Potting mix. Calatheas love organic rich soils. Use a mixture of equal parts of garden soil, compost, and sand. Healthy plants need to be moved into pots one size larger every year, usually during summer. For seedlings, use three-inch clay or plastic pots and 6- to 10-inch pots for larger plants.
Controlling pests and diseases. Since Calatheas are foliage plants and are susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, especially leaf spots, rotting, and wilting, practice good sanitation in the garden. Isolate diseased or rotting plants. Allow ventilation for the foliage to dry once every day. For prophylactic purposes, spray Captan or Dithane fungicide once a month when diseases occur, especially during the rainy season. To prevent viral diseases, sterilize pruning shears when dividing plants. To control insects like caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, and scales, use appropriate insecticides. To control snails and slugs, which usually damage foliage and young buds, apply moluscicides or snail baits, which are all available at garden centers.
Propagation. Calatheas are propagated by division of overcrowded clumps of plants or tip cuttings, with nodes to form the roots. Mist and reduced light are important during the early stages of propagation. For effective survival of transplants, enclose newly potted plants in clear plastic bags to retain humidity and keep them in medium light. Remove the bags when new roots have formed. Some plants produce root nodules which later develop into plants.
Ref: Justin B. Morelos
