Red-Leaf Philodendron Question.

My "Blushing Philodendron, Red-leaf Philodendron Philodendron erubescens 'Black Cardinal'" (http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/680898/) appears to be either slowly dying or struggling to live (guess it's the same thing).

The soil stays wet for extremely long periods of time. Could this be why most of the leaves have appeared to rot off, or is it suppose to stay moist?

I still have a couple of leaves left and need assistance on the water requirements and other information to keep this plant alive and thriving. The plant file information (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/83995/index.html) does not provide any moisture or light requirements or any other growing information.

I would love to see this plant grow and get large. I appreciate any helpful information.

This is a close up of the center. The rolled leaf on the right side is rubber, I moved it to the right to view the center better.

This is what it originally looked like.

I am not a Philodendron expert by any means, but my "Ace of Spades" philodendron dries out completely between waterings and is growing like a weed.

I hope you get some good advice to turn your Philo around!

Erick

Then maybe I need to change the soil it's in. The other one I bought with it actually states in the plant file info that it likes mositure and NOT to dry between watering. Maybe this one's different?
Thanks

I'm with Erick on this one, I always let my phils dry out between waterings.

Judy

Hmmm
This is the other plant (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53975/index.html) that I was comparing the moisture needs to, but just realized it does not state it is a philodendron. Maybe I better try to verify it's identification too. Maybe I have it wrong and that's why it's not thriving (although it is doing better than the red philo).

Here is what I would suggest. First gently pull the plant out of the pot and remove the soil. You will also want to remove the rotted top portion till it is fairly clean. I would suggest putting cinnamon on the cleaned out rotted area. Check the roots and remove any dead roots.
Their are many things you could do after cleaning the plant up in my case I would repot it up in promix soil or something that is peat based and place the plant under a mist propagation. I am doubting you have this available so get you some long fiber spaghnum moss you would need about 3 to 4 hand fulls of it get it wet and squeeze out any extra water you can. Now place it in a larger plastic bag place your plant in the bag and blow it full of air or add two coat hangers bent into a circle or anything that would keep the plastic from touching the leaves. Once all of this is done place the contraption in a warm fairly bright area it should steam up with humidity and keep the temps around 65 to 85. You should a considerable about of difference in no time. You can also do the something by repotting the plant and putting a bag around it with a few teaspoons of water in the bag. You would basically be putting it in a humidity dome either way.

These are the things that will make you lose the plant.

The biggest mistake I see done by new collectors is over fertilizing. Do not fertilize seedlings cuttings plants that are in poor health. In most cases it will burn the roots and cause the roots to rot which will lead to the death of the plant. Only fertilize healthy plants you can usually tell a plant needs food by discoloration's in the leaves or lack of growth on a otherwise healthy plant.

Do not over water. Aquatic plants have roots that are made to take oxygen out of water most plants are not capable of doing this and drown. Also stagnate water will cause rot and disease. I have also found many plants will rot if the water is very cold. Setting in cold water is a death sentence for many tender plants.

Not watering is also a bad problem for some people a plant will dry up and either dry rot or dehydrate due to this. IN most cases if not to far gone a plant may lose leaves and be stressed but if a watering cycle is put in to play the plant can bounce back. In most cases fairly fast.

Temps and light will also play a major role in your plants health. Most tropicals enjoy temps from 50 to 85. When a tender plant freezes the plant cell wall literally explode causing yellow burns on the leaves and in most cases melting of tissue and then rot attacks. Getting a plant to hot is almost the same leaves will liquefy and rot. Knowing your plants and their natural habit and trying to duplicate were it grows will yelled the best results. As for light to much you get burnt leaves to little and your plant will have no way to produce food. In most cases it will spend much energy in trying to stretch for light.

Thank you for this huge amount of detail help.
What is "promix soil", a brand name?

Thank's Brian
AnimalLover , I hope it comes around soon.

How is your philo coming along?

The red one died and the other I still don't think is doing well.