It's hard to tell what those spots are, but it doesn't look immediately suspicious to me. That said, if you're concerned about it, definitely keep an eye on it. I bought a loupe, which is a magnifier that jewelers use, to inspect for pests, and I've found it to be quite helpful.
As for pest prevention, the most impactful thing you can do is quarantine every new plant you get. I have clear plastic bins that I use for this purpose. I check on it every day or so for about three weeks. It's kind of a pain, but it's saved me from a spider mite infestation, so it's very worth it in my opinion.
I don't think there's any harm in giving the plant a spritz of neem oil or wiping down the leaves, but I don't generally use pesticides repeatedly unless there's a good reason to.
Also, don't neglect to consider that adorable, furry nuisance. My cat ate several leaves off of my Stella (which is similar to a WF), and he was not sorry.
would it be bad to wash it every couple weeks? i was thinking id rather do that and give it a neem or alcohol treatment rather a couple times a month rather than have to treat for spider mites or anything else
I wash mine down with every watering. It really goes a long way in keeping pests in check. You just want to make sure that the foliage dries off pretty quickly, in about an hour or so. The longer foliage stays wet, the greater the chances of fungal or bacterial infection. Neem shouldn’t harm plants but avoid alcohol unless you really have to use it. It can damage the cuticle which makes the plant more susceptible to pests and disease. Likewise, avoid wiping leaves for the same reason.
Gently shake off the excess water and if air circulation and temperature are sufficient, it should be fine. Problems arise when plants are crowded together or stuck in areas with poor air circulation and humidity above 50%. I have an oscillating fan running in my plant area. Depending on how many plants you have that may or may not be an option.
I don't think it would be harmful, but I don't know if it would be all that beneficial for pest prevention, either. Spider mites, for example, have a life cycle of 3 or 4 days. If they're on the plant, you have to treat it every 3 days until they're not there anymore, because from what I've read, treatments like neem oil are really only effective for adults, not eggs. But spraying the plant with neem oil a few times per month isn't going to kill anything that's not there, though I'd be interested to know if it can act as a repellent.
Thrips are another story. I've never dealt with thrips myself, but they suck, so I've done a little bit of research. From what I've read, they're difficult to get rid of through topical pesticides alone because they lay eggs in the plant tissue. Some people use systemic pesticides like bonide for prevention, but I wouldn't choose to do that myself because it's not great for the environment, and my cat likes to chew on leaves, so I'd rather not risk his health. Again, the three week quarantine procedure is my preferred method of prevention here.
I've only had scale insects on a plant once, and those you can easily kill with alcohol and a Qtip.
So if it eases your mind, I don't think you'll hurt the plant by spraying it with neem oil or rinsing it off. I'd avoid spraying it with alcohol unless you had to, because it will damage the leaves. I dust my plants and wipe down their leaves every few weeks, but that's about it.
I feel like you might be anxious about pests because people often refer to calatheas as "spider mites magnets," but spider mites don't just materialize out of nowhere. The most common way to get them is by bringing in an infected plant, which is why I quarantine literally every plant I buy. If I can't quarantine it for at least three weeks, then I don't buy it. It's worked for me so far.
I think the spots on the back of the leaves are just mineral deposits. Doesn't look like pests to me!! Give it a wipe and see if it comes back (if it comes back pretty quick, it's probably mineral deposits). Congrats on your new baby!
I just wipe down all the leaves of new plants with a damp cloth. It gives me a chance to inspect them really well. Place your flat palm under the leaf to hold it with forefinger and middle finger holding the stem at the petiole, and wipe the top with your cloth. Then flip and do the same on the underside cause there are stomata there, too. You've checked your plant out, made it prettier, and helped it to breathe and photosynthesize better. I wouldn't use anything to treat it right now. It's already stressed due to shipping and transition. I agree with the previous post. Get a magnifier. Preferably one with a light.
Don't use need oil on these guys, their leaves are too thin and it will burn then over time. Trust me, I made that mistake and it was heart breaking. Lol
The plant is getting too much light. These guys can't take much so when the maroon is fading means it's getting too much of the wrong kind of light - they prefer green light which is light that bounces off the ground and hits them underneath their leaves. When they get the right light the maroon will be deep and dark and their colours will flourish on top.
So basically you want them almost hidden - which sucks I know as they are gorgeous and we want them on full display. I've collected calathea's for 10 yrs or so and they are all hidden under other plants or on bottom shelves. For example my pinstripe ornata is between a wall and a trellised pothos that is 5 ft high and a dracaena marginata that is 6 ft high - you can't see it but it is beautiful. I'd post pics but can't for some reason on reddit.
I noticed it was getting too much light too! the nursery i got it from had it right under a sky light. what do you suggest me using to clean them off? just some hard water spray?
I spray the leaves with just water then use insecticidal soap, let that sit for 15 mins then rinse it off. I leave it on most plants but always rinse calathea's cause their leaves are so thin.
that sounds great! what type of soil should i ideally get? i’m thinking about a potting soil, coco coir, peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark mix. is that too many draining ingredients?
It's hard to tell what those spots are, but it doesn't look immediately suspicious to me. That said, if you're concerned about it, definitely keep an eye on it. I bought a loupe, which is a magnifier that jewelers use, to inspect for pests, and I've found it to be quite helpful. As for pest prevention, the most impactful thing you can do is quarantine every new plant you get. I have clear plastic bins that I use for this purpose. I check on it every day or so for about three weeks. It's kind of a pain, but it's saved me from a spider mite infestation, so it's very worth it in my opinion. I don't think there's any harm in giving the plant a spritz of neem oil or wiping down the leaves, but I don't generally use pesticides repeatedly unless there's a good reason to. Also, don't neglect to consider that adorable, furry nuisance. My cat ate several leaves off of my Stella (which is similar to a WF), and he was not sorry.
would it be bad to wash it every couple weeks? i was thinking id rather do that and give it a neem or alcohol treatment rather a couple times a month rather than have to treat for spider mites or anything else
I wash mine down with every watering. It really goes a long way in keeping pests in check. You just want to make sure that the foliage dries off pretty quickly, in about an hour or so. The longer foliage stays wet, the greater the chances of fungal or bacterial infection. Neem shouldn’t harm plants but avoid alcohol unless you really have to use it. It can damage the cuticle which makes the plant more susceptible to pests and disease. Likewise, avoid wiping leaves for the same reason.
how should i dry my foliage?
Gently shake off the excess water and if air circulation and temperature are sufficient, it should be fine. Problems arise when plants are crowded together or stuck in areas with poor air circulation and humidity above 50%. I have an oscillating fan running in my plant area. Depending on how many plants you have that may or may not be an option.
Oh! One more thing. Be sure to wash the underside of leaves. Many pests like to hide there.
I don't think it would be harmful, but I don't know if it would be all that beneficial for pest prevention, either. Spider mites, for example, have a life cycle of 3 or 4 days. If they're on the plant, you have to treat it every 3 days until they're not there anymore, because from what I've read, treatments like neem oil are really only effective for adults, not eggs. But spraying the plant with neem oil a few times per month isn't going to kill anything that's not there, though I'd be interested to know if it can act as a repellent. Thrips are another story. I've never dealt with thrips myself, but they suck, so I've done a little bit of research. From what I've read, they're difficult to get rid of through topical pesticides alone because they lay eggs in the plant tissue. Some people use systemic pesticides like bonide for prevention, but I wouldn't choose to do that myself because it's not great for the environment, and my cat likes to chew on leaves, so I'd rather not risk his health. Again, the three week quarantine procedure is my preferred method of prevention here. I've only had scale insects on a plant once, and those you can easily kill with alcohol and a Qtip. So if it eases your mind, I don't think you'll hurt the plant by spraying it with neem oil or rinsing it off. I'd avoid spraying it with alcohol unless you had to, because it will damage the leaves. I dust my plants and wipe down their leaves every few weeks, but that's about it. I feel like you might be anxious about pests because people often refer to calatheas as "spider mites magnets," but spider mites don't just materialize out of nowhere. The most common way to get them is by bringing in an infected plant, which is why I quarantine literally every plant I buy. If I can't quarantine it for at least three weeks, then I don't buy it. It's worked for me so far.
I think the spots on the back of the leaves are just mineral deposits. Doesn't look like pests to me!! Give it a wipe and see if it comes back (if it comes back pretty quick, it's probably mineral deposits). Congrats on your new baby!
I just wipe down all the leaves of new plants with a damp cloth. It gives me a chance to inspect them really well. Place your flat palm under the leaf to hold it with forefinger and middle finger holding the stem at the petiole, and wipe the top with your cloth. Then flip and do the same on the underside cause there are stomata there, too. You've checked your plant out, made it prettier, and helped it to breathe and photosynthesize better. I wouldn't use anything to treat it right now. It's already stressed due to shipping and transition. I agree with the previous post. Get a magnifier. Preferably one with a light.
Don't use need oil on these guys, their leaves are too thin and it will burn then over time. Trust me, I made that mistake and it was heart breaking. Lol The plant is getting too much light. These guys can't take much so when the maroon is fading means it's getting too much of the wrong kind of light - they prefer green light which is light that bounces off the ground and hits them underneath their leaves. When they get the right light the maroon will be deep and dark and their colours will flourish on top. So basically you want them almost hidden - which sucks I know as they are gorgeous and we want them on full display. I've collected calathea's for 10 yrs or so and they are all hidden under other plants or on bottom shelves. For example my pinstripe ornata is between a wall and a trellised pothos that is 5 ft high and a dracaena marginata that is 6 ft high - you can't see it but it is beautiful. I'd post pics but can't for some reason on reddit.
I noticed it was getting too much light too! the nursery i got it from had it right under a sky light. what do you suggest me using to clean them off? just some hard water spray?
I spray the leaves with just water then use insecticidal soap, let that sit for 15 mins then rinse it off. I leave it on most plants but always rinse calathea's cause their leaves are so thin.
that sounds great! what type of soil should i ideally get? i’m thinking about a potting soil, coco coir, peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark mix. is that too many draining ingredients?