Philodendron Quercifolium Care Guide

Philodendron Quercifolium is a plant with wide lobes that produce narrow green leaf blades. These leaves have an incredibly strange shape which, when placed indoors, makes the home beautiful. Everything you need to know about Philodendron Quercifolium is listed below.

Characteristics

• Scientific name: Philodendron spp.
• Common names: Philodendron Pedatum, Oak Leaf Philodendron
• Origin: Columbia, Brazil, Guyana, Bolivia, Ecuador, Surinam, and Venezuela are all in tropical South America.
• Indoor or Outdoor plant: In mild regions, it can be grown both indoors and outdoors
• Structure and Height: The leaves are large, emerald green, and multi-lobed, and grow up to 20 feet tall.
• Temperature: The optimal temperature is between 60 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit and could dip to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, but it should not be below that.
• Flower Color: It blooms nearly all year with dark pink to reddish flowers.

How To Plant a Philodendron Quercifolium

Philodendron Quercifolium flourishes in bright, indirect sunlight. As a tropical ground cover plant, Quercifolium gets partially obstructed by higher, denser foliage. It thrives in partial sunlight. When planting Philodendron, plant a seed and then wrap the plant with plastic.

Remove the plastic from time to time to allow circulation of air. To keep the soil moist, spray it on a frequent basis. Here is a few things that should be considered when planting and caring for a philodendron plant:-

Planting Time

The optimum time to plant houseplants is in the spring, but you can plant all-around the year. It all depends on how you plan to look after the plant during the year.

Spacing

When planting Philodendron, plant a seed every two inches in rich soil, about a third of an inch deep. Philodendrons should be spaced to allow enough room for the roots.

Light

While philodendrons are common in tropical and subtropical, frost-free climates, they thrive under indirect sunlight from canopies rather than direct sunlight. As a result, they will flourish indoors where there is indirect sunlight and in low-humidity environments like in most homes.

Exposing the plant to direct sunlight causes the leaves to change their color form the sun’s burns. On the other hand, insufficient lighting can cause lanky growth with a bit more space between the blades. Therefore, explore an indoor set up near the window to be sure you place the plant at the right spot.

Soil

Philodendron Quercifolium thrives on soil that is porous, well-drained, and rich in organic compounds. Sphagnum peat moss will suffice for Philodendron Quercifolium, although Soilless mixes like peat-perlite or peat-vermiculite work too.

An organically rich, well-draining potting soil mix is good for your Philodendron Quercifolium and for propagated cuttings. Peat perlite, moss, and vermiculite are perfect since they allow water to move freely and provide a lot of aeration.

How To Grow a Philodendron Quercifolium

Growth habits

Philodendrons are climbers, which means they grow upwards by wrapping their specialized roots around tree stumps. Once they have made it to the top of the canopy, they convert into epiphytes.

However, this plant experiences poor growth at times, and there are some clues to keep an eye on. The plant’s slow growth and small leaf size are signs that it is not absorbing enough fertilizer. Weak new leaves show the plant lacks enough magnesium and calcium, both of which are important micronutrients for philodendrons.

Staking

How to stake a Philodendron Quercifolium

Staking is placing a single stake into the potting mix, usually a vinyl-coated metal rod or bamboo, then anchoring the plants to the stake. Because potting soil is loose, push the stake deep into the soil.

Avoid tying the plant too tightly. Tying the plant loosely prevents the plant from developing knot cuts into the stem, which are harmful to the plant. Use a stretchable tie to avoid knot cuts.

Simple straight stakes are done on the plant, which is perfect for single-stemmed species which are a little top-heavy. Flowering plants outgrowing their stems is a good example of top heavy plants which requires stalking.

Watering

Your Quercifolium should be watered from the bottom up and when the top 50 percent to 75 percent of the soil is dry. Wet leaves stimulate fungal infections and diseases, so avoid sprinkling water from above.

If you have a plate surface just below the pot, do not allow water to sit in it because this can damage the roots, making them rot. To avoid this, fill the pot halfway with water and pour excess water that has gathered in the plate. For this Philodendron, normal household humidity is fine, but higher humidity favors bigger leaves.

For active growth, give philodendrons a good soak weekly because philodendrons need more humidity; water the leaves of the philodendrons twice a week. In the winter, water philodendrons every ten days or so.

Fertilizing

Use NPK fertilizer with a 10-10-10 rating, which indicates there are amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the fertilizer. Additionally, the NPK fertilizer ratio shows there are equal amounts of the potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen. Each component has 10 percent of the nutrients.

Aside from that, fertilizers comprise micronutrients and macronutrients that are beneficial to plants. To begin, use half the suggested dose of fertilizer to watch how the plant reacts. This amount is usually more than enough for a Philodendron Quercifolium.

Humidity

Philodendron Quercifolium plants thrive under humid conditions, so if you are living in a dry place, you may need to increase moisture around the plant up to 70-90 percent. Philodendron Quercifolium plants should not be subjected to temperatures below 55°F. By being kept indoors, the plant is protected against cool breezes.

Mulching

You do not have to plant a new Philodendron immediately when it arrives. Try putting your plant in a pail with some water and move it to a shaded location to preserve it for a bit. Watering your potted Philodendron will help it adjust to its new surroundings. After that, add some mulch to help maintain the plant stand vertically.

While in storage, the mulching provides nutrients to the plant. This will give you more than enough time to find the perfect spot. Give the stem a little push after some weeks of rooting the plant’s cuttings in potting soil; if you experience some resistance, that is how you know the roots have formed.

Trimming and Pruning

Pruning is not a must-do thing for a Philodendron Quercifolium houseplant. However, to help it grow healthily, you should get rid of the dead leaves on a regular basis. Trim off the long lanky, which has a number of fading or dying leaves. Snip the stem where it joins the main section of the plant with a sharp and sterilized knife or pruning shears.

Alternatively, you can cut the stem at the soil surface. Pruning is most effective in the spring and fall. However, you can give a gentle trim to your Philodendron at other seasons of the year to get rid of yellowish leaves and lanky growth. Trimming philodendron plants is good if they are tall and take up a lot of space in the room.

Pot And Repotting

Philodendrons thrive in both outdoor and indoor pots. Allow sufficient room for growth; for starters, a 10′′ to 20′′ circle, 10′′ deep pot should serve. Keep in mind that the more ample space the roots have, the higher and healthier your Philodendron will be.

Whenever the plant’s growth slows due to root entanglement, it is time to get a larger pot. Repotting ensures that the plant has enough room to flourish. Roots sprouting at the bottom of the drainage holes indicate that the plant requires to be repotted.

Philodendron Quercifolium Propagation

Philodendron branch cuttings can be rooted in potting soil. Cut a section of stalk about 3-6 inches long using a cleaned, sharp knife or gardening snips. The cut should be above the leaf on the stalk. Place the jar in a warm spot that will get some indirect sunshine. Every week, change the water. Roots will begin to sprout in 2-3 weeks. Transfer the new Quercifolium to when the roots are 2 inches.

Divide And Transplant

Split and transplant philodendrons in the springtime or winter so that the roots recover better and faster from the stress—additionally, transplant at daytime temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a new planting pot to transplant, then replace the plant in its original location when the topsoil is dry before watering it again.

After 4-6 weeks, you should detect fresh growth. If transplanting a lacy philodendron is difficult due to its size, remove about 3 inches of soil after two years, then replace it with new potting soil.

Pests And Diseases

Aphids, mealybugs, and mites, and other pests attack the philodendron plant. If untreated, these pests will harm the leaves and may entirely defoliate your Quercifolium. To treat the leaves, make a solution of 1000ml water and one teaspoon dishwashing liquid and spray it on them. Continue treating the leaves until the pests are no longer present.

Aside from dishwashing detergent, alcohol has insecticidal effects, but it must be used with caution because it can cause leaf burn. Alternatively, employ low-toxic insecticidal sprays treatments with insecticidal chemicals, horticultural oils, or pyrethrins for effective pest management.

Pests and diseases do not affect Philodendron Quercifolium much. However, there are some problems that affect philodendrons that may be solved with little changes in temperature or watering. Here is how to tell if there is something wrong with your plant or if there is some disease that has affected it:-

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves show that the plant has received too much water or has been exposed to direct sunshine. You can rectify this by ensuring the watering schedule and the soil’s wetness is right before watering.

Erwinia Leaf Spot

This disease has no treatment and causes some brown or black patches to be present on the blades due to bacterial blight. To prevent the disease from spreading, cut off the affected leaves and isolate your plant from other plants.

Root Rot

When plants are left in moist soil with or receive too much water, root rot occurs. It reduces plant growth at first but finally kills your plant. Root rot can be caused by compacted soil or excessive irrigation. It is preferable to repot the plant in a more aerated, healthier soil and water only when the top 3 inches of soil is dry.

Brown leaves

This shows that the leaves of your Philodendron are drying out due to a lack of humidity. To solve the problem, set up a humidity tray.

Plant Species

There are a few philodendron species worth mentioning. Among the most prevalent species are:

• Philodendron erubescens: The stems and leaves of this robust climber are crimson in color.
• Philodendron scandens: This climber is really popular. Its leaves are heart-shaped and colorful at times.
• Philodendron melanochrysum: This plant is a magnificent climber with velvety textured and dark-colored leaves sprinkled in bronze.
• Philodendron bipinnatifidum:This lacy tree philodendron is a big plant which has deeply lobed leaves.
• Philodendron rojo: This is a hybrid plant that maintains its vigor while remaining small and manageable.

Companions

The best plant pairings are not always the most complicated. Spider plants, Philodendron, and pothos can live in dry soil and harsh environments, making them wonderful neighbors. If you want to create a jungle look, this is your go-to arrangement.

Fortunately, most houseplants are hardy and make excellent companions. The most common houseplants that can be great companions of Philodendron are Schefflera, and peace lilies, since they accept and thrive in the same humidity and water levels; thus, they might all be mixed in one pot.

Toxicity

Many people prefer keeping Philodendrons in the house because they are not harmful. Many households have pots of Philodendron strewn over the house since they are easy to care for and make the house seem nice. However, philodendrons contain calcium oxalate, which can be dangerous if handled incorrectly or consumed.

While the plant is not poisonous, it can cause irritation of the skin, redness, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea if consumed. Keep your family safe by placing plants out of the reach of children in particular.

Are Philodendron Quercifolium toxic for cats or dogs?

Philodendrons are poisonous for cats and dogs. There are calcium oxalate crystals found in all sections of the Philodendron. The plant will cause harm to your cat or dog if they consume any part of the plant.

For cats and dogs, the philodendron plant has mild to severe toxicity levels. Oral inflammation, soreness, oral inflammation in the throat, and the lips, and nausea, are all symptoms of oral irritation.