The arrowroot tricolor or prayer flower is an evergreen perennial that is able to create a spectacular atmosphere in the house. It does not require special care, why anyone can grow it on their windowsill.
Description of the appearance of the plant
Maranta is a plant that belongs to the Marantov family. Rhizome is represented by tubers. On the stem in 2 rows are green leaf plates up to 14 cm long. Usually they have an oval shape and patterns in various shades. At night, the leaves straighten, and then the plant stretches 35 cm in height.
In the center of the sheet is a longitudinal vein with red-violet rays
Inflorescences have the shape of an ear, which ends with an asymmetric flower. The color of small buds has shades of white or light purple. The arrowroot is a single-seeded box.
Common varieties
The genus Maranta includes about 40 species. The most popular varieties include:
- Tricolor;
- Two-tone;
- Massange
- Kerchoveana.
Healing properties
Rhizomes of Maranta arundinacea are of practical importance and are used in cooking and medicine. They are ground into flour and used for weight loss, adding to baking and other dishes. Useful properties of the plant allow to remove toxins from the body.
Doctors advise people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract to include flour from the rhizome of the plant in their diet. It has a warming effect, rich in carbohydrates and microcomponents.
Note! Before use, specialist advice is required.
Briefly about the history of the appearance
The homeland of the perennial is considered the tropical part of America. W. Houston once brought seeds to Brazil from Europe. The grassy name was given in honor of the botanist and the doctor who lived during the Middle Ages - Bartolomeo Maranta.
The second name of the tricolor arrowroot - “fascinator” or “prayer flower” appeared due to the particular appearance of the plant. During bad weather, the arrowroot folds the leaves in such a way that they look like the hands of a praying person.
Features of home care
The arrowroot fascinator tricolor is not demanding in care. If you follow simple and understandable rules, you will be able to observe a healthy plant with beautiful leaves on your windowsill. In spring and summer, flower pots are taken out onto the street or balcony.
As a container, choose a hanging or tabletop ceramic or plastic pot
It is important to take care of the location of the prayer flower pot. The most unfavorable room is the kitchen. Maranta does not treat combustion products of natural gas badly.
Note! In no case should you expose the plant to drafts.
Use a damp cloth to remove dust from the sheet plates. With its help, gently wipe the surface without pressing on the sheet.
Temperature
The optimal summer temperature for arrowroot is about 19-24 ℃ above zero. In winter, the readings on the thermometer should not fall below +15 ℃. Sudden temperature changes are undesirable for indoor perennials.
Note! Do not install a pot with a prayer flower near an open window.
Lighting
The plant does not need a lot of light. Lighting for him should be moderate. It is recommended to put the arrowroot on a shelf close to the west or east window of the apartment.
Watering
Water the prayer flower about 2-3 times a week. The abundance of moisture can adversely affect the root system of the perennial.
Spraying
Since the natural habitat of the plant is an area near marshes and water basins, it is important to maintain a moisture balance. To do this, every day you need to spray the flower from the spray bottle with soft water.
Humidity
Under normal conditions, humidity should be 60%. During particularly hot weather conditions, humidity is required to increase to 80%.
Priming
The soil for the prayer flower should contain peat and sand. You can prepare such a soil yourself or purchase it ready-made at a flower shop. The earth should not be heavy, it is important that the air can penetrate inside.
Top dressing
Mineral supplements are needed during the growing season. Twice a week, it is recommended to apply top dressing in the form of liquid mixtures.
In flower shops you can easily buy fertilizers for arrowroot
Features of winter care, rest period
Caring for an arrowroot tricolor at home in winter is practically no different from leaving it in other seasons. From October to February, the period of rest of the flower lasts. At this time, the number of irrigations is reduced to 1 time per week. In addition, the pot is transferred to a cooler place.
Important! Do not allow direct sunlight to hit the surface of the leaves. Otherwise, the leaves will be covered with burns in the form of spots.
When and how it blooms
The plant blooms with small flowers, which can be painted in light shades of lilac and white.
Types and forms of flowers
The arrowroot bud has an elongated shape. The flowers of the plant are small, reaching 2-3 cm in length.
Flowering period
It is not always possible to see flowering at home. The period falls in the middle of the summer season.
The average flowering time is 2 months
Pruning
Dried leaves and shoots must be carefully cut with a sharp tool. When examining the root system for rotting, it is worth using the same method, removing the defects.
How the arrowroot propagates tricolor
Arrowroot propagates by dividing the bush or by cuttings. The second method involves the use of short shoots.
Seed germination
In early spring, flower growers sow the seeds of arrowroot. Seeds are distributed in a box with soil, sprinkled with peat. It is best after that to cover the container with foil and leave it for 10 days, sometimes airing. After this time, the first shoots will appear, which can be distributed in the pots.
Rooting cuttings
The best way to propagate a prayer flower is by cuttings. The elongated shoots are cut with a knife, dipped in water and wait until the roots begin to form. Water should be settled and have room temperature. As soon as the root system appears, the stem is transplanted into the ground and covered with polyethylene to create the effect of a greenhouse.
Note! The process of formation of the external stem is 90 days. Do not prematurely remove the film from the plant.
Bush division
When planting a plant in the spring, a transplant of part of the bush is used. The flower is removed from the container and divided in half, separating the roots with a sharp tool. Each of the two fragments is planted individually in different pots, watered and covered with a film.
The root system is very fragile and small, so it’s important not to damage it
Transfer
Young plants, from 1 to 3 years old, need a transplant annually. The best time is spring. The new pot should be slightly larger than the previous in size. It is best to take a container with a diameter greater than 4 cm. The flower must be removed together with the ground, inspected its root system for signs of decay and cut off any existing defects. At the bottom of a new pot, a drainage is installed to resist stagnation of water. The plant is transferred to a container, covered with soil and watered abundantly with water.
On a note! Fortified plants are transplanted about 1 time in 2-3 years.
Possible problems in growing and disease
The main sign in monitoring the proper care of the plant is the appearance of the leaves. If they are symmetrical, even plates without spots and defects, then the flower feels comfortable.
Discards buds and leaves
Falling leaves and buds due to lower temperatures or increased moisture in the air.
Leaves turn pale
The rays of the sun cause pallor. If the plant is exposed to direct ultraviolet rays, then the plates are covered with pale burns. The tricolor perennial must not be allowed to grow in the sun for a long time.
The tips dry on the leaves
The ends of the leaves may dry out and change color. Typically, a plant reacts in this way to low humidity, hot air or pests. It is necessary to change the conditions and inspect the flower for parasites.
Pests
Parasites that interfere with the active growth and development of the plant - aphids, scale insects and spider mites. Flower shops produce preparations for processing.
Other problems
The shoots of the plant can begin to stretch very much, and the leaves can become smaller. Usually the problem is a lack of light. The plant needs to be rearranged closer to the source to normalize its condition.
Leaves can curl into a tube from a lack of moisture.
Signs and superstitions
Some people believe that the plant carries positive energy in itself, so placing pots in crowded places will help get rid of negative energy and put the atmosphere in order. According to the signs of the arrowroot, it attracts luck and protects people from the evil eye.
Interesting information! According to popular belief, the installation of a flower pot near the bed allows the sleeping person to calm down, get enough sleep and become more efficient.
Maranta tricolor is an elegant evergreen plant that can live at home for up to several years. If you take care of the flower in a timely manner and pay attention to it, then it will always delight you with its attractive appearance.
