I’m still a novice when it comes to houseplants. I’ve had this baby philodendron florida ghost for a little over a month, and we’ve been having some issues.

So when I got her, I transferred to a semi hydro setup in perlite (she had sad, spindly little roots, and I was thinking it would be gentler than pon as the semi hydro roots developed). Then I put the thin, fragile thing under a grow light and scorch the few tiny green leaves that are actually photosynthesizing.

Anyway, yesterday I noticed mold on top of the perlite and it finally clicks that the perlite was holding way too much moisture. All my other plants that I transferred directly into pon are showing really impressive root growth.

I take it out of the pot and realize that there is zero new root growth. Zilch. So, I panic and repot in a very chunky mix.

As you would imagine, she is not happy, and I’m not sure what to do. I’m worried that the shock of going back into soil will cause the plant to croak, but I’m also afraid to mess with it anymore. Any advice would be appreciated!

  • Günther Unlustig 🍄@slrpnk.netEnglish
    22·
    2 months ago

    You damaged remaining roots and put it under a grow light. This caused severe dehydration.

    It’s hard to say if you can still save it. But with these steps, you might:

    • Place it under a humidity dome (or plastic bag) and mist the dome, not the plant, regularly with distilled water. This allows the plant to breathe again without dehydrating it further.
    • Decide what setup you want to use. And then stick with it. Every repotting it highly stressful.
      Since you said semi hydro, do you want to use a submerged setup, or something else? Submerged is best with LECA or bigger pumice rocks.
      Pon or perlite wicks too much when standing in nutrient solution, which will keep the surface constantly wet and causes a toxic fertilizer crust to form, plus algae and mold.
      I also had the experience that they are not aerated enough and I had to struggle with root rot. They require different setups, e.g. Lechuza pots or wicking pots, plus dry periods.
      I personally strongly prefer LECA for myself and my setup.
    • You can make use of foliar feeding with highly diluted fertilizer in a spray bottle if you want later. The plant will cannibalize itself to form new roots, and spraying it aids to prevent that. Only do this if you have experience. Same with hormones. Auxins may help, but again, not essential and better used with caution.
    • Place it into lower light. The root formation doesn’t take lots of light.
    • Keep the media moist, but not wet.

    All of that is a huge pain. That’s why I always try to get cuttings of plants I want first and then, as a second choice, convert it into hydro.

    • amos@mander.xyzEnglish
      12·
      2 months ago

      Great post. Thank you for being on lemmy. You are making the internet/society a better place!

      • Günther Unlustig 🍄@slrpnk.netEnglish
        8·
        2 months ago

        I’m baffled. Thank you so much!

        It’s way too rare seeing people complimenting each other, and sometimes/ often it feels like most of my effort is just wasted.

        Rarely, I receive compliments like these. But, very often, just at the right moment.

        Thank you stranger 💚

    • philodendron90@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      Thank you so much for your very thorough response! It is very helpful. ❤️ Hopefully, the plant will recover. I’m trying to keep in mind that if it doesn’t, I still will have learned a lot through these mistakes.