Climbing philodendron: home growing

Climbing philodendron is an original houseplant that has gained popularity due to its unpretentiousness and pronounced decorativeness. A detailed description and care features are described below.

Botanical description of the plant

In the native tropical forests of Central and South America, this large liana reaches impressive size and grows, clinging aerial roots to tree trunks.

The characteristic features of this variety are as follows:

• thin and juicy stalk 3–6 m long;
• alternate leaves 8–15 cm long and 5–10 cm wide;
• the shape of the leaf is heart-shaped, with a long tip;
• the surface of the sheet is leathery and glossy, shades of green;
• Indoor blooms extremely rarely.

Did you know? In the 1980s, a recorded record of the length of the philodendron at home was a copy of more than 167 m.

Aerial roots are formed in the axils of the leaves and not only allow the plant to gain support, but also serve to obtain moisture and nutrition.

What conditions are needed in the house

In order to fully reveal the decorative potential of a plant, it is necessary to choose a suitable place for it, and also take into account the requirements for the temperature regime.

Location and Lighting

Shade-tolerant liana does not require bright lighting and feels good in diffused light. It should be completely excluded from direct sunlight. The best arrangement would be in rooms with windows to the northwest and northeast. It is possible to successfully grow without access to natural light, with artificial lighting.

Philodendron is sensitive to drafts, and therefore it is undesirable to place it outdoors, even in summer.

Temperature mode

In the warm season, the plant will have enough normal room temperature. If the daylight hours in winter are not short, the philodendron can be left at the same temperature (+ 22 ... + 25 ° C). If there is not enough light, it is necessary to provide the vine with a temperature decrease (not lower than + 15 ° C) in order to avoid unnecessary elongation of the shoots.

Familiarize yourself with the types of philodendron and the features of caring for them.

Home Care

Philodendron does not require complex techniques of agricultural technology and care for it is within the power of all growers.

Watering and humidity

As a resident of the tropics, climbing philodendron requires increased humidity. Plants respond positively to regular spraying, optimally twice a day, morning and evening. With the appropriate plant size, you can place it under a cool shower.

When watering, it is necessary to maintain a constant small soil moisture. Drying of the soil causes stress, which affects the shape and size of the sheet.

Important! Excess water in the pan must be drained, as overflow can cause problems.

To moisturize, use soft water after settling at room temperature.

Fertilizer application

Top dressing is performed twice a month, using ready-made mixtures for decorative and deciduous crops. If the plant is transferred to the cool during the winter months, the number of top dressings is reduced to 1 time per month.

Pruning

To limit the growth of creepers, you can perform spring pruning. The slice is performed just below the upper tier of aerial roots, leaving about 40 cm of the stem. Also pinch the place of the growth point located above the internode.

Dying plant parts, leaves or aerial roots are removed throughout the year.

Transfer

For a young philodendron, an annual spring transplant is necessary, and an adult liana can be replaced once every 3-4 years. At the same time, they still change the topsoil in the pot to fresh soil.

The following primer is required for the philodendron:

• porous and light;
• slightly acidic.

It is recommended to prepare the soil from the following ingredients:

• half of the total weight of the finished soil mixture for orchid plants;
• 1 part of high peat, perlite and humus (total for the second half of the weight).

The capacity for the philodendron should be quite spacious. A drainage layer is required at the bottom of the container.

Important! In the first days after transplanting, they reduce the frequency of watering, allowing the root system to recover.

Breeding

The presence of aerial roots makes it easy to decide how to propagate the plant. The simplest way is cuttings. Breeders use seeds, but this process takes much longer.

Cuttings

The plant survives best in the warm season at temperatures up to + 30 ° C.

1. Cut a stem with 2-3 internodes below the aerial root. To process a slice with coal powder. If for work there is only a handle without roots, it must be put in a container with water and wait for the spine to appear.
2. Plant the cuttings in prepared disinfected soil.
3. Cover the stalk with a transparent bag or glass jar to maintain high humidity inside. Ventilate every 2 days, if necessary, moisten with warm, settled water.
4. Shelter is removed after the appearance of new leaflets, which indicate successful rooting.

Did you know? Philodendron is translated from ancient Greek as “I love a tree” and describes the way it exists in its native environment.

Seeds

Sowing seeds produced in the spring.

The sequence of the process is as follows:

1. In the prepared disinfected mixture, place the seeds to a depth of 5 mm.
2. Moisten the soil by spraying from the spray gun with warm, settled water.
3. Cover the sowing with glass or a transparent film, and put the box in a warm place.
4. Maintain high humidity in the container and wait for emergence after about 1.5 months.
5. After the appearance of the first true leaves, seedlings are planted in separate containers.

Pest and Disease Control

Despite sufficient resistance, a plant weakened by improper care can be infected with the following pests:

• thrips will be noticeable by silver strokes and spots, as well as black dots on the leaves. The plant must be washed with soapy water and spilled with insecticide. After a week, treatment should be repeated;
  

• the scab is visible on all sides of the sheet with plaques of brown or translucent color. Fighting this pest is identical to fighting thrips;
  

• the spider mite leaves punctures on the leaves, which are then covered with yellow spots. A white coating remains on the back of the sheet. A tick often occurs with excessive dryness of the air, and acaricidal preparations are used to combat it;
  

• twisted leaves and a superficial inspection help identify aphids. At the first stage, washing with a soap solution may be sufficient; in difficult cases, chemical preparations are used.
  

The most common disease is philodendrons stem rot. The cause of the disease is excessive moisture. In this case, the plant loses its elasticity, and its tissues soften. At the beginning of the defeat, you can re-root the plant by cutting the trunk above the place of decay and providing it with a container of water or a container with soil.

Possible harm

Philodendron juice contains calcium oxalate, which is toxic to small animals. Its effect is harmful to the skin and mucous membranes of a person, especially for children. When working with a plant, it is necessary to protect hands from juice with gloves. It is also worth thoroughly washing garden tools after working with the philodendron.

Climbing philodendron demonstrates rapid growth and beautiful foliage, and also does not require special conditions. Due to its shade tolerance, the plant is suitable for apartments with problematic natural light. Requires increased care in homes with young children and pets.