Calamus 

Family. Araceae.

Where does it grow? India, Central Asia and probably Eastern Europe. Calamus habitats include meadows that are prone to flooding, the edges of small lakes and ponds, and swamps.

Description of calamus. There are very miniature species in the genus, up to 4 cm high. Calamus blooms in very good lighting.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant consisting of tufts of basal leaves. Rhizomes in the form of branched braids creep along the surface of the soil. At the end of each pigtail there is a rosette of flat or with a depression in the center of long leaves, green or variegated, with longitudinal white stripes, sometimes with a reddish base. The inflorescence is a cylindrical spadix 5 - 10 cm long, covered with tiny greenish-yellow flowers. Each flower consists of 6 petals and 6 stamens. 

Crushed leaves and rhizomes of calamus or marsh root have a pleasant aroma. The root system consists of small branching rhizomes, thick and knotty, brown in color. The calamus plant reproduces vegetatively and often forms colonies. Variegata calamus  (Acorus 'Variegata') has longitudinal white or yellow stripes on its leaves.

Calamus sizes. 15 - 30 cm, grows quickly.

Calamus - care at home

Temperature

The marsh plant calamus grows well in normal warm room conditions, tolerates fairly low temperatures, about 4º C, in winter in a bright and cool place - from 5 to 16 ° C. Calamus does not like intense heat.

Lighting

Light shading from direct sun rays during the daytime. In the morning and evening, some direct rays may hit the plants. 

How to care

A fairly simple and unpretentious plant to grow. Calamus grows continuously, but its active growth will slow down in low light. Despite the fact that the plant is a resident of swamps, it grows in natural conditions exclusively on hummocks, so you should not get carried away with watering, although overdrying is not recommended. It is sometimes grown as an aquatic or coastal plant, but in this case it may rot. Old, withered leaves are cut off at the base to avoid rot. 

Soil for calamus

            Very wet soil or landing in shallow water along the coast. To improve drainage, it is advisable to add coarse sand to the calamus mixture. Ideally, the soil should also contain river silt.

Fertilizer

        As the name suggests, calamus is a marsh plant and needs high soil moisture. Complex liquid fertilizers every month during spring and summer. With an excess of nutrients, the plant quickly grows green mass and becomes loose. Bushes love organic fertilizers. 

Flowering time

Calamus blooms from late spring to early summer and lasts about a month.

Spraying

High humidity is important; It is better to place the pot with the plant on a tray with wet pebbles and spray the leaves during warm periods. 

Watering calamus

Calamus grows well in boggy conditions (including shallow standing water) and therefore moist garden soils. Never allow the soil to dry out.

Transplant

In the spring, if their leaf tufts have completely filled the surface area of ​​the substrate in a wide but shallow container.

Reproduction

Vegetatively, slowly through a very thick above-ground rhizome or by dividing a mature 3-4 year old plant in early spring or summer. Making sure that all separated parts have their rhizome. The leaves of divisions are often cut to half their length to reduce moisture loss and improve survival rate.

Pests and diseases of calamus

Curling of leaf tips and wilting are the first signs of dry soil or low air humidity. Leaves may turn black when exposed to direct sunlight during the daytime. Rooting of the root system can occur with simultaneous waterlogging and keeping in too cold conditions.

Insects and diseases are rare - sometimes red spider mites.

Purpose

Medicinal and ornamental plant. Calamus foliage and root contain compounds that produce a unique, pleasant citrus aroma. Can be used as a ground cover plant. Calamus is often grown in landscape design along the edge of reservoirs. 

Note

The rhizomes of calamus have medicinal properties and are used in medicine as a natural insecticide and an ingredient in perfumes. A decoction of the roots can cause profuse secretion of gastric juice and has bactericidal properties. The juice of the plant can lower blood pressure.

Hydroponics

Calamus grass grows well in hydroponics.