Help With Drooping Calathea Leaves Please?

bjazz28

Hello Everyone,
In the summer this year I decided to buy a Calathea plant, I had no idea at the time how demanding these plants are to grow.
I had one mishap with the 'too much sun' problem and nearly burned it to death. It did recover after I limited the amount of sun is was getting by moving it to a shady room.
I moved it back to the original spot later in the summer and now it is more stable.
I think I am watering it at the right amount, by allowing it dry to a depth of about an inch before each soaking through.

However the lower leaves are dropping quite badly it seems and I am not sure if this is a normal growth habit, or if it is a result of a possible problem.
Does anyone here have any idea about how these plants naturally grow and shape themselves? is this look normal for this time of year?. My flat is about 18 to 20 degrees C at the moment and not very humid, but I do mist the plant regularly.

I have included a pic. I would appreciate any feedback please.
Thank you as always:-)

BJ

bjazz28

No thoughts, that's strange? I guess it's not that common a plant.
Not too worry, maybe someone will think of something. 

Cheers. BJ

wild edges

It looks healthy enough to me and you seem to know the care requirements. Some leaves will get old and wither each year and need trimming off to keep the plant neat. Is it getting root bound in that pot? It looks quite restrictive for the size of plant.

bjazz28

Hi wild edges,
Thank you for your help. I am happy with the overall condition of the plant, I just don't understand the drooping of the lower leaves ,they are not especially old or brown. I was advised to let this plant outgrow the pot when I bought it but I did repot in late summer against advice into a bigger pot. I hope it hasn't outgrown it in one season. In any case I'll have to wait until next year spring before doing anything pot wise. Guess the drooping is a mystery? 

Thanks very much again, 
BJ. 

Paul B3

Drooping leaves on plants of this nature are often a symptom of overwatering .

Try letting the plant dry out more ; alter the sequence of watering from regularly to sporadically .

The plant will let you know when it's getting stressed .

JennyJ

It doesn't really look wilted or droopy to me, the outer leaf stalks are just splaying out a bit.  I wonder if they're spreading out to try to get more light now that the days are shortening? 

If the leaves are still green (or the expected colour) and the stems are firm, not soft, then I would assume it's normal and leave it be. Take off any dead leaves down to the base of the stalk if you want to keep it tidy.

bjazz28

Hi Jenny,
Thank you for your help, I agree with your suggestion, it would make sense if that was the reason, and the leaves are all healthy, (as good as I could achieve For this type of plant anyway). So I will just try to give it as much light as I can and clip when needed as you have said. 
Thanks again, 
BJ. 

AndyDean

I have that one I think (calathea zebrina?), although mine doesn't have leaves that big! I've been watering similarly to you, keeping it away from the window in a bright living room, and it has grown significantly all summer and is still putting out leaves now, so I think it's happy. I have leaves splaying out like that, although it's only small ones that do it for me. On both of our plants, it seems to be the older leaves splaying out (the ones on the outer edge of the growing point) - as your leaves are so big, could it simply be the weight which is causing them to flop? The newer leaves towards the middle of each growing point will have more support I imagine.

bjazz28

Thanks Andy, 
That really helps a lot, my situation is exactly what you've described. And the drooping leaves are all older and on the outside of the leaf set in each case. So I guess I'll just have to accept it as a 'look'. although I prefer when most of them stand up a bit more 
Really appreciate your help, 
Thanks again  
BJ. 

AndyDean

No problem @bjazz28
Not often I actually know enough to give a relatively informed answer on this site!

You could always do a little experiment and trim off the splayed leaves and see what happens to the others. Looks like you have some healthy new growth in the middle so I would think the plant would be fine with that.

bjazz28

Thanks Andy,
Yes that option had occurred to me but I can't bring myself to do it, it seems a little naughty to be honest although it would improve the look of the plant.
Plus I don't trust this plant, it is unpredictable and I guess I should treat it with caution unless it gets into a real state.
Thanks for your help, I appreciate it,
BJ