Philodendron Plowmanii Help 😟

[Lachi]

Hi everyone. I didn't find any info that could help me so I thought to ask if anyone knows.

I got this cutting today. They didn't put a heat pack and the growing point is broken. It has tiny bit of roots and divisions. My scare is about the broken point. Is she going to grow it out? Also the weather was cold and she stayed overnight in a delivery depot, it was 5C in the night. Is there a way to tell if she got too cold? 😣 When I press the stem a little she does feel still firm.

I'm very sorry for the hectic questions and if I am posting in a completely wrong section. She was just very expensive and I'm so nervous.

[Dimples]

I don't grow that specific philodendron but I do grow other philodendrons.

The temp (5C / 41F) is colder than I'd want my philodendrons exposed to but hopefully, the packaging and indoor location helped minimize any potential cold damage. If it was damaged, it can take a few days to show up to where you'll notice it. The fact that all parts of the plant are still firm and aren't off-color is a good sign.

Broken tip - plants want to grow. If there's any type of dormant eye/node/growth point remaining on the cutting it will try to start growing again if you give the plant the conditions it needs.

Keep the plant warm, at least 18C/65F but 21C/70F would be better, and in slightly lower (but not dark!!) light until it recovers and shows signs of new growth.

Once you see lots of new roots I would consider it "recovered". A plant that large will need time to grow more leaves. Big leaves take more time to make than small leaves.

Provide the light, temps, water, and fertilizer it needs and it should grow well for you.

[estación seca]

Do you know how big this gets?

[Lachi]

Originally Posted by Dimples

I don't grow that specific philodendron but I do grow other philodendrons.

The temp (5C / 41F) is colder than I'd want my philodendrons exposed to but hopefully, the packaging and indoor location helped minimize any potential cold damage. If it was damaged, it can take a few days to show up to where you'll notice it. The fact that all parts of the plant are still firm and aren't off-color is a good sign.

Broken tip - plants want to grow. If there's any type of dormant eye/node/growth point remaining on the cutting it will try to start growing again if you give the plant the conditions it needs.

Keep the plant warm, at least 18C/65F but 21C/70F would be better, and in slightly lower (but not dark!!) light until it recovers and shows signs of new growth.

Once you see lots of new roots I would consider it "recovered". A plant that large will need time to grow more leaves. Big leaves take more time to make than small leaves.

Provide the light, temps, water, and fertilizer it needs and it should grow well for you.

Thank you so much for the words, you gave me a little bit of courage.
It did get a little droopy overnight, I hope it will just bounce back and the temperature it was exposed to won't kill it. There is a bit of colouring on it but it is firm. I think I have a photo.
I know that they are quite easy to care for, I will have to just keep an eye if it gets worse.

Do you know how big this gets?

Yes, of course. If you mean because of the pot size, I just put it in semi hydro perlite to root for now.

[Louis_W]

Since only half of the growing tip broke off I bet it can still push a growth out from there. If it isn't too badly damaged and you baby it a little I bet it will push out a small perhaps misshapen leaf, and improve from there.

Do they usually give you only one node for a philodendron cutting? I would almost prefer two or three nodes and no leaves.

[Dimples]

Louis - The recent trend with cuttings from "rare" plants (i.e. currently commercially unavailable in the buyer's country/area, not actually rare) is that the buyer pays through the nose for one node with no guarantees. Some sellers either don't know how to properly package plants for shipping or they don't care and the cuttings can arrive in poor condition. I've seen single node cuttings of "rare" variegated monstera deliciosa listed for hundreds of dollars. If the seller gives each buyer two nodes, it cuts their profits in half. I find it predatory, but at the same time, it is classic supply and demand.

Lachi - the cutting may sacrifice the current leaf to repurpose the available nutrients so it can grow roots and/or another smaller leaf. So, if you're confident that you're giving it the proper care and the large leaf dies, hope is not lost.

[estación seca]

Ecuagenera sends very large, rooted, multiple-node cuttings or seedlings of plants like this. They have an extensive aroid selection, including Anthurium and Philodendron species and hybrids.

I bought a large rooted cutting of Ph. plowmanii from them in September 2021 for $36, not including shipping. Their shipping is not cheap but it's reasonable for the very large box their plants require.

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Ecuagenera sends very large, rooted, multiple-node cuttings or seedlings of plants like this. They have an extensive aroid selection, including Anthurium and Philodendron species and hybrids.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I wasn't referring to traditional sellers/retailers but to the random people online (ebay/etsy/etc.) that buy the new must-have plant of the year, chop them up and sell the cuttings for insane prices. Typically when someone says that a single node cutting was expensive, they aren't usually buying from established businesses.

[Lachi]

Originally Posted by Dimples

Louis - The recent trend with cuttings from "rare" plants (i.e. currently commercially unavailable in the buyer's country/area, not actually rare) is that the buyer pays through the nose for one node with no guarantees. Some sellers either don't know how to properly package plants for shipping or they don't care and the cuttings can arrive in poor condition. I've seen single node cuttings of "rare" variegated monstera deliciosa listed for hundreds of dollars. If the seller gives each buyer two nodes, it cuts their profits in half. I find it predatory, but at the same time, it is classic supply and demand.

Lachi - the cutting may sacrifice the current leaf to repurpose the available nutrients so it can grow roots and/or another smaller leaf. So, if you're confident that you're giving it the proper care and the large leaf dies, hope is not lost.

Yes, I have the feeling that she will give up on the leaf. I have the right humidity and temperature but I think the shipping without the promised heat pack was enough to damage it. I really hope that the roots will be alright at least. I have already contacted the shop.

Unfortunately you are absolutely right, nowhere here is being sold with at least two nodes. 😖 I bought it from an actual plant shop chain that sells only tropical plants and yet they do the same. 😕

[estación seca]

Where do you live? Ecuagenera ships to a number of countries.