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I'm not a plant killer, honest! Calathea Magicstar help pls

HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
in Problem solving
Okay so here's my next problem, my poor Magic star has been sad & depressed for about a month now. He used to reach for the stars but of late hasn't really budged from the position below.

I've reported him & given him a humidy tray, fed him but still no joy :(

Posts

  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    edited November 2018
     My beautiful boy looks so sad :(




  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    It looks healthy enough to me. The problem this time of year is the drop in light levels and the central heating changing the interior conditions. Is that the window behind it? I'd say you're too close to the window and way too close to that radiator for it. They don't need bright bright light and definitely no direct sun. It could just be having a rest over winter though and I wouldn't recommend feeding it if it isn't making new leaves.

    My Calethea is on the opposite side of the room to the patio doors and is still making new leaves at the moment. I am struggling to stop brown edges appearing on the leaves though.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I suggest you go to the library and find a good book on houseplant care and maybe put one on your Xmas list.  You can also look up your plants on the RHS website to see what they need in terms of light, heat, humidity, resting periods.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    wild edges said:8
    It looks healthy enough to me. The problem this time of year is the drop in light levels and the central heating changing the interior conditions. Is that the window behind it? I'd say you're too close to the window and way too close to that radiator for it. They don't need bright bright light and definitely no direct sun. It could just be having a rest over winter though and I wouldn't recommend feeding it if it isn't making new leaves.

    My Calethea is on the opposite side of the room to the patio doors and is still making new leaves at the moment. I am struggling to stop brown edges appearing on the leaves though.
    Hey Thanks!
    No he's not usually in that spot, I just placed him there to get a decent picture that's all. He's usually on a shelf on the other side of the room Way from the window & heat.

    I'll let him be for the time being then, probably resting after being so active all summer lol 

    Hahaha thanks obelixx, I'm usually good with plants and I've looked after my calathea just fine since the beginning of the year. I've not seen him like this before so just wanted to make sure he was okay that's all. I've got loads of plants that are doing just fine :) 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Even houseplants have seasons because of light and heat changes.  Stop panicking when they behave accordingly and do some research before you buy/adopt any more.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It's autumn and light levels and temperatures have dropped ... this may well be a reaction ... perhaps you have a lighter and warmer spot for him? 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I have that one and a taller calathea, and they always get a bit frazzled in the winter - I think it's hard to avoid in a dry, centrally-heated house.  Badly browned leaves get snipped or pulled off, and they grow fresh ones in the spring.  Basically I treat them as temporary visitors to my main living room and put them in an out-of-the-way spot (spare bedroom usually) when they're not looking good.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I was worried about mine until I saw some growing in the tropical house at Chester zoo that were in a worse state despite the ideal conditions. I think like @JennyJ says they need pruning and regrowth to stay looking at their best in the house.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    I called my magicstar Dabs as in the dance lol reminds me of it when he's reaching for the sky. So beautiful when he's in full swing but I guess he's just chilling & takin it easy for a bit. Glad I'm not the only one lol.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Plants will always have ups and downs, like people.  I even get brown tips on my aspidistra, the so-called "cast iron plant".  The most robust/easiest houseplant I've ever had is the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) - it thrives and grows in a dim shady corner of a centrally-heated room where nothing else has been happy for very long.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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