Is this normal or concerning for #PhilodendronTortum?
Hello planty people!! 🫶🌿 I was checking on my #philodendron tortum today and noticed something…different. This is my first tortum so I wanted to ask the experienced if this was normal or something to be concerned about.
I’ve had “Tortoise” for almost a few months, I treated him for root rot a couple months ago—my fault, I put him in the wrong soil, and since then growth has stalled since he’s been in recovery mode. I’m not surprised by the growth stall, but today I noticed that one of his branches has moved, very close to another one?? 🤨 I would swear this has only happened in the last 1-2 weeks. You will see in my pictures my Very Professional Expert Scientific drawing (😜) of where his middle branch was a couple weeks ago.
He’s in a chunky aroid mix with a little coco coir. I water when he is 100% dry. He is sitting two feet under the heavy duty SANSI grow light, and directionally this branch is moving away from the light. (Too bright?)
I would love your advice!
@Courtlyki @SuperbRaspfern @BabeVila @Ms.Persnickety @TheConservator @MariansOasis @SilkyRoses @CourtlyKingfern #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #help #nadiabynature #GregGang #GreggersSupportingGreggers
I’ve had “Tortoise” for almost a few months, I treated him for root rot a couple months ago—my fault, I put him in the wrong soil, and since then growth has stalled since he’s been in recovery mode. I’m not surprised by the growth stall, but today I noticed that one of his branches has moved, very close to another one?? 🤨 I would swear this has only happened in the last 1-2 weeks. You will see in my pictures my Very Professional Expert Scientific drawing (😜) of where his middle branch was a couple weeks ago.
He’s in a chunky aroid mix with a little coco coir. I water when he is 100% dry. He is sitting two feet under the heavy duty SANSI grow light, and directionally this branch is moving away from the light. (Too bright?)
I would love your advice!
@Courtlyki @SuperbRaspfern @BabeVila @Ms.Persnickety @TheConservator @MariansOasis @SilkyRoses @CourtlyKingfern #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #help #nadiabynature #GregGang #GreggersSupportingGreggers
2ft to light, indirect
3” pot with drainage
Last watered 6 days ago
27
Do you perhaps have a humidifier on the side that she is pulling to?
They normally do this when they are trying to access more water and nutrients.
It's called negative phototropism where they will pull away from the light to access more water and nutrients vs light.
They actually release a hormone called auxin that allows them to do this. 🩷
They normally do this when they are trying to access more water and nutrients.
It's called negative phototropism where they will pull away from the light to access more water and nutrients vs light.
They actually release a hormone called auxin that allows them to do this. 🩷
These require very high amount of humidity 60-70% to really thrive. So if you don't have a humidifier I do recommend getting one. Here are some option to increase humidity for her. If you boost it in the air she should straighten back out.
Ways to add humidity
1. Add a humidifier, but only use distilled water in it.
2. Add a pebble tray filled with water below your plant. But make sure the pot is never in the water. As water evaporates it increases humidity.
3. Cluster plants together. It will make water evaporate from your leaves in a process called transpiration. It effectively creates a mini microclimate with extra humidity.
Never mist, it does not increase humidity but will cause fungal and bacterial infections.
Also be sure to feed her the nutrients she needs that will also help. Liquid fertilizer is best it gives them an instant boost of nutrients and is easier for plants to absorb.
I recommend Super Thrive Foilage Pro. 🩷
Ways to add humidity
1. Add a humidifier, but only use distilled water in it.
2. Add a pebble tray filled with water below your plant. But make sure the pot is never in the water. As water evaporates it increases humidity.
3. Cluster plants together. It will make water evaporate from your leaves in a process called transpiration. It effectively creates a mini microclimate with extra humidity.
Never mist, it does not increase humidity but will cause fungal and bacterial infections.
Also be sure to feed her the nutrients she needs that will also help. Liquid fertilizer is best it gives them an instant boost of nutrients and is easier for plants to absorb.
I recommend Super Thrive Foilage Pro. 🩷
@SuperbRaspfern oh that’s neat! Adding another topic to my research list…
But, I have no humidifier 🧐 He is however pulling in the direction of my cluster of ‘calatheas’ (ie plus marantas, stromanthes, and ctenanthes). So I don’t have his spot just right yet…
But, I have no humidifier 🧐 He is however pulling in the direction of my cluster of ‘calatheas’ (ie plus marantas, stromanthes, and ctenanthes). So I don’t have his spot just right yet…
@DreamMachine That makes sense then because all those Calatheas clustered together are making their own little micro climate that he wants to join! 😂
He's like, ME TOO, ME TOO!!!
He's like, ME TOO, ME TOO!!!
@SuperbRaspfern oh!! That is so wild, I just noticed THIS morning a group of my plants that WERE drippy. And guess what direction they were from the tortum 😁
Awww, the tortum wants to go hang out with them 🥹😭🥰
My house’s natural humidity level is about 60%, I will get him in a cluster, and thank you for the fertilizer recommendation! I had held back a bit while the roots recovered from root rot.
Awww, the tortum wants to go hang out with them 🥹😭🥰
My house’s natural humidity level is about 60%, I will get him in a cluster, and thank you for the fertilizer recommendation! I had held back a bit while the roots recovered from root rot.
@SuperbRaspfern “why can’t I go, mama?” 😭 Well I put him smack dab in the center of that cluster, we’ll see how he likes it, and I’m getting that fertilizer before next watering. This is seriously the cutest thing, wow, literally reaching to where he wanted to go 🥲
And I can FEEL your calathea corner 😂 But it is gorgeous and they look very happy!
And I can FEEL your calathea corner 😂 But it is gorgeous and they look very happy!
@DreamMachine oh that’s so cool, I wanted a tortum— it’s on my list! Have you enjoyed growing this one? How would you say it compares to others? I hope you don’t mind me asking. You got the best person for answers! Shannon is a wealth of knowledge, I’m always impressed at how much she knows!! She’s so talented with this plant stuff, I wish I could be a fraction as good. 😊 but I think that’s a true talent @SuperbRaspfern has!
@Idplantthat Not at all! I absolutely LOVE the tortum. It’s so different than anything else that lives at my house, and so sculptural. It kind of makes me think it would be a plant that Tim Burton would love; very ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ or ‘Corpse Bride.’ The new baby leaves unfurling are SO amazingly and hilariously chaotic, and gawky, I LOVE watching them come out.
It definitely took me a minute to get things right. I first potted with the wrong soil , got too heavy and water logged. Now I have him in a mix I made for epiphytes with orchid bark, perlite, horticultural charcoal, but I mixed a little bit of cocoa coir in so it would help me determine when the substrate was dry. Because unless @SuperbRaspfern knows otherwise, I can’t see much of any physical signs of needing water, so I depend on touch and pot weight to help me decide when it’s watering time. And now I’ve learned he wants much higher humidity than what my other philos like! Luckily for me I live in a temperate rainforesty kind of place, my home is usually in the 60% range already, I just needed to get him into that calathea microclimate 😂
And I agree wholeheartedly! Some people have like, real estate agents on speed dial, I need my plant expert Shannon on speed dial 😁 💖🌿🫶
It definitely took me a minute to get things right. I first potted with the wrong soil , got too heavy and water logged. Now I have him in a mix I made for epiphytes with orchid bark, perlite, horticultural charcoal, but I mixed a little bit of cocoa coir in so it would help me determine when the substrate was dry. Because unless @SuperbRaspfern knows otherwise, I can’t see much of any physical signs of needing water, so I depend on touch and pot weight to help me decide when it’s watering time. And now I’ve learned he wants much higher humidity than what my other philos like! Luckily for me I live in a temperate rainforesty kind of place, my home is usually in the 60% range already, I just needed to get him into that calathea microclimate 😂
And I agree wholeheartedly! Some people have like, real estate agents on speed dial, I need my plant expert Shannon on speed dial 😁 💖🌿🫶
@DreamMachine oh my goodness! Where do you live that’s got such amazing humidity like that?? I can’t imagine 60% humidity, you grow everything! Alocasias, philodendrons, monsteras, hoyas! Pretty much anything. lol your mix sounds like a great mix! I personally do one very similar, you’ll have to keep posting about your tortum! - I just want to keep 🤤 over it! 🥰😂
@Idplantthat lol! I live in the Pacific Northwest, and pretty close to the oregon coast, this pic was from yesterday humidity levels!
I haven’t tried alocasia yet…I am a wee bitty nervous about them but I am in research mode 😁 And here’s a pic I found of my tortum’s new leaf coming out!! It’s so freaking adorable 🥹
I haven’t tried alocasia yet…I am a wee bitty nervous about them but I am in research mode 😁 And here’s a pic I found of my tortum’s new leaf coming out!! It’s so freaking adorable 🥹
@DreamMachine oh she’s so pretty! 😍 that leaf is adorable, they are like little fingers opening up! I’ve got a few Alocasia’s and like you I was on the fence, but I definitely was happy I did it. I started out with a Hilo, it was a little easier then moved upward. 🤣 I definitely need to get one of these, tortum! You live in a great location, I used to visit a family home out in Northern California (that coastline is a beautiful place) . It can be truly breathtaking though that coastline.
@Idplantthat yes, it’s so…MESSY 😂, it just puts a huge smile on my face! And ooh! Do you have recommendations for alocacias? What are your favorites? Did you have any troubles?
I’m glad you’ve seen that coast, I agree wholeheartedly, it is truly breathtaking! When I first visited the Atlantic Ocean I did appreciate how warm it was, but I thought it was missing all the big rocks and crashing waves! 😁 Have you ever been to Cannon Beach oregon? It’s def the most popular one now, but still, the massive Haystack rock takes my breath away every time.
I’m glad you’ve seen that coast, I agree wholeheartedly, it is truly breathtaking! When I first visited the Atlantic Ocean I did appreciate how warm it was, but I thought it was missing all the big rocks and crashing waves! 😁 Have you ever been to Cannon Beach oregon? It’s def the most popular one now, but still, the massive Haystack rock takes my breath away every time.
@DreamMachine for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the Oregon coastline we drove. My aunt and her family have lived in Washington state for my whole life. I lived with them a few summers and we went to the coast, but I’m absolutely terrible with remembering where. 🤣 My other aunt lived in Portland and I went up a few times but never like I’ve been to Washington! I’m going to have to look up Haystack Rock! 🪨 I started with a Hilo Alocasia, and found it really easy to handle. I think the “green unicorn” 🦄 has been fairly easy as well. I actually just transplanted mine and the little sweetheart gave me two corms! I just potted them, and I’m putting them back in the greenhouse. If you’d like to try one, I’d be happy to send it to you! Who doesn’t enjoy a free plant! 🤣 This is the green unicorn if you kind zoom in you can see the underside is a violet reddish/purple color. I’ll make sure it’s growing before sending it, but I’d be more than happy to share!
@SuperbRaspfern Hello my dear Shannon! I’m wondering if I could pick your brain about the marantaceae family? I adore mine, but recently started wondering if I had all my care elements in order, because some of the care duties I use are from that YT person who recommended the isopropyl pest spray. So I don’t trust them anymore!
Would you be willing to share with me, at your convenience, what you’ve found that makes them happy? Mostly: lighting preferences, when to know and how much to water?
I was thinking, maybe they just love my house but put up with me 🤷♀️😬
Would you be willing to share with me, at your convenience, what you’ve found that makes them happy? Mostly: lighting preferences, when to know and how much to water?
I was thinking, maybe they just love my house but put up with me 🤷♀️😬
For lighting I use grow lights as well. I have mine anywhere from 6 inches to 2 feet away. The ones 6 inches away do grow faster than the ones farther away. I let the lights fun for 12 hours.
Since that is your humid spot you can allow the soil to go dry before watering again. Because the also absorb moisture from the air.
They would DEFINITELY let you know if they were unhappy!
Here is my general prayer plant advice for Calathea and Maranta since they have identical care. 🩷
Calathea Care Tips
1. Plenty of indirect light. Direct sun will burn their leaves. Grow lights are great, I keep my collection under grow lights 12 hours a day.
2. Water when the soil is at least halfway dry. But never allow the soil to go completely dry. Unless you have high humidity or a humidifier. If you have a high humidity environment let them go dry before watering again.
3. Keep temperatures stable. They hate fluctuating temps. Interior walls are best the temps there are more stable.
4. They love humidity a humidifier is great. I increase humidity with pebble trays below the plant so as the water evaporates it increases humidity. I also cluster them together so they create humidity themselves.
5. Ceramic or porcelain pots are best. Terracotta and plastic are bad. Terracotta is terrible for these because it pulls moisture away from the roots. Plastic does not give the plant aeration so the roots will lack oxygen. Without oxygen the plant loses its ability to absorb water and nutrients.
6. Only us distilled or rain water. Player plants are very sensitive to the chemicals in tap water.
Since that is your humid spot you can allow the soil to go dry before watering again. Because the also absorb moisture from the air.
They would DEFINITELY let you know if they were unhappy!
Here is my general prayer plant advice for Calathea and Maranta since they have identical care. 🩷
Calathea Care Tips
1. Plenty of indirect light. Direct sun will burn their leaves. Grow lights are great, I keep my collection under grow lights 12 hours a day.
2. Water when the soil is at least halfway dry. But never allow the soil to go completely dry. Unless you have high humidity or a humidifier. If you have a high humidity environment let them go dry before watering again.
3. Keep temperatures stable. They hate fluctuating temps. Interior walls are best the temps there are more stable.
4. They love humidity a humidifier is great. I increase humidity with pebble trays below the plant so as the water evaporates it increases humidity. I also cluster them together so they create humidity themselves.
5. Ceramic or porcelain pots are best. Terracotta and plastic are bad. Terracotta is terrible for these because it pulls moisture away from the roots. Plastic does not give the plant aeration so the roots will lack oxygen. Without oxygen the plant loses its ability to absorb water and nutrients.
6. Only us distilled or rain water. Player plants are very sensitive to the chemicals in tap water.
@SuperbRaspfern Aww look at those happy bébés 😍 Thank you so much for sharing that with me! Phew, I got my care mostly dialed all right, but I did not know that about plastic pots! That is good to know 👍 And when you water, are you fully saturating them every time? I usually do a bottom soaking when it’s fertilizer day, but pour over with regular water the 2-3 times in between until water comes out the bottom. Things just stay so wet here I’ve been wondering if I shouldn’t be giving them the volume that I do.
Also, thank you for saying that about high humidity environments!! I was just (slowly, lol) coming to the realization that my collection doesn’t seem to dry out as fast as the “norm,” duh! Due to my local with higher humidity!! and perhaps that is why root rot has been a thing for me multiple times in the past. And I think that’s why my begonias love me—I accidentally (kind intuitively) added much more drainage amendments to their soils than was recommend, but so now they dry out at a “regular rate.”
Well, many thanks again and sweet dreams. I’m going to go crawl into bed with “The Science of Plants” 😁🫶🙏🌿✨
Also, thank you for saying that about high humidity environments!! I was just (slowly, lol) coming to the realization that my collection doesn’t seem to dry out as fast as the “norm,” duh! Due to my local with higher humidity!! and perhaps that is why root rot has been a thing for me multiple times in the past. And I think that’s why my begonias love me—I accidentally (kind intuitively) added much more drainage amendments to their soils than was recommend, but so now they dry out at a “regular rate.”
Well, many thanks again and sweet dreams. I’m going to go crawl into bed with “The Science of Plants” 😁🫶🙏🌿✨
I use 2/3 aeration in ALL of my soil and I don't live in humid environment well my humidifier does help A TON!
I wouldn't saturate the soil in your conditions ever maybe once every season change. But the just continue with never saturating.
The flush every so often just flushes out any unused fertilizer salts.
Yours all look great keep going by instinct, we learn so much through watching their behaviors in our homes. That's the best way to dial them in. You my dear have succeeded! 💕
I wouldn't saturate the soil in your conditions ever maybe once every season change. But the just continue with never saturating.
The flush every so often just flushes out any unused fertilizer salts.
Yours all look great keep going by instinct, we learn so much through watching their behaviors in our homes. That's the best way to dial them in. You my dear have succeeded! 💕
😱😁😱 Ahhhhh, thank you!! That compliment will keep me going for AGES, I’m bouncing with excitement 😁🥰🫶