How To Make Your Own DIY Medallion Calathea Fertilizer At Home

Cafe Planta Team
Houseplants in a beautiful sunny space

If you're looking to give your Medallion Calathea a little extra love, creating your own DIY fertilizer at home might be just the thing. These striking plants, with their bold leaf patterns and vibrant colors, can be a bit particular about their care, but they reward attention with stunning beauty.

This article will walk you through the steps to make your own fertilizer tailored specifically for a Medallion Calathea. We'll cover everything from understanding what these plants need nutritionally to mixing up your homemade concoction using common household items.

Understanding Your Medallion Calathea’s Nutritional Needs

Before we start mixing up fertilizers, it's important to know what your Calathea really needs. These plants are native to the tropical regions of South America, where they thrive in the rich, organic soils of the rainforest floor. This means they're used to a steady diet of decaying plant material, which provides a balanced mix of nutrients.

Your Medallion Calathea requires:

  • Nitrogen (N): Essential for healthy leaf growth and vibrant colors.
  • Phosphorus (P): Important for root development and overall plant health.
  • Potassium (K): Helps with disease resistance and water regulation.

In addition to these macronutrients, Calatheas also benefit from micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iron, often found in trace amounts in natural soil.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Now that we know what we're aiming for in terms of nutrition, let’s talk about the ingredients you'll need. Fortunately, many of these can be found right in your kitchen or garden shed. Here's a short list to get you started:

  • Banana Peels: Rich in potassium, they’re perfect for promoting strong stems and disease resistance.
  • Eggshells: A great source of calcium, which supports cell wall structure.
  • Coffee Grounds: Provide nitrogen while also helping to slightly acidify the soil, which Calatheas love.
  • Epsom Salt: Supplies magnesium and sulfur, aiding in chlorophyll production and plant respiration.

These ingredients will form the base of your homemade fertilizer, ensuring that your Medallion Calathea gets a well-rounded diet.

Preparing Your Homemade Fertilizer

With your ingredients gathered, it's time to get mixing. Don't worry, you won't need any fancy equipment—just a few household items and a little bit of elbow grease.

Step 1: Banana Peel Tea

Start by making banana peel tea. Take two or three banana peels and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a pot with about a liter of water, and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for around 20 minutes. Once done, let it cool, strain out the solids, and you've got your potassium-rich tea.

Step 2: Eggshell Powder

Next, prepare your eggshell powder. Collect eggshells from your kitchen—three or four should be enough. Boil them for about five minutes to get rid of any bacteria. Once they're dry, grind them into a fine powder using a blender or mortar and pestle. This will provide a steady source of calcium for your plant.

Step 3: Coffee Ground Mix

Used coffee grounds are perfect for boosting nitrogen levels. After making your morning brew, let the grounds dry out completely to prevent mold. Once dry, mix them into your soil, or combine with your eggshell powder for a nutrient-rich blend.

Mixing and Applying the Fertilizer

With your banana peel tea, eggshell powder, and coffee grounds ready, it's time to mix it all together. Here's how you can do it:

Combine:

  • 1 part banana peel tea
  • 1 part eggshell powder
  • 1 part coffee grounds

For every cup of this mix, add about a teaspoon of Epsom salt to provide magnesium. Stir everything together until well combined.

When it comes to applying your homemade fertilizer, less is more. Water your Calathea with the banana peel tea mixture once a month, making sure not to over-saturate the soil. Sprinkle the eggshell and coffee ground mix lightly on the soil surface and gently work it in with your fingers.

Timing Your Fertilizer Application

It's essential to fertilize your Calathea at the right times to avoid overwhelming the plant. The growing season, typically from spring to early autumn, is the best time to give your plant that extra nutritional boost. During this period, your Calathea is actively growing and can make good use of the additional nutrients.

As winter approaches and your plant's growth slows, ease off the fertilizer. Too much fertilizer during the dormant season can lead to salt buildup in the soil, which might harm your plant.

Signs Your Plant Needs Fertilizing

How do you know when your Calathea is craving a bit more than just water and sunlight? Here are some signs to watch out for:

  • Pale or yellowing leaves: This might indicate a nitrogen deficiency.
  • Slow growth: If your plant isn't producing new leaves, it might need a nutrient boost.
  • Brown edges on leaves: This can be a sign of potassium deficiency.

While these symptoms can also indicate other issues, such as improper watering or lighting, they often signal a need for fertilization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating your DIY fertilizer can be rewarding, but it's easy to make mistakes along the way. Here are a few common pitfalls to steer clear of:

  • Over-fertilizing: More isn't always better. Too much fertilizer can burn your plant's roots and cause leaf damage.
  • Using fresh coffee grounds: Make sure they're used and dried. Fresh grounds can be too acidic and may harm your plant.
  • Ignoring soil pH: While Calatheas prefer slightly acidic soils, extreme pH levels can make nutrients unavailable.

Remember, the goal is to provide balanced nutrition to your plant, not overwhelm it with excess nutrients.

Other Tips for Healthy Calathea Growth

While fertilizing is crucial, there are other factors to consider for a thriving Calathea. Here are additional tips to keep in mind:

  • Watering: Use distilled or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup. Calatheas are sensitive to tap water.
  • Humidity: Keep humidity levels high. A pebble tray or humidifier can help maintain the ideal environment.
  • Light: Provide indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to slow growth.

By combining good care practices with your DIY fertilizer, your Medallion Calathea will flourish.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, making your own Medallion Calathea fertilizer at home can be both fun and beneficial for your plant. By understanding its nutritional needs and using common household ingredients, you can create a balanced fertilizer that promotes healthy growth.

At Cafe Planta, we're passionate about helping you care for your plants. Whether you're shopping for new plant friends or need advice on plant care, we're here to support you. Feel free to email us, or reach out on Instagram. Let's keep the conversation about plants going! Happy gardening!

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