Philodendron. Care, Cultivation, Reproduction. Decorative Deciduous. Houseplants. Flowers. A Photo

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

Philodendron, or leaf tree, comes from the Brazilian forests, where it grows like a liana. The best species for indoor culture is philodendron pertuzum, or perforated. The correct scientific name for this plant is monstera delidiose. The name "deliciosa" characterizes the excellent taste of the fruits of this plant in the homeland, where they are used for food.

© Liné1

It is bred in rooms for the sake of beautiful ornamental cut-lobed lower and perforated upper dark green leaves. This plant has a stem growing to the side, round and green, with huge and heavy leaves. To support it, you must put a support. Leaves are distinguished by their ability to predict the weather. In humid air and before the onset of cloudy and rainy weather, and in winter, before the thaw, large drops of water appear on the leaves of the philodendron. Therefore, the philodendron is also called "crybaby".

Aerial roots grow on the underside of the stem against each leaf. You cannot cut them off, but you need to lower them into the ground of a pot or box, or, collecting them in a bunch, plant them in an additional pot with nutrient earth. These roots form many fibrous roots and greatly improve the root nutrition of the plant.

© Zeljko

Experiments carried out with additional nutrition of an adult philodendron plant by the laboratory of plant physiology of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Fruit Growing in Kiev showed that rooting of aerial roots in a separate tub and abundant feeding of the plant with solutions of complete mineral fertilizers promoted flowering and the formation of large fruits. The plant began to grow rapidly, formed many large leaves, two years later gave large inflorescences, and subsequently - fruits.

Plants require transplanting depending on their vigor. If it grows soon, many roots grow, it must be replanted annually in the spring. Typically, young philodendrons are transplanted into new dishes after one to two years. The land for him is given from a mixture of clay-sod, well-rotted peat and sand.

© LucaLuca

Philodendron is undemanding to light, and even in winter it can grow away from windows. It tolerates high temperature and dry air well, gets used to the conditions of living rooms and develops well in them. He is kept in rooms throughout the year. In summer, he likes abundant watering and daily spraying.

In autumn, watering is reduced by half, then water is given even less - one third, and in winter it is significantly reduced.

This plant is propagated by lateral shoots appearing in the lower part of the stems, an apical cuttings or a stem cuttings (a piece of stem with a leaf). Rooting cuttings can be done in a room under glass or in a greenhouse.

© priatna

Cuttings that have at least small aerial roots take root better. Cuttings are rooted in bowls or in separate pots, but to create air humidity, they are covered with glass jars or glasses. A layer of broken shards is applied to the bottom of the dishes (drainage), then a layer of 2 cm of peat or humus soil is given, and 2-3 cm of coarse sand is poured on top. After the formation of roots, the plants are transplanted into separate pots in the nutrient soil.

In the rooms, the following method of reproduction of the philodendron can be recommended: large plants usually lose their lower leaves and become ugly. Then one or two of the uppermost aerial roots are tightly wrapped with wet moss, tied with a washcloth or twine and attached to the trunk. Aerial roots form many roots and let them into the moss. Then the top with one or two leaves is cut off and planted in a pot so that the roots and cut are covered with earth. The cut must be covered with charcoal powder. This is how beautiful young plants are obtained, and the stems of the old plant soon form new lateral shoots. The old plant becomes branched, rejuvenated.

© Forest & Kim Starr