Philodendron Black Cardinal

November 11, 2021

PHILODENDRON BLACK CARDINAL

One of the most beautiful things offered by nature is plants. These plants are considered a blessing to us humans. One of the most beautiful plants and considered as rarest species of the Araceae family is Black Cardinal. It is one of the most eye-catching plants and can be identified due to its dark coloration and a glimpse of red that can be found on its leaves, along with a black tone. Its leaves are shiny bronze and blackish red with robust leafstalk. They are broadly oval and emerging blackish orange or bronze. Its leaves gradually develop to a darker burgundy shade, with the oldest leaves near the plant’s base being the shadiest and dullest.

This Philodendron is also the ideal beginner’s plant because it requires little maintenance and is simple to care for.

FEATURES OF THE PHILODENDRON BLACK CARDINAL

Size

If these plants are kept indoors or in a greenhouse, they can grow up to 3 feet and 1 meter in length.

Leaves

When it comes to the leaves, they can vary in size, but a wholly developed leaf could be one foot long and eight inches wide.

Toxicity

This plant is poisonous if consumed; those who can ingest the plant may experience a burning feeling on their lips, mouth, and tongue, as well as swelling. It’s recognized as a poisonous plant since it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can endanger pets as well.

BLACK CARDINAL: MAINTAINING IT’S DAZZLING FEATURES

Black Cardinal thrives well in filtered or indirect sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering. These circumstances will produce a happy, healthy plant. They are pest and disease resistant.

Soil

This Philodendron needs well-draining soil with high organic matter. If their roots remain soaked for a long time, root rot develops, which can be harmful. An all-purpose potting mix will hold too much water, which will cause decay.

An ideal potting mix preserves moisture while allowing excess water to flow. However, you can make your mix by combining compost with perlite, peat moss, or vermiculite in your soil.

If you prefer a soil-free setting, philodendrons thrive in peat moss or a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite. These soil-free mixtures will quickly drain out excess water while preventing the roots from drying out. And if cultivated in pots, ensure that the bottoms have holes to allow the water to drain.

Watering

All philodendrons, including Black Cardinals, require the same amount of watering.

The proper soil composition will be critical to maintaining this balance, and the frequency with which you water your philodendrons may vary according to the conditions (size of the pot, humidity of the room, temperature, etc.).

You may water your plant only when the top inch of soil feels dry. To test, stick your finger up to the knuckle to examine if it’s still damp beneath the surface. As you study the behavior of your plant, you will gradually understand its water requirements.

If the foliage starts to curl, it means the plant is either under or overwatering, so you must regularly check this. If curling occurs, adjust the regularity of watering, and they will quickly recover. While watering, give your plant a good soak by pouring water over the top. Make sure that the water runs through the holes of the pot.

Light

Black Cardinal will develop its total capacity only if placed in bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight using a garden net. If your plant is not getting the amount of light they need, it may not grow to its fullest. If the foliages are growing long and not straight up, but rather in a falling pattern, this indicates that the Philodendron Black Cardinal isn’t getting enough light.

To solve this, modify the location and retain it where all of its requirements are met. When the plant receives too much light, it begins to acquire a yellow appearance on the leaves, making them appear rusty. To avoid this, relocate them.

Temperature

Philodendrons cannot withstand frigid temperatures. The Philodendron must be put in a room that stays between 65 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. These temperatures are also consistent with a house’s average temperature.

Humidity

Considering their origins in humid and tropical areas, Black Cardinals are remarkably robust in high humidity. The average humidity indoors (between 30% and 50%) is ideal for them.

The plants must keep away from heating vents and air conditioners, where the high temperatures and dry air would harm them.

Fertilizer

Philodendrons are not greedy feeders and do not require too much fertilizer.

Use a liquid leaf fertilizer with equal NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) – commonly stated as 1: 1: 1 or 10: 10: 10.

Repotting

Depending on its growth habits, the Philodendron will require repotting at least once a year. Plants grown in optimal conditions, with good soil and constant fertilization, will generally develop faster than neglected or damaged plants.

When your Black Cardinal has outgrown its container, it is time to repot it into something 2 inches larger.

When repotting your plant, you may try these tips:

Begin by watering the soil for a few hours or the night before to make it simpler to dig out the roots.
Check the roots and carefully disentangle any that appear to be growing back into the plant after being removed from the pot.
After that, transplant it in the new container with adequate soil or peat moss mixture and thoroughly water it. Watering will aid in settlement of the soil surrounding the roots. If the soil level falls much, put more on top.

Pruning

This plant doesn’t require much pruning; nevertheless, as the leaves age and the yellow effect appears, the damaged areas should be trimmed.

Propagation

If you do want to get your plant huge, propagating them is the perfect solution. You can do a top-cut method to do this. As the Philodendron grows, they develop some Arial roots, which can now be cut off. Make sure to use a clean cutting blade to ensure that the plant will not get any bacteria that can cause rotting. A newly propagated plant must be placed in a perfectly shaded area for at least three weeks to make sure that it can recover the stress from cutting.

Propagating black cardinal is safe. Just make sure that you are cutting the portion with aerial roots. I don’t recommend anymore propagating the cuttings in water.

COMMON PROBLEMS

Simple houseplants like Philodendrons are easy to care for after you’ve learned the basics. They recover rapidly from damage or stress, allowing you to learn from your mistakes.

The different pieces of information mentioned above are beneficial on how to take good care of Black Cardinal Philodendron, but what will happen if the plant is under attack by unknown culprits?

Philodendrons are rarely attacked by pests and diseases, but if you see any problem, the following are the most likely culprits:

Root Rot

It is the most severe issue afflicting Black Cardinals. This happens when the pot lacks drainage holes, the soil isn’t well-drained enough, or you water the plant too frequently.

How can we prevent it?

Ensure that water can drain out of the container

Make certain you’re using the proper potting soil or opting for a soilless mixture.

To avoid catastrophic root rot, spot the symptoms early and cure your plant.

Aphids

These are small insects that live on plant stems and drain their juices. They are safe to humans (but not to plants) and can be removed by your fingertips.

If the nasty element is too much, spray the infected area with a mixture of dish soap and neem oil. And if the Philodendron is outside, you can give it a nice spray using a hose.

Mealybugs

These are a tiny pest that looks a bit like a pulled from a cotton bud. These small insects love humid places, and like aphids, they feed off the plant’s juices.

Wipe the bugs away with a paper towel coated in rubbing alcohol or neem oil to get rid of them. Make sure to cover all damaged areas.

Guest Bloggers | Authors