Calathea orbifolia, also called as Round-leaf plant, Goeppertia orbifolia is found growing on forest floors, at the base of trees in the tropical...
Calathea orbifolia, also called as Round-leaf plant, Calathea rotundifolia, Maranta orbifolia, Maranta rotundifolia, Phyllodes rotundifolia, Thalia rotundifolia and its scientific name Goeppertia orbifolia, is a species of the genus Goeppertia. This species was described by Helen Kennedy in 1982 and was reclassified to Goeppertia orbifolia by Finn Borchsenius and Stella Suárez in 2012.
IDENTIFY CALATHEA ORBIFOLIA - GOEPPERTIA ORBIFOLIA - ROUND-LEAF PLANT
Calathea orbifolia is native to Eastern Brazil. It is found growing on forest floors, at the base of trees in the tropical forests of Brazil Northeast, Brazil Southeast.
Goeppertia orbifolia is a perennial evergreen herb which reaching up to 60-80 cm in height, and up to a meter in diameter with creeping rhizome. The leaves are large, have an almost regular round shape, glossy, thin, with slightly wavy edges, grow swaying on tall, erect petioles. The entire front side of each leaf is decorated with clear symmetrical alternating stripes of dark green and light green with a silvery sheen, almost equal in width, which diverge in both directions from the central vein. The seamy side of the leaves is normal, uniformly green.
Round-leaf plant blooms extremely rarely, due to the insufficient growing conditions, in summer on a short peduncle, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences and surrounded by green bracts. The flowers are small pale yellow and lasting up to a few weeks.
The plant has been known for its medicinal properties and is used in various products, from teas to pain relievers and even food. This plant is also known to have anti-cancer properties and can be used as a remedy against the common cold and flu. It is also an effective treatment for sore throats.
CALATHEA ORBIFOLIA - GOEPPERTIA ORBIFOLIA - ROUND-LEAF PLANT CARE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Calathea orbifolia likes bright indirect light and do best in medium to low light (80% shade, 10000-20000 lux). The plant can tolerate an interior light level as low as 750 lux; but optimal light levels range from 1500-2000 lux. Avoid direct light to avoid scorching the leaves.
Humidity:
Goeppertia orbifolia thrives in spots with high humidity, making it a particularly good pick for kitchens and bathrooms. The plant maintain their aesthetic appearance better if relative humidity is kept between 40% and 60%. They are ideal for removing toxins from the air, caused by cleaning products, modern furnishings that are made of synthetic materials and so on.
Temperature:
Round-leaf plant should be grown with the temperature of 21-32 °C outdoor and 18-27 °C when grow indoor. They will not tolerate temperatures below 13 °C. They are also sensitive to cold drafts or blowing heat during the winter months, so keep them away from windows or heaters for best results.
Substrate and growing media:
Calathea orbifolia can be grown in pot with soilless media formulated with peat, pine bark, vermiculate, and or perlite with a pH around 6.0. Repotting once every 12-18 months with 1”- 2” larger pot to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same pot, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time for repotting as the plant is at its strongest.
Watering:
Goeppertia orbifolia are very sensitive to the water you use. Hard water, soft water, fluoridated water, or water of poor quality causes the leaves of the plant to turn brown from leaf burn. The best way to water is to use distilled water, rain water, or allow your tap water to sit out over night before using it.
Keep the plant moist but not wet or waterlogged. Allow the top 2-3” to dry out before watering. Never let a the plant sit in water. Excess water over time can cause yellowing of the leaves, and eventually wilting as the roots suffocate and die. If the plant wilts due to excess water it will be slow to recover. During active growth (from about May to August) you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil moist. In winter when growth is slow, water only when the soil becomes just dry to the touch. If you see the leaves curl and leaf edges begin to brown it may be because your soil is running too dry or the humidity is too low. If soil is dry, water it more frequently. If you believe humidity is the problem, mist leaves with lukewarm water on a regular basis.
Fertilizer:
Use a general houseplant fertilizer with iron every four weeks during the spring and summer following the package instructions for dilution and administration. No fertilizer is necessary during the winter
Pruning:
Removing yellowed or browned outer leaves regularly improves the appearance of the plant. Cut leaves at the base where the leaf joins the main stalk. Trim away brown leaf edges with scissors by following the natural curve of the leaf. It is not necessary to remove the entire leaf, as it will continue to grow even after trimming. Pruning or deadheading old or faded blooms improves the plant's appearance and channels its energy into producing new foliage and blooms.
Winter period:
If planted outside in colder areas, during winter the leaves take a beating in the cold. If you wish, cut off all the leaves and stems - at the start of spring, fertilize and all will be well. Watering can cut back slightly during the winter when the plant is dormant, and growth is slow. Don’t let the soil become bone dry and always water if the plant appears wilted. The plants require humidity, especially during the winter months when indoor air is dry. The best way to add moisture to the air is to use a humidifier. Otherwise, set the pot on a humidity tray or keep it in the bathroom or kitchen, where the air tends to be more humid. Withhold fertilizer during the winter months, then resume your regular feeding schedule in spring.
Propagation:
Calathea orbifolia are usually propagated by division at repotting time in the spring. When you remove the plant to repot it, you can gently divide the plant where it has created its own natural separations in the roots. Plant them in new pots with fresh soil, then keep your new divisions warm, moist, and in as much humidity as possible. Provide reduced light until active growth starts again, within two to four weeks.
Pests and diseases:
Round-leaf plant are highly susceptible to spider mite. Keep a close eye on plants when grown under high heat or low humidity. Common diseases are root rot, leaf-spot disease, botrytis, rust, powdery mildew and southern blight.
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