
Flowering period
It is not always possible to see flowering at home. The period falls in the middle of the summer season.
The average flowering time is 2 months.
Pruning
Dried leaves and shoots must be carefully cut with a sharp tool. When examining the root system for decay, you should use the same method, removing defects.
How arrowroot tricolor reproduces
Arrowroot propagates by dividing the bush or by cuttings. The second method involves the use of short shoots.
Germinating seeds
In early spring, flower growers sow arrowroot seeds. Seeds are distributed in a box with soil, sprinkled with peat. It is best to then cover the container with foil and leave for 10 days, sometimes airing. After this time, the first shoots will appear, which can be distributed among the pots.
Rooting cuttings
The best way to propagate a prayer flower is by cuttings. The elongated shoots are cut with a knife, lowered into the water and wait for the roots to form. The water must be settled and at room temperature. As soon as the root system appears, the cutting is transplanted into the ground and covered with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect.
Dividing the bush
When planting a plant in the spring, a part of the bush is transplanted. The flower is removed from the container and divided in half, separating the roots with a sharp instrument. Each of the two fragments is planted separately in different pots, watered and covered with foil.
The root system is very fragile and small, so it is important not to damage it.
Transfer
Young plants, from 1 to 3 years old, need to be transplanted annually. The optimal time is spring. The new pot should be slightly larger than the previous one. It is best to take a container with a diameter of 4 cm large. The flower must be taken out together with the ground, examine its root system for signs of decay and cut off any existing defects. At the bottom of the new pot, drainage is installed to resist stagnant water. The plant is transferred to a container, covered with soil and watered abundantly with water.
Possible growing problems and diseases
The main sign in monitoring the correct care of the plant is the appearance of the leaves. If they are symmetrical, even plates without spots and defects, then the flower feels comfortable.
Drops buds and leaves
Falling leaves and buds are caused by a decrease in temperature or an increased moisture content in the air.
Leaves turn pale
The pallor of the leaves is caused by the rays of the sun. If the plant is exposed to direct ultraviolet rays, then the plates are covered with pale burns. The tricolor perennial should not be allowed to grow in the sun for a long time.
The tips of the leaves dry
The ends of the leaves can dry out and change color. Usually, the plant reacts in this way to low humidity, hot air or the appearance of pests. It is necessary to change the conditions and examine the flower for the presence of parasites.
Pests
Parasites that interfere with the active growth and development of the plant are aphids, scale insects and spider mites. In flower shops, preparations are made for processing.
Other problems
The shoots of the plant can begin to stretch strongly, and the leaves become smaller. Usually the problem is a lack of light. The plant needs to be rearranged closer to the source in order to normalize its condition.
Leaves can curl up into a tube due to lack of moisture.
Signs and superstitions
Some people believe that a plant carries a positive energy, so placing pots in crowded places will get rid of negative energy and put the atmosphere in order. According to signs, arrowroot attracts good luck and protects people from the evil eye.
Arrowroot tricolor is a graceful evergreen that can live at home for up to several years. If you take care of the flower in a timely manner and pay attention to it, then it will always delight with its attractive appearance.
