Calathea warscewiczii

Location

Calathea warscewiczii likes a bright, but not too sunny spot. Direct sunlight can burn or bleach its leaves. You should therefore choose a location that provides indirect or filtered light, for example near a window with a curtain or blind. The plant can also tolerate partial shade, but too little light can cause it to lose its leaf pattern or flower less.

The ideal temperature for Calathea warscewiczii is between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. It does not tolerate draughts or temperature fluctuations. In winter, you should make sure that the plant is not too close to a heater or gets too cold.

Watering and fertilizing

Calathea warscewiczii needs high humidity to thrive. This is because it comes from a humid climate and its leaves can dry out quickly. You can take the following measures to increase the humidity:

• Spray the plant regularly with soft water
• Place the plant on a tray with pebbles and water
• Group several plants together
• Use a humidifier

The plant should also be watered regularly, but not too much or too little. The soil should always be slightly moist, but not wet or waterlogged. Check the moisture with your finger or a moisture meter before watering. It is best to use soft water at room temperature and water the plant from below to avoid waterlogging.

Calathea warscewiczii should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season from spring to autumn with a liquid fertilizer for green plants. In winter, you can reduce or stop fertilizing altogether.

Repotting and propagation

Calathea warscewiczii grows via short rhizomes and produces several shoots over time. If the plant becomes too large for its pot or the roots grow out of the drainage hole, you should repot it. This is best done in spring when the plant starts to grow again.

Choose a new pot made of ceramic or plastic that is only slightly larger than the old one. Use a well-drained substrate that contains peat and humus. For example, you can use a mixture of potting soil, perlite and orchid substrate. Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and remove excess soil from the roots. Place the plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh soil. Press the soil down lightly and water the plant well.

If you want to propagate your Calathea warscewiczii, you can also do this when repotting. To do this, divide the plant into several sections, each with at least one shoot and some roots. Plant the sections in separate pots with the same substrate as described above. Keep the soil moist and place the pots in a warm and bright place. The new plants should grow within a few weeks.

Pests and diseases

Calathea warscewiczii is susceptible to some pests and diseases that can affect its health and appearance. The most common problems are:

• Spider mites: these are small, red or white spiders that reside on the underside of the leaves and form fine webs. They suck the plant sap from the leaves, which can lead to yellow spots, discoloration or the leaves falling off. To combat spider mites, you should regularly spray the plant with water or treat it with an insecticide.
• Mealybugs: These are small, white insects that live in the leaf axils or on the stems and secrete a waxy substance. They also suck the plant sap from the leaves, which can lead to growth disorders, deformation or death of the plant. To control mealybugs, you should dab them with a cotton swab or treat them with an insecticide.
• Fungal infections: These are different types of fungi that can infect the plant if it is kept too wet or too cold. They manifest themselves as brown spots, mold or rot on the leaves or roots. To avoid fungal infections, you should not water or fertilize the plant too much and ensure good air circulation. To treat fungal infections, you should remove the affected parts or treat them with a fungicide.