Ktenanta care how to grow at home

A perennial herb like ktenant (Ctenanthe) or ktenante is directly related to the arrowroot family. In natural conditions, it can be found in the tropical rainforests of South America. The genus ctentante unites 15 plant species that are evergreen.

This plant can be easily confused with calathea, which also belongs to the arrowroot family. These flowers are very similar to each other, and even botanists cannot come to a consensus regarding their classification. These plants differ in the structure of the flowers, however, when kept in indoor conditions, their flowering is quite rare. By purchasing a ktenant in a flower shop, you can easily buy calathea, since it is almost impossible to distinguish between them. Interestingly, the care for all representatives of the arrowroot is very similar.

This plant is appreciated for its spectacular leaves. Dark green, whole, rather long leaves have many stripes on the surface, diverging asymmetrically from the central vein to the edges. These stripes can be colored yellow, pale green or silver.

It is noteworthy that the leaves of such a plant are quite mobile. Following the rays of the sun, they can rise and fall.

The flowers are of no decorative value. Inflorescences are similar to a spikelet or scallop.

Basic views

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

The most popular type in home floriculture. This plant in natural conditions can reach a height of 90 meters. Patterned leaves are located on rather long petioles and have a spear-like shape. The velvety leaves with an oblong shape reach 40 centimeters in length. Their stripes are creamy silver or pale green. The leaves are painted asymmetrically, and their seamy side is purple.

Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana

A very effective color of the leaves – yellow feather-shaped specks. The seamy side of the leaf is colored green. It reaches 80 centimeters in height, there are also more compact forms (up to 30 centimeters).

Pubescent ktenanthe (Ctenanthe setosa)

Pubescent ktenanthe (Ctenanthe setosa)

Dark green elongated leaves are ovoid. The stripes located on them are colored gray or light green. They diverge from the midrib in the form of brush strokes. The plant reaches a height of 80 centimeters.

Caring for a ktenant at home

It is not at all easy to take care of a ktenant in room conditions, since she is quite capricious. Under natural conditions, it grows in the lower tier of a tropical rainforest. A plant in an apartment needs to provide similar conditions, namely: high air humidity, constant temperature and a complete absence of drafts. In such a microclimate, this plant looks most impressive, like the rest of the arrowroot.

Ctenanthe

Illumination and location

It can grow in a well-lit place and in partial shade. So, it is recommended to place it on the window located in the western part of the room. But you can also place it near the northern window opening. And also a ktenanta can grow on a dummy table located not far from the south window, while shading from the direct rays of the sun is needed.

It should be remembered that in no case should this flower be placed near a window that is opened to ventilate the room, since it has an extremely negative attitude towards drafts.

Temperature conditions

Ktenanta needs warmth. All year round it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees, while there should be no difference between night and day temperatures (or very small). This flower cannot be taken out on the balcony or outside, even in the warmest weather.

Ctenanthe

Humidity

A very hygrophilous plant for which frequent spraying is recommended. If the air is excessively dry, foliage will begin to curl. Experts advise to systematically arrange a warm shower for the flower, but it should be borne in mind that no drops should remain on the leaves.

How to water

Need regular, moderate watering. For this, soft settled water is used. Make sure that the water in the soil does not stagnate, and that the earthy coma does not dry out. It is necessary to water with cold water.

In the event that the room is somewhat cooler in winter than in summer, then watering should be slightly reduced.

Additional fertilizing

Make sure that there is no excess fertilizer in the soil. You need to feed the ktenant from April to August 2 times a month. To do this, use a liquid complex fertilizer for home decorative deciduous plants (use ยฝ part of the recommended dose). In winter, feeding is carried out 1 time in 4 weeks.

How to transplant

The transplant is carried out every year in the spring. For this, use wide flower pots. Don’t forget about good drainage. Experts advise covering the rhizome with moistened moss.

Earth mixture

Earth mixture

The soil should be slightly acidic and loose. A soil mixture suitable for ktenants consists of peat, coniferous, leafy and humus soil, as well as a small amount of sand taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 2-3: 1. You can also use a soil mixture consisting of turf, leaf, humus and sand, taken in equal proportions.

Small pieces of charcoal should be added to the soil. You can buy ready-made mortar for arrowroot.

Methods of reproduction

Methods of reproduction

This plant is propagated very simply. In spring, when transplanting, you can divide its rhizome. Until complete rooting, the delenki should be covered with a polyethylene bag and removed to heat, while watering should be scanty. And that’s all, because until the ktenants have roots, she takes very little water from the substrate. During rooting, all the foliage may fall off, but after it the leaves begin to grow very quickly.

The apical rosettes are also rooted in miniature greenhouses. There should be 2 or 3 leaves on the cutting and it must be cut off slightly below the place where the leaf is attached to the shoot. It also takes root well in water.

Diseases and pests

Scabbards can settle. In this case, brownish tubercles appear on the shoots and foliage. The leaves turn pale, dry out and fall off.

A red spider mite can still settle, but only if the humidity in the room is too low. It is recommended to use an insecticide to kill this harmful insect.

Possible problems

Possible problems

  1. Dry brownish tips near foliage – low air humidity.
  2. Falling foliage – low air humidity or excessively abundant watering, due to which the root system and shoots have rotted.
  3. The leaves become pale – very bright lighting (needs to be moved to the shade) or too dark.
  4. The foliage forms stains and rolls up into tubes. – low humidity and poor watering. It is recommended to cover the plant with a polyethylene bag until the leaves are straightened. In some cases, you have to remove almost all the leaves (do not touch the rosettes), but after a while they grow back.
  5. Young leaves are rather small – lack of light. It is recommended to place the ktenant in a brighter place.

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Anna Evans

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