I call it mellow yellow...

Sad sad fishy. First, my very favourite jade gets white scummy stuff on it, now my newly potted philodendron's leaves are turning yellow. I'd just put the cuttings in -some had been rooted in water, others stuck directly in the soil- about a month ago. For the last week or so, the leaves have been steadily yellowing. I thought it may have been from overwatering, so I stopped watering it so frequently, but they're still turning. Ack! How can I kill a philodendron? They're so easy to grow! Any ideas, anyone, on what I may be doing wrong? They're in a window that gets direct light for a few hours a day, and my other philo is doing fine in the same light. I have no idea what I've done to this plant.

pisces

Thanks for the info Jewel!

You know what? I did pot the philos in a wooden container that I lined with plastic. I poked a few big holes in the bottom, so that I could collect the excess water when I watered it. Maybe I didn't put enough drainage holes in the bottom. I'll take out the plastic, and just put a garbage bag under the box for a while to see if maybe the philo's just getting too much water.

I ALSO have been using a root stimulator with its watering regime. Perhaps I should cut that out, too?

pisces

Pieces,

While I myself don't grow Philos., you mentioned it's newly repotted; perhaps that combined w/ the root stimulator is too much at once. From what I've heard/read Philos. are as easy & carefree as Pothos (Epipremnum, formerly Scindapsus) (to which I would never add rooting hormone as they just don't need it).

Also, until it's better, perhaps take it out of the direct sun, leaving it w/ just strong but indirect light. Just some thoughts -- HTH

Saw your other posts abt your 'scummy' Jade (maybe at the 'old site' too). I'm the one who posted suggesting against misting Jades. Pls. confirm this on Succulents Forum here, look for posts by Crasulady as she is THE CRASULA/JADE expert who also says *Do Not Mist Jades*. (likely to make the problem worse, like w/ mold &/or mealies). Best of luck w/ all of them.

PG

After rooting thousands of pothos and philodendron cuttings, I still would not consider it easy. Nor do I have complete success. Newly potted cuttings are very fragile because their roots are underdevloped. It doesn't take much to put them under. A single instance of underwatering or allowing the soil to stay a bit to moist for too long is all it takes. Maintaining high humidity and protecting from any direct sun or high temps will help a lot more than rooting hormones. I always pot more than I want in a pot because I know there will always be some attrition.

Okay, well based on all this info, I'm not going to freak out and start planning the philo-funeral just yet. I'll try toning down on the root-tone regime, and get rid of that plastic lining to help with drainage. I'm going to leave it sitting where it is now, since it only gets direct sun for about two hours in the morning, and after that only indirect light. Pray with me, folks. I'm going to do a little oooga-boooga Reiki dance around the poor darlings tonight. Maybe it'll be better in the morning....

you walk by and I fall to
pisces.