Methods of breeding and caring for philodendron at home, popular varieties
Philodendron is gaining more and more popularity among florists and florists; caring for it at home is not very difficult even for beginners. The plant adorns any interior, organically fits into green corners. There are about 400 known varieties of philodendrons, but not all are suitable for indoor keeping. Before buying a green pet, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of keeping, conditions and necessary care.
Description and peculiarities of the plant
The philodendron belongs to the aroid family. His homeland is Central America.Among the representatives of this plant there are both vines and shrubs of evergreen and deciduous type. Many species have aerial roots on their stems. The leaves are distinguished by a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. When flowering, the philodendron forms spikes, surrounded by a carpet of small flowers.
The height of the plant depends on the variety. Growth in one season is 0.5-1 m, which suggests that philodendrons grow very quickly. At home, they propagate by cuttings or by sowing seeds.
Varieties
There are about 500 varieties of philodendrons in the wild, but not all of them are grown indoors. They have their own characteristics and differences not only in external characteristics, but also in features of care, lighting requirements, flooring.
Atom
This variety of Philodendron is a compact plant, perfect for indoor cultivation. The stem is straight, the maximum height reaches 30 cm. The leaves are five-lobed, with characteristic wavy edges and bright green color.
warty
On the surface of the leaves of this variety there is a characteristic hairiness. Their shape is heart-shaped, their color is dark, and their size is rather large.
Elegant
This philodendron reaches a maximum height of 0.7 m and has very large leaves. Their shape is thin and long. In indoor conditions, this species does not bloom, but it has enough decorative qualities to decorate the premises.
Cobra
A distinctive feature of this variety is the entire leaves with a pointed tip. When growing the Philodendron Cobra, additional supports are needed. It does not tolerate direct sunlight, which should also be taken into account by the florist.
Xanadu
The Xandu variety has feathery leaves, the length of which reaches 0.4 m, and the trunk reaches 1.5 m indoors. In nature, its height reaches 4 m.
Escalation
Philodendron Climbing has entire, heart-shaped leaves that are dark green in color. The height of an adult bush reaches 2 m, excellent for growing in hanging flowerpots.
Jellyfish
This variety differs from its counterparts in its rapid growth and amber color of the leaves. The stem is an unusual burgundy color. Jellyfish are a subspecies of the blushing philodendron, from which an unusual color scheme is inherited.
Sell
The variety is double feathered. The height of an adult plant in indoor conditions reaches 3 m, and the length of the leaf up to 1 m. The leaves are triangular, pinnate, dissected.
Hastate
This philodendron is a vine whose leaves are lance-shaped and can be painted in the following colors:
- Green;
- bluish green;
- silvery green.
Martius
Philodendron Martius is a small bush, the maximum height of which reaches 0.3 m. The leaves are heart-shaped, light green in color. In nature, the plant forms flowers and fruits.
Ileman
A decorative creeper with a stem length of up to 1.5 m. She needs a support that would be covered with moss. It is valued for its high decorative qualities, provided by the unusual color of the leaves. Their color is uneven, there are white or grayish-white stripes, strokes.
Decorated
The Decorated Philodendron variety is a decorative perennial vine with dark green leaves and characteristic white veins. The leaf plate is ovoid.
To blush
This philodendron owes its name to the large leaves that turn red at the base.Their length sometimes reaches 30 cm, and the width is 20 cm. The trunk of the plant is woody. This variety is the most popular with flower growers, because it does not require much attention, it is unpretentious. The flower tolerates a lack of sunlight and a lack of moisture.
Lobular
The two-meter liana of the Philodendron Lobular has increased flexibility and an impressive thickness. When growing at home, additional supports must be installed.
shaped like a guitar
This variety also requires the installation of additional supports if grown at home. It owes its name to the unusual shape of the leaves. Initially they are heart-shaped, but as they grow they stretch out and become like a guitar. The leaf plate is divided into 3 blades. The rods are flexible enough.
Popular varieties
Among the presented variety of philodendrons, there are varieties that are most popular with florists and florists. They have certain advantages, advantageous external characteristics and ease of maintenance.
red emerald
This philodendron is characterized by high decorative qualities and is an evergreen liana. The leaves have an unusual bluish-green color, and the long ribbed petioles are burgundy. There are varieties that have white or pink spots on the leaf blades. The young leaf is also burgundy.
Burgundy
A distinctive feature of this variety is the dark red color not only of the leaves, but also of the petioles and shoots. The plant requires diffused, but at the same time bright lighting.
mandianum
A very decorative philodendron, the young leaves of which are painted red. Growing up, they acquire a green color.
Skandens
This variety is a thin liana, the shoots of which are not prone to branching.Heart-shaped leaf plates. Sometimes you can find varieties with feathery leaves decorated with contrasting stripes.
Conditions of detention
In order for the philodendron not to lose its decorative properties, to grow and develop normally, it must provide adequate conditions for storage.
Temperature
Philodendron is a thermophilic plant. Keep it at normal room temperature. If this indicator increases, then the level of humidity in the room must also be increased. At low temperatures, the growth and development of a green pet stops.
In winter, you can give it a short rest period, but you cannot lower the temperature below + 15°C.
Lighting
Philodendrons need good lighting, otherwise they begin to stretch and lose their decorative properties. Varieties with sculpted leaves develop entire leaves.
Location
Philodendron should not be placed near heating devices, batteries that can dry out the edges of the leaves. It is best to place it in a well-lit room, while protecting it from direct sunlight.
Seasonal characteristics
Caring for a philodendron at different times of the year is not the same and has its own characteristics.
Spring
In the spring, when the sun becomes bright, it is necessary to arrange shading for the plant or ensure that the incoming light is scattered.
Summer
In summer, it is necessary not only to protect the flower from the scorching sun, but also to take care of additional moisture. High temperatures can negatively affect its decorative properties. It is recommended even for the summer to send the philodendron outside.
Autumn
With the reduction of the sunshine duration, the plant receives maximum illumination and ensures that the temperature in the room is not too low.
Winter
In winter, the philodendron can benefit from a short rest by lowering the ambient temperature to +18°C. Due to the short hours of sunshine, additional lighting with phytolamps may be necessary.
How to take care
The process of caring for a philodendron has its own characteristics and subtleties, with which the florist should familiarize himself in advance in order to avoid mistakes and grow a beautiful, healthy plant.
top dresser
It is recommended to feed the plant every 14 days throughout the growing season with complex liquid preparations. In the fall, the amount of dressings is reduced, and in the winter they are completely stopped.
watering
Philodendron loves abundant watering, however, before each next it is recommended to let the earth dry out to a third of the depth. If in winter the plant is kept in cool conditions and has a relative dormancy period, the frequency of irrigation is significantly reduced. The flower tolerates short-term drought more easily than excessive moisture.
Size
Almost all types and varieties of philodendrons do not need training pruning and sanitary pruning is done as needed to remove old or yellowed leaves.
Support
Shrubby varieties of philodendrons do not require the installation of additional supports, unlike climbing vines. For the latter, a trellis is erected or a special large-cell mesh is pulled. A more sophisticated option would be a small wooden fence.
Breeding methods
Philodendron reproduces in several ways, differing among themselves not only in their efficiency, but also in the requirements for the presence of certain skills and abilities of the grower.
Layers
This method is not only simple, but also reliable. You just need to find a sprout that has aerial roots and part of it to lay on a moist soil mixture. It is poured into a small pot or glass and placed next to the mother plant. The shoot is strengthened with a hairpin. After a month, the appendage of the philodendron takes root and can be separated from the mother bush. It is recommended to process the cut sites with crushed activated carbon.
Seeds
This method is suitable only for the selection of arboreal philodendrons. Fresh seeds are soaked overnight in distilled water with the addition of a growth stimulant. In the morning they are laid out on the surface of the soil, consisting of peat and sand. The container is covered with glass or cellophane, arranging a greenhouse, and placed in a warm, well-lit place. The first shoots will appear in about 1.5 weeks.
The greenhouse should be periodically opened and ventilated, as well as the moisture content of the soil should be checked. After 2.5 months, mature seedlings can be planted.
Cuttings
For the reproduction of philodendron, a stem or apical shoot without signs of disease is chosen. It is cut with a clean knife, and the cut site is treated with activated carbon. A mixture of sand and peat is poured into a small pot, slightly moistened. The prepared cutting is buried in the ground for a few centimeters so that the growth point is located on the surface. A plastic bag is placed over the seedling, arranging a greenhouse. If necessary, ventilate it. The shelter is removed after the formation of the first roots.
Plant a woody stem
For this method, you need to make small incisions near the top of the philodendron and sprinkle them with a root formation stimulator (for example, "Kornevin"). Pre-moistened sphagnum moss is applied to the incisions and wrapped in cellophane. If necessary, the moss is periodically moistened with warm water with the addition of a root formation stimulator. When the formed roots become visible, the bag can be removed and the stem is carefully cut off and planted in a separate container. Treat the cut site with activated charcoal.
How to transplant correctly
Philodendron develops green mass faster than the root system. If you plant a plant in a pot 3 cm higher than the size of the root system, then it can easily grow there for a year. It is recommended to transplant an adult flower once every 4 years. It is best to do the work at the end of March or the beginning of April. Philodendron is transferred with a lump of soil to a new container, which will be 4 cm wider and 6 cm higher than the previous one. If support is required, you should immediately worry about installing it.
Do not use too large a container when transplanting, as this can cause excessive moisture and rotting of the root system.
A drainage layer should be laid on the bottom, then a layer of nutrient soil. All plant roots should be covered with soil, and the root collar should remain above its surface.
Possible problems when growing a flower
When growing philodendrons, flower growers, especially beginners, often face certain problems, diseases or negative effects of pests. It is important to monitor the appearance of the green pet and take timely preventive measures to protect it.
Leaf tips dry up
The reason for this state of the plant is the low humidity in the room. It is recommended to take measures to increase it, for example, put a humidifier or place an open container with water near the philodendron.
Leaf edges begin to turn brown
Such a nuisance is also often associated with insufficient air humidity or soil water deficit. It is necessary to water the philodendron more often and ensure that the humidity in the room does not fall below 50%.
Lack of light
Insufficient lighting leads to the fact that the leaves of the plant become withered and small, and the stems are strongly stretched and lose their decorative appearance. If it is not possible to rearrange the flower in a brighter place, you need to use a phytolamp and have additional lighting.
Roll up the leaves
The reason for this state of the philodendron is the excessive accumulation of minerals in the soil as a result of overfeeding. This can be dealt with by flushing the floor with plenty of water or replacing it completely. After that, no fertilizers can be applied for a month, then their dose is halved. In winter, the feed is completely stopped.
Shield
The appearance of this pest is evidenced by small tubercles of light brown color. You can remove the scabbard with an alcohol napkin, additionally using tweezers or a scalpel. A large philodendron should be treated with an insecticide.
Aphid
Small green, gray or black insects may appear on the shoots or on the underside of the leaf plate. They feed on the sap of flowers and multiply rapidly.With a slight lesion, aphids are removed with a sponge dipped in soapy water. If there are a lot of insects, the philodendron is treated with an insecticide.
Spider
A sign of the appearance of this pest is the presence of a light white cobweb on the shoots and leaves. Colonies of pests live under the leaf plate and feed on plant sap. You should take the jar to the bathroom, cover the floor with plastic, and try to wash off as many ticks as possible with a hot shower. After that, the philodendron is left to dry and treated with insecticide.
Thrips
This small pest settles in the ground, flies well. A sign of its appearance is a gray-brown bloom on the leaves. The flower should be taken to the bathroom and try to wash off as many pests as possible with a hot shower. The soil in the pot is completely replaced. After that, they are treated with an insecticide, part of which is added to the water, and the philodendron is watered.
cochineal
If the shoots and leaf plates of the philodendron are covered with white cotton-like lumps, then the plant is affected by mealybug. Insects are removed with a napkin soaked in alcohol. After that, the flower is sent to the bath and bathed in a hot shower. In case of significant damage, they resort to the use of chemicals.
Bacterial spot
A symptom of this disease is the appearance of small watery spots on the leaves. The reason is high temperature and humidity readings. Steps should be taken to reduce them immediately and, if possible, take the philodendron outside.
Stem and root rot
The reason for this condition is high soil humidity and low air temperature. It is necessary to rearrange the flower in a warmer place, turn on the heater.Watering is temporarily stopped so that the soil dries out and warms up. At the next watering, a small amount of fungicide is added to the water.
Viral diseases
If signs of viral diseases are detected in a philodendron (for example, a red border), the affected parts should be removed, and the remaining plant should be treated with special chemicals according to the attached instructions. If the damage is very large, the flower will have to be destroyed.
Additional tips and tricks
In order for a philodendron to grow healthy and be a real decoration of a green corner, you need to follow the basic rules of caring for it. In dry, hot weather, it is sprayed, bathed in a warm shower, and leaf plates are wiped from dust. In order to avoid the appearance of parasites, they sometimes use a napkin soaked in alcohol.
Recall that excessive watering, salinization of the soil, hypothermia of the root system and excess fertilizer in the soil can lead to the development of certain diseases. The conditions of detention should be as comfortable as possible so that the philodendron pleases the owners and gives them the least possible discomfort.