Calathea Musaica, known as the “Network” plant, is a popular houseplant with distinctive foliage. Its leaves feature a captivating mosaic-like pattern of light green with intricate dark green lines. This article guides you through propagating Calathea Musaica to expand your collection or revitalize existing plants.
Why Propagate Calathea Musaica
Propagating Calathea Musaica offers several advantages for plant enthusiasts. It allows you to create new plants, expanding your collection or providing thoughtful gifts. Propagation also revitalizes older, overgrown plants, giving them a fresh start and improved vigor.
Best Time for Propagation
The optimal time to propagate Calathea Musaica is during its active growing season, typically spring or early summer. Warmer temperatures and increased light during this period benefit the plant’s recovery and new growth. This allows newly divided plants to establish more readily and recover quicker from the process. While division is possible at other times, the active growth phase offers the best conditions for successful establishment.
Propagating Calathea Musaica by Division
Calathea Musaica is most effectively propagated by division, as it is not easily propagated by leaf or stem cuttings. Gather a sharp, clean knife or shears, new pots with drainage holes, and fresh, well-draining potting mix. Sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent disease spread.
Carefully remove the parent plant from its pot by gently tapping the sides or pulling from the base to ease it out. Avoid pulling on leaves to prevent damage. Once unpotted, gently remove old soil from the root ball to inspect the root system and identify natural divisions.
Look for natural divisions or clumps of rhizomes with their own root systems and foliage. Gently tease roots apart; if necessary, use your clean, sharp knife to cut tangled sections, ensuring each division retains healthy roots and a few leaves.
Fill new pots one-third with fresh potting mix. Place each division into its pot at the same depth as the original plant. Fill the remaining space with potting mix, gently firming it around the roots. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Aftercare for Newly Propagated Plants
After dividing and repotting, proper aftercare is important for successful establishment. Place newly potted plants in bright, indirect light, mimicking their natural understory habitat. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves and fade their vibrant patterns.
Keep the soil evenly moist, avoiding waterlogging which leads to root issues. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly before watering. High humidity (50-80%) is beneficial for recovery. Increase humidity by grouping plants, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier nearby.
Maintain stable, warm temperatures (65°F-80°F / 18°C-27°C), protecting them from cold drafts. Delay fertilization for one to two months after propagation to allow roots to recover. Once new growth appears, fertilize monthly during the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. Be patient; new growth may be slow initially as the plant adjusts.
Troubleshooting Propagation Issues
After propagation, Calathea Musaica may show stress. Wilting or drooping leaves are common as the plant adjusts and recovers from root disturbance. Persistent wilting might indicate significant root damage or insufficient watering.
Lack of new growth can be attributed to insufficient light, low humidity, or shock from division. Ensure optimal environmental conditions for faster recovery.
Root rot (mushy stems or roots) often results from overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure pots have drainage holes and the soil is not consistently soggy.
Stressed plants are more susceptible to pests. Regularly inspect newly propagated plants for common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs, and address infestations promptly. Addressing these issues ensures the long-term success of your new Calathea Musaica.