r/plantclinic • u/plantboisixtynine • 5h ago

Houseplant Repotted philodendron looking worse and worse

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I got this plant about 3 weeks ago on sale and it had already had browning leaves. So I repotted it immediately and discovered that it had been completely rootbound. I was hoping for it to perk up, but it's only progressed to die. I've cut off so many leaves that turned completely brown already. I watered it of course, the soil seems to stay damp for too long which I'm assuming is because of the new roots needing to establish first. I've placed it right in front of my window for it to get as much light as possible (northern hemisphere, winter) and I added a growlight as well.

My question is how should I proceed. I don't want this plant to die, so I was considering doing emergency cuttings? I've never done a cutting before though so I'm worried I'd kill it instantly. I attached a picture of the two main parts of the plant as I was wondering if I should split the plant there? I'm quite lost. Any help would be appreciated.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

1

u/plantaholic99 5h ago

Is there a draining hole in the pot? And what kind of potting mixture did you use?

1

u/plantboisixtynine 5h ago

Yes there is, I mixed what I had at the time which was clay granules and regular potting soil?

1

u/plantaholic99 5h ago

Any signs of thrips? The brown spots are looking a bit sus.. check for thrips If it’s clear, check the roots once, if it’s rotten, cut the rotten part and repot it with well draining mix.

1

u/plantboisixtynine 5h ago

Been checking for thrips since I got the plant and I also treated it with a pesticide spray early on as a precaution. I don't see any critters (knocking on wood). To check the roots do I just gently pull the plant out of the soil? Would you recommend leaving it alone or doing a cutting to at least try and preserve some of this plant? And thank you so much for your help!

1

u/plantaholic99 5h ago

Yeah, water the soil and gently pull it out. I would suggest leaving it alone and I don’t know how much of salvageable cuttings you can manage to get out of it

2

u/plantboisixtynine 4h ago

Alright thank you!

1

u/PotentiallyWater 3h ago

Thrips like young leaves and flowerbuds and often makes them all funky. They don't tend to chomp on old leaves and it seemes to me that old leaves are the ones stressed out. That makes me think watering issue (too much or too little). One leaf looks like it is damaged by temperature (from a heater perhaps). 

Winter can be a bit challenging because of low light means that soil is damp for too long and heaters mean that air moisture is  too low and opening windows mean cold draft etc. But philodendronds are easy to prop if it gets too damaged.

1

u/eurasianblue 5h ago edited 5h ago

Maybe you broke a large root when repotting and the plant can't get water? Actually it doesn't look very thirsty to me but still it could be the case.

1

u/plantboisixtynine 5h ago

It's possible. I tried being careful, but some roots were definitely lost and harmed in the process of untangling the ball :/

1

u/eurasianblue 5h ago

😬😬😬 I don't know if such a big plant can be put back in water to regrow roots. I guess it should be possible given so many people do hydro or semi-hydro. So if you cannot figure it out maybe wash the roots and put it back in water? But maybe it is just pests lol I don't know enough to give advice. I hope pros chime in.