Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.Rattlesnake Master Plants - Hello, I have 5 of these plants, since 2011. From then right up through 2017 they were great - between 3 ...
- Q.Why Is One Leaf On My Calathea So Big And Should I Prune It? - The tall leaf shown suddenly shot up one day and use to stand tall but more recently is has gone ...
- Q.Calathea Appears To Be Secreting Sugary Droplets Under The Leaves – Is This A Pest Or A Disease? - There are no obvious insects and the plant appears healthy
- Q.Caltha Palustris, - I’m just wondering if you have a picture and a description of this plant. Thanks for any info you can ...
- Q.Brown And Yellow Spots On Calathea - Hello, these spots have formed on several of the leaves of my calathea. Also some leaves have started crisping on ...
- Q.My Calathea Lutea Is Yellow - I was given a calathea lutea by our gardener at the office. It wasn’t potted and I’m not sure if ...
- Q.Hi, Why My Calathea Arundinacea New Leaf Has This Spot On It? Is This Related To Fungal Disease? - I water it one times a week.
Asked by
Anonymous on
August 8, 2020Q.Rattlesnake Master plants
Hello, I have 5 of these plants, since 2011. From then right up through 2017 they were great - between 3 and 4 feet tall, pretty white ball on the top. Last year and this year - they are tiny - only 6 - 12 inches tall. Do you know what is going on with them?
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
August 9, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Did you by any chance divide and transplant those last year? Or move them? They have a long taproot that does not like to be disturbed.
They are not usually bothered by pests and diseases, and they prefer dry, lean soils so you don't need to add fertilizer.
There is a possibility that the ratlesnake master stem borer lives in your area. The moth's caterpillars burrow in the stems and roots of the plant, which probably stunts or kills the plant. Also voles and other rodents wreak havac from feeding on them in winter.
Sucking insects can stunt growth, so examine the plants for any aphids, scale or spider mites. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/homemade-aphid-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
Was this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
Dhunter1984 on
November 14, 2020
E10 7JUQ.Why Is One Leaf On My Calathea So Big And Should I Prune It?
The tall leaf shown suddenly shot up one day and use to stand tall but more recently is has gone quite limp. I repotted the plant today thinking roots might be too small for the height. However I think it just looks odd. Should I cut the large steam at the soil level?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
November 16, 2020
Certified ExpertA.This happens with a healthy plant, for the most part. The large leaf is a good sign. The length of the stem indicates that it may want just a little bit more light, though. It doesn't look like it is lacking in light,badly, but they stretch when they want just a little more. Do not cut this off. It will be more of a risk to the plant to cut it, than leaving it attached.
Overall, this doesn't look unhealthy. Care must be taken when repotting, however. They are very picky about the type of soil used.
This article will help you with the care of Calathea:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/calathea-plants/peacock-plant-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 14, 2021Q.Calathea Appears To Be Secreting Sugary Droplets Under The Leaves – Is This A Pest Or A Disease?
There are no obvious insects and the plant appears healthy
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
March 15, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It sounds like you have a scale developing. This article will explain what to do:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/sticky-plant-leaves.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 26, 2021Q.Caltha Palustris,
I’m just wondering if you have a picture and a description of this plant. Thanks for any info you can give me!
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
March 27, 2021
Certified ExpertWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 16, 2021Q.Brown And Yellow Spots On Calathea
Hello, these spots have formed on several of the leaves of my calathea. Also some leaves have started crisping on the edges. I've looked it up and it could be because 1. I fertilized right after transferring the plant to new soil that probably had fertilizer in it, so I could have over-fertilized and 2. the tap water in Berlin is very hard, and maybe I need to change to filtered or rain water. Also the plant receives no direct sunlight, so that's not an issue. I love this plant very much and am sad and scared!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 2, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It seems that you know exactly what has happened! Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/signs-of-over-fertilization-in-houseplants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/calathea-plants
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 30, 2021Q.My Calathea Lutea Is Yellow
I was given a calathea lutea by our gardener at the office. It wasn’t potted and I’m not sure if it was just pulled out from the ground or came from storage. I potted it when I came home but the stems already turned yellow. The leaves are still green but folded. Will this still live?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 14, 2021
Certified ExpertA.The yellowing is normal. It is actually where the plant gets the "lutea" portion of its name! It means "yellow".
Transplant shock can be normal, but there are steps that you can take to help it along a little. This article will help:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Alirezashs on
November 10, 2021Q.Hi, Why My Calathea Arundinacea New Leaf Has This Spot On It? Is This Related To Fungal Disease?
I water it one times a week.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
November 10, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It is too young and small too say! This can come from a small injury while it is emerging, or an actual deficiency, or even a pH issue. To be sure, you can test for nutrient content and pH.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
This article will help you with the plant's care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/calathea-plants/calathea-zebra-houseplant.htm
Was this answer useful?10
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!