Philodendron McColleys Finale Care InfographicPhilodendron mccolley’s finale is a favorite houseplant of many due to its colorful and attractive foliage. If you are looking for information about it, then this article is the right one for you.
In this detailed guide, we give you all the information you need to grow the plant and care for it right in your garden, hence wait no longer and dive straight into it.
Contents
What Is a Philodendron McColley’s Finale?
Philodendron mccolley’s finale is an evergreen tropical plant that grows upright producing wonderful reddish-orange leaves. The plants are a delight due to their eye-catching vegetation, making them a great choice for plant lovers.
Keep on reading to find out further about this beautiful plant’s care guide, pruning guide, and even problems it might face.
Philodendron McColley’s Finale Care
These attractive plants are native to tropical climates and temperatures. In comparison to their counterparts, they are easy to care for with minimal effort and time. Here are the essential aspects you need to pay heed to to ensure you get those healthy hues and shades of the plant.
– Water Requirements
Slightly moist soil is all that this plant needs, it is important to note that warmer months require more frequent watering with colder months requiring a cut back on the water.
Let the topsoil dry out between your watering sessions.
Note that, the best way to know if your plant needs watering is to push your finger about an inch into the soil to check the level of moisture.
– Light Requirements
Philodendron mcColley’s finale does not require much light, that is why the plant will not survive if you place them in direct and harsh sunlight. They need shade with just the right amount of warmth from the sun.
This is the reason why they thrive well as indoor plants. Find the right corner in your home near a window and see them grow to display all their hues to the fullest extent.
– Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature for the plant is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost, chilly winds, and snowy winters can kill it in its entirety, thus bring the plant indoors once the temperatures hit below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Soil Requirements
Use a well-draining aroid potting mix. Philodendron mccolley’s finale soil needs to be loose and airy to ensure water easily flows out, use a potting mix of 100% sphagnum peat moss or a mixture of perlite and peat. The pH of the soil needs to be between 6.1 to 7.5.
– Humidity
Keep the humidity levels at forty percent and above. During hot weather when the air is dry mist the plant to generate some moisture around it.
Another easy way to maintain humidity around the plant is to set it amidst other plants. This collective placement of plants will benefit them all by increasing the overall moisture levels around the plants.
– Pot Requirement
Place the plant in a pot with well-draining holes. Additionally, you can line the bottom layer of it with pebbles to ensure the soil is airy and permits easy flow out of water.
– Fertilizer Use
The plant isn’t a heavy feeder thus fertilizer use can be restricted to the growing season. Use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer once a month to keep the plant healthy and growing.
Restrict too much use as excessive fertilizer can damage roots and leaves. We do not recommend fertilizing in winters when the temperatures are really low as the plant will be in a dormant state at this time.
– Pruning
Philodendron mccolley’s finale is an actively growing climbing plant. Pruning becomes necessary to keep it neat and within the size, at the time of pruning remove wilted, yellowed, and dead leaves as well.
– Repotting Schedule
The roots of the philodendron mccolley’s finale are dense and can get root-bound. Repot once every two or three years into larger containers or pots as per the growth of the plant.
– Tackle Diseases and Pests
Watch out for root rot by preventing overwatering. Inspect the plant regularly checking for pests and mites. These insects suck the sap off plants making them wilt and die.
Propagation
You can propagate philodendron mccolley’s finale through stem cuttings, air layering, seeds, or division. The easiest method of this all is through stem cuttings. Here is how you go about it.
– Stem Cuttings
- Pick healthy stems from the growing side of the plant. Ensure there are at least two or three leaves in them before you cut.
- Snip them gently with a sterile garden shear.
- Place the cuttings in water or directly in the soil in low to medium light, with a slight warmth from the sun.
- In three to four weeks the roots will slowly begin to establish themselves. You can move it to soil or a larger container in a month, as by this time the roots would have developed well to be able to thrive.
– Air Layering
- Pick a healthy stem and cut an inch slit with a sterile knife.
- Carefully remove the outer layer of the stem, without causing any damage to the plant structure.
- Cover the slit with peat moss and secure it with plastic wrap.
- In three to four weeks you will notice new roots forming at the peat moss spot. Once these roots develop, sever the stem below the rooting area and plant them in soil.
– Division
- Propagation through division works well when the plant is mature with thick stems.
- Remove the mother plant from the soil, shaking away the soil at the root.
- Cut a portion of the mother plant making sure you include at least two shoots and a section of the roots.
- Plant both the mother plant as well as the divided plant in soil placing them in indirect light. It will take three to four weeks for the roots to establish themselves strongly.
– Seeds
- Use good quality seeds to ensure there is a higher success rate.
- Philodendron mccolley’s finale seeds do not require soaking and you can directly place them in the soil.
- Spray water to keep the soil moist and place this in a warm yet shady place.
- It should take a month for you to begin noticing tiny seedlings sprouting out.
What Is the Right Season For Propagation?
The right season to propagate the plant is between early spring and early summer. This will give the plant enough time to utilize the warmth of the summer season to grow and produce healthy shoots.
You can protect young saplings from direct sun heat by creating a greenhouse effect. Use a simple garden cloth or sheet as a barrier over the newly planted saplings to give them warmth yet protect them from the direct sun’s rays.
Repotting
As discussed in the above section, repotting at regular intervals is vital for the health of the plant. Philodendron mccolley’s finale is active and fast-growing, hence the pot size needs to keep pace with the growth of the plant otherwise you will end up root-bound. Bear in mind the following points concerning this.
- Repot once in two or three years. Move just one size up. Extremely large pots disturb the water distribution in the soil.
- Check drain holes of the pot ensuring water flows out easily before you repot. Care to be taken not to disturb the root system when you remove the plant from the pot.
- Remove as much of the old potting mix, replacing it with fresh and airy soil.
- It is normal to see the plant wilting for a day or two post repotting which is due to temporary plant stress.
- Place the plant in a warm place and you will notice them picking up their growth soon.
Problems
Growing philodendron mccolley’s finale comes with its own set of challenges. From pests to wilting leaves, the problems one may encounter are quite a bit. Here is how you can tackle them.
– Diseases
The biggest cause for disease manifestation in the plant is excess moisture. Blight and leaf spots are the most common ones you will notice. Prevent the spread of blight by removing leaves and sections that are affected. Use wood chips, placing them around the soil to avoid fungus spores thriving on the plant.
– Wilting Leaves
Another common sign of an incorrect watering routine is wilting leaves. Caused by either overwatering or underwatering this condition over time can hamper the life of the plant. It will make it limp and lifeless.
Other causes for wilting are excessive heat, low humidity, and fertilizer burn. Tackle each of these issues per the plant’s requirement as mentioned in the care section of this article.
– Leaves Turning Yellow
Are the leaves of your philodendron mccolley’s finale turning yellow? Yet again, it is crucial to check the moisture level. Most of the problems in the plant can be tackled by fixing your watering routine. Remember, the plant can get into a stress condition with excess moisture as well as when it is dry.
Poor lighting too can make the leaves go yellow. The plant needs medium light and if it is placed in dingy corners without much of it, expect some yellowing in the leaves.
– Pest Infestations
Pest infestations can cause immense damage to the plant. Spider mites, aphids, gnats, and mealybugs thrive in dry conditions. They suck out the plant sap leaving it limp and lifeless.
The best way to tackle this is prevention. Mist the plant often and wipe the leaves clean with a soft cloth. Catching them early helps to prevent their spread across the plant, and treating the infected plant with a soapy insecticidal solution.
Why My Plant Not Growing?
Your philodendron mccolley’s finale will not grow if you place them in an environment that is difficult for them. They react by not growing, wilting and turning brown or yellow. If you are concerned about these, stop and change your gardening ways immediately. Do the following.
– Scale Back the Watering
Scale back the watering as soon as you sense that this could be an issue, unless of course if the soil is already bone dry.
– Inspect the Roots
Lift the plant gently out of the soil and inspect the roots. If you notice dark splotches in its sections, remove them with the help of sterile pruners. This is root rot caused by fungi and it can spread to healthy sections of the roots.
– Avoid Wetting Agents
Avoid potting soils that come premixed with wetting agents. These keep the soil moist for a very long time, instead, use a mixture of perlite and peat.
– Empty Saucers and Trays
Indoor plants often have trays to collect excess water that has drained from pots. Empty such saucers and trays regularly to ensure the soil stays dry at the base.
– Move Them Close to a Window
Much as the philodendron mccolley’s finale can thrive in low light conditions to ensure you get the best side of it, move them close to an east-facing window indoors so that they receive the gentle warmth of the morning sun.
Is Philodendron McColley’s Finale toxic?
Yes, philodendron mccolley’s finale is toxic if ingested directly by humans and animals. The calcium oxalate crystals in the plant can upset the digestive system, thus it is wise to keep the plant away from pets and children.
Ingesting a philodendron mccolley’s final leaf can cause nausea, vomiting, swelling, pain in the throat, eye, and skin irritations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are The Features of Philodendron McColley’s Finale Specific?
Here are a few notable features that you need to know about.
- The plant is a hybrid and is mostly found in Orlando, Apopka, and Zellwood. A unique feature of philodendron mccolley’s finale leaves is its change of color as it grows.
- From reddish color in its nascent stage, it changes to bronze as it grows. On maturity, the leaves turn completely glossy green.
- It is a plant that can easily be grown in medium light conditions thereby making them ideal for indoor decoration.
- Grows into a short shrub with plenty of leaves on every stem. Oval-shaped leaves can grow fifteen inches long and eight inches wide. The plant grows very quickly into thick vegetation, thereby giving spaces a lush green feel.
- Apart from its good looks, it is considered to purify the air around it. The fresh leaves can remove pollutants and toxins, as declared by NASA.
- Philodendron mccolley’s finale plants are hardy with a reasonable tolerance to drought situations. They can store water to save themselves in case of dry climatic conditions.
Does Philodendron McColley’s Finale like moist or dry soil?
Philodendron McColley’s Finale prefers moist soil, but not waterlogged.
How do you tell if Philodendron McColley’s Finale is getting too much or too little water?
Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves, root rot, and a sour smell. Underwatering can cause wilting, browning of leaf tips and edges, and the soil may be dry and hard to the touch.
Conclusion
Philodendron mccolley’s finale is a tropical plant with attractive foliage that can adorn any garden space. Let us summarize our learning from this article.
- This type of philodendron loves to be in the shade rather than direct sunlight.
- The foliage of the philodendron mccolley’s finale changes during the different stages of the growth process.
- From red leaves to burgundy the mature plant finally features glossy green leaves.
- The vibrant hues of the plant make it an attractive indoor option, coupled with its tolerance to low light. The plant requires warm temperatures and medium to high humidity to thrive.
- In addition to being attractive, it is also considered to purify the air around it. The plant is toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
The philodendron mccolley’s finale with its lovely features makes for a great houseplant. They are easy to grow and can make your home, office, or garden look stunning.
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