Burle Marx fantasy is the plant to go for if you want to make a bold statement. This eye-catching and extremely rare Philodendron is the perfect indoor plant for the secluded corners of your home.
Plus, it is not high-maintenance at all. Read this complete guide to find out what makes this plant happy and healthy.
What Is Burle Marx Fantasy?
Burle Marx is a rare and undescribed philodendron from the Brazilian rainforests. It has dull green and gray colored gigantic leaves that are heavily veined. This plant likes to climb up on its strong stems and can grow to unimaginable sizes. Variegated varieties of this plant are also available.
Burle Marx Fantasy Care
Care for Philodendron Burle Marx necessitates that the light it receives is indirect and shaded, watered generously when the topsoil dries up, and temperatures must be above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity above 60 percent is perfect, and an acidic to neutral soil with thorough drainage is the ideal way to go. You can read the complete care guide below.
– Water Requirements
The water needs of this plant necessitate watering when the topsoil dries up to an inch in depth. A moisture meter can help you gauge the soil’s moisture level, but you can make do with your finger too. Find out some more crucial watering requirements below.
How To Water This Plant
The Philodendron Burle Marx fantasy plant will need watering almost three times a day when it is summertime. When the temperature drops in the latter half of the year, you must decrease the watering frequency because the soil dries slowly.
Watering the plants is also an art; one must learn how to do this properly. To water this one, it would be best to give lots of water every time and take your sweet time pouring it over the soil.
Take care to water the soil and not the plant’s stems and leaves. Keep pouring water into the soil and notice when it starts coming out of the pot’s bottom, which is when you must stop watering.
Your soil will take time to drain the excess water out of the drainage hole. Collect all this water in a drip tray and get rid of it as soon as possible. Leaving it under the pot is a recipe for root rot development.
The Best Type of Water
Your ordinary tap water is alright for all household philodendrons. The only problem with tap water is the slightly high chlorine level because most plants don’t take kindly to it. If you leave this water uncovered for about a day, most of the chlorine will evaporate. This water is now safe for use.
If you have a filter installed, this would be even better as you can filter out the small amounts of salts and minerals as well.
– Light Requirements
The light needs of the fantasy Philodendron are bright but indirect, which is why it is best placed inside the house. If the light is not bright enough, you must use artificial grow lights because they work just as fine.
Indoor Placement
Indoor placement of your Burle Marx plant is very crucial. The room in question must be sufficiently bright and well-lit by windows. The safest windows which provide adequate light without burning the plant are the western-facing or the eastern-facing ones.
Similarly, the window you need to be careful of is the southern-facing one. This one gets the most intense sunlight during the day, which is why your plant needs to be at a distance of at least three feet from it. Alternatively, you can try covering the window with a reasonably thick curtain.
This plant is known for being a shade-loving indoor Philodendron. This is because direct placement under sunshine causes it to turn yellow and sunburnt. This is especially true during spring and summertime.
Outdoor Placement
Being a shade-loving plant, you must be very careful when keeping this plant outdoors. If your lawn or patio has a northern-facing wall, this is the best place to keep your plant. It will get the brightest, most suitable light possible — completely indirectly.
If not, then at least place some shade on the plant outside. This can be in the form of an actual shade or a larger tree that blocks the light from directly impacting it. When placed outdoors, you must always be mindful of your plant. Even a minor care lapse can lead to it being sunburnt and dying.
Artificial Grow Lights
A lot of times, the light inside the house isn’t suitable enough to grow this plant to its maximum potential. You cannot use just any ordinary LED light for this purpose. Plants need blue and red to get the right energy source.
It would be best to invest money in specialized fluorescent LED grow lights for these Philodendrons. These can be placed quite close to the plant without giving off too much heat.
Grow lights these days come in a variety of shapes and types. They are also inexpensive and energy-efficient, so you don’t need to worry about keeping them on for 10 to 12 hours daily.
– Soil Requirements
This plant’s soil requirements include acidic soil enriched with lots of nutrients. The pH level ideally needs to be 5.6 to 6.5. Always go for a peat-based potting mix and add some mulch to make it more nutritious. Alternative options for additives are charcoal and sphagnum moss.
A very sandy, loamy soil is not suitable, although you still need it to be well-draining. We always add perlite to our mix, and the plant loves it.
– Temperature Requirements
Around 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature range between which your Philodendron burle Marx grows the best.
This is because this plant is native to the tropical regions of Brazil. Keeping it indoors can be a challenge temperature-wise because it cannot withstand cold temperatures and has been known to go into hibernation and eventually die.
Do you want to know tips on keeping this plant from cold damage? We have compiled some key points below.
- This plant must not be placed near an air conditioner or cold air vent.
- Also, take care that if placed near a window, it is not exposed to cold air drafts. The windows should be especially closed at night time.
- Come fall and winter, moving temperature-sensitive outdoor plants inside the house will be the best course of action.
– Humidity Requirements
The humidity levels for this plant need to be higher than 60 percent. This is especially important in winter when warm indoor conditions dry the air.
The simplest method to improve humidity is to faintly mist the plant every day in summer and every third day in winter. Spray from a distance to prevent the common need to mist less in the winter even though it is drier because water droplets take more time to evaporate.
There are some additional methods you can resort to if you need to work on the plant’s humidity. You can read them all here.
- Make a shallow pebble tray by putting pebbles and water under the pot. The water evaporating will add to the humidity of the air surrounding this magnificent plant. Ensure that the pot rests on the pebbles and does not touch the water directly.
- Move all your humidity-loving plants close to each other without compromising their air circulation.
- A humidifier might be your best bet if you are passionate about fulfilling your plant’s basic needs. It will maintain high humidity automatically without you having to mist the plant every other day.
– Fertilizing Requirements
Your Marx fantasy plant will appreciate a healthy dose of regular fertilizing. The fertilizer in question needs to be well-balanced with an equal nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium ratio. There are two options you have when it comes to fertilizing philodendrons.
Option one is to use a liquid fertilizer after diluting it for 20 percent or more than its initial strength. Pour it on the soil a few inches away from the roots. Also, water the roots right before fertilizing so that the roots are shielded from chemical burns. Do this once a month from March until fall each year.
Opinion number two is to use a slow-release fertilizer in the form of manufactured pellets. You will only need to bury them in the soil two to three inches deep once every six months. This form of fertilizing is relatively safer but lacks the immediate effect that the liquid form provides.
– Pruning
Grooming marks the difference between a good and a great plant. Pruning a plant during the peak growing season in spring and summer is quite beneficial for the plant. It enhances further growth, removes brown and yellowed leaves, and allows the plant to breathe better.
Removing discolored and withered leaves can be done by just twisting them off the stem. You can also remove healthy but old leaves from the plant. Just don’t get too carried away with pruning; don’t prune more than one-quarter of the leaves all at once.
Another thing that pruning is useful for is to maintain the plant in a certain shape. Any askew branches growing from the main stem need to be sheared off. Just use a clean gardening tool to prevent the spread of any potential infection.
Propagation
There are three simple methods to propagate the Philodendron Burle Marx houseplants. All of them produce positive results.
Read ahead to decide which method suits you the best.
– Air Layering Method
In this technique, the propagated stem remains attached to the parent plant until a new baby plant grows.
- Take a mature stem and make an oblique incision on it right under a leaf node. This cut shouldn’t be deeper than half the diameter of the stem.
- Insert a piece of cardboard or toothpick in this cut so it doesn’t heal.
- Take a fistful of damp sphagnum moss and use it to cover this incision.
- Then wrap the moss with a plastic wrap and some strings and leave it for over a month.
- After a month, remove the wrapping to see the propagation progress. If new roots have begun to dangle off the cut incision, well and good. Rewrap it and allow some time for further growth.
- After the new aerial roots have grown two to three inches long, cut this stem a few inches below the initial cut and plant it within its own pot.
– Stem Cuttings
Propagating through stem cutting is the most common method used and one that is easy enough as well.
- Take a pair of clean and sharp scissors to take a six-inch-long stem cutting. Taking the cutting near the stem is ideal as it has the most growth potential.
- Three or more leaf nodes are a must to have in a cutting. These are the tiny, raised bumps darker than the rest of the stem.
- Apply rooting hormone at the cut end and allow it to dry for three to five days.
- Bury the cut end of the cutting within newly prepared soil. Place at least two inches of the cutting within the soil.
- Keep the newly potted cutting in a well-lit room and make sure it is adequately watered during its initial days.
– Seeds
This is the least favorite method among gardeners, owing to its time-consuming nature.
- Obtain recent, fresh seeds from a trusted source and keep them soaked in water for one whole night.
- Arrange a shallow tray with a suitable growing medium. Our go-to medium is almost always sphagnum moss.
- Sprinkle water over the moss to keep it mildly moist, then press the seeds one by one into it, taking care that a one to two inches distance is maintained between individual seeds.
- Move this tray to your house’s most humid, bright, and warm room. This could either be a greenhouse, kitchen, or washroom.
- Keep the growing medium moderately moist at all times. Within six to eight weeks, some of the seeds will germinate and sprout shoots.
- You can transfer individual plantlets to their pots later on when they are slightly larger. Remember, most of the seeds you use will not germinate, which is alright.
Problems
The problems you might have with Philodendron fantasy are potential toxicity, fungal root rot, and pests. Don’t worry; all these problems are super easy to manage.
Are you suffering from any of these problems? We have the right solutions for you here.
– Toxicity
The leaves and stem of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, making them toxic. Eating, chewing, or even touching these parts will produce adverse reactions in the exposed body parts. Sometimes, pretty harsh rashes might develop in people prone to allergies.
It is wise not to deal with this plant without wearing gloves and covering all your skin. Take special precautions during pruning and propagation, not letting the sap touch your bare skin.
Curious pets and little kids also need to be kept away from this plant. If they eat or chew any part of this plant, it might lead to severe burning in the mouth, followed by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Treat them promptly by giving them dairy products and taking them to a vet or hospital as soon as possible.
– Root Rot
Root rot is the worst nightmare of all plant carers. It is caused by fungus and happens when the plant’s roots are constantly wet and moist. Several reasons might be responsible for these wet and moist soil conditions.
The number one reason is watering more than necessary. The second reason is when the soil’s drainage system is compromised and stores water instead of draining most of it away — another major factor in not keeping your pot directly in contact with a water-filled drip tray.
How You Can Spot Root Rot
Root rot is easy to spot. Your plant will begin to emanate a foul smell. The leaves will become heavy, mushy, and droopy, and yellow, brown, and black rot spots will erupt over the whole plant. If you can look at the roots, they will also appear squishy and brown and smell terrible.
How You Can Stop Root Rot
It might not always be possible to salvage a plant ravaged by root rot. If you catch the disease early on and take prompt action, there are high chances you can save it.
- The old pot and the soil are now highly infected and need to go. Remove the plant and discard them properly because they cannot be recycled.
- Take a pair of shears and chop off the parts that look rotten.
- Repot the plant within a new pot and soil, ensuring no water accumulation occurs.
- For several weeks afterwards, keep spraying generously with a strong anti-fungal agent.
– Pest Infestations
Finding a plant owner who hasn’t had to deal with bug attacks is rare. The most common ones you will have to look out for are mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids. Some can be clustered under leaves and sheaths, while others are invisible.
These bugs don’t kill or destroy your plant right away. They go on sucking its sap and producing weakness for a long time. Eventually, symptoms such as yellowing of leaves and curling around the edges appear. The plant’s growth and production of new leaves are most severely affected.
Here is how to battle a pest attack like a pro.
- Wash and scrub off the bugs by hand as the first step.
- Spray your plant weekly using a good quality insecticidal spray, especially under the leaves.
- If you want to go the organic route, there is nothing better than a weekly foliar spray made of neem oil.
– Expensive
This plant is so expensive because it is a rare type of Philodendron. It is not a common plant to find just anywhere; that is why Burle Marx fantasy prices are so high.
It is also a gorgeous-looking plant, and its high instragamability makes it much sought after among all plant owners. You will likely not find Burle Marx fantasy for sale anytime soon.
FAQs
– What Is Burle Marx Fantasy a Hybrid of?
This plant is an unknown philodendron hybrid discovered in the collections of Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx, and while its original parent plants remain unknown, we do know that it is similar to another rare Philodendron: the Burle Marx plant.
The difference between burle marx fantasy vs burle marx lies in their leaves. The fantasy houseplant has large, heart-shaped leaves, while those of marx are bi-lobed and corrugated at the edges.
– Is Burle Marx a Climber?
Yes, this unique philodendron is most definitely a climbing plant. Its slender stems grow tall in an elongated manner. You can promote further growth yourself by regularly pruning and trimming its branches during springtime.
This property makes it a sought-after indoor decorative plant. You can use its creeping vines for several decorative purposes. Whether attaching its vines to the corners of a window or having it creep on the floor, the possibilities are endless.
Take note that as it grows, this philodendron will need some sort of support to be kept upright because it grows mainly as a creeper, so its thin stems don’t really have enough strength to support the weight of the adult plant.
A moss pole is the best option when it comes to creepers. It also provides nutrients and moisture along with support. Alternatively, you can simply install a stake and rope the stem with it.
Conclusion
You have now finished reading all about the beautiful and rare Burle Marx fantasy plant. Below is a quick recap of the whole guide:
- The Burle Marx plant is rare, so it’s best to propagate it at home using cuttings, air layering, or seeds.
- Don’t expose it to direct light because it cannot tolerate it without some shade.
- Be careful when watering; overwatering is dangerous and causes root rot.
- Make sure your soil is acidic to neutral and loose enough to drain water properly.
This plant is so rare that you must provide it with the excellent care possible. This guide aims to provide you with all the right information to help you with it.
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