Philodendron Ring of Fire Care Basics
The tropical beauty is a slow grower worth waiting to mature. It loves rich organic soil with average humidity and has some attractive features when taken care of. It provides your home with positive energy and climbs walls.
Philodendron Ring of Fire Classification
Best Potting Mix
Your Ring of Fire loves organic soils as it takes up all the nutrients from the moist ground and needs to be kept damp. You can use an aroid mix as it does not hold water back and provides enough air to pass through.
Add a mossy post for it to climb or use a burlap-wrapped pole. You may find that some of the Philodendron Ring of Fire variegated species prefer an acidic 6.1 to 6.5 soil. In comparison, others grow well in a neutral 6.6 to 7.3 ground.
The important thing is to keep the ground moist but not soggy and must not be sandy ground.
Watering Needs
The outdoor plant is not fussy and only needs watering a few times a month. Even a slight water delay does not cause significant harm to this exotic plant. During the active growing season, you can water it every seven to nine days.
However, in winter and fall, you must change your routine every two to three weeks. Furthermore, it depends on the season as in hotter summers it needs more watering while cooler months are less.
To determine if your plant needs water, you can check the topsoil of about three inches to see if it is dry. For your plant to flourish, always keep the ground moist.
Ideal Lighting
One thing you will notice with this houseplant is that it can adapt to any light condition. However, it prefers bright and dappled sunlight. Moreover, it can flourish in low-light conditions. You can grow the Philodendron Ring of Fire in your home in different settings.
You can plant it in a pot with a climbing post or hang it in a hanging basket on your balcony door. Another awesome thing is the plant grows well outdoors when in a partially shaded location close to a tree. You can place it at the east or south-facing window or under artificial growing lights in the home.
In contrast, the plant needs sunlight but never places it directly in the sun’s rays as it burns the leaves.
Humidity and Temperature
The tropical plant adjusts pretty well to the mild temperature while growing. They like temperatures ranging from 55° F to 80° F making it ideal for adding modern home décor. Neither must the temperatures be below as it can cause the plant’s death.
If your plant stands outside, bring it in during the winter months to a warmer environment. Another crucial thing is to keep the flora away from AC and heaters. It thrives in the mild humidity you find in your living space. The appropriate moisture ranges from 30-60%.
However, suppose you live in very dry or cold environments. In that case, the best is to use a humidifier to regulate the air. Yet, you can keep it moist or place it with other indoor plants.
Fertilizer
The Philodendron Ring of Fire needs fertilization for adequate health. You do not need to do this frequently and only a couple of times throughout the year. You can do it three times with a high-quality fertilizer made for the species.
Make sure the soil is moist before feeding it. You can use a slow or instant-release fertilizer, but a slow one works better. The best time to do this is during the growing months of spring and summer.
Propagation
Propagating your Ring of Fire is not hard and do as follow:
- First, prepare your potting mix with the correct ratios and ingredients.
- Use a sterilized gardening knife to cut up to eight inches of the stem. The best is to choose one with at least two leaf nodes.
- Use a rooting hormone, cut the stem’s ends, and dit it in the solution.
- Take your moist soil mixture and place the stem in it.
- Place your plant in sunlight but not with direct exposure.
- Check if your plant is growing roots by tugging gently at it to see if there is resistance.
Now all that is left is patience while you wait for your plant to grow and takes up to three weeks and needs loads of care to prevent it from getting sick.
Growth Zone
Suppose you plan to plant your Ring of Fire outside the best-suited places, zones 9b to 11 is the right place for them to thrive. However, it is best to grow it on your patio and grow well in an eight-inch pot if you don’t have a shaded garden or a forest-like front or backyard. They prefer bright, indirect light and can prosper in low-light locations.
Ring of Fire can be cultivated indoors as your favorite houseplant, but to witness their maximum growth, they should be in their natural habitat or an adjusted tropical rainforest type of landscape. This plant can reach a height of one meter ( 100 cm ) and its leaves can reach 25 to 30.
Potting and Repotting
The plant is root-bound when it grows and needs repotting when you notice it budding outside the container. Your pot must not be too small or large. As a slow grower, you may find you need to transplant it after two to three years.
When you decide to transplant your plant, replace it with fresh soil and ensure the gardening tools are sterilized. For pruning, there is no specific time, but it is necessary to maintain it. You can do this when you notice it outgrowing its space or see unruly leaves looking yellow.
Alternatively, you can prune it when doing the repotting.
Ring Of Fire Philodendron Varieties and Similar Plant
In the Philodendron Ring of Fire variegated species, a popular plant is the Philodendron Ring of Fire Gold, also known as the Golden Ring of Fire. The plant grows yellow leaves fading to a neon green that looks spectacular.
Furthermore, you can also find the Philodendron cream splash with heart-shaped leaves and also vines. Moreover, it has cream-yellow variegated leaves. Lastly, you get the Philodendron Pink Princess which has half-pink and dark-green heart-shaped leaves.
The plant looks chic and adds color to any home.
Philodendron Ring of Fire Diseases & Pests
A common Ring of Fire pest is the mealybug that attaches itself to the plant-sucking out all the sap during the growth phase. If left, the leaves become yellow. The problem is it leaves honeydew behind to attract other pests such as spider mites. You can use insecticidal soap to treat this pest or use direct water jets.
Another pest is thrips, also feeding on the sap and removing nutrients from the plant. The leaves turn silvery and pale, and maintaining your garden by keeping it clean helps keep these bugs away. Lastly, another cause of concern is water stress.
When under-watered, it starts to wilt, and best to keep checking if the soil is moist. Furthermore, the sun can also cause trauma as the leaves become yellow. The best is to move it to a shadier area.
