The Philodendron asplundii is an exceptional plant that is mostly used in decorative containers to provide an aesthetic value indoors.
It has evergreen leaves and is a perennial plant. Depending on the conditions under which it is kept, this plant can assume different sizes. Let’s get more details on how to take good care of this lovely plant.
What Is Philodendron Asplundii?
The Philodendron asplundii plant is huge-leafed and produces long, narrow leaves. It is a climber that is quite easy to grow with leaves that possess a glossy appearance.
Amazingly, when this plant matures, its leaves get longer and wider. The plant leaves will provide an exotic and exquisite appearance.
Philodendron Asplundii Care
Certain conditions are necessary for the care of the isotype Philodendron asplundii croat. The plant has special requirements including temperature, water, humidity, and the potting soil.
– Water Requirements
The Philodendron asplundii does well if you provide it with plenty of water. It is better for you to water your plant every two to three days. This allows your plant to be sufficiently hydrated even under the scorching heat of summer. However, take care not to overwater or underwater your plant.
You should keep a close eye on the potting soil to determine when to water your asplundii . It is not a good sign if you see two to three inches of your plant’s topsoil drying out.
In such a case, ensure that you water your Philodendron asplundii until the plant looks moist again. Sometimes, the soil may be on the wetter side, and in such a scenario it is better not to water the plant until you see signs of drying out.
It is important to maintain a balance between overwatering or under-watering your Philodendron asplundii as both extremes may lead to problems. To have a thriving asplundii plant, it is better for you to devise a regular watering schedule as recommended in this article.
– Light Requirements
The Philodendron asplundii plant is happy when it receives both bright and indirect sunlight. From these light requirements, the plant draws energy to perform important functions such as germination and photosynthesis.
Light also functions to remove excess water from the plant so that it maintains good amounts of fluid content. To provide your plant with sufficient light, we recommend that you place it in front of a south or east-facing window.
Please note that the Philodendron asplundii is also compatible with growing lights. Make sure that the plant gets adequate light during winter. In case you stay in a rainy area, ensure that your plant is not located near a window. Shift the plant’s location or place it under artificial lights on a temporary basis.
Although your plant requires adequate light, ensure that you protect it from harsh, direct sun rays during summer. Bear in mind that if you are getting sunlight from the east window in the morning, you may expose your plant to direct sunlight because the morning sun is not so intense.
If your Philodendron asplundii is exposed to harsh rays of the sun, leaf-scorching will result. Sometimes, too much sunlight may even lead to the death of your plant.
– Soil Requirements
The Philodendron asplundii thrives in well-draining soils that are sufficiently moist. To improve blooming and growth, we recommend that you add organic material such as peat moss, bark, or perlite. It is important that you keep your plant adequately hydrated throughout its life cycle.
In relation to pH, the Philodendron asplundii plant enjoys soils that are not very acidic. It prefers a pH that ranges from five to six. Slightly acidic soil improves the plant’s ability to combat infections and take up nutrients. Additionally, the acidity helps when it comes to the blooming of Philodendron asplundii.
Apart from using organic matter to grow Philodendron asplundii, you could also use an Aroid mix. This has the advantage that the potting mix has already been pre-mixed. Another option would be to use sphagnum moss. With this option, you should moisten the sphagnum moss or keep the moss moist using a spray bottle.
– Temperature Requirements
The Philodendron asplundii plant is quite susceptible to extremes in temperature. You may notice a poor plant if the temperature is not conducive. Ideally, the plant enjoys room temperatures. For healthy plant care, you should maintain a temperature range of between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 to 26.6 degrees Celsius) during the daytime.
At night, the Philodendron asplundii loves temperatures that are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 degrees Celsius) should be avoided because the plant tends to struggle in environments that are cold.
It is better for you to find a warm and cozy spot to keep your plant. Ensure that you keep your plant away from appliances that produce excessive heat, such as heaters, stoves, and radiators.
To provide your Philodendron Asplundii with the necessary warmth, you can place a heating pad or mat under the potted plant. This will help in keeping the soil temperature warm.
– Humidity Requirements
Humidity is a crucial aspect when it comes to the growth of the Philodendron asplundii. When adequately hydrated, the plant functions and reproduces well. However, in excess humidity, the plant is more prone to infections. We recommend moisture levels of approximately 60 to 70 percent for optimal survival of your plant.
The humidity requirements needed for the plant to thrive are usually extremely high for standard households. To provide the necessary humidity requirements, you could group the Philodendron asplundii plant together with your other houseplants in a single room.
Another option would be to regularly mist your plant and its surroundings. However, you should make sure that extra vapor does not cling to your plant for long periods of time because this may cause problems such as rotting.
In cases where you have misted the plant and there is extra mist, it is better to wipe off the additional moisture after some time. You could use a humidifier to increase the humidity around your plant. Although this method is relatively expensive, it is highly effective, even more than all the other methods that we described.
– Fertilizing Requirements
The Philodendron asplundii is not an avid feeder, so you can add a single dose of fertilizer every six to eight weeks to provide it with sufficient nourishment. It is important to ensure that you feed your plant with the appropriate type of feed that contains the right ingredients for optimum growth.
We recommend that you use a premium-quality balanced NPK fertilizer for the optimum growth of your Philodendron asplundii. The main constituents of this fertilizer are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium.
You can also provide nourishment through a liquid feed. The advantage of this type of fertilizer is that the feed is more likely to be distributed to the plant at a quicker pace, thereby providing rapid results.
Another choice of fertilizer is the slow-release type, which offers the plant with feed for longer periods. However, the slow-release type of fertilizer is not as effective as the liquid one.
We recommend that you maintain a six to eight weeks fertilizing frequency for your plant. In other instances, you could follow the feeding instructions that are given on the fertilizer packaging. Also, avoid using cheap fertilizers that tend to expose your plant to excess salts, thereby causing a toxic build-up in its potting soil.
– Pruning
The Philodendron asplundii plant exhibits moderate to fast growth, reaching between six and ten feet tall. However, its growth largely depends on how it’s kept. Pruning the plant helps if you do not want it to get overly large.
For a symmetrical and fresh-looking plant, consider pruning your Philodendron asplundii on a regular basis. Apart from providing a good aesthetic value, pruning aids in eliminating infectious pathogens that are responsible for causing and spreading diseases.
When pruning the Philodendron asplundii plant, begin with the vines that appear erratic. Afterward, cut off overly mature foliage and that which appears diseased.
Once you see that your plant looks well-trimmed, you can mist it using a fungicide spray. Ensure that you do not expose the internal structures of your plant to open air. Also, avoid making loose cuts. Open air exposure to the plant’s internal structures and loose cuts can cause bacterial infections that can spread very quickly upon gaining access.
Propagation
If at all you are considering growing Philodendron asplundii for sale, you can propagate its stem cuttings in soil or water. To propagate the plant in soil, you will need a suitable potting mix, fungicidal spray, water, a small pot, and a garden knife.
– Propagation in Soil
Commence by cutting off approximately three to six inches long of a healthy-looking Philodendron asplundii stem. When making the cut, it is better to do it just above another leaf. Afterward, spray some fungicide on the stem that you want to propagate and allow it to dry. The potting mix should contain peat moss, bark, and ground soil.
Make sure that your small container has at least three drainage holes. Add your soil mix to the container and place the Philodendron asplundii stem in the center of the mix. Allow the stem to stand in an upright position by adding some more potting soil around the stem. You will have to add fertilizer and water at the end.
After setting up the materials for propagation, provide your plant with a shady area until it starts to grow roots and foliage. After a few weeks, the Philodendron asplundii plant will begin to mature.
– Propagation in Water
Propagation of the Philodendron asplundii plant can also be done using stem cuttings in water. You will need a glass container with water so that you may place your cutting in it. Make sure that the nodes are submerged for them to root.
Check for root production in about three to four weeks. You can transfer the cuttings from the water to the soil in a pot when the roots have grown to two inches or longer.
Problems
In its life cycle, the Philodendron asplundii plant has its share of problems. These include certain pests such as mealybugs and spider mites. Some of the diseases that affect this plant include root rot and leaf scorching.
– Root Rot
Root rot is a common problem that affects the Philodendron asplundii plant. Environmental conditions such as excessive watering, continuous exposure to high levels of humidity, and inadequate light give rise to root rot. In the initial stages, no symptoms can be seen but as the disease progresses, the appearance of the plant is negatively affected.
When your plant is affected by root rot, the foliage loses color, vine growth becomes erratic, and molds start appearing within the soil. The mold appearance tends to promote the proliferation of disease-causing fungi and bacteria. If left unchecked, it becomes difficult to revive the plant.
To counteract the effects of root rot, removing diseased foliage may help. You could also wash the roots of the plant and repot it into a new sterile container. Afterward, you should also thoroughly spray the Philodendron asplundii plant with a fungicide.
– Leaf Scorching
Although the Philodendron asplundii is happy in the sun, extreme amounts of sunlight can lead to leaf scorch. Various symptoms such as stunted growth, crispy brown patches, and pale-yellow foliage are characteristic of leaf scorching.
When the plant is affected by leaf scorching, it will slowly begin to lose water and new growth is more likely to stop. Prolonged periods of such conditions usually lead to plant death.
To ensure that your plant always receives indirect light, shift its position from time to time. This helps to provide protection from harsh sunlight.
– Spider Mites and Mealybugs
The Philodendron asplundii plant is susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs. Although they look small, spider mites can cause severe damage to the plant. These bugs become more apparent when they are in large numbers. However, in fewer numbers, they look like dust particles on the Philodendron asplundii plant.
If a plant is infested with spider mites, you can wash down all the bugs using soapy water. Another way would be to apply Neem oil to it. It is also better to isolate the plant until it fully recovers.
Mealybugs prefer to use the underside of the Philodendron asplundii leaves as a hiding place. Please care to do thorough checks for the mealybugs so that you can remove these pests if any. To do away with mealybugs, you can spray them off with water or use Neem oil. Make sure that you sufficiently dilute the Neem oil to prevent damage to the plant and leaves.
FAQ
How long should you wait before repotting the Philodendron Asplundii plant?
You can repot the Philodendron asplundii plant every year or two. To see when to repot your plant, look out for the potting mix spillage out of drainage holes. Another sign is the growth of roots out of the pot.
Does Philodendron Asplundii need climbing support?
Philodendron Asplundii doesn’t require climbing support. However, providing a moss pole or trellis can encourage vertical growth and enhance aesthetics.
Can Philodendron Asplundii grow without sunlight?
Philodendron Asplundii thrives in indirect sunlight but can survive in lower light conditions. Adequate light helps maintain its vibrant foliage and overall health.
Conclusion
This article has provided complete instructions for growing and maintaining the Philodendron asplundii plant.
Let’s take this opportunity to revise them for easier reference.
- The Philodendron asplundii will thrive in bright and indirect sunlight.
- You should maintain a balance between overwatering and under-watering your plant because both extremes can have negative consequences.
- The Philodendron asplundii plant enjoys high humid conditions of levels between 60 and 70 percent.
- A temperature range between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 to 26.6 degrees Celsius) is conducive for the growth of the plant.
- The common problems that affect the plant include pests and diseases such as spider mites, mealy bugs, leaf scorching, and root rot.
All the necessary guidelines and tips are now at your disposal. With a dose of passion, follow this comprehensive guideline and be sure to experience the beauty that comes along with growing your Philodendron asplundii!
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