I have a problem with my philodendron firebird variegata. I have had it for about 4 months, all this time it has been growing under a grow light, previously 12 hours a day, currently 8 because it was putting out too white leaves, it stands on a tray with water, humidity is about 70%. I also spray it with distilled water every day, but today I noticed brown spots on the 3 newest leaves, I have attached their photos below. to the touch they are like the rest of the leaf, they are not soft. I water it rather rarely, I avoid overwatering. do the brown marks appear because I have reduced the amount of light by 1/3? the brown one appeared even on the leaf that has not yet had time to unfold. please save us.
by Ok_Manufacturer7303
20 Comments
less light does NOT promote less white growth. it’s all in the genetics and stem of the plant. it won’t cause problems, but lowering light will. also $400 is a crime lol
The brown spots are absolutely because you’re spraying it. That clearly looks like overwatering/oedema and that one leaf with the large brown patch will likely continue to rot and then fall off. Philodendrons don’t need a high humidity, you’re doing way too much.
also misting doesn’t do anything for humidity. also it doesn’t really require high humidity. misting is prob doing more harm than good.
Plants are not perfect. They never will be.
This is the type of obsession with plants that I think is unhealthy. Paying $400 for this is insane. You got absolutely ripped off 🤦🏻♂️
Stop misting it!!
Did I read this correctly, $400??
Is it in a pebble tray with water or only water? If it’s only water, the soil will continuously soak up water. If there’s no pebbles you’re probably over watering it and should check the roots.
Did you say $400?!
Where did you pay $400 for a philodendron?
I’ve heard of other people paying these prices and I can’t figure out why. You can get them for much much less.
Just let the soil get a little dry before you rewater. I suspect overwatering is the problem. As others have said, you’re overthinking it. You don’t need to mist.
Wait til these folks find out about var billietaes and caramel marbles lmao. I bought my marble for 1,200. The plant hobby comes in all tiers. Ragging on OP for buying a plant they clearly have the disposable income for is unnecessary. Let the downvotes come (:
That aside~ what’s your airflow like? Philodendron are super low maintenance. Also, spraying it with water does 0 for it. There’s no benefit for it whatsoever. It doesn’t increase humidity or anything. But I feel this is looking like an airflow problem.
You’re going to have better luck asking over at r/RareHouseplants
Posting whole pictures of the plant would help
It’s because you’re misting it. It’s under a grow light and the water drops are acting as magnifying glasses under the light and burning it. Sitting moisture Also invites fungi. Stop doing that.
Despite a few years of working and studying in horticulture, between probable seasonal depression and possible ADHD I don’t trust myself to keep a $400 plant alive. 😂
I have to ask, what possessed you to spend that much money with knowing how to protect your investment?
I’ll just say this is why you should probably not spend so much money on a living thing unless you’re an expert and understand WHY something is priced what it is; It sounds like this $400 was meaningful to you and could have been better placed elsewhere.
Give it light and try fertilizing; re-check its humidity requirements and re-check your humidity.
Check the roots if new growth is actively dying, could be root rot
I won’t be mean like some of the others here, but as they have stated misting the plant is doing more harm than good. Scientifically speaking there’s a still layer of air between the leaf surface and moving air above it. Misting it creates small droplets of water on the surface of the plant that won’t evaporate because the grow light most likely isn’t giving off enough heat fast enough.
With that being said, philodendrons rarely need to fully sit in water, pebbles or no. Someone here said that soil will continuously take up water if it is available to it, which may be rotting the roots (less so if you do have pebbles in the water just because it has more aeration). You realistically only need to water it when the top inch of soil is dry or close to being dried out. Plants are extremely efficient with water, especially that one and will be able to use one waterings worth over the course of a week with zero signs it’s running out.
I would put that baby in your sunniest window if you can—if you can’t keep it on a 12 hour light window, the more light a plant gets the more food it can create. I understand the worries about the white leaves, don’t. It’s pointless, they come, you marvel at them for a day or two as they unfurl and then you chop them off. How many come in is solely based off genetics.
Plants are smart hun, don’t try and overthink it for them. I like to say they’re the perfect natural machine. Water twice a week with 12-14 hours of sun and leave it alone. I can almost promise you will see it thrive.
I will say, this plant—albeit more rare in chain stores—shouldn’t have been that expensive, I am sorry people are being rude to you about it but just for next time I think it’s good to know you could have saved a little bit on it. I don’t know the state or size of the plant in which you got it, which really does a number on the price so as long as you’re happy that’s what matters! 🙂
Please tell me you didn’t actually pay $400 for a plant…
Stop misting, you should never get the leaves wet as it can breed bacteria and cause other issues.
Make sure it gets adequate light and adequate length beneath the light every day.
The spot can be from either an insect, from physically touching it and bruising the cells, or from a fungal/bacterial infection.
You think you can cut a piece off and ship it to me? And by any chance do you have any friends that like plants as much as you?
Stop misting.
Keep it t 12hours, but move it a little back from the light to make adjustments