Repotting Heartleaf Philodendron
Hi,
This spring is my big up-pot/RE-pot for practically all of my plants and I've got everything figured out so far except my philodendron. I've had it for 3 years and around 2 months and I have only repotted it once at the very beginning. I know that's a big no no and all already but It was one of my first houseplants........... Anyway I bought it at Costco and it came wrapped around one of those bamboo grades and I remember trying to repot it then and it being a real struggle.. As the bamboo thing woukd come out of the soil but then the whole plant was wrapped around said Bamboo grade and it was just a Mess. 3 years later it's over 6 feet tall at parts and is tapped on my wall.
I decided to cut it back now so it would be more portable, have time to grow new shoots before the repot in May, and for me to be able to root the cuttings in water in time for them to be planted in the bigger pot with the main plant again.
Was it right to do so? I have pictures but I'll have to post them at the bottom of the text as my phone won't allow me to type under photos without jumping all over the place and it woukd take forever to type. Should I have not cut it back? Should I cut it back more?
And is there any trick to keeping it all together when repotting? I am going to remove all the soil from the roots but I don't want it to start slipping out of the bamboo thing and getting all messed up and what not.
Thanks,
Here's the before and after photos
Agh, sorry for the side way photos again... Have to learn to take them landscape... Been here for 3 years and still can't do it!
Comments (11)
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Heartleaf philodendron has dwarfed new growth?
Comments (2)Check the soil and roots. I've had vines just hanging out doing nothing for-ever and decided to re-pot them and found they had no roots or maybe just one or two small ones and the rest had rotted away because the soil didn't drain when I watered them. Use a mix with 50/50 soil and bark so the water drains well and the roots can get some air. There's even better soil mixes, use the search feature (top of page) for "soil" My philodendrons seem to grow best in bright light with little or no direct sun. Water only when needed not on a schedule. Check out http://www.exoticrainforest.com For some great info (link below)and the aroid forum here on garden web Here is a link that might be useful: exoticrainforest - Growing Philodendrons...See MoreIs my Heartleaf Philodendron okay?
Comments (9)Agree with Mr. Blubs--top leaf looks like a new one, based on shine. My newly potted philodendrons did some leaf wrinkling once. I was trying to be conservative on the water as I am terrified of overwatering anything. In my time with heartleaf philodendrons, I have observed that they do need more consistently moist soil than some other tropical plants (but not soggy, by any means). While some other tropical plants can go dry to the bottom of the pot (like the pothos), with the heartleaf philo, measure soil dampness like Meag described. I think your plant will be fine. Though they can start to look a bit rough if neglected, these are very hard to kill plants....See MoreHeartleaf Philodendron spotty leaf!
Comments (4)It might help to dry faster if you take it out if the cache pot for awhile for better circulation, or until you repot. You could even lift the whole plant - soil and all - from the pot and set it on newspapers or paper towels. (Or kinda cram the corner of a paper towel in a drain hole and set it all on top of a cloth towel. The paper towel will help wick out moisture faster.) I use a modified "jungle mix" for most of my philodendrons and other aroids. Just look around this forum and do a little research and you'll find something that works best for you. Most of the plants I've bought from big box stores are in super water retentive soils. A couple times I've pulled them from the pot and basically squeezed out excess water (gently of course) before using the wicking methods I mentioned. I don't know if it is just my imagination but I try to use cache pots that are a little bigger than the growers pot to allow air to circulate. If I'm just crazy I would love for someone to correct me as I have a few cache pots that are lovely but are set aside and empty for this reason....See MoreHeartleaf Philodendron... root space?
Comments (4)I am not an expert, but my philodendrons, as well as pothos, do not seem to resent staying in their 4" pots for several years. A pot that is too large can tend to stay moist and encourage root rot. If you do decide to repot, it is recommended to use a new pot that is an inch or two bigger than the original one. I often take a plant out of its pot, trim the roots and put it back into its old pot with some new, fresh potting soil. You might want to look for threads that describe Al's 5-1-1-1 recipe for potting soil. I myself use a mixture of one part moisture control potting soil (contains coir) to 2 or 3 parts soil conditioner and 1 part perlite. Soil conditioner is a product sold in the SE which is chunky wood/bark pieces meant for improving garden soil. It's the closest I can find to what Al describes. Good luck!...See MoreMrBlubs
9 years agoMrBlubs
8 years agoYes I repotted. Repotting wasn't as bad just the rest attaching to the wall was a type of hell I don't want to go through again. First, I accidentally taped each vine backwards and then for 3 weeks they constantly would come crashing down at times. Went through a lot of tape.
However, it eventually stayed put and the Ariel roots started attaching to the wall again. All the cuttings I took from the cut back all rooted and I was able to stick them in the pot.
Though a week or so ago one of the longest vines detached some how and snapped right off. That portion is being rooted in water now, but makes the plant look a little weird (by the toucan thing)
Here's a pic
MrBlubs
8 years agoMrBlubs
8 years ago
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL