What is the best way to water my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
There are plenty of viable ways to supply your Velvet Leaf Philodendron with water. If you grow your plant in an indoor pot, for the Velvet Leaf Philodendrons in small pots, you can bring your potted plant to your kitchen sink. Then, use the faucet to add water to the container. By holding the pot in your hands, you should easily notice when the water begins to run through the pot’s drainage holes, at which point you can stop watering. The cold temperature will hurt the plants' root system, so please don't do this during winter or in cold climates. Most of the time, watering via your faucet is permissible for the Velvet Leaf Philodendron. However, if the local tap water contains a high proportion of fluorine, chlorine or salts, you should consider using rainwater or lake water. Also, since the Velvet Leaf Philodendron can respond well to overhead watering and watering directly into the soil, you can use a watering can, hose, or just about any tool you’d like to water it.
What should I do if I water my Velvet Leaf Philodendron too much or too little?
If you discover that you have underwatered your Velvet Leaf Philodendron, your first step towards remedying the situation is to give your plant some water. Water deeply until excess water runs from the container’s drainage hole, or if you grow outside, water until the soil has become entirely moist. If you find your Velvet Leaf Philodendron is receiving too much water, begin by reducing your watering schedule. You also want to address the soil and container your Velvet Leaf Philodendron grows in. If either the soil or the container makes it difficult for water to drain efficiently, your plant will likely become overwatered again. Resolve the issue by moving your plant to looser soils and/or a container with bigger drainage holes or a more porous material. Also check the location of the plant. If the plant is in places like a corner, then it is recommended to move it to a window or around a door to enhance ventilation. Making sure the plants are in a well-ventilated location can reduce the occurrence of overwatering to some extent.
How often should I water my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
The Velvet Leaf Philodendron is not a species that requires consistent soil moisture. Instead, it is better to allow this plant’s soil to become dry between waterings. If you are like the many gardeners who grow Velvet Leaf Philodendrons in containers, you can judge whether or not it is time to add water by how dry the soil within the container is. For instance, if about top half of the soil in your container has become dry, it is time to add water. You can feel it by inserting your fingers or sticks into the soil or with soil moisture meter. For those who grow the Velvet Leaf Philodendron outdoors, you can plan to do your watering about once every other week, provided it has not rained recently.
How much water does my Velvet Leaf Philodendron need?
After waiting for the first several layers of soil surrounding your Velvet Leaf Philodendron’s root to become dry(top half of the soil), it is time to add enough water to make them moist again. The amount of water it takes to achieve that goal depends on if you use a container, how large that container is, and how large your plant itself is. For a small Velvet Leaf Philodendron growing in a small to a medium-sized container, one to two cups may be enough to dampen the soil sufficiently. As you would expect, the volume of water you supply should increase for a larger plant. The best way to make sure your plant has received enough water is to stick your finger or a trowel into the soil and feel whether it is entirely moist. Alternatively, you can water until you see excess water draining from the holes at the bottom of your container.
How can I tell if i'm watering my Velvet Leaf Philodendron enough?
Overwatering and underwatering are both bad for the health of your Velvet Leaf Philodendron. These two issues also manifest themselves in subtly different ways when they occur. Velvet Leaf Philodendron that receives too little water may begin to develop yellow leaves. Underwatering may also cause the leaf margins to become brown and brittle. By contrast, Velvet Leaf Philodendron that gets overwatered will often show yellow and brown marks on its leaves at the same time. Overwatering can also lead to diseases like root rot, some of which may also be visible on your plant. However, if you know the signs of overwatering and underwatering, you stand a good chance of correcting both issues.
How should I water my Velvet Leaf Philodendron through the seasons?
During spring and fall, your watering schedule for the Velvet Leaf Philodendron will remain relatively the same, which will involve watering this plant about once every week. During summer, you may find that the hot weather causes your plant to need more water than usual, especially if it grows where there is a considerable amount of daily light exposure. In the winter, if it's hard to find some warm places for you plant, your Velvet Leaf Philodendron will enter a dormant growth phase, in which it will need far less water than usual. At this time, you may get by without watering your plant at all. If you do choose to water during winter, you should not do so more often than once every two to three weeks.
How should I water my Velvet Leaf Philodendron at different growth stages?
After planting a new, young Velvet Leaf Philodendron or after transplanting an older Velvet Leaf Philodendron, you will probably need to give this plant more water than usual. Young plants often need consistent soil moisture during the early stages of their growth to help them adapt to their new growing locations. Transplants also need more water for a brief time to overcome transplant shock. In either case, you may need to water multiple times per week until your plant has exhibited continuous healthy growth. In most situations, your water should be moderate and should never be significant enough to cause overwatering.
What's the difference between watering Velvet Leaf Philodendron indoors and outdoors?
There are a few reasons why you may need to water an indoor Velvet Leaf Philodendron more often than one that grows in the ground outdoors. First, indoor growing settings tend to be drier than outdoor ones, often due to the effect of air conditioning units. While thw size of the pot and the soil determines the warer accumulating ability. Additionally, when your plant grows indoors, it will rely on you entirely for its water By contrast, Velvet Leaf Philodendron that grows outside can receive water from rain. If you are in an area with high rainfall, you may not have to give it extra watering. When there is not enough rain, you should water additionally to ensure that the soil does not dry out completely.
Is pruning necessary for my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
It is helpful to lightly prune this plant periodically during the spring and summer. When performing this light pruning, you should search for leaves that have wilted, become discolored, show signs of disease, or have died completely. Remove dead or damaged leaves by cutting their petioles, or trimming off stems that have died. This will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. Some gardeners also choose to remove the flower buds of the Velvet Leaf Philodendron. However, removing flower buds before they open is a strictly aesthetic decision that will emphasize the beauty of this plant’s showy leaves.
When should I prune my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
You can prune your Velvet Leaf Philodendron any time you notice dead, diseased, or damaged leaves during the growing season. Once you notice such a leave, locate an unwanted leaf, then follow its stem all the way to the bottom of petiole. Removing dead stems will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. you can cut its stem just above the soil’s surface to remove it. Such pruning can take place as needed during spring and summer. Also, this plant can bloom any time between spring and fall, and some gardeners choose to remove flower buds before they have a chance to open. Removing unopened flower buds allows this plant to focus most of its growing energy on its beautiful leaves. However, pruning in this manner does not necessarily influence the plant’s overall health.
How do I prune my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
Pruning the Velvet Leaf Philodendron is as easy as waiting until you notice dead or damaged leaves on your plant. When you recognize these leaves, equip yourself with a pair of sharp and sterile hand pruning shears. Hand pruning shears will work best as larger tools like loppers will not be well suited to the precise cuts you need to make. Once you have a proper set of pruning tools, locate an unwanted leaf, then follow its stem all the way to the bottom of petiole. Removing dead stems will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. Cut the stem just above where it exits the soil to remove it entirely. If you wish to stop this plant from flowering, you can use the same pruning shears to remove any buds before they open. Finally, you may prefer to just trim off dead or damaged portions of the plant, including deadheading spent flowers, to keep it looking its best. This can be done at any time of year. Diseased or damaged stems should be cut right at the soil line and removed completely. Blooms should be cut off just below the flower head.
What should I do after pruning my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
Since pruning for the Velvet Leaf Philodendron should take place periodically throughout the season, what you do after pruning can vary. For instance, if you prune to remove selected leaves and stems from your Velvet Leaf Philodendron, you won’t need to do anything except continue your regular maintenance routine. At times, you may choose to remove healthier leaves and include them in a display of cut flowers and foliage. However, there is no crucial maintenance task to perform for this plant after typical pruning. The only thing to note is that when watering after pruning, you need to be careful not to touch the wound to prevent fungus from infecting the plant through the fresh wound. Placing Velvet Leaf Philodendron in a well-ventilated location will also help the wounds to dry out and heal in time. The timely replenishment of Velvet Leaf Philodendron after pruning will help the Velvet Leaf Philodendron to recover as soon as possible.
Are there any important tips when pruning my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
For your major pruning, use sharp pruning sheers that will make clean cuts to avoid damaging your plants. As you are pruning your Velvet Leaf Philodendron, step back occasionally to check the appearance of the plant to make sure it has the shape you want and that you are pruning it symmetrically. If the overall growth of the plant is weak, the flowers need to be pruned back in time for flowering to be able to save nutrients for leaf growth and allow the plant to grow more vigorously.
How many hours of sunlight does Velvet Leaf Philodendron need to grow?
Velvet Leaf Philodendron requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Velvet Leaf Philodendron, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Velvet Leaf Philodendron in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.
What will happen if Velvet Leaf Philodendron doesn’t get enough sunlight?
If Velvet Leaf Philodendron is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Velvet Leaf Philodendron some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Velvet Leaf Philodendron near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.
What will happen if Velvet Leaf Philodendron gets too much sunlight?
If Velvet Leaf Philodendron doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Velvet Leaf Philodendron to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.
Why do I need to fertilize my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
All plants rely on soil nutrients to facilitate their growth, and the Velvet Leaf Philodendron is no exception. However, it is not always a guarantee that the soil in which your plants grow will have all of the nutrients required. Fertilization and soil amendments help ensure that the plants in your garden not only have the basic nutrients they need but also that they get the nutrients that are specifically necessary to them. Velvet Leaf Philodendron needs fertilizer to ensure that its roots and stems continue to develop in a healthy way throughout the growing season. Fertilization will also help a Velvet Leaf Philodendron a set of leaves that looks fantastic, which is especially important for this plant since its foliage is its main point of ornamental appeal.
When is the best time to fertilize my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
A Velvet Leaf Philodendron will need the greatest amount of fertilizer during the seasons in which it is actively growing. This active growth phase typically spans most of the months that make up spring, summer, and early fall. Once winter ends, you should plan to feed your Velvet Leaf Philodendron about once every two to four weeks. Continue feeding at this rate until the fall months arrive. Once fall arrives, you can reduce your fertilization rate, reducing the amount of fertilizer you give gradually until you cease feedings entirely in anticipation of winter, when the Velvet Leaf Philodendron will have far less active growth.
When should I avoid fertilizing my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
Throughout most of the year, including spring, summer, and most of the fall, you should continue feeding your Velvet Leaf Philodendron regularly. The only exception to this is if you notice that your Velvet Leaf Philodendron has received too much fertilizer or if you have managed to fertilize your Velvet Leaf Philodendron incorrectly, causing fertilizer burn or some other issue that you'll need to remedy before returning to a regular feeding schedule. The only time of year when you should not fertilize a Velvet Leaf Philodendron is during winter. If you grow this plant indoors in an area where the winters are cold, it will enter a dormant phase during the winter. Feeding this plant during its dormant phase is not only unnecessary and unhelpful to this plant's growth, but it is also very likely to cause fertilizer burn.
What type of fertilizer does my Velvet Leaf Philodendron need?
The fertilizer for a Velvet Leaf Philodendron has a specific blend of nutrients, each of which is present in relatively low amounts. An ideal fertilizer will have an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. However, a general-purpose fertilizer that has an even blend of nutrients can work well in some cases. Still, even when using a balanced fertilizer, the ratio number representing the volume of each nutrient should be at 10 or lower. The fertilizer you use can be either granular or liquid based. If you choose to use a liquid-based fertilizer, it is often best to dilute the strength by half. While there is not much downside to granular fertilizer, it is often most sensible to use liquid fertilizer, especially if you feed your Velvet Leaf Philodendron while you supply water.
How do I fertilize my Velvet Leaf Philodendron?
The fertilizer that you purchase for your Velvet Leaf Philodendron will likely come with application instructions that you should follow in most cases. However, for a Velvet Leaf Philodendron, you should always fertilize just before or while you are watering the soil, as this will prevent the fertilizer from burning the plant's roots. If you use a slow-release granular fertilizer, you should sprinkle it on the soil and then provide water immediately after. If you use a liquid-based fertilizer, you should dilute it with water, apply it to the soil, then supply a bit more water. Diluting your fertilizer by at least half is especially important in spring and fall when the plant's growth is ramping up and decelerating, respectively.
What happens if I fertilize my Velvet Leaf Philodendron too much?
Since it is advisable to fertilize your Velvet Leaf Philodendron every few weeks throughout the growing season, overfertilization is not often an issue. However, it remains possible for this to occur. If you overfertilize your Velvet Leaf Philodendron, you may notice accumulations of excess fertilizer on the soil’s surface and foliage discoloration. Fertilizer burn is the most common issue you should worry about when feeding a Velvet Leaf Philodendron. This issue occurs when you overfertilize, fail to dilute your fertilizer, or when don’t water during and after fertilization. In any of those cases, the fertilizer can draw moisture out of your plant’s roots, causing it to dry out. Often, fertilizer burn will manifest with browning and yellowing of this plant’s leaves.