Green Treasure (Philodendron) cultivation methods and precautions: how to grow Green Treasure

Green Treasure, also called the money tree, is relatively difficult to get to bloom. It is a very common foliage plant and one of the mainstream indoor potted ornamental plants. Green Treasure is easy to grow and is suitable for beginners to practice cultivating.

I. Morphological characteristics of Green Treasure

Green Treasure, also known as Philodendron, is a climbing plant of the genus Philodendron in the Araceae family. Its leaf shapes are peculiar and varied, its aerial roots are slender and dense, and its form is graceful. It is also very shade-tolerant, and placing it indoors makes people feel as if they have entered a tropical rainforest. It is currently a relatively large foliage plant that is very popular among people. The two most widely cultivated and famous varieties are as follows. One is the red emerald philodendron (Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald'), whose leaves are hastate, dark green with a purplish-red sheen, 20-30 cm long and 10-18 cm wide; the new shoots are red, the petioles are purplish-red, the leaf sheaths of young leaves are rose red, and the stems and branches are thick and strong with aerial roots at the nodes. The other is the green emerald philodendron (Philodendron erubescens 'Green Emerald'), similar in form to the previous one, but the stems, petioles, tender shoots, and leaf tips are all green. In this genus, other commonly cultivated plants include Philodendron panduriforme, Philodendron pedatum, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, and Philodendron verrucosum, all of which have high ornamental value.

II. Ecological habits of Green Treasure

The suitable growing temperature for Green Treasure is 20-28 degrees, and the overwintering temperature should be above 5 degrees. It likes light but avoids direct sunlight, and is tolerant of shade; long periods of growth in dim conditions will cause it to deteriorate. With poor ventilation under high temperature and high humidity, it is prone to leaf spot disease and gray mold.

Green Treasure can bloom, but because it is difficult to get it to flower, it is easily mistaken by people for a plant that does not bloom, hence its folk name "money tree."

III. Propagation methods of Green Treasure

Green Treasure can be propagated by cuttings and division, and it roots easily in high-temperature seasons. Cuttings are generally taken from April to August. When taking cuttings, cut stem vines with more than 3-4 nodes as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and keep two formed leaves at the top. Insert them into pots with river sand or perlite as the substrate, frequently spray water on the leaf surface, and keep the substrate moist. Roots will form after 2-3 weeks, and the suitable temperature for rooting is 20-30°C. If the stem vines have already grown roots, they can be directly potted, with 3 plants or more per pot. Later, move them to a place with slightly stronger light for normal management. If tip cuttings are used, insert 2-3 per pot, and they can fill the pot in a short period, giving a relatively good ornamental effect. This plant grows quickly and can fill the pot in 2-3 years. It can be repotted once every spring, and at the same time, in spring when repotting, take the plant out of the pot and divide it into several small clumps for division propagation.

IV. Cultivation methods of Green Treasure

Soil selection: To grow Green Treasure, choose a loose, breathable, and well-drained substrate. You can use today's imported substrate or prepare it with domestically produced peat soil plus perlite and vermiculite, or you can cultivate it with a mixture of leaf mold and river sand.

Temperature control: The optimal growing temperature for Green Treasure is 20 degrees or 21 degrees during the day and 18 degrees to 20 degrees at night. In summer, try not to exceed 28 degrees. If the temperature is very high in the hot season, you can appropriately build a shade structure, increase the humidity of the environment and leaf surface, and use this to control the temperature.

Humidity setting: Green Treasure likes relatively moist soil and growing environment. Generally, the humidity in the air should be kept between 70% and 80%, and must not exceed 85%. If placed at home, you can often spray the plant with slightly warm clean water to maintain its fresh appearance and also increase environmental humidity.

Light regulation: Green Treasure is a light-loving plant, so we should give it sufficient light. When potted Green Treasure trees are placed indoors, it is best to place them by a sunny window or on a balcony to receive semi-shade or scattered light. If it is placed in a dim indoor area for a long time, it is easy to cause leaf drop.

Green Treasure has bright leaf color and a short, beautiful plant shape, making it a potted ornamental plant very suitable for beautifying the home. In the process of growing Green Treasure, you can not only gain a sense of accomplishment, but it can also play a considerable role in protecting eyesight.