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Posted 2Y ago by @TopDerenmensis

Neem Oil

Has anyone ever used neem oil as a fungicide on Calathea plants?
Best Answer
@TopDerenmensis Yes, neem oil is often used as a natural fungicide for plants, including Calathea. It can help control fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot. Just make sure to dilute it properly and test it on a small area of the plant first to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
I’ve never used it as a fungucide, only for pest control. Gnats, and the like. Frankly, my best anti fungus solution has always been well-draining soil, draining terra cotta pots (because terra cotta “breathes”) and good light. If your plants has the opportunity to dry out in between watering, fungus won’t really be able to take hold.
I got the oil as you suggested on my last post, but it seemed my spider mite issue subsided before needing to use it…. but the leaves don’t seem like they’re recovering. Im starting to suspect there’s some fungus issues going on
@Lunatik4 what dilution would you recommend? Also, would I just drench the leaves and let them be or wipe them with a wet towel
@TopDerenmensis A common dilution for neem oil is around 1-2 teaspoons of neem oil per gallon of water. As for application, you can spray the diluted solution onto the leaves, making sure to cover both the tops and bottoms of the leaves. It's best not to wipe the leaves afterward, as the oil needs to remain on the plant to be effective.
Sounds good. Thank you!