Question
Hi,

I'm a an old man who has raised orchids for almost 70 years with great success. The Calathea plant has fascinated me for many years and just a few years back I decided to get one. It's been doing relatively good through trial and error. To be honest I never really thought of getting on the Internet to seek cultivating advice but I see I was just about right on all along. Humidity seems to be the big factor besides the quality of the water. In all my reading on the Internet I don't see any mention of flowering Calatheas (the variety which have the light and dark green stripes. I now have two plants, same variety: TC Calathea Conc and all of the sudden they have taken to blooming, interestingly down at the base of the plants with a lot of slender, white, trumpet shaped flowers, almost resembling some of the tropicals of the orchid families and they are very, very fragrant. Nowhere in my searches do I hear mention of the Calathea plants flowering. I just wish the flowers would be on longer stems so they would show up above the leaves.

Any suggestions or care help would be greatly appreciated. I'm a great lover of all plants.

Eddie Disney

Answer
Hi Eddie,

Congratulations on your many years of success with Orchids!

There are over 300 species of Calathea. The reason you don't see flowers mentioned very often is because the flowers on most species are relatively insignificant and usually somewhat hidden by the foliage. They  are grown and sold primarily because of their colorful foliage rather than their flowers. Although they do flower, they are usually sold as foliage plants.

I am not sure you need much advice on their care because you have obviously had success with yours. In general, it is best to keep them moderately potbound in small pots. Provide lots of bright, indirect light (north or east windowsill). Keep the soil moist by watering thoroughly as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is hard. Fertilize at half-strength monthly. Cut back the flower stems after the flowers have faded.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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