Rhaphidophora tetrasperma - Mini Monstera - Philodendron Ginny is a small to medium-sized, rather slender, semi-pachycaul, heterophyllous liane...
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, also called as Mini Monstera, Philodendron Ginny, Philodendron Piccolo, is a species of the genus Rhaphidophora. This species was described by Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1893.
IDENTIFY RHAPHIDOPHORA TETRASPERMA - MINI MONSTERA - PHILODENDRON GINNY
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is native from Peninsula Thailand to Peninsula Malaysia. It is found growing in disturbed rather dry to moist or wet forest on sandstone and granite at elevations of 190-760 meters above sea level.
Mini Monstera is a small to medium-sized, rather slender, semi-pachycaul, heterophyllous liane which reaching to 5 meters with smooth stems without prophyll, cataphyll and petiolar sheath fibre. The internodes are up to 14 x 1 cm, separated by prominent straight leaf scars. The leaves are weakly spiral-distichous. The lamina is sparsely to entirely deeply pinnatipartite to nearly pinnatisect, occasionally with large rhombic perforations adjacent to midrib, 12-42 x 9.5-38 cm, broadly ovate to ovate lanceolate, thinly coriaceous.
Philodendron Ginny blooms from few inflorescences that subtended by two prominent cataphylls, these soon falling with terete, 2-2.5 x 0.3-0.4 cm peduncle. The spathe is canoe-shaped, 3-3.5 x 0.8-1.5 cm, stiffly fleshy, apparently falling swiftly, white with adherent black cataphyll remnants; the spadix is cylindrical, sessile, inserted slightly decurrently on peduncle, 3-3.5 x 0.75 - 1 cm, white.
RHAPHIDOPHORA TETRASPERMA - MINI MONSTERA - PHILODENDRON GINNY CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma grow best in medium to bright indirect light with light level of 10000-20000 lux. While it is tolerant of lower light conditions, you may notice leggy growth as a result. It can withstand 3 hours of direct sunlight but the plant should avoid to get too much direct sun because the leaves will burn. Dappled sunlight is ideal.
Temperature:
Mini Monstera can grow in USDA zone 9-12. It prefers average to warm temperatures of 12-27 °C. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 12 °C even for a short time because cold air will damage the foliage. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. For zones 9-10, it should be brought indoors if it’s below 12 °C and be sure it has plenty of bright indirect light wherever it’s placed.
Humididty:
Philodendron Ginny grow best with the humidity level of 50% - 60%. It will thrive in almost any environment, but if you want to give it a special treat, gently mist it once a week. It's best to mist your plant in the morning so the water has plenty of time to evaporate before evening. Use a humidifier, or place your pot on top of a pebble tray with water coming halfway up the pebbles. Evaporation will provide extra humidity right where your plant needs it.
Substrate and growing media:
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma need a well-aerated, quick-draining potting soil that dries out quickly. You can use a blend of large-chunk orchid bark, coarse-grade perlite, and peat moss at equal ratios; and then add about 10% charcoal which helps remove toxicities that can build up (over many months) in the potting mix. It thrive in moist soils with high organic matter and grow best when provided with a mossy post or burlap wrapped pole to climb. If given a trellis, it will climb and its leaves will become bigger and more fenestrated.
It is best to re-pot the plant every year or twice a year or when the plant has outgrown its pot and become root-bound. Choose a new pot for repotting that is 1 inch larger in diameter than the current pot. Do not forget to select a pot with drainage holes. The ideal time to re-pot is early Spring when the plant had a period of active growth ahead.
Watering:
Water Mini Monstera once weekly. Allow the potting mix to dry out before watering. Water more frequently during warmer months and growth season. During the cooler months of the year, reduce the water to once every 2 weeks. Do not overwater or keep the soil wet for too long, as this will encourage root rot. If the leaves are yellowing due to overwatering, skip a week or two of watering.
Fertilizer:
Feed Philodendron Ginny between every two weeks and once per month during their growing season with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. In the late fall and winter, when growth has slowed down, and the plant is dormant, do not fertilize your plant. Too much fertilizer can burn the foliage of your plant. Before applying fertilizer in any form, make sure the soil is damp.
Pruning:
Pruning is mostly to remove diseased or pest-damaged material and to keep it at a specific size. It can also be used to reduce leggy growth resulting from too little light reaching one side of the plant. Use clean snips to neatly cut off excess growth, but do not take off too much of the plant at any given time. Reducing it by up to 25% is fine, but beyond that, you’re risking damage to your plant.
Pests and diseases:
Wiping dust or debris with a damp sponge or paper towel will keep the plant clean and avoidant of pests. Common pests include mealybugs, aphids, thrips, scale and spider mites. If any are found on the foliage, spray the plant with a direct water stream. Leaves can also be washed with insecticidal soap.
The plant can also develop bacterial diseases such as leaf spot and root rot. Examine the plant periodically for signs of disease and use recommended fungicide and destroy the affected leaves. Correct application and timing are critical.
Propagation:
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma can be propagated by stem cuttings. Stem sections of 10-15 cm long, after removal of leaves, can be placed on a tray filled with an open, humus-rich soil mix at a minimum temperature of 22°C. Rooting takes place in about 2 weeks, and new growth begins from the nodes in about 4 weeks. Once growing strongly, the stem section can be cut into pieces, each bearing a rooted portion, and planted individually.
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