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Wow! I was just logging on to find out how to "fix" my Pink Princess philodendron and here is your article!
LariAnn, maybe you have a suggestion for me. I think that after reading your article, what I have is a 'climber'.
I bought this as a houseplant maybe 7 or 8 months ago. The mottled pink on the leaves is just lovely, I thought.
The tag reads "A most unusual black Philodendron sporting hot pink variegation! No special care is needed except for moderate light and home conditions. Prefers humidity."
I am in zone 5 (or maybe considered 6 now) and kept it on the north covered porch over the summer. It has been at home in the humid bathroom by a west window with filtered light since fall.
I have two problems actually. Some of the new leaves that opened up with the lovely pink color almost completely covering one half, has gone brown and limp since bringing it into the bathroom, but not too soon after. It seems that the pink part of the leaves is more delicate. Is there anything that I can do to protect the pink part of the leaves?
The second problem was that apparently it wants to climb up and now the stem that was hanging down has now grown an upwards bend in it. It did not come with a support of any kind, but now I want to maybe cut it off at the bend and repot that cutting with some support to climb upwards on. How and when is the best time to do this? Will the end of the parent plant branch out?
I am new to this kind of thing and don't want to lose this lovely plant, so I appreciate your input. Thanks!
Kerry,
Thanks for writing! First, if your Philo is receiving actual sunlight now when it did not receive it on the north covered porch, your plant can be experiencing sunburn on the pink parts. The pink areas would be white were the plant an all green type instead of one with the anthocyanins (red) pigments in the cells. These areas without chlorophyll are the most sensitive to sunlight, especially in Philos that are used to growing in the shade.
Next, you could cut the stem at the bend and root it in a new pot with soil, and the old stem will produce another shoot. However, what I would do instead is to place the bent part of the stem, uncut, into a new pot with fresh potting mix in it. Bury the bend completely and keep the soil moist. By Spring it should be rooted in and at that point you can cut the connection to the main plant. You will then have two nice rooted plants without risking the loss of an unrooted cutting!.
