Arrowroot is a decorative flower whose beauty is created by unusual leaves. The plant has healing properties and is completely safe. Already in ancient times, Indians used antidotes made from the roots of arrowroot.
Appearance story
The plant is named after the medieval botanist Bartomoleo Maranta. The French fashion designer, Isabelle Marant, whose bright and stylish outfits will allow passing a strict dress code, is not a relative of the scientist. He was known as a doctor, Maranta was studying the beneficial properties of plants.
From America to Europe, the plant got about 100 years ago. Despite a completely different climate, the flower took root, and new species and varieties were obtained. Scientists have discovered that in America, the plant was discovered much earlier than Bartomoleo did. Already 3,000 years ago, it was used to produce starch. Nowadays, cane-shaped arrowroot is grown for these purposes. She is also bred at home. The leaves of the reed arrowroot are ovoid, pointed at the tips.
The reed arrowroot has the most magnificent bushes because of densely planted variegated leaves
Appearance of the arrowroot
Maranta - a plant belonging to the family Marantovy. His homeland is the forests and swamps of America. The leaves of the arrowroot, grown at home, have a different shape. They can be oval with rounded ends or elongated lanceolate, when the tip is noticeably sharpened. Their color is green, a pattern is applied to the surface. The arrowroot plant attracts attention with small flowers collected in spikelets.
Flowering arrowroot
Flowering arrowroot is characterized as plentiful. Moreover, this does not affect the appearance of the plant. The flowers are small, similar to bells, their petals differ in size: two large and three small. They can be light, yellow, lilac, some have interspersed with other shades. Flowering continues throughout the summer. At home, it does not always happen.
Common varieties
There are 25 species of plants that differ in the shape of the leaves, their shade and pattern features. Maranta blooms like all decorative and deciduous representatives of the flora. The rest period hardly affects its attractiveness. Small flowers of delicate shades are lost against the background of unusual leaves.
Tricolor or Tricolor
Maranta tricolor is an unpretentious perennial plant. The green leaves are oval, about 12 centimeters long. Bright red-violet veins are clearly visible on them. Thanks to them, the tricolor arrowroot is called the red-stalked or Fascinator. On the other hand, the leaves are velvety. They also have streaks, but already pink, they themselves are red. Along the central part of the fascinator leaf, there are light spots, they are usually green and yellow. The flowers of the plant are small, purple, consist of five petals, differing in size.
During the day, the leaves are in a horizontal position, in the evening they rise vertically, awakening from a "hibernation". Therefore, the arrowroot Tricolor is known as the prayer tree. Its description appears in many signs.
Additional Information. So they believe that the plant can ward off trouble from the house, absorbing negative energy. He is perceived as the guardian of the family hearth, which brings cosiness and peace.
Two-tone
Two-tone arrowroot is much less common. It is distinguished by the absence of a root system. The plant looks compact and neat. Its leaves are small, egg-shaped, the edges are smoothly rounded. They are saturated green with lighter stripes located along the veins. The reverse side of the sheet is purple. Flowers are inconspicuous, white with lilac dots.
Two-tone arrowroot
Massange
Massange is known as black arrowroot. Her leaves are dark green, appear black, the veins and the central stripe are silvery. At home, a plant is rarely bred because of its moodiness, when compared with other species.
Kerchoveana
The arrowroot of Kerchoven has oval leaves, silver stripes are visible on them, along which dark, almost black spots are located. The reverse side is characterized by a bluish tint. The leaves themselves are located on short petioles. Kerchovean's arrowroot flowers are small, white. Leaves reach a length of 15 centimeters.
Kerhoven, Massange and Tricolor are the most popular representatives of the white-ribbed arrowroot (maranta leuconeura).
Home Care
Arrowroot indoor plants do not require painstaking care. It is enough to follow simple rules so that the flower grows healthy.
Temperature
Maranta comes from the rainforests of America, so she is comfortable in the warmth. In summer, it is better to keep at a temperature of 22-25 degrees.
Important! In winter, the main thing is that the thermometer does not fall below 17. Cold will destroy the plant, as well as a draft. In summer, you can keep the flower on the street, but make sure that it is in the shade. Also avoid gusts of wind, regardless of whether they are warm or cold.
Illumination
The arrowroot flower does not like direct sunlight. Bright rays can be fatal. Even during short daylight hours, the plant is not recommended to be placed on the windowsill. In summer, the most comfortable place for him in the back of the room. In winter, you can move closer to the window.
Watering
Water is recommended with water at room temperature. In this case, it is necessary to defend it for at least a day. You can use boiled or rainwater. In the summer of arrowroot, it requires plentiful watering. In winter, the amount of fluid required by the plant decreases: just one watering every 3-4 days is enough. If the room temperature is below average, you can alternate soil moisture with spraying leaves.
Spraying
The flower must be sprayed in summer and winter. In the cold season, the issue remains relevant due to the operation of central heating. It creates dry air in which the plant feels bad.
Humidity
Humidity is important for the health of the arrowroot. The plant loves spraying, but this is not enough, especially in the heat.
To create the necessary conditions recommend:
- spray neighboring flowers if the procedure does not harm them;
- use humidifiers;
- put the pot on a container with wet pebbles or expanded clay.
Instead of drainage materials, moss is allowed.
Humidification tank
They recommend arranging a warm shower for the plant. It will help get rid of dust accumulated on the leaves, create the necessary humidity.
Note! It is important not to wet the ground in the pot, so it is pre-covered with a bag.
Priming
Maranta prefers slightly acidic soil. You can buy a ready-made composition for ornamental deciduous plants or prepare the soil yourself. This requires the following components:
- Sheet earth - 3 parts. It can be replaced by a garden;
- Peat - 1.5 parts;
- Sand - 1 part. Often I use perlite instead;
- Coniferous land - 1 part.
You can add ash in a small amount (0.3 parts). Sometimes they use dry mullein in a volume of 1 part.
Top dressing
Feeding arrowroot is recommended with the advent of spring and until late autumn. At the same time, mineral and organic fertilizers are used. Different types of fertilizing alternate every two weeks. It is important to follow the instructions, as excessive fertilizing can do much more harm.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary for the plant to maintain a healthy appearance and to get rid of dried stems and leaves. They must be removed as they appear. This will help preserve the strength of the flower and direct them to the growth of new stems and branches.
Crown formation is recommended once a year. At the same time, long branches and stems are cut off. About three internodes should be left in the pot, just like on cuttings. This is the portion of the stem between the growth points where the leaves come from.
Transfer
Maranto is usually transplanted after purchase, when the plant is a little accustomed and will get used to changing conditions. It is enough to withstand two weeks. The flower pot needs a wide, root system is small. At the bottom of it lay drainage. Can be used:
- pebbles;
- expanded clay;
- clay shards;
- broken red brick.
The plant is taken out of the old pot, pre-watered per day so as not to injure the roots. An earthen lump is not destroyed, but immediately placed in a container of arrowroot. Top with soil until there are empty spaces to the walls of the pot. After this, the plant is transplanted no more than once every two years.
Maranth reproduction
Arrowroot is propagated at home by cuttings and division of the bush. Both methods are easy to use, require accuracy. You can also purchase plant seeds.
Seed germination
Seeds must begin to germinate in the spring. To do this, take a container with soil. The simplest composition is sand, peat and deciduous land. The soil is disinfected and moistened. After that, you need to make small holes in it and plant the seeds. Top lay down to sprinkle with soil. Plants appear in 1-2 weeks. Watering must be done carefully so that the seeds do not float to the surface. At first, you can spray the soil. When 3 leaves appear on the shoot, you can transplant it into a separate pot and take care of it as an adult plant.
Rooting cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is recommended in May-June. Cut the shoots so that at least 3 leaves are preserved on them. To do this, use a sterile sharp instrument. The cutlery is lowered into a container with liquid, which must be changed periodically. The roots appear in a month and a half. After that, a young plant is planted in the ground.
Rooting
Air lay
Propagation by air layering is a natural way. In some parts of the plant, new shoots can be found. When the roots appear on them, you need to carefully cut them and transplant them into a pot with soil. It must contain peat.
Bush division
Reproduction by dividing the bush is the easiest way, it is he who is most often used. To do this, it is necessary to divide the plant into parts. A day before the planned procedure, the flower is abundantly watered to painlessly remove it from the pot. After that, the roots are cleared of an earthen coma and gently cut with a sterile knife.
Young plants are placed in prepared wet soil. Often use greenhouses, covering the planted flowers with a film. After new leaves appear, the plant ceases to need greenhouse heat.
Growing problems
Problems when growing plants arise when non-compliance with the rules for care. Most often this is due to watering and lighting.
Discards leaves
If a plant sheds leaves, it is most likely lacking in fluid. You need to moisten the soil in the pot and spray it. If the earth is very dry, it is recommended to arrange a plant with souls. In addition, the lack of watering and low humidity lead to the appearance of parasites. Most often found:
- scale shield;
- thrips;
- spider mite.
To get rid of insects, it is recommended to treat the leaves with a soapy solution, then send the plant to a shower. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure.
Before the leaves fall off, they will begin to turn yellow. The process captures the tips, gradually spreading over the entire surface. This usually indicates the wrong temperature in the room: the plant is too cold, or it suffers from constant drafts.
Leaves turn pale and curl
When the leaves of the plant turn pale, the pattern on them loses clarity, you need to reconsider the location of the flower. Perhaps he suffers from direct sunlight, and it needs to be moved to partial shade.
Note! Leaves can curl when the plant is in a cool room. This is not only due to drafts, but also, for example, the situation near the window in winter, when the leaves of the flower touch cold glass.
Twisting is also the result of infection with fungal diseases. In this case, brown spots appear on the leaves. Special drugs will help get rid of them. Similar symptoms occur if the plant has received too many fertilizers containing potassium.
The tips of the leaves are dry
When the tips of the leaves begin to dry, this indicates a waterlogged soil in the pot or bright light. Excessive watering leads to stagnation of fluid at the roots, which is fraught with rotting. Therefore, before moistening, you need to check whether the earth has dried out. Also helps to get rid of stagnation of water drainage at the bottom of the tank with a flower. The ends of the leaves need to be trimmed for the healthy part. Treat injured areas with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Before this, it is better to transplant the plant into a new pot, saving it from the affected roots.
Leaves dry and curl.
Maranta is an unpretentious houseplant. Attention and proper care will allow him to maintain a flowering healthy appearance. High humidity and heat will protect the plant from disease, its leaves will remain bright and beautiful.
