Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common problems
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Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) thrives in medium indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.
Goeppertia bachemiana is one of the popular Calathea varieties and bears long, blue-green leaves with dark-green stripes and have a leathery feel.
The leaves in Calathea bachemiana are are slightly thicker which makes it one of the hardier Calatheas enabling it to tolerate lower light and temperatures than its relatives.
Botanical name: Calathea bachemiana
Synonym: Goeppertia bachemiana
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Calathea bachemiana
Origin
Calathea bachemiana is native to the tropical forests in Brazil where it grows as an understory plant and is among the best tropical foliage plants.
Size
Goeppertia bachemiana grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 feet.
Flowers
Calathea bachemiana is grown for the pretty foliage as it is unlikely to flower under room conditions.
Related Plants
Goeppertia bachemiana is related to the Marantas, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe which are collectively called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night.
Is Calathea bachemiana toxic?
No. Calathea bachemiana like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe for a home with children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to buy
If you would like to add these spectacular plants to your collection, you can get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Calathea bachemiana Indoors
To care for Calathea bachemiana indoors, provide medium indirect light, warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, rich, well-drainedsoil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period.
Goeppertia bachemiana requires regular pruning to keep it neat and minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Keep reading fore more on the growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Goeppertia bachemiana liberally in spring and summer and keep the soil moderately moist through out. Take care not to overwater to avoid rotting, drooping and yellowing.
Reduce watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Never allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping and yellowing leaves.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock which can result in stunted growth. The water should also be free of chlorine and flourides to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.
To reduce fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases, avoid wetting the foliage during watering; you may water from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
Calathea bachemiana grows best in medium indirect light. Avoid too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent sunburn on the beautiful leaves.
Too little light can result in yellowing and leggy growth. If the lighting in your home is not adequate, you can use these grow bulbs to supplement it. They are easy to use as you simply need to screw them into your regular lighting fixtures.
For uniform growth of the plant, give the pot a quarter turn every month, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Temperature & Humidity
Goeppertia bachemiana prefers a warmth of 16-260C. At temperatures below this range, the plant stops growing while temperatures above this range may cause the plant to die.
Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature which can result in stunted growth, wilting, drooping and yellowing.
Calathea bachemiana prospers in a humidity of 50% to 60%. Too low humidity for the plant will result in brown leaf tips and edges. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity for the optimum growth of the plant.
To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home. Ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium. On account of its compact size and requirement for high humidity, Calathea bachemiana is perfect for a closed terrarium.
Fertilizer
Feed Calathea bachemiana with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times to clear most of the salts.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Goeppertia bachemiana should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent sogginess. An Aroids potting mix is good for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Goeppertia bachemiana every 1 or 2 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring and early summer) when root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
Before repotting, water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock.
If the plant is large and has outgrown its current pot, divide it into several sections and use the splits to propagate new plants. Repotting may cause the leaves to droop but the plant will eventually recover once it takes root; in about 3-4 weeks.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Calathea bachemiana is easy. Remove dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and attractive as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Cut the leaves at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk with a clean sharp knife or pair of pruning scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries abd reduce diseases transmission.
Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Calathea bachemiana Propagation
Calathea bachemiana is best propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (in spring to early summer) during repotting. Dividing the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase. Learn how to propagate Calathea Plants in 2 easy ways.
Calathea bachemiana Problems & Solutions
Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) problems are drooping leaves, plant dying, brown leaf tips & edges, curled leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Drooping leaves
Some of causes of drooping leaves on Calathea bachemiana are too dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, being pot-bound, temperature stress among others.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It.
Plant dying
Calathea bachemiana may be dying due to root-rot, spider mites infestation, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, temperature stress, dry air among others.
Check out these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Calathea bachemiana are caused by dry air, spider mites infestation, hard water or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
Spider mites infestation: Remove the dead growth and raise humidity to discourage the pests.
Hard water: Water the plant with chlorine-free water only like rain water or filtered water.
Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil.
Curled leaves
Calathea bachemiana curled leaves are caused by underwatering, dry air, drafts or being pot-bound.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Dry air: To increase air moisture, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or place the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Being pot-bound: Repot the plant in spring, into a pot 1 size larger, every 1-2 years or when it gets root-bound.
Leaves appear washed out
Calathea bachemiana washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight. Move the plant to a more shaded spot or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunlight.
Pests
Calathea bachemiana is prone to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites which are prevalent in low humidity.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers directions.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant properly pruned and elevate humidity to discourage pest infestation.
Diseases
Calathea bachemiana is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows. The disease is indicated by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to cover all the parts with the fungicidal solution.
- Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air flow.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
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