Growing A Philodendron

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Philodendron in your apartment

When I, communicating in a circle of amateur flower growers, say that I like philodendrons, I catch bewildered looks, which, however, are devoid of special interest.

Even more surprised, but already enthusiastic, I see, showing my collection. Undemanding climbing (Philodendron scandens), blushing (Ph. Erubescens) and prominent sello (Ph.selloveanum) - these are the limits of knowledge of most inhabitants, although the genus Philodendron includes a significant number of species, many of which are so interesting and beautiful that they will leave few people indifferent.

In addition, they are so unpretentious that even a novice florist can manage their content. They are shade-tolerant, tolerate short-term overdrying, are undemanding to the composition of the earth and can do without feeding for a long time. Of course, this does not mean that everything is good for them, but they can patiently endure the adversity of such a harsh life. Philodendron translated from Latin means "loving tree" ("phileo" - to love, "dendron" - tree).

In nature, these plants, twisting around tree trunks and clinging to them with the resulting aerial roots, rush up to the light, reaching several meters in height. Their homeland is tropical America. The genus belongs to the Araceae family, which is vast in terms of species diversity, and includes about 280 species of climbing or creeping vines with woody or semi-herbaceous branches and shoots, as well as with long aerial roots.

Outwardly, many philodendrons are similar to a plant known since ancient times called monstera, the full name of which is M.deliciosa. Even if someone does not know the name of the monstera, then outwardly, in any case, many immediately recognize it by its powerful creeping up stems and huge carved leaves of a dark green color. The plant has gained considerable popularity, it is often decorated with large, spacious rooms, halls, foyers, offices, schools, etc.

Many philodendrons, as well as their close relative monstera, are large-sized plants, and therefore, for amateurs and collectors, small-leaved species and their varietal forms obtained in artificial conditions are of interest, first of all. Of these indoor beauties, one can name the philodendron Cobra (Ph. Cobra), the climbing philodendron, the Mediopicta variety (Ph.scandens var.mediopicta) or numerous varieties of the most common blushing philodendron (Ph.erubescens).

Some of my favorites are also very effective - the scaly philodendrons (Ph.squamiferum), with an interesting leaf blade in shape, and the warty (Ph. Verrucosum), which has a velvety surface and unsurpassed leaf color. In both species, the leaf petiole is covered with small bristles, making them extremely attractive. Unfortunately, they are not widespread, and we have not yet bred them on an industrial scale, while I have not yet met imported analogs, although, it seems, they do not exist at all.

In any case, these species are absent in the Dutch catalogs. I would also like to note from my point of view one that deserves special attention - the philodendron of Linnet (Ph. Linnetii), rare and, moreover, slowly growing. Only at temperatures above 25-27 degrees and good lighting does it develop faster, and the leaves become larger, acquiring a juicy green color. The same can be said about the very interesting Ph.crassum - an epiphytic species with strongly thickened leaf petioles, which are a kind of chamber for a moisture reserve, thanks to which the plant can tolerate prolonged drying out.

Now, briefly about the content. To grow healthy and strong plants, you need to provide both good lighting (it can be natural or artificial) and enough nutrients. I usually use any compound fertilizer, soluble at full dose for terrestrial species and half diluted for epiphytic species. The soil should be loose, breathable and good at retaining moisture.

For young plants, sphagnum and peat soil (from what is sold in stores, for example, "Zhivaya Zemlya"), in a 1: 1 ratio are suitable. For adults, I use a mixture of leaf, turf, coniferous lands and sphagnum in a ratio of 2: 1: 0.5: 0.5, you can add one part of peat soil. For epiphytes - leafy ground (half-rotted with pieces of bark and branches), sphagnum and peat soil (2: 1: 1). Due to their undemanding lighting requirements, philodendrons can be grown in partial shade or completely under artificial lighting (fluorescent lamps of the LB type).

For example, my collection looks very impressive in a hallway, where daylight does not fall at all, but good lighting is made. Thus, philodendrons can be recommended for landscaping a hallway or, for example, a bathroom, where, by the way, optimal conditions will be created for them, given the high air humidity.