Philodendron Lupinum Care – Complete Guide From Beginner To Expert
Philodendron Lupinum Care: This plant is a must-have for plant lovers like us. The Philodendron Lupinum gives you a glimpse into life in tropical forests’ damp areas.
Keep temperatures between 55deg and 80degF (12 to 27 deg C) for Philodendron Lupinum care. Use an orchid bark and perlite mixed with potting soil as a growth medium. You can also keep your plant in 100% Spaghnum Moss.
When watering, make sure to rinse the plant thoroughly. This will allow it to grow in indirect light. Use a balanced fertilizer with calcium and magnesium. Humidity should not exceed 60%
This primal, ever-changing plant is a great example of the interesting adaptations Anthurium-like plants have made to thrive in extremely low-light conditions.
It is a Hemiepiphyte. This means that it begins its life in the canopy, and then slowly roots down to the ground.
This is how the Philodendron’s shape changes as it matures. At first, it produces small, rounded leaves, but then they turn into large, glossy, corrugated, leaves measuring up to 20 inches.
These leaves feel velvety to the touch. This is a feature that was created so that tiny hairs catch and reflect more light than their glossy counterparts.
The leaves’ undersides are also darker maroon. This may be because the light from the bottom cells is darker and reflects the cells above.
Although it may seem like a difficult life for a Philodendron Lupinum, they can be grown indoors and are considered low-maintenance plants. Let’s now get into the details of plant care and what you can do to ensure your Philodendron Lupinum thrives.
Philodendron Lupinum Care
Soil Mixture
Make sure to give your Philodendron Lupinum a well-draining, organic soil mixture. Mix one part regular growers mix with one part orchid bark and one part perlite. This will give your plant a light, airy environment to grow in that retains water but does not suffocate its roots.
A 100% moss-growing medium is also an option. Philodendrons thrive in this mixture. It allows you to plant it in different ways than a pot. For example, it can be fixed onto a piece or jar of tree bark. You can also mix half peat moss with half vermiculite.
Whatever your choice, remember that Philodendrons can withstand drought, so you don’t need to provide a medium that retains water for long periods.
Root rot can affect roots that have been in a moist environment for a prolonged period. This will impact the appearance and growth of your plants.
Light Requirements
Houseplants gained popularity when people began decorating their apartments in cities with live plants in the 1950s. It was clear that they were more tolerant to low-light environments than other types.
Some of these plants turned out to be Philodendrons. While it was not very common in homes back then, the Philodendron Lupinum can still be the right choice if you’re looking for something that doesn’t need much bright light.
It would be best suited in a bathroom, as it is very humid. However, you could also place it in a corner further from any windows than most plants will tolerate. Your Philodendron Lupinum should not be exposed to bright sunlight, as it can get sunburns.
Philodendron Lupinum Watering
The Philodendron Lupinum is quite drought-tolerant so you don’t need to water it as often or as frequently.
Remember that Philodendrons are great for offices. Even if you’re not there for a while, they will still thrive. It is best to water it regularly, but it will bounce back very quickly if you forget.
It should be watered as often as your other philodendrons. However, you must give it a good, thorough watering. Let the water run through the holes and make sure that the soil is well-watered.
You can also water your Philodendron Lupinum from the bottom. This will ensure stronger roots and fewer fungal problems at the top.
Temperature
Philodendrons can be tropical plants so they don’t like cold. They can tolerate temperatures between 55deg and 80degF (12 to 27 deg C), which is easily achieved in most homes.
It is not resistant to frost so people living in warm climates should bring them inside if they don’t want them outside. It can also wilt in temperatures exceeding 80 degrees.
Although they aren’t very erratic in terms of drafts, they don’t like sudden temperature changes so avoid heat sources and drafty areas.
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Philodendron Lupinum Humidity
You will notice a velvety feel in your Philodendron Lupinum leaves if you examine them closely. These tiny hairs have several functions, including moisture-wicking.
Similar to the duck feathers, the young leaves of plants have hairs that allow water to roll down the leaf. Water doesn’t stagnate if it comes in contact with the tissue.
You might have been reading Plantophiles for some time and know that water on leaves can lead to mold.
This amazing and hairy adaptation shows us that the Philodendron Lupinum can withstand high humidity conditions. According to other plant collectors, however, the Philodendron can adapt to an average indoor humidity.
This is because gradual change seems to be the key. It means that if your Philodendron was purchased from a humid greenhouse, it might have trouble adapting to the 40-50% humidity in your house.
All my Philodendron plants thrive when the humidity is above 60% This is the case with Philodendron Lupinum too.
Philodendron Lupinum Fertilizer
Your Philodendron Lupinum should be fed a balanced liquid fertilizer, which must contain calcium as well as magnesium. Both calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients for your Philodendron. A lack of them can cause pale leaves.
You should dilute the fertilizer to half its strength. Feed your Philodendron one time per month and less in winter. To avoid fertilizer burn, I water my Philodendrons first. Then, I add the fertilizer to their soil.
Philodendron Lupinum Propagation
It is very easy to propagate philodendrons. They can be propagated by cutting stems. Then, you can put the cuttings into water or sphagnum Moss to encourage root growth.
They are also quick to adapt to the soil and produce new growth quickly once they have been potting. This makes them great for beginners who want to increase their plant population from one season to the next.
These are the steps to follow to propagate your Philodendron Lupinum.
- Make sure you choose a healthy branch that isn’t too old. It should be free from pests.
- You should remove at least one leaf and one node from the cutting. However, you must keep less than 30% of your original plant.
- If you are looking for multiple one-node-one leaf cuts, be sure to cut the branch into the appropriate sections so that the node remains connected and the leaf is not damaged. To reveal the node, you can remove the bottom leaves of the branch if you choose the longer cutting.
- Place the cuttings in the water so that the node is fully submerged. Wrap the node with sphagnum moss if you plan to propagate in sphagnum.
- Wait for roots to become fully developed and at least a few inches in length.
- You can either report the cutting in new soil or leave it in sphagnum-moss for indefinite. It will thrive in either case. These plants are resilient and can produce new growth as soon as four weeks have passed.
Philodendron Lupinum Growth Rate
This plant’s growth cycle is amazing. It has small, round, velvety leaves when it is young. The leaves become larger and shinier as it matures.
Your Philodendron Lupinum is a vining vine, so it’s vital to its growth and development. They must be connected to a moss pole to reach full maturity. We recommend that they have one from the beginning.
Potting
Philodendrons are my favourite epiphytic plant. They allow you to repot them in many ways. They can be grown in a terracotta or plastic pot. They can also be attached to tree bark to make a green wall.
You can expect your Philodendron Lupinum to require a larger shoe size every few years. However, don’t worry if roots are not visible from the bottom of the pot.
Common Problems with Philodendron Lupinum
Many insect pests can be harmful to philodendron plants, including scale, mealybugs, and aphids. Let’s discuss what you can do for your plants to prevent them from being attacked by them, and how to get rid of them when they are present.
Aphids
Aphids, little bright green insects that swim in large numbers around plants where their flesh is most tender, are tiny and cute. They attack your plants in large numbers, especially at the nodes and around new growth.
You can get rid of them by rinsing them with water and then spraying your plants with an insecticide. Either uses an insecticidal soap lather and then spray your plant with neem oil, or you can buy a high-quality brand at the shop.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs can be a problem on Philodendrons. If you find them early enough, and they are only a few, you can use a Q-tip to remove them one at a time with alcohol.
Although they look like tiny white cotton balls, they feed on your plant’s sap and can cause serious damage if left untreated. If you have a lot of them, I recommend that you wash them off and then spray the outside.
You can either choose less toxic products like Neem oil, or a trusted brand from the store.
Scale
Scale is a term for little brownish shells that can be removed with your fingernail. While the outer shell provides protection, underneath is where the pests are.
They are often overlooked on plants such as philodendrons or pothos, which can sometimes look very similar to young aerial roots. Additionally, they hang in the same spots: on the stem and at nodes. Scale is resistant to almost all types of insecticides that you can purchase in stores.
Even though the initial solution may seem to work, they soon develop resistance and return in greater numbers. It is important to act quickly so that they can be removed one at a time.
You will need to have some tips, rubbing alcohol, and a toothbrush.
The q-tip can be used to remove the insect. It must come in direct contact with the alcohol to kill it.
To deter future feeders, you can do repeated neem oils treatments.
Tips to ensure your Philodendron Lupinum is problem-free
- For support, give it a solid moss pole
- Give it as much humidity as possible. If not, gradually acclimate to dry air.
- You should feed it once per month with liquid fertilizer
- To avoid pests, give it regular neem oils treatments.
- It should be planted in well-draining, lightly-textured soil
Questions frequently asked about Philodendron Lupinum
Why is the Philodendron Lupinum’s bottom leaf yellowing?
Overwatering or underwatering can lead to the bottom leaves turning yellow and wilting. You might consider reducing the amount of water you give your Philodendron Lupinum. If your Philodendron aluminium has been dry, you might want to give it a rest.
My Philodendron Lupinum leaves have darkened damp spots. Is this what you are seeing?
If you notice darkened or damp spots on the leaves of your plant, it could be a bacterial leaf spot. If the infection is only localized, you can cut off the affected area. There is nothing you can do if the entire plant is infected. You can isolate the plant immediately to stop it from spreading to other plants.
Why does the shape of my Philodendron Lupinum leave change?
As it matures, the shape of the Philodendron Lupinum changes. This is normal.
Conclusion On Philodendron Lupinum
The Philodendron Lupinum is an amazing plant. This low-maintenance, ever-evolving plant may be the perfect choice for you if you’re bored of regular Philodendrons.
To fully appreciate its uniqueness, observe it through its life cycle. Learn about its history.
You might be fascinated by the Philodendron Lupinum. Check out our article about the Anthurium metalicum.
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