How often should you water a Calathea orbifolia? Learn how to solve the root rot problem

Calathea orbifolia is a plant with relatively large leaves, which are commonly green with some striped markings on them, giving it a certain ornamental value. Many households now like to grow it, but during the growing process, if it is not cared for properly, it may develop root rot.

How often should you water Calathea orbifolia

Calathea orbifolia likes a humid environment, so during the growing season it should be watered thoroughly once a day, and misting of the leaves and the surrounding environment should also be increased, keeping a certain level of moisture and not letting it get too dry. In winter, watering should be strictly controlled; overly wet potting soil will lead to poor drainage and root rot, causing the leaves to wilt.

When spring arrives and flowers bloom, the plant will put out new leaves again. The sprouting of new leaves should not be accompanied by too much watering; as the new leaves increase, the amount of water should gradually be increased, which is beneficial to the healthy growth of the plant.

What to do if Calathea orbifolia has root rot

Go to a flower shop and buy a packet of carbendazim to spray on the plant's leaves and stems, and pour what is left after spraying into the potting soil. Spray three times in a row, once a week, and it is best to place it indoors in a cool, ventilated spot; water promptly once the soil dries out, and do not water if it is not dry.

Common pests and diseases of Calathea orbifolia and their control methods

1. Southern blight of Calathea orbifolia. Southern blight is relatively common in Calathea orbifolia. When it occurs, the stem or the part of the leaf base close to the soil turns brown and gradually rots, producing white mycelium-like growths that can gradually spread, causing the above-ground plant to wilt and die. In the early stage of the disease it is white, later turning yellow, then gradually brown or tea-brown, and finally the entire above-ground plant dies. This disease is more severe from July to August, and is especially likely to occur when the soil is too wet or there is a lack of fertilizer.

Control methods: A small amount of quintozene can be added to the soil for disinfection, and when the diseased plant has not yet fully formed it should be cut away, the surrounding diseased soil dug out, and new soil added; pay attention to maintaining ventilation and preventing the plants from being too densely packed.

2. Leaf spot disease of Calathea orbifolia. Leaf spot mainly harms the leaves of Calathea orbifolia, and may also affect the leaf sheaths. At the onset of the disease, small water-soaked spots gradually expand into large reddish-brown spots. The disease can occur throughout the year, mostly from September to October each year and in March of the following year. Once it occurs, it can cause large numbers of leaves to wilt. A series of problems such as poor management, poor ventilation, and overly dense cultivation can all lead to leaf spot disease, and the diseased plant residues are the source of the disease's growth.

Control methods: Increase the application of base fertilizer to improve the disease resistance of Calathea orbifolia. Promptly remove diseased leaves and residual leaves, and burn them collectively. A 1000-fold solution of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder can also be used for control.

3. Scale insects on Calathea orbifolia. The scale insects on Calathea orbifolia are mainly mealybugs, which mostly occur on the underside of leaves or along leaf edges, and very rarely on the upper leaf surface. They suck the sap from the plant's leaves by piercing and sucking, thereby seriously affecting the healthy growth of the plant, and in severe cases can even cause leaf withering and leaf drop. When attacked by scale insects, the plant is highly prone to viral infection. This organism, with its extremely strong reproductive capacity, can reproduce for multiple generations within 1 year, and May each year is its peak period. Once it occurs, it becomes relatively difficult to deal with.

Control methods: For the control of scale insects, pesticide can be sprayed during the nymph stage. At this time most of the scale insects have just hatched, and the scale has not yet formed, so pesticide can kill them; spray a 1000-fold solution of 40% omethoate once every 7-10 days.

How to fertilize Calathea orbifolia

During the growing period, Calathea orbifolia can be watered with a dilute organic fertilizer once a week. When potted plants are used for display at home or in public places, a mixed solution of 0.2% urea plus 0.1% monopotassium phosphate can be applied by watering or spraying. After summer begins, when the temperature is above 32°C, fertilization should be stopped. In late autumn and early winter, if the greenhouse temperature is below 18°C, all forms of top dressing should also be stopped, otherwise it can easily cause fertilizer damage and root rot.

Root rot in Calathea orbifolia generally has causes such as pests and fertilizer/water issues. You can pay more attention to it, and then you can directly buy medicine to spray and treat it. When growing Calathea orbifolia, you must control the amount of fertilizer and water well; too much or too little can both affect its normal growth.