EE or Philo help needed (maybe ID)

I purchased 2 plants from Home Depot back in early Dec. They had no idea of identification.
Put the picture on the Plant Identification forum (http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/680898/) and decided that one is a Red-leafed Philodendron (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/83995/index.html) and (maybe) one is a "Hooded Dwarf Elephant Ear, Chinese Taro, Buddha's Hand; Alocasia cucullata" (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53975/index.html).

I just discovered this forum and noticed everybody seems to know a lot about these 2 type plants and thought I need to pose questions here.

My "Blushing Philodendron, Red-leaf Philodendron Philodendron erubescens 'Black Cardinal'" 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 does not provide any moisture or light requirements or any other growing information.
The previously posted thread (http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/693026/) was on the Tropicals forum.

This thread brought about the possibility that the other plant may not be what I think it is, which could make the growing requirements vastly different. It is growing o-k-a-y, but I wouldn't say it is thriving. The leaves are somewhat droopy now. Is it the correct identification and is it growing alright? Here is a picture of it currently.

I would love to have both plants live and thrive to their destined heights.

This is a picture of it when I bought it.

Hi-- you may also want to post this over at the Aroid forum.

It may be just my old eyes, but the two pictures don't look so different to me. The plant looks like it has a natural bend or droop to it. At any rate, neither of your plants should be kept in soil that stays wet for long periods of time. It's a quick recipe for root rot. Do you have fast draining soil that you can repot both those plants in? You'd have to wash all of the yucky HD soil off the roots and remove any rotted parts. If you are left with less of a root mass than you had before, it'd be a good idea to pot down.

What is an Aroid? Never heard of that one.

I am having a difficult time figuring out what SOIL drains well. Peat moss LOOKS like it would drain well, but it holds the water forever then dries rock hard. Any suggestions on figuring out how to get fast drain without drying hard?

I sue a soil-less mix for every plant.
Either MG potting soil, Bayer 3 in-one, Pro mix and soil-less mix will work even African violet. Tne I mix it with 40-60 percent Perlite with little water to slight moist. We use a lot and keep a larger covered rubbermaid container full on hand all the time.
I like to water when pot is dry on light side .Or stick your finger in a couple inches several spots.
I also like to mist and keep humisity up daily. These plants are tropical and like it warm and humdit. Also sitting pot on some damp pebbles, cups of water near it, grouping of plants , Kitchens and bathrooms have nice humdity.
Then light and air circulation is important . Also feed foliage plants with plant food either with equal numbers or higher first number Nitrogen and lower middle number.

Aroid is the plant family that includes Philodendrons, colocasias, alocasias, etc..

The Miracle Gro soil you can buy at Wal Mart is pretty good, but not on it's own.
Every soil I buy, no matter what brand it is or what it's drainage properties are, I mix with Schultz (I think?) Orchid mix (It's the only orchid mix available around here, it's comprised of Fir bark, Charcoal and some type of lava rock or something like that (the bag's at home so I can't check!)

I've been using Pro-Mix (got a good deal on 'bales' of it from a garden center during the summer) which is comprised of a lot of peat, but also a good deal of perlite.
Nonetheless, I found that even that didn't drain real well on it's own, so I mix that with the orchid mix, too.

The orchid mix always improves the drainage immensely, and I haven't found a plant yet that doesn't do well with orchid mix amending the soil.

I think there's a chance your 'other' plant may be a Homalomena.

This message was edited Feb 15, 2007 11:10 AM

Thanks for all the information.

Sounds like the orchid mix may drain better than brand name succulent mix (which I have purchased only to discover that it was saturated when I opened the bag).

Nan, you know, I have considered using the Schultz orchid mix with my Pro-Mix. I was just afraid that I'd have to water too often if I did. I am slack when it comes to watering, especially now that i am working again. I was off for like 3 months and did NOTHING but tend to my babies. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time now. Anyway, I think it would be great for my plants. I still may try it. Does the charcoal absorb impurities, or just what is it's function? The size of perlite in the orchid mix is #3 I believe.???

It's fun to even be thinking of soil mixes now, with Spring right around the corner. I'll still use Pro-Mix, but want to add something else to it.

I do have 1 bag of Miracle Gro potting soil, but it has the added water crystals. Should I take it back or use it maybe mixed with the orchid mix?

I have bought the highly recommended Fafard soil, which seemed to have bark in it, t was more coarse than I expected. I have since added pine bark fine mulch to my peaty-type soils.

I don't think the water crystals will hurt I know many people put them into their soil mix. I've never used them though.

Ugghh..I wouldn't use that mix with the water crystals unless you are really 'lax' at watering, or the plant is in a pot outdoors in a warm climate, but that's up to you, I guess.

GH, I just love the mix of the two, it drains really well and doesn't seem to necessarily dry out unusually fast....just improves the drainage.

Yes, the charcoal absorbs impurities and helps to improve drainage.
Lots of 'old' references mention mixing horticultural charcoal into your potting mix, or even placing a layer at the bottom.

sallyg...I have also used Fafard (I had completely forgotten the name, though) as it's available at a greenhouse I used to frequent, and I was very pleased with it, but even that, IMHO, needs a little amendment.
That gh is about 70 miles from me and I haven't been there in a couple of years, so I haven't been able to purchase Fafard mix.....I'd buy it again in a hearbeat if I could find it!

not sure we you live , but, Sears garden centers carrt it or here is a link you can put your zip code in and they can give you names of all places close to you .
Fafard Peat MossFafard is a producer and a supplier of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Professional Growing Mixes, Retail Soils, and Landscape Bark Products
http://www.fafard.com/index.asp?p=1105

I think I'll take it back. I've had it for A WHILE since I was really undetermined about using it. I don't guess it will matter where I take it back as long as they sell the mix.