What’s wrong with my Calathea?
#PinstripePlant My friend gave me this calathea because she thought it wasn’t getting enough light. She cut off of the unhealthy leaves before she gave it to me. Now it’s leaves which we’re fine before are curling and shriveling up. What’s happening and what should I do?
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@sarahsalith my Calathea is curling too. I hope it’s okay. I have a humidifier but do they need a terrarium?
@sarahsalith I don’t know the humidity level but it’s cold where I live right now so the heater is on.
@sarahsalith oh there’s some beautiful cloches out there… glass is expensive. I’m gonna hit a goodwill or consignment shop see if i can find something that will work. Maybe Dollar Store cake dish lid
@kylar22 while humidity may be an issue, for which I concur with the other postings re humidity, the more serious and pressing issue is the apparent fungal infection the plant is exhibiting. Those markings appear consistent with a fungal pathogen, “brown spot.” A brown spot infection warrants the following treatment plan: quarantining the plant to stop the spread of the disease to other plants and the application of anti fungal treatments applied as both a foliar spay to treat fungus and fungal spores on the exterior of the plant and a soil drench to be absorbed by the roots and provide systemic resistance to the disease. Additionally, I recommend reviewing the cultural conditions of the plant and evaluating whether any changes need to be made. Lastly, because fungal infections arise from excess moisture or merely from having water splash on the leaves wherein fungal spores can attach to these wet spots, perhaps utilizing a more optimum watering technique that minimizes splashing on the foliage can help safeguard against future outbreaks.
The Clemson College of Agriculture advises that for the treatment of fungal leaf spots, like Brown Spot, the use of “sprays of copper soap,” and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,” which is a bacteria used to combat the fungus (often referred to as a “bioactive.” ). Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide RTU (ready to use) and Espoma Organic Copper Soap RTU are two brand name examples of a copper fungicide. Bonide Revitalize Biofungicide RTU and Monterey Complete Disease Control RTU are two examples of bioactive options. I personally use Bonide Revitalize. If these products are not available in your area, I found options by typing in the search function on Amazon. You have to read the product descriptions because the matches are not precise.
For Bonide Revitalize, you mix the specified amount of the concentrate into a gallon of distilled water. You feed this into the soil so that the roots absorb it and give the plant systemic resistance. The solution is also utilized a foliar spray, so you will want a spray bottle.
Note: You can use the Bonide concentrate once a week as a soil drench to safeguard against future infections for all your houseplants
Clemson College of Agriculture also recommends removing any infected plant tissue: sterilize sharp scissors with rubbing alcohol and identify the leaves or plant tissue to remove and then remove the leaves, ensuring that the cuts are clean do not lacerate the plant tissue.
Treating fungus can require several applications. Be sure to quarantine the plant, as the pathogen is contagious. And increase ventilation—a small fan can ideal for this. Keep plants in well ventilated areas and do not let too many plants get too close together because that can create ideal conditions for a fungal outbreak. Wipe away an unnecessary moisture when you water and consider using pebbles as a top dressing to reduce exposure between the soil and the leaves. Ensure proper lighting.
A paper watering technique safeguards against leaf and brown spot and many potential pests and diseases. Position the spout underneath leaves and move in a slow methodical fashion so the water can saturate the soil as it moves to the bottom the pot. Be sure to keep the leaves dry. Once water starts coming out of the drainage hole , stop watering. Lastly, I used AI to confirm the fungal disease. I don’t use it to diagnose because the technology is nascent but I think it is helpful for prvoding confirmatory information.
Hope this helps !
The Clemson College of Agriculture advises that for the treatment of fungal leaf spots, like Brown Spot, the use of “sprays of copper soap,” and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,” which is a bacteria used to combat the fungus (often referred to as a “bioactive.” ). Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide RTU (ready to use) and Espoma Organic Copper Soap RTU are two brand name examples of a copper fungicide. Bonide Revitalize Biofungicide RTU and Monterey Complete Disease Control RTU are two examples of bioactive options. I personally use Bonide Revitalize. If these products are not available in your area, I found options by typing in the search function on Amazon. You have to read the product descriptions because the matches are not precise.
For Bonide Revitalize, you mix the specified amount of the concentrate into a gallon of distilled water. You feed this into the soil so that the roots absorb it and give the plant systemic resistance. The solution is also utilized a foliar spray, so you will want a spray bottle.
Note: You can use the Bonide concentrate once a week as a soil drench to safeguard against future infections for all your houseplants
Clemson College of Agriculture also recommends removing any infected plant tissue: sterilize sharp scissors with rubbing alcohol and identify the leaves or plant tissue to remove and then remove the leaves, ensuring that the cuts are clean do not lacerate the plant tissue.
Treating fungus can require several applications. Be sure to quarantine the plant, as the pathogen is contagious. And increase ventilation—a small fan can ideal for this. Keep plants in well ventilated areas and do not let too many plants get too close together because that can create ideal conditions for a fungal outbreak. Wipe away an unnecessary moisture when you water and consider using pebbles as a top dressing to reduce exposure between the soil and the leaves. Ensure proper lighting.
A paper watering technique safeguards against leaf and brown spot and many potential pests and diseases. Position the spout underneath leaves and move in a slow methodical fashion so the water can saturate the soil as it moves to the bottom the pot. Be sure to keep the leaves dry. Once water starts coming out of the drainage hole , stop watering. Lastly, I used AI to confirm the fungal disease. I don’t use it to diagnose because the technology is nascent but I think it is helpful for prvoding confirmatory information.
Hope this helps !
