Philodendron Atabapoense
Philodendron Atabapoense
Philodendron atabapoense
❦ ❧ ❦
Difficulty — IntermediateA striking species from the rivers of Venezuela and Brazil, the Atabapoense bears long, elegant, arrow-shaped leaves of deep green above and a remarkable wine-red beneath. To turn one of her leaves and find that hidden burgundy is one of the quiet pleasures of growing her. A refined and somewhat collectible philodendron for the grower ready to graduate beyond the beginners.
Notes on Cultivation
☀Light
Bright, indirect light brings out the rich colour and elongated form of her leaves. She dislikes harsh direct sun, which fades and scorches, so give her brightness filtered and gentle.
❦Water
Water when the top inch or two dries. She likes steady moisture in active growth but, true to her family, demands sharp drainage and will rot if kept soggy.
☁Humidity
As a tropical river species she prefers humidity on the higher side, around 60 percent. In dry air her leaf edges may brown, so a humidifier earns its place beside her.
✵Temperature
Keep her warm, 65 to 85 Fahrenheit, and well above 55. She has no tolerance for cold and will sulk visibly in a chilly room.
❧Soil
A chunky aroid mix of bark, perlite, and coco coir suits her climbing roots. She is happiest when her roots can breathe between waterings.
❀Fertilizing
Feed every four to six weeks in the growing season with a balanced fertiliser. Steady, moderate feeding supports those long, elegant leaves.
✿Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings with a node, ideally bearing an aerial root, rooted in water or sphagnum. Keep her warm and humid while she establishes.
Field Observations
Give her a pole to climb and her leaves grow longer and more dramatic; mature climbing specimens are far more impressive than young sprawling ones.
Do turn a leaf now and again to admire the wine-red underside — it is her signature, and the surest way to tell her from the many green philodendrons she resembles from above.
— faithfully recorded by Mr. Phileas Plant
