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Calthea rufibarba

youngalistairyoung4K0pr0XOyoungalistairyoung4K0pr0XO Posts: 27
in Problem solving
I have the above plant it's been thru some trauma since I owned it for over a year started off it 18 inch but due to over zealous watering is now a 3 inch stump. Although I semi rescued it what's left lives but refuses to grow. I keep it on the dry side since the trauma but maybe too dry for it to grow?

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  • youngalistairyoung4K0pr0XOyoungalistairyoung4K0pr0XO Posts: 27
    youngalistairyoung4K0pr0XO said:
    I have the above plant it's been thru some trauma since I owned it for over a year started off it 18 inch but due to over zealous watering is now a 3 inch stump. Although I semi rescued it what's left lives but refuses to grow. I keep it on the dry side since the trauma but maybe too dry for it to grow?
    youngalistairyoung4K0pr0XO said:
    I have the above plant it's been thru some trauma since I owned it for over a year started off it 18 inch but due to over zealous watering is now a 3 inch stump. Although I semi rescued it what's left lives but refuses to grow. I keep it on the dry side since the trauma but maybe too dry for it to grow?
    Browning of leaves is also a constant problem sorry about photo don't know how to re-size it.
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    That is a shame.  Think they need alot of humidity (constant) but someone else may know more. They do seem to be quite sensitive to changes in temperature too and do better with distilled water or rain water or possibly boiled and cooled tap water. Hope someone knows more!
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Personally I have heard too many stories about Calatheas being pernickety to bother with them, but if you are keen to resurrect the plant I would remove from pot, shake off old soil and remove any roots that look rotten or dead. Remove old leaves from the crown. Repot into a terracotta pot which is big enough to take the root system but not much larger. Use a 50/50 mix of orchid compost and regular houseplant or MPC compost, with a substantial amount of perlite/vermiculite mixed in for good measure. Keep the pot in a shallow saucer to avoid it sitting in water.

    I believe then you will have to water it fairly regularly to maintain consistent moisture levels but ensure it is never too wet (the shallow saucer and free draining soil mix should help with that).
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • youngalistairyoung4K0pr0XOyoungalistairyoung4K0pr0XO Posts: 27
    The stump was spit into two one half died so this is 6 months in current pot and I keep it very dry by just watering the pebbles it sits on this has at least has kept it from drying  so it's not a rot problem I have but once it did. Caltheas can take a year to recover after a rotting situation. What I don't understand is why isn't it growing or showing any signs of doing apart from a few whispy leaves you see.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If you’re keeping it very dry that could be the problem … Calatheas need warm but moist. 
     
    Is this the same plant as the one you’re talking about here

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1071260/golden-mosaic-plant-leaf-curling#latest

    or have I missed something?

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





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