Maranta (70 photos): types and care

Maranta is a bright and unusual tropical flower native to the southern regions and Central America. She is known, first of all, for her amazing color of leaves with distinctly visible spots and veins. In addition to the unusual colors, they also grow interestingly, changing shape and direction depending on the light and other conditions. This is a characteristic feature of the entire family. It is for this plant that they called it prayer grass or a pilgrim. Despite the exoticism of the herbaceous perennial, it is easy to care for it even in the middle band.

Maranta is a decorative herbaceous perennial, the size and appearance of which depend on the particular variety. On average, the height reaches about 60 cm. The stems are initially upright, but the older the plant, the more it tends to land.

Maranto tubers are used in cooking in different countries of the world. As in other tuber, they have a lot of starch.

The annual growth of the flower is small. The flowering period is summer. Rare and tiny graceful panicle inflorescences appear directly from the stem. Arrowhead flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, white, pastel yellow or salmon pink. By their decorative qualities, they are not able to compete with large and beautiful leaves, but in their place boxes with seeds are formed.

There are many varieties of arrowroot, but at home and on the farm a few of them are usually bred. Basically, these are decorative varieties. Breeders constantly bring out new and interesting colors. Most of them can be classified into two categories: bicolor and tricolor, by the number of colors in which the sheet plate is painted.

A compact perennial bush gradually grows to a semi-ampel shape. This category includes a number of varieties and subspecies with different leaf colors.

But the general shape remains unchanged: oblong, medullary or wide leaves from about 7x10 to 10x15 cm. Relative to the petiole, they grow at an acute angle. The rhizome of the bush is developed, with oval tubers resembling potatoes. White veins appear on the leaf plate, which is why the variety was named. The reverse side of the sheet is usually reddish.

This is a bright representative of tricolors. The main background of the leaf plate is dark green, sometimes brownish. Leaves brighten to the edges. A bright band runs through the center, from which pronounced transverse veins diverge. They are colored red, the saturation of which varies from very pale to deep purple. Another feature is the broken direction of the stems.

The medium-sized bush reaches about 40 cm. The juicy creeping rhizome is short, with fusiform thickenings for the accumulation of nutrients and moisture. Leaves are wide or oblong, up to 15 cm. The edges of the plate are slightly wavy.

Feature comb comb in its color. A continuous green crest appears on a green leaf, from which wide dark strokes diverge. They form a continuous border, and the crest is gradually sharpened.

One of the most interesting and unusual species stands out against the general background. The height of upright stems sometimes exceeds 120 cm. The leaves are elongated, resembling an egg in shape. To the ends they are pointed. The edge is painted in a dark gray shade. The rhizome is densely dotted with tubers.

This is the most common and famous variety. A central core emerges on a dark sheet plate.On both sides of it are symmetrical strokes that darken and turn brown as they grow. However, they remain separate and do not merge into one lane. There are longitudinal veins, although they are practically not visible.

The background of the leaf plate of this variety is dark green. This sets him apart from the rest. But the veins and stripes - a light green shade. This coloring resembles a negative classic.

This is an exquisite variety, also called the black arrowroot. Outwardly, he was not far from the classical white-winged one. The difference is that the underlying green background is maintained along the edge. From the main core sharply protrude diverging longitudinal, as light as possible or even white. Dark strokes between them add contrast.

From the previous view, it differs in the width of the light strip. It takes up to half the sheet, and the color transition is gradual, without pronounced borders and spots.

This is one of the most variegated varieties with dark green or brown spots, salad-yellow strokes, strokes and white stripes, which can occupy up to half a leaf.

The secret to successful care of the arrowroot is to comply with the temperature and humidity regime.

The ideal soil for constant growth is a mix of leaf, humus and coniferous soil mixtures mixed with sand and charcoal. But standard fiber peat is not suitable. Also avoid having lime. At the bottom, equip a high drainage.

The plant does not tolerate heat and heat above + 28 ... + 30C. Avoid direct rays of the sun, drafts, as well as sudden temperature changes. Optimal in winter - up to + 20С. In winter, it is undesirable to lower it below + 14C. At this time of the year, it is important that the leaves do not touch the cold window.

During active growth, use complex fertilizers. Specialized solutions for decorative leaf varieties are now sold. But do not abuse, because it is equally important not to overfeed the arrowroot.

Abundant watering is recommended to be repeated only as the top layer of the substrate dries. Reduce frequency to colds to avoid rotting of the rhizome. For irrigation, take filtered water, at least soft soft water. Maranta is sensitive to any foreign matter.

Ideal humidity is about 70%. It can be compensated for by systematic spraying of leaves. This is especially important in the summer and during the heating season. Locally increase the humidity will help the pan with water, but in this case, make sure that moisture does not get to the roots.

Most comfortable maranta feels in partial shade. Under direct sunlight and bright lighting, it fades. In the apartment, pay attention to the windows that face north-west or east.

The arrowroot is propagated by three classical methods:

1. When sowing seeds, start growing seedlings immediately with the advent of spring. Take a wide flowerpot or box, peat-sand substrate and seeds. The first shoots appear in the next 2 weeks. The main thing is to maintain a stable temperature, around + 16 ° ... + 19 °. As soon as several full leaflets appear on the seedling, it can be transplanted.

2. To root the cuttings, cut shoots from the mother plant to 10 cm with several full healthy leaves. The whole process takes about 4 weeks. Rooting is possible from May to September. As soon as the root is formed, transplant the arrowroot into a peat substrate.

3. Adult and healthy shrubs can be propagated by division. Dig and peel the bush, then gently cut the rhizome. It is important that each seedling has several healthy leaves and tubers. Before transplanting, treat the sections with charcoal for disinfection. After that, they can be planted in moist, loose soil.

An adult plant is recommended to be replanted annually in early spring.

Arrowroot problems are typical of tropical plants.With a lack of moisture or heat, it weakens and fades, but with an excess of water, root rot appears and fungal diseases develop. This can be prevented by maintaining a stable regime and periodically treating the flower with antifungal drugs.

Leaves sometimes affect scale insects. They suck out the juice, because of which the plate changes color, damage and sticky drops appear on it. Parasites are removed mechanically using soapy water. After that, spray the leaves with a special preparation.

With excessive air dryness, spider mites appear. You can get rid of them with a hot shower, but you need to do this quickly and carefully. But in this way it is possible to destroy parasites without chemistry, and this is especially important in the apartment. There are special acaricides from pests.

To understand how to take full advantage of the beauty and elegance of arrowroot, see our selection of photos! We have collected the most colorful and interesting ideas for inspiration!