Okay, so let me tell you about my little adventure with this Jungle Velvet Calathea, also known as Calathea warscewiczii. It’s a real beauty, but let me tell you, it’s got its quirks.
First off, I picked up this plant back on December 9th, 2024. It was love at first sight with those velvety leaves. I brought it home and started figuring out how to keep this thing alive.
Lighting
The first thing I learned was about the lighting. This plant doesn’t like to be sunbathing. No, sir. I found a spot with some nice, medium indirect light, and it seems to be pretty happy there. I tried putting it in a brighter spot once, and the poor thing started to look a bit washed out. So, medium, indirect light it is!
Watering
Now, the watering. This is where things got a bit tricky. I read somewhere that these Calatheas like their soil moist but not soggy. So, I started by watering it a few times a week during the warmer months. When it got colder, I cut back to once a week. I also make sure to check the soil before watering. I just stick my finger in about an inch, and if it feels dry, I give it a drink. Oh, and another thing! It’s picky about the water, it prefers filtered water because it’s very sensitive to fluoride.
Soil and Humidity
- For the soil, I went with something loose and well-draining. Nothing fancy, just a regular potting mix with some extra perlite mixed in.
- Humidity is another thing. These plants are from the jungle, after all, so they like it humid. I don’t have a humidifier, so I just try to mist it every now and then, and I keep it near my other plants to create a little humid microclimate.
Other Stuff
I haven’t had to fertilize it much yet, but I plan to give it a little diluted fertilizer during the growing season. I also haven’t done any pruning, but I’ll keep an eye out for any yellowing or damaged leaves.
As for propagating, I haven’t tried that yet. Maybe someday I’ll give it a shot, but for now, I’m just focused on keeping this one alive and thriving.
And pests? Thankfully, I haven’t encountered any yet, but I know that spider mites can be a problem for these guys. I’ll be keeping a watchful eye out for those little buggers.
So, that’s my Jungle Velvet Calathea story so far. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but I’m really enjoying having this plant around. It’s just so darn pretty! Hopefully, I can keep it happy and healthy for years to come. We’ll see how it goes!
