Product Description:
Philodendron “Rojo Congo” is a unique cultivar hybridized in Florida, in keeping with the growing trend amongst home gardeners for tropical aroids suitable for indoor growing. They are very attractive plants adding a touch of luxury, and a dash of the exotic to the indoor space. Philodendron “Rojo Congo” is a cross between Philodendron ”Imperial Red” and Philodendron Tatei. It is a self-supporting self header so you won’t have to support this plant with stakes or add an ungainly moss pole to creep on. It stands in a lovely rosette formation with its erect oval leaves of burgundy green color.
Light:
Philodendron “Rojo Congo” requires plenty of indirect sunlight for best growth. If you want to grow Philodendron “Rojo Congo” indoors an east window or west window spot would be ideal.
Soil:
Use loose, crumbly and porous soil that drains excellently such that the roots of the plant get to breathe.
Water:
Philodendron Congo dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly when topsoil is dry, usually once a or twice week. Avoid overwatering, and note that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.
Fertilizer:
Feed philodendron houseplants with a balanced liquid foliage houseplant fertilizer that contains macro-nutrients. Water the plant with the fertilizer monthly in spring and summer and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter.
Temperature:
Ambient temperatures between 65 – 80°F (18 – 27°C) would be ideal for this plant although it can take up to 95°F (35°C). This doesn’t mean that you expose your plant to wild fluctuations in temperature like placing them in front of your radiator. These plants have zero frost tolerance. Temperatures below 55°F (13°C) will kill the plant.
Humidity:
A humidity level anywhere above 50% is what I would recommend for best results.
Potting:
You have to grow Philodendron “Rojo Congo” in a relatively big pot. The ideal pot for a mature plant is a 15 inch (38 cm) terracotta or ceramic planter. When you buy a juvenile you won’t need a big planter right away. But in the initial couple of years this plant grows pretty fast. So you’ll need to repot every year to a slightly larger pot.
Propagate Philodendron “Rojo Congo” from plantlets:
In this method, you basically have to rely on nature’s moods. Chances are that you have to wait until the Philodendron “Rojo Congo” plant is quite mature.
- You can look for little plantlets at the base of the plant where the stem is bare after the old leaves die out.
- Wait for the plantlets to grow to about 4 to 5 inches or until the stem is visible.
- Pro tip: This could take between a month to three months depending on the growth environment. Growing the mother plant in a well lit spot helps the plantlets grow faster
- Preferably choose a plantlet that has aerial roots.
- Use an air-layering technique (detailed below) to grow out the roots further. Air layering should take about 2 to 3 weeks
- When ready, cut the plantlet off the mother and pot it separately in soil.
