Calathea Collection: Calathea Makoyana Intervention #1 (Root Bound, No Drainage, Pests?)

In this new series, I walk through my struggling calathea collection, plant-by- plant, to assess what's wrong and what I can do to help improve the health of each one. I'm starting this series with my Calathea Makoyana, which is root bound, has honeydew (or a plant-based secretion) coating the back of the leaves, and has potting soil coming out of the top of the planter. Hang out with me while I figure out what's happening with the plant and do what I can to help it get better.
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[@heleneckard4119]

Thanks for this video. Honey dew is new to me. My Beauty Star calathea, which is my easiest calathea as well as the most forgiving, has that. At first I thought it was scale but found no signs of the critters or damage. Now I know! You encourage me to keep at it with these beautiful plants. I’ve struggled mightily with them and am tempted to give up and stick to the easier plants in my collection but I just love them so much. I appreciate your videos❤️

[@jenniferjsaracino]

I’m glad to hear about the honey due. A couple of mine have been doing that and I couldn’t figure out why!

[@AddyBeez]

So far it's been harmless (no signs of scale)--fingers crossed! 😊

[@gayefanner731]

Happy New Year Addy n thanku for the video,V reassuring as I’ve been concerned about my rescue mosaica seeming to have disrupted soil,of course it was the water tubers growing! as are all my 13 Calatheas,must be the mild weather here in England. God bless you and all your followers 🙏✝️

[@gayefanner731]

P.S. Addy don’t suppose I need warn you of sooty moulds forming on d honeydew,happens a lot,just wash off with tepid soapy water 🙏

[@AddyBeez]

Yes! Some of my calathea have huge tubers and others none or tiny. But this is the first time they've started throwing soil like this. After looking at other Makoyanas--it seems like they are more prone to grow the large tubers. My Freddie also has a lot of tubers though they are on the smaller side (maybe not so small now once I repot it again). Hope you and all your calathea a wonderful year! 😊

[@limniyassine8804]

Mine dont have new leaves what can i do i need your help

[@dianeharbauer4506]

New to your channel. Learning new things, been an indoor and outdoor gardener for 40 year's! Great video to see as I recently bought several different Calathea plants. So I'm hoping to be able to watch all the updates. I noticed that you used a Terra Cotta pot. Is that your usual choice for these plants? Thank you kindly.

[@tomasck2973]

She uses all types of pots, from what I can see. They're always big sizes too

[@AddyBeez]

Congratulations on your new calathea! 😊 They are my favorite houseplant. I've used mostly glazed ceramic planters in the past. Ceramic and terracotta do best in my house, whereas I've some problems with plastic planters. Because there's been shortages of the ceramic planters that I usually pick up, I'm switching over to terracotta as they are easier to find across different stores. It will probably mean that I will need to water a little more though, as terracotta does help the soil dry out here a little faster. This will hopefully be good for my other calatheas that are dealing with what I think are bacterial/fungal issues (not sure yet).

[@alexandraberish8512]

Hello! Wondering about those yellos spots on the leaves, mine is getting those and I'm just worry I'm doing something wrong. Thanks

[@ladyelainefairchild3546]

Me too and mine turned brown with the rest of the leaf healthy but there are no pests and I am using distilled water and the edges are fine and it’s in an East facing window. I keep watching calathea videos but everyone only discusses crispy or brown edges and tips not random brown in the middle with no pests.

[@mikenealon4042]

i bet drainage was the culprit. new growth pushing out (out of growth season) is a good sign. she'll be back.

[@AddyBeez]

I hope so! The extra room and soil should help. Once I see some new growth on that side where the roots lost a lot of soil, I'll be happy!

[@mikenealon4042]

@@AddyBeez do you mind if in inquire if you've ever used earth, pet, and people anti-fungals such as serenade as an occasional soil drench?? i use this product on some other sensitive plants, and wonder if my expanding calathea trove might benefit. thank you AB!

[@tracysullivan7913]

I have never heard the term honey due I have always heard this clear sticky sweet substance as extra floral necteries, would this be the same ? Or is this specific to calathea ? A lot of my aroids and orchids secrete this but I have not experienced this with my calathea, is it a warning sign for calathea ? I have heard the term happy sap for orchids, is this something to look out for with calathea and if so should it be removed ? Or do you leave it as a natural defence for the plant ? Sorry for all the questions but am a little confused when it comes to the calathea. Many thanks for all your informative vids I know my white fusion appreciates it to.😃

[@AddyBeez]

You are correct! I stuck with the term honey dew because I was almost certain there was scale present but thankfully--no sign of pests. My hypothesis, which may be totally incorrect, is that the plant excreted it to keep the spider mites away during the last infestation. I have read some plants can do this but I honestly don't have a way of testing it. Not all of my calathea do this, but a fair number have in the past. I do end up washing it off eventually because it is incredibly sticky and since my cats love my plants, the back of the leaves can end up coated in cat hair/other debris/dust. Some just immediately start excreting more after rinsing, which is fine. I haven't had much of a problem with it aside from when I noticed it the first few times and was convinced pests were afoot. 😊

[@Adri8086]

Thanks for sharing this!♥️ How is this calathea doing now?

[@AddyBeez]

It's bouncing back! It just bloomed for the first time since I've had it. However, it isn't growing a ton of new foliage so I am hoping that it will start putting out more growth soon. I am a little torn about fertilizer strength as I would like it get maximum nurtients for growth but also know that overdoing it will just end up burning the foliage. So--trying to be patient with it! 😊

[@rmjumilla5109]

I experience the same! Roots are healthy but soil is pushing to the top and edge of the pot. Maybe you can suggest which soil to buy please. Im a beginner and afraid to chose something that will make this plant sad.

[@margopushkina2261]

hello, you have a very cool collection of calata. Not so long ago I became interested in calatheas, but I have already collected about 30 different varieties from different countries, if there is a desire, we could exchange small pieces and expand the geography 🌿☺️

[@retire14pattaya9]

I never cover the drainage holes with anything.

[@nicoleperron3315]

I have hard water and do water from above and never had mineral deposits on the leaves. But I have bought plants from nurseries and they all look like that, I always assumed it was a pest spray applied just before shipping to hopefully not get the gift of creepy crawly plant sucking demon zombie bugs with your new baby plants. 😂

[@amymorio563]

Which is the best soil to use with Calathea/Prayer 🪴

[@AddyBeez]

I have done well with a variety of mixes, custom and store bought, so long as there is enough drainage and not too much time-released fertilizer.

[@limniyassine8804]

Mine dont have new leaves what can i do i need your help