Maranta is a small perennial tropical plant with large decorative leaves, the shade of which varies from light to dark green, veins and spots clearly stand out against a flat background.
At home, the plant practically does not bloom, the decorative effect of flowers is almost absent due to their small size.
Favorable conditions for the development of plants can be created in florariums, greenhouses, greenhouses.
Maranta has about forty species, the distinctive features of the plant is the presence of rhizome and the natural form of lumps.
95% of all plants are represented by two Brazilian varieties leuconeura "Erythroneur" and leuconeura "Kerchoviana", the flower is great for home conditions (you can find out about tricolor maranth carnivals here). Marante is contraindicated in a dry climate, special conditions must be prepared before planting.
In the photo you can see how the arrow blooms:
Home care
Maranta, home care is the topic of this section.
Care after purchase
Caring for arrowroot has features. When buying arrowroot preference should be given to strong young plants, it is not recommended to purchase strongly overgrown and old ones.
The best time to buy is considered april and may. At home, the arrow needs to be immediately sprayed with separated water, the procedure is recommended to be repeated for several days, during which the flower will get used to the room atmosphere.
Important! It is recommended to replant all plants after purchase, store soil is intended for transportation and may contain harmful substances.
Pruning
Since the flower does not have a clear form, pruning as such is not needed.
Watering
For irrigation it is necessary to use soft distilled water of room temperature, it can be boiled or melted. Often, watering does not depend on the schedule, but on the condition of the soil; immediately before watering, it should dry out a little.
In summer, the drying rate is somewhat higher, therefore, it is recommended to moisten the soil more often. In winter, the most optimal irrigation frequency is considered 2 times per weekIn cold weather, it is recommended to combine moisturizing with spraying the plant.
Humidity is considered the most important parameter, some spraying in some cases is indispensable.
To maintain the required level of moisture, a pot with a plant is recommended to be put on a tray with damp moss and pebbles; water treatments.
Important! The substrate is recommended to cover the package, which will prevent overwetting. Each subsequent watering is carried out only on the dried soil.
Bloom
Flowering occurs in summer, flowers can be white, pale yellow and light pink shades. At home, this happens quite rarely, the plant does not have a decorative value, since the flowers are small and hidden most often behind large leaves.
Landing
Before planting arrowroot, it is necessary to prepare a pot, the size is chosen taking into account that the rhizome freely entered the container.
The soil is recommended to use slightly acid, it is necessary to lay on the bottom drainage (expanded clay, gravel)that will prevent the occurrence of fungus and water stagnation.
Transfer
Transplantation is recommended after a year, the most optimal time is considered to be the spring period, when vegetation accelerates. The plant should be planted in wide tanks.
When transplanting, it is recommended to remove old diseased leaves, which will stimulate the development of new shoots.
The video shows how to transplant arrowroot and what kind of soil is needed:
Growing from seed at home
Marantu Not recommended grown from seed, the process requires a lot of time and effort, to ensure the necessary conditions require additional heating.
Breeding
How breeds arrowroot? Reproduction of arrowroot cuttings is carried out in May and June; from the young shoot it is necessary to cut off the cutting with 2-3 leaves and place it in water.
Within 1.5 months roots will appear, after which the stalk must be planted in the ground.
Temperature
Maranta is considered a tropical plant, so she loves heat very much, in summer the optimum temperature range varies between 20-25 degrees, in winter the temperature should not fall below 16-18 degrees.
The flower must be protected from drafts, which can lead to quick drying of the leaves, the pot should not be put on a cold floor. In summer, the plant can be left outside. protected from the sun and drafts spot.
Lighting
Marantu not recommended to put on the sunny side, even when installing a flower on the windowsill, facing north, the leaves can fade and dry out from excess light.
The flower feels great in the depths of the room, after moving the flower will give new bright leaves, flowers may even appear.
Important! On a short day of light, arrowroot can be moved closer to the window, but not on the window sill.
Soil (soil)
The main conditions for good growth and development of arrowroot are considered to be loose substrate. When growing a plant in peat, dolomite flour is recommended to be added to the mixture, and store mixes are also suitable.
The substrate can be prepared independently, two main recipes are used:
- leaf earth, peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1;
- leaf earth, peat, humus, sand in the proportion of 4: 2: 1: 1.
What to feed?
So how and what to feed arrowroot? Top dressing is carried out in the period from eternal to autumn at intervals once a week with the calculation of 1 gr. on 1 l. water. From April to the end of August, it is recommended to use a comprehensive set for ornamental plants.
Maranta is very sensitive to an excess of fertilizers, it is recommended that organic and mineral fertilizers be applied once every 2 weeks.
Benefit and harm
Useful properties are determined by its chemical compositiontuberiform thickening located on rhizomes are in demand in cooking.
They contain a large amount of starch, which determines the energy value of the plant, the tubers are used boiled and for the preparation of flour.
Flour is recommended for use with bowel anemia and anorexia, as it has a positive effect on the digestive processes. The composition of the flower also includes vitamins B9, PP, pantenoic acid.
Vitamin B9 is an integral part in ensuring the functioning of the immune and circulatory systems, it is also necessary for normal growth in childhood. D9 deficiency can lead to anemia and impaired bone marrow functioning.
Marant contains calcium, necessary for bone tissue and teeth, which also takes part in neural reactions, promotes the excretion of radionuclides, salts of heavy metals, and has an effect on insulin levels.
Many people ask whether it is possible to keep a flower at home? Need to! If you have trouble sleeping it is recommended to put a flower at the head of the bed, it is useful to keep the plant in the house for people prone to conflicts;
Conclusion
Maranta is a fairly beautiful indoor plant, characterized by a bright color, when you look at it, the leaves of an oblong form of contrasting color immediately rush to your eyes.
The plant has a decorative appearance throughout the year, which is considered the main reason for its popularity with gardeners. The flower feels great in shady places where most plants wither.
When growing it is recommended to follow certain rules, the flower is quite unpretentious, feels great at home. The plant has value not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a culinary one, its rhizomes are used boiled, and flour is also prepared from them.
