Philodendron Is An Ornamental Leafy Classic Of Indoor Floriculture. Home Care. Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

Enchanting with the beauty and variety of heart-shaped leaves and always neat appearance, the philodendron is firmly entrenched in the ranks of the room classics. Among the evergreen vines, there is no larger station wagon. For high decorativeness, philodendrons require attention and care - regular care and adherence to individual recommendations for each species. But strikingly durable and capable of handling any role in the interior, philodendrons are some of the most reliable plants to bring to your collection.

Content:

• Description of the plant
• Types of indoor philodendrons
• Growing conditions for indoor philodendron
• Caring for a philodendron at home
• Reproduction of philodendrons

Description of the plant

The most popular evergreen vine philodendron (Philodendron) is no accident. These representatives of the Aroid family (Araceae) are evergreen straight-growing or climbing vines with fleshy, gradually lignifying smooth shoots and long aerial roots that emphasize the grace of the whips. The height of indoor species ranges from 25 to 250 cm.

A unique feature is the alternate formation of scaly false leaves (cataphylls) on the stem, bearing a lateral bud and ordinary long-petiolate leaves in the axil. True leaves are almost always heart-shaped, but they are arrow-shaped and oval, narrow and wide, small and large, with whole edges and even pinnate. Philodendrons are prized for their rich green hues, often complemented by variegated and purple patterns.

Blossoming in the rooms - bright cobs with two-tone bedspreads - is a rarity.

When pruning and transplanting in a house with children and animals, you should be careful: the juice of these plants irritates the skin and mucous membranes.

Types of indoor philodendrons

A considerable selection of different leaf shapes and sizes, colors and even the degree of moodiness requires special attention. When buying, it is always better to clarify what a particular plant is used to.

The best vines include:

• Philodendron reddening (Philodendron erubescens) - prefers partial shade large species with reddening cuttings and shoots, simple heart-oval leaves up to 40 cm in length. There are varieties with completely purple and watercolor leaves.
• Ivy philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum, an independent climbing philodendron (Philodendron scandens) was included in the species) - shade-tolerant, with beautiful heart-shaped leaves, compact appearance with dark greens, suitable for ampels.
• Philodendron spear (Philodendron hastatum) is a fast-growing species with arrow-shaped leaves up to 40 cm in length with a very bright color.

• Narrowly dissected philodendron (Philodendron angustisectum) is a thermophilic and light-loving species with huge carved leaves up to 70 cm in length.
• Household philodendron (Philodendron domesticum) is a beautiful species with pointed-oval dark leaves, leaf-shaped similar to a blushing philodendron.
• Elegant Philodendron (Philodendron elegans) - powerful, reminiscent of Monstera view polumetrovymi oblong leaves.

• Stopovidny Philodendron (Philodendron pedatum) - unpretentious fast-growing species, which has cut into 5 shares of the young leaves grow to 70 cm in length and separated by stronger.
• Philodendron black-golden (Philodendron melanochrysum) is a slow-growing and extremely thermophilic plant with stunning copper leaves up to 60 cm long, decorated with whitish veins.
• Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is a light-loving giant with spreading bushes and reaching 1 meter in diameter, carved even in youth, olive leaves.

• Philodendron verrucosum (Philodendron verrucosum) - compact appearance with very flexible stems and veins glowing on wrinkled heart-shaped leaves.
• Philodendron panduriforme (Philodendron panduriforme) - an elegant look with very long cuttings and unusual curly leaves, reminiscent of a guitar.

Among the best upright habit kinds rightly rank Philodendron Martius (Philodendron martianum) - forms a very lush bush view polumetrovymi elongated heart-shaped entire leaves and petioles swollen.

Growing conditions for indoor philodendron

Philodendrons love stable warmth and do not tolerate summer vacations in the garden and on the balcony. And all their beauty is revealed only in a protected environment.

Lighting and placement

All philodendrons have only one general requirement for lighting - they cannot stand the direct sun. Most species prefer diffused soft light, a place on or near a windowsill. The ivy philodendron is so shade-tolerant that it will even adapt to the depth of rooms. For all types, both full and partial supplementary lighting is acceptable.

Philodendrons can be placed not only as decoration for furniture and window sills, but also used in screens, screens, as dividers, for walls and cascades, complex compositions and green corners. They do not like tightness.

Temperature regime and ventilation

Even in winter, one should not allow temperatures to drop below 16 degrees (with the exception of the bipinnate philodendron, which prefers wintering at 12-13 degrees). The more stable the temperatures, the better. In summer, any temperature above 20 degrees is suitable. Heat can be compensated for by increasing air humidity.

Philodendrons react to any jumps and changes by slowing down growth and crushing leaves, it is better to protect plants from drafts and cold air, air conditioners and heating devices.

Caring for a philodendron at home

Philodendrons delight with the beauty of the leaves only with attention and care. And they impose many requirements on the regularity of watering and other procedures.

Watering and air humidity

It is better to constantly monitor the soil moisture, adjusting watering so that 2 to 5 cm of soil at the top of the pot dries out. Overflowing is just as dangerous as drought or cold watering. It is better to drain the water released into the trays immediately.

Philodendrons do not tolerate very dry air. In summer, spraying is sufficient, but in winter plants require more stability (any home humidifier will do). On supports, moss or synthetic materials are best kept consistently moist.

Dust should not accumulate on the leaves of the philodendron.

Top dressing and composition of fertilizers

Philodendrons are fed the next day after abundant watering, using the standard frequency of once every 2 weeks from March to October and once a month from October to February (half dose). After transplanting, the first feeding is carried out after 5-6 weeks.

Only liquid balanced complex fertilizers are suitable for philodendrons.

Pruning and shaping the philodendron

Philodendrons are formed at will, shortening the shoots to any height, pinching the tops of lashes or simply tying them to a support (moss columns, driftwood and simple trellises wrapped in moss or synthetic substitutes). The plant's air roots should not be touched.

Transplant, containers and substrate

Transshipment is carried out only if necessary, when the previous pot is completely mastered, replacing only the top layer of soil annually. It is better to carry out this procedure at the first signs of the onset of rapid growth in the spring (in the third decade of March or early April).

For philodendrons, classic-shaped containers with large drainage holes are suitable. It is better to give preference to soil mixtures for decorative deciduous plants - a loose, rough and fertile substrate with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. Philodendrons can also be grown hydroponically.

A high (from 4 cm) layer of coarse drainage is laid at the bottom of the containers. It is very important to keep the plant's depth level the same.

Diseases, pests and problems in growing

Any problems with conditions and care immediately appear on the leaves of the plant. With insufficient feeding, they stretch out, shrink, dry, turn yellow and almost stop growing, with excess ones they turn brown, wither and deform. Plants react to overflow, underfilling, drafts, cold and heat, too bright sun with blackening tips, yellowing and dry spots, discoloration and wilting.

Black spots on the leaves indicate serious infestation by pests (aphids or spider mites), rot or soot fungus. You need to deal with problems immediately with insecticides and acaricides.

Reproduction of philodendrons

You can root both apical and stem cuttings - long shoots with 2-3 leaves, for stem cuttings - with side branches. For rooting, philodendrons will need a peat substrate, stable heat (about 21 ° C) and high humidity under the hood.

Rooting of cuttings by the air method is carried out on strong shoots, wrapping an incision on the trunk under a lateral branch with moss or soil, keeping the moisture stable until the roots are released.