Philodendrons are plants with rich green shiny leaves. The culture belongs to variegated varieties and is ideal for growing at home. The most important thing is to provide plants with thorough care so that they grow healthy and delight in their chic appearance.
Botanical Description
Philodendrons belong to the Aroid family. The evergreen climbing perennial is fixed to the support thanks to suction-cup roots. The fleshy stems are lignified at the base. The foliage is quite dense, leathery, characterized by a variety of dimensional characteristics, shapes and colors. The length of the philodendron growing at home reaches 200-240 cm.
What does a flower look like
How the structure of shoots occurs is still a mystery. Foliage of two types develops in turn. First of all, the development of a scaly green mass is carried out in the philodendron. After this, the process of developing green leaves on long stalks begins. In the inner part of the green foliage, inflorescences are forming. In the sinuses of scaly leaves, lateral kidneys develop.
Note! The main shoots of inflorescences end. It is not known where the parts of the stems grow, bearing the following scaly and green leaves.
Features of keeping at home
To grow a healthy plant belonging to the Aroid family, you must adhere to the recommendations of experienced gardeners regarding care. Below are the key features of the content of philodendron at home.
- Temperature condition. The plant loves warmth, so in the summer, the temperature in the house should reach 25-27 ° C, and in winter not fall below 16 ° C. It is unacceptable to keep the flower pot in places where drafts are periodically present.
- Lighting. Direct sunlight on the green mass of the ornamental plant contributes to burns of foliage. Scars from a burn can not be removed with anything. It is best to choose a well-lit place in the room, located further from the windowsills.
- Watering mode. From late March to October, watering the soil in which Sello philodendron grows (bicoper philodendron) should be plentiful. It is very important that the ground remains slightly moist. However, it should be borne in mind that waterlogging can lead to decay of the root system. In the winter months, less watering is recommended. The soil should have time to dry between humidifications a couple of centimeters deep. The shoot requires the same plentiful watering.
- Humidity level. A plant belonging to the Aroid family needs frequent spraying with water at room temperature. Every three days, foliage should be carefully wiped with a damp cloth. The surface of the sticks, acting as a backup, turns into a well-moistened sphagnum moss. In winter, it is worth moving the liana pot away from heating appliances. Dry air negatively affects the appearance of the plant. The foliage becomes dry and the edges often break. It is advisable to install containers with flowers on pallets with wet expanded clay.
- Soil for planting must be prepared independently. To do this, mix a small part of the turf, leafy soil and sand. It is very important to provide good drainage.
- Feeding is an important stage of care. It is better to give preference to liquid mineral fertilizers intended for ornamental leaves. It is necessary to add top dressing to the soil every 20 days, starting in March and ending in mid-autumn.
- Transfer. It is necessary to transplant plants at the moment when the root system begins to protrude above the surface of the soil. Transplantation should be carried out in the spring months. Given the rapid growth of the flower, experts recommend replanting it in a larger container annually. An adult plant usually needs a transplant every 3 years. For weaving vines, it is better to take a hanging planter as a container.
- Reproduction occurs by apical and stem cuttings. It is enough to just root the stalk with a couple of leaves in the sand mixed with a small amount of moss. The container with the handle is taken out to the greenhouse, the temperature in which reaches 22-23 ° С. It is very important to ensure a high level of humidity in the greenhouse. You can grow philodendron Sello Mexican snake from seed.
Note! The juice of the plant is poisonous. Cutting leaves and cutting cuttings should be carried out with gloves.
The flower should be placed in a well-lit place.
Popular varieties
The types and names of the popular varieties of philodendron are described below.
Philodendron Guitar
The length of the guitar-shaped philodendron when grown at home can reach 200-210 cm. A distinctive feature of the liana is its ability to transform. As they grow older, the heart-shaped foliage of the plant takes on a three-lobed shape, resembling the appearance of a guitar (it was because of this feature that they gave this name). Foliage length 30 cm.
Philodendron Xanadu
Liana has elongated foliage, painted in bright green shades. The length of leaf plates can reach 40 cm. Soft leaflets become cirrus over time. When growing Xanadu philodendron, it is important to provide diffused bright light in the room, low air humidity. Timely watering will enable the green mass to form correctly.
Note! Flowering when grown in an apartment is rare.
Philodendron lobed: features of care for the liana
The length of an adult plant exceeds 210-220 cm. The stems, despite their considerable thickness, retain flexibility. The lobed philodendron has the ability of strong weaving along the support. Large leathery foliage located along the entire length of the shoot is painted in an emerald shade.
Experts draw attention to the need to install a reliable support near the vine. It is best for this purpose to purchase a plastic pipe in which there are holes. Such a support can be filled with water, which will act as an additional source of moisture. Before planting, you should independently prepare the soil, which includes:
- bark;
- peat;
- a small portion of sand of a large fraction;
- sheet earth.
In the room where lobed philodendron is grown, the temperature should be in the range of 18-26 ° C.
Lobed
Philodendron Mikans
The velvety foliage of an adult Mikans philodendron is colored green. The plant is ideal for growing in a hanging planter. The length of the brilliant philodendron does not exceed 10 cm. Liana is unpretentious. The most important thing is to provide her with sufficient watering and put the pot in a well-lit place.
Important! Brilliant philodendron (Mikans) does not tolerate drafts.
Spear Philodendron
In these fast-growing vines, green foliage is covered with a glossy surface. As the plants grow, the leaves become wavy and carved.
Philodendrons of this variety need systematic feeding. To this end, it is best to use complex fertilizer designed for decorative foliage flowers. Experts recommend fertilizing the soil every 14-15 days from the beginning of spring to mid-autumn. Adult plants need the annual addition of rotted compost. However, such top dressing can only be applied once every 12 months to prevent yellowing of the foliage and death of the flower.
Philodendron warty
Foliage of the warty variety is naturally endowed with a heart-shaped and velvety structure. The length of the foliage when grown under indoor conditions reaches 18-20 cm. In the natural environment, the philodendron is much larger. The presence of petioles gives the impression that the liana is literally covered with warty bristles.
Warty grade
Radiant Philodendron
The radiant variety (Philodendron Radiatum) is quite unpretentious. The length of the plant reaches 300 cm. The stems are covered with hard, dissected leaves. In winter, the liana needs additional lighting. For this purpose, you can use fluorescent lamps. To avoid burns of green mass, scattering light should be provided. The soil in the pot should always be slightly moist.
Note! When grown in a dark place, the liana becomes pale and stops growing.
Scaly philodendron
Under natural conditions, a scaly variety can be found growing at a height. You can admire the amazing liana nearby thanks to the possibility of growing it in apartment conditions. For planting, you need to prepare loose soil. There are five cuts on the foliage of philodendron. The length of the foliage reaches 44-45 cm. Petioles of the flower are painted in bright red shades and are covered with fine bristles.
Note! The scaly variety does not bloom.
Philodendron evans
The spectacular variety of philodendron is characterized by amazingly beautiful foliage, the length of which exceeds 70 cm, and the width reaches 45-50 cm. The leaves are naturally endowed with a smooth shiny surface. The shape of the green mass can be either triangular or heart-shaped. The edges of the foliage are wavy. Leaflets as a plant grows from a brown-green hue turn into bright green.
Observing the recommendations regarding the care of the vine, you can grow a healthy plant, the appearance of which for many years will delight the owner. Liana is able to effectively decorate any interior.
