Did anyone find yellowing leaves that then curled up and dried and died, while the compost was damp? This is happening to mine. It was in a room where the humidity was generally at 45-55 and the temperature would vary between 10 to 17 °c. I moved it to a room with humidity of 52-68 and a temperature of 15 to 19 °c. I mist it 2x a day now with mineral water (Evian!) and monitor it at least 2x a day. It is standing on a bed of pebbles with water in the lower half. I have bowls of water placed nearby and hang damp laundry nearby and twice a day I hang a dripping towel nearby (dripping into a bowl). The window is wide open permanently, I hasten to add. They are beautiful plants, but I don't think the average home has consistently high enough humidity for them, or warm enough temperatures. Added to that the issue of tap water being problematic, due to certain minerals....well, looking after one is almost a full-time job for me!
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
It looks fine for a Calathea, they're notoriously pernickety things!
As it looks like just the one leaf it might be some simple physical damage - maybe something just flicked across that leaf to leave tiny scars. Is that a possibility?
I have read that you can cut around the areas where it's going yellow/brown making sure that you cut the way the leaves are growing cutting off the yellow or brown on the edges. Not sure about the other damage but it could be that something has flicked across the leaf as said above. I cut off all of my poorly leaves yesterday and re-potted her into a bigger pot..but I am worried now as I used verve multi purpose compost as it was cheaper and I have just read that it's not the best compost. However I did place it on a tray of pebbles to help give her extra moisture and I bought a spray bottle to mist her once a week. As they apparently love moisture..hope this helps
Mine was absolutely beautiful for the whole summer in the corner of the lounge but now it's going rapidly downhill. The leaves are curling inwards and the tips going brown. I moved it into the bathroom a month or so ago to give it a warmer more buoyant atmosphere but it isn't responding. I'll get another one later this year though if they're not too expensive.
Mine was very fussy for months, leaves went brown and crispy. Eventually I cut it back to a few leaves, moved it into a brighter position and only watered it with rain water. Now it's a beautiful, fully leaved plant. Recommend using rain water for any fussy plants
The new leaves that grow back should be better acclimatised to your environment so cutting off all the manky old ones to stimulate regrowth is a good idea. Rainwater or distilled water (such as the water from a dehumidier) is a good idea.
Also avoid having them sitting in wet compost... make sure they are potted in a very free draining compost (plenty of perlite, you could even mix in orchid compost to make it 'chunky') and don't use a deep outer pot that can fill up with water.
Personally I wouldn't mist, it is unnecessary and could cause residues to build up on the leaves.
That is right @jennyj they don't seem to like draughts. I moved mine from a dry lounge to a utility room with a small north facing window. The open window is covered in a mesh that I think was put in to deter flies etc as it used to be a pantry. The other window does not open, but lets in light. The heat is constantly on in the utility room (not able to switch it off). I don't have brown edged leaves, just more and more yellow and drying and dying leaves lower down but I think this may be ceasing since I moved the plant to the utility room. I think I will try rainwater as @Ryan180680 mentions and @Loxley I am going to check the compost. The misting does seem to be not particularly advised though as my plant (called 'Misto' which may or may not be some kind of clue or red herring) is near a heat source, the leaves don't remain at all damp. I smelt the soil to check for rot and could not detect that sort of odour. I will read through the link - it seems to suggest humidity may not be the be all and end all. Until I bought a humidity guage, I had no idea how dry many rooms can be. However, maybe a humidifier could help,
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
Just an update: I have been watering with rain and pond water and my plant has begun to respond. The yellow leaves are diminishing. The weather is also warmer but I think the rainwater is key to its health.
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
Posts
Also avoid having them sitting in wet compost... make sure they are potted in a very free draining compost (plenty of perlite, you could even mix in orchid compost to make it 'chunky') and don't use a deep outer pot that can fill up with water.
Personally I wouldn't mist, it is unnecessary and could cause residues to build up on the leaves.
Good care guide here - Keep Your Calathea Alive-3 Secrets to No Brown/Crispy Edges (ohiotropics.com)
I think I will try rainwater as @Ryan180680 mentions and @Loxley I am going to check the compost. The misting does seem to be not particularly advised though as my plant (called 'Misto' which may or may not be some kind of clue or red herring) is near a heat source, the leaves don't remain at all damp. I smelt the soil to check for rot and could not detect that sort of odour. I will read through the link - it seems to suggest humidity may not be the be all and end all. Until I bought a humidity guage, I had no idea how dry many rooms can be. However, maybe a humidifier could help,