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I had to repot one of my Calatheas, because this one was a bit unhappy with the potting configuration.
It has been growing in semi hydro for half a year now, and has been in soil before when I bought it.
This is why the upper parts of the roots are brown-ish.
They make rhizomes, similar to ginger or potatoes, to store energy for the future. From those bulbs can also emerge new shoots if they are near enough the surface, and can be divided there for propagation if the plant is big enough.
What is semi hydro? I've got mine in soil, but I'm interested in other ideas.
You can check out !hydroponics@slrpnk.net for more information about hydro in general if you're interested.
I've already explained this technique, but sadly only on !gruenerdaumen@feddit.org in German.
I've also found a schematic, but also in German.
It's a passive and very simple hydroponic system, where the pots stand 1/3 in nutrient solution, and it gets wicked up by expanded clay balls.
It provides absolutely ideal conditions for plants (extremely well aerated, perfect nutrients, etc.), but not for pests, and I only have to water once in about two weeks.