Philodendron - a common houseplant from the family of the aroid, in natural conditions occurs in the tropics of South America. The genus is divided into two groups and has almost 220 species. The first group includes lianas, which adapt well to the conditions of an ordinary apartment. They only need support for the stems. The second group includes non-lianas, they grow to large sizes.
The basic rules for the care of philodendron at home
The Philodendrons differ in their care requirements:
- Among them there are whimsical flowers, which, with small changes in the conditions of life, the appearance worsens. Thus, in the filodendron separate when the illumination and humidity of the air decrease, the beautiful three-lobed leaves become crooked and whole. Another of them include a warty philodendron, a philodendron of golden-black and a filodendron decorated. They are better to grow in a florarium with illumination and a constant temperature of + 20-25 ° C, without sharp changes.
- Less capricious are philodendrons spear-like (home), gitarovidny, cheshuyusny, blushing, brilliant, climbing, etc. For them, the temperature is + 16-25 ° C, in the winter not below + 12 ° C.
Lighting
All philodendrons are encouraged to scatter light, without direct sun rays. Ideal for them are windows in the east and west. If light is not enough, then:
- leaves in philodendrons decrease;
- lengthening cuttings;
- instead of dissected leaves grow whole;
- the color of leaves becomes less bright;
- in variegated forms the leaves turn green.
Moisture and watering
To the humidity of the air, the group of "capricious and complex" plants is very demanding. In particular, the warty philodendron suffers particularly badly in the dry months (summer and winter). Because of velvet leaves it is not recommended to spray it, it is possible to spray fog around the water. Increase the humidity in the winter can be using a special humidifier or hanging wet towels on batteries.
The rest of the Philodendrons in the room conditions, so that the foliage was beautiful and reflected the sun's rays, once a week you need to remove dust, wiping with a damp sponge. Once a month you need to arrange bathing with watering for plants. Immerse all the pots in the water, and while the soil is soaked with moisture, wash the dust off the leaves.
To water it is necessary a soft stand-by water after easy drying of the top layer of the earth. In summer, water the plants preferably every 2-3 days, avoiding overmoistening of the soil. In winter, watering should be reduced.
Philodendron: reproduction and transplantation
Reproduction of philodendrons is performed in the spring, before transplantation, by apical cuttings, with stem segments with or without leaf. Root them in water or moss sphagnum. Fancy types of philodendrons are better to take root in the greenhouse. Also apply this method: the trunk with a good top sheet, where the air roots appeared, are well wrapped in wet sphagnum. Then wrap the moss with food film. You need to make sure that the moss is always wet. When the future cuttings have two or three leaves and good roots, it is cut with a sharp knife, and the cut is sprinkled with activated charcoal. Plant the stalk and moss in the soil in a small pot. Non-lianas use daughter shoots instead of cuttings.
In spring, the philodendron is transplanted: the young - every year, the more adults - every two years, and then only replace the top layer of soil in the pot.
Which land to plant the Philodendron?
- The substrate for the transplantation of philodendrons is weakly acidic, air-permeable and moisture-consuming.
- For only rooted plants, a ready-mixed peat mix, small pieces of charcoal and pine bark are mixed.
- For young plants prepare a mixture of humus and peat (2: 0.2: 1) with the addition of coal, moss, and bark.
- For adult plants, the main components are used in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
Philodendron: flowering
In indoor conditions not all kinds of philodendron bloom and bear fruit. His flowers are small, come in different colors, collected in a spiky inflorescence, covered with a sheet-like hood - a veil. Blossoming of philodendron more often occurs in the spring and summer.
Philodendron: Diseases and Problems
A sign of inadequate care for the Philodendron at home is that the plants turn yellow leaves. If the leaves turn yellow from the edges and lose the turgor (rot), the filodendron suffers from overflow. Pale leaves with yellow spots indicate an overabundance of the sun. But, if the leaves turn yellow, and there is no rotting of the filodendron, the reason for the lack of food.
To the frequent disease of philodendron is also the decay of stems, the cause is stem rot. Most often this disease manifests itself in winter, in conditions of low temperature and excess moisture, as the fungus multiplies. Cure the Philodendron transplant into another pot, raise the temperature in the room and limit irrigation.
To the pests affecting the Philodendron are thrips , scabbard and spider mites .
Philodendron has become a popular indoor plant because of its diversity of species, which differ in the shape and color of their huge leaves. And, if you choose rather unpretentious plant species, adhering to certain rules, they can be landscaped and decorate any room.