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Calathea, cutting off the leaves and spider mites?

CharlesWaterlooCharlesWaterloo Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have recently found my Calathea warscewiczii to be heavily infested with spider mites. I don't think there was a chance of saving the leaves, so in a fit of panic I cut them all off and treated the cut bases of the stems with soapy water, which I know can deal with spider mites. I realise this probably wasn't the best idea, now. Anyway, does anyone know if a Calathea can grow back from having all of its leaves cut off like that? Many thanks :)

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Well there's only one way to find out... :#  Spider mites like dry conditions so keeping the plants misted should help if it recovers. Calathea like humidity daily misting is a great way to avoid the mites. It does encourage fungus gnats though but deal with that if it happens (not by chopping all the leaves off ;)  )
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • CharlesWaterlooCharlesWaterloo Posts: 3
    wild edges said:
    Well there's only one way to find out... :#  Spider mites like dry conditions so keeping the plants misted should help if it recovers. Calathea like humidity daily misting is a great way to avoid the mites. It does encourage fungus gnats though but deal with that if it happens (not by chopping all the leaves off ;)  )
    Thank you! And yeah I definitely shouldn't have cut them all off but I panicked haha. I hope it recovers! :smile:
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