Calatheas

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Esoxlucius, Nov 23, 2023.

  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    I had one and divided it and it's never been the same. One bit died off and the other just sulks in the kitchen.
    I did put it in peat free very open compost so will change that first
     
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    • Michael Hewett

      Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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      I don't fuss with them, I just put them where I can find room. I often move them around so they get a variety of conditions like dryness and light levels, and I hardly ever water them - the compost is bone dry very often. I only realise they need water when the leaves start to curl inwards. Then I soak them and they perk up again.

      I've never seen any youtubes about them or read much that's been written. I'm not one for rules and regulations. Maybe you're fussing too much with them. Try plonking them in a corner somewhere like I do, and see what happens.
       
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        Well I've given up with mine, it's compost from tomorrow!
         
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        • Esoxlucius

          Esoxlucius Gardener

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          Nooooooo! Lol. Don't let the damn thing beat you. I've had my fair share of sulking prayer plants but I haven't binned any yet.

          My Warszewiczii has been looking grim for a while now. Then the other day, just as the last remnants of hope were flickering, I noticed it is pushing up a new leaf!!

          It's given me a smidgen of faint faint hope. And don't forget, it could just be going through some winter dormancy. Some slow right down through winter, and then start gaining momentum again around about, well, now!

          What kind is yours, have you any idea?
           
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          No idea. Don't think it was a rare variety or anything but it's had its chances so I'm putting it to the wall!
           
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          A final, unlikely, reprieve. I've planted it in the greenhouse where I expect it to die a slow agonising death.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            You're evil, you are. :yikes:
             
          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            It deserves it :heehee:
             
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            • Esoxlucius

              Esoxlucius Gardener

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              This is one of mine. It wasn't doing too well a few months ago. I painstakingly nursed it back to life. At one point I nearly put it in the greenhouse, until I realised I haven't got one!! Lol.

              Look at it now, beautiful. Sometimes you've just got to embrace the challenge that these plants frustratingly present. If you're successful the rewards are plain to see.

              https://youtube.com/shorts/iLGvblQ7xFI?si=f5jz6SixYsv4T4rt
               
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              • Victoria

                Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                My Calathea rufibarba which lives outside in The Jungle Room (a room with one wall, three open sides) and is quite neglected, blooming for the second year ...

                Calanthea3 9 Apr 24.jpg
                Caalnthea 9 Apr 24 .jpg
                Calanthea2 9 Apr 24.jpg
                 
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                • JennyJB

                  JennyJB Keen Gardener

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                  Interesting! The only one in that family that I've had a lot of success with is Ctenanthe Burle-marxii, which looks a lot like @Michael Hewett 's Ctenenthe amagris - maybe alternative names for the same thing. This one has filled the pot and could do with splitting in the not-too distant future.
                  Ctenanthe_BM.jpg
                   
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                  • Esoxlucius

                    Esoxlucius Gardener

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                    I had one flower not long ago, beautiful little white flowers. I thought it odd that the flowers came from the base as opposed to stems.

                    IMG_20240218_083544_HDR.jpg
                     
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                    • Victoria

                      Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                      Yes, I agree it seems odd. I think I need to top up my soil. :rolleyespink:
                       
                    • JennyJB

                      JennyJB Keen Gardener

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                      Ctenanthe flowers don't come from the base - there's a flower stem visible top left in my photo, above (not open yet, and they're fairly unremarkable when they do, at least on this variety).
                       
                    • Denise_42

                      Denise_42 Apprentice Gardener

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                      calathea.jpg

                      Here is a picture of my babies but its hard work keeping them healthy I have only just bought a new grow light it might help as we have had no sun.
                       
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