Is my philodendron going to bloom?

Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

I noticed these red spikes on Philodendron Moonlight (or is it Moonglow) a few days ago. They are different from the spike for a new leaf.

Thumbnail by LindaSC
Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

This shot shows the two spikes together.

Thumbnail by LindaSC
Miami, FL(Zone 10a)

Yes, indeed, those are emerging inflorescences!

Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

Thank you LariAnn, what should I expect?

Miami, FL(Zone 10a)

Keep watching them and when they are ready, they will open to reveal the spadix inside. When first opened, they are receptive to pollen (pistillate area at the base of the spadix(, usually in the evening. The next evening, they will produce pollen, then will close and fade.

Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

It finally opened yesterday evening. The second bloom will take a while. Can I save the pollen from the first bloom to use on the second?

Thumbnail by LindaSC
Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

This is the second bloom

Thumbnail by LindaSC
Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

I guess the flowers are way down on the bottom

Thumbnail by LindaSC
Miami, FL(Zone 10a)

The female flowers are way near the bottom, while the upper part of the spadix is where the male flowers are. The pollen will come out of the male area. You can try saving the pollen but it is moist pollen so I don't think it will keep too long. Pollen usually comes out in the evening of the second day the bloom is open. If the other bloom opens within a few days of this one, you would then add a little water to the pollen to make a paste, then smear it on the female flowers near the base of the spadix. If it works, the female area will swell up and form berries with little seeds within. It takes about two months for ripening.

Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

Thanks LariAnn. I think the second bloom is more than a few days away based on the length of time it took for the first one. How do you collect the pollen?

Miami, FL(Zone 10a)

I use a small vial and an artist brush to coax the pollen into the vial. You won't get a whole lot of pollen so you don't need a large container. The pollen will come out in small stringy blobs and there may also be some very sticky drops on the spadix along with the pollen. Avoid those sticky drops as they will gum up your brush and the pollen. Presumably, insects walk the spadix, get stickied up and then the pollen adheres to them. As they roam around another bloom that is receptive to pollen, they leave some on the female flowers as they stroll around.

Columbia, SC(Zone 8a)

Well I missed my widow of opportunity, the bloom has closed. Any chance that nature could have done it for me?

Miami, FL(Zone 10a)

In my experience growing Philos in the U.S.A., very little to none chance! The pollinators are not found here.

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