Calceolaria

Calceolaria Care

Calceolaria

What is the plant

Calceolaria is an annual, rarely a biennial plant. A spectacular calceolaria is grown indoors as a flowering and decorative leafy plant.

Calceolaria is native to South America, thriving in a humid, warm environment. In nature, the bush reaches a height of about 2 ft (0.6 m). Decorative varieties cultivated at home are undersized, 8-12 in (20-30 cm). During blossoming, the shrub produces a vast number of colorful blooms. Calceolaria is known for its fast growth. The young plant grows to the size of an adult bush in just one season. Flowering lasts from the end of spring until the beginning of fall.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

12°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
When the top layer of the soil starts getting dry, you'll know it is time to water your plant. Pour the water directly into the middle of the pot. Do not allow liquid to gather in the saucer.
Pruning
After the calceolaria has finished blooming, cut all the dead flowers and weak stems, and place the plant in a shady, cool location for 6–8 weeks.
Fertilizer
Add fertilizer to the soil once every 1.5–2 weeks, with watering in between. A mineral compound for blooming plants is best for calceolaria (follow the instructions on the package). Avoid feeding your plant for 15 days after repotting.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
It will be best if you shield your Calceolaria from the sun's searing direct rays. Otherwise, burns may occur on the foliage, and the inflorescences will fade quickly. On the other hand, the bush requires intense diffused illumination and long daylight hours to develop and expand within its usual range. If you want the plant to blossom in the autumn and winter, expose it to artificial lighting.
Soil
You may want to use a well-drained, loose, and light substrate. Buy a ready soil mixture from a specialized store or make it at home by blending sand and bedding peat in a 1:7 ratio. Don't forget to add 15-20 grams of chalk, wood ash, or dolomite flour to 1 kilogram of the completed substrate. It's also good to put some crushed activated carbon in there.
Propagation
To propagate Calceolaria, use cuttings from the early spring or late summer weeks. Rooting cuttings is a time-consuming process. You can use agents that promote blossom growth. Ask in your local plant store for a proper vitamin mix.

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Temperature
For the bush to bloom luxuriantly, provide it with a cool temperature of 12-18°C (54°F-64°F). If the room is too warm, you can face premature wilting, dropping of buds, and damage by various pests.
Container
Plastic or ceramic containers about 5-6 in (14-16 cm) wide will be perfect for adult calceolaria. Of course, the pot should have drainage holes at the bottom.
Fun fact
This plant produces flowers that resemble shoes in their original form. The term calceolaria means "like a shoe" in Latin.