What's a Florida ghost plant? In 19 yrs. here, I don't recall hearing that name. Pls provide its botanical name or a picture. If you're new to succulents, best not to root them in water.

I had to double check to make sure I didn't accidentally post in the succulent forum. Let me clarify, it's a philodendron florida ghost. As a philo it should root pretty easy in water, the p gloriosum I got at the same time is putting out it's second leaf.

Anyone here with experience in rooting stubborn aroids? I posted a photo of how it looks when I got it. It has now dropped one of it's leaves, is in water, has no roots and is still trying to put out two new leaves.

Moonflower,

Pls allow me to apologize, I mistakenly though I was on the Cactus & Succulent Forum, my error, not yours. Even so I didn't recognize the name so thx for clarifying it's a Philo. Given that yes, one would expect quick water roots. I grow several Aroids myself including a no ID Philo, but sorry, none that are stubborn to root.

Bump so he/she can see my apology.

No need to apologize. What with all the different common names for plants, it very well could have been a succulent. I'm a she btw.

But back to rooting, I've never had trouble rooting any philos so I'm flummoxed that this one is giving me trouble. I'm considering taking it out of water and putting it in perlite. Maybe taking it out of water will encourage it to send out roots to find more water.

Hopefully, someone who have dealt with this will see the bump and answer.

You could try cutting off a little bit of the very base of the stem to help encourage root growth. Can you post a picture of the stem/node area?

I just cut off the very base of the stem to give it a little nudge. I hope it works.

I'm posting some photos of the node areas below. As you can see, I left what was still firm of the old roots. I'm not sure if doing that is making it think the old root system is still attached somehow.

A few things I'm considering:

1) Remove the rest of the old roots, dip it in rooting hormone, and try to root in perlite.

2) Remove the rest of the old roots, put it back in water and try again.

3) Leave the old roots, dip it in rooting hormone, and try to root in perlite.

Not sure what's the best course. I paid $85 CAD for the originally rooted cutting so I just want it to live!

What am I missing? Why can't you pot it up w/ those roots as is? Using the next to last pix, why not use those lower roots? Sorry but I don't see what the problem is; if the plant is able to grow leaves as is, seems to me to be OK & that the plant knows what it's doing, even if not so clear to us.

To me, removing the old roots which look fine, would be a set back to the plant, making it start all over ... why?

Usually when mine have dry roots, I just cut off a little bit of the bottom (of the stem) and then put it back in water and they root pretty well. They’ll grow more roots around the area where the nodes are. I’ve also recently started adding cinnamon to the site where I cut because I’ve heard it’s anti-fungal and root hormone. So far, my plants have been rooting beautifully. Please update us when you see new roots growth, I'm very optimistic!

@karen, I hope you are correct that those left over roots are enough. I'm worried because a) it just lost a leaf to put out that new growth and b) the root system it had before to support 3 leaves were substantial and in general philos are easy and big rooters. Those little left overs of roots look nothing like the roots of a healthy plant.

@zeb, I'm hoping cutting the bottom as you suggested will help it grow more roots around the nodes. Philos usually root like weeds, big thick juicy substantial roots. But then, it's my first florida ghost. Should I wait for more roots and keep it in water? I know some philo collectors grow indefinitely in water or moss, but I plan on transferring to potting mix eventually.

I think you’ll be fine, just let it root in water until they’ve developed properly and then you can transfer it to your desired medium!

The roots a propagule grows in water are very different than roots grown in a solid medium, and the water roots don't transition to soil well at all. Water roots are full of tissue with air pockets (aerenchyma) that allow the roots to get the oxygen they need to function from above the water line by diffusion. Roots or terrestrial plants utilize a tissue called parenchyma, that allows oxygen to enter the roots directly from the soil. Your plant is very easy to root, but you're wasting a lit of it's energy by rooting in water; this, because after it roots in water and you transplant to soil, it will need to grow new roots to replace the water roots. I'd put it in a soil that is barely damp, and only spritz the top of the soil enough to moisten it. Damp/moist = good, wet/soggy = bad.

Al

@Tapla, you really know your stuff so I"m glad you chimed in!

It was originally rooted in sphagnum moss, I only moved it to water because most of the roots die. You are right, usually these plants should root easily, but it's been in water since May 13 with no new root growth. That's 43 days with only about 1.5" of old roots.

I think I'm going to put it in potting mix since it's doing nothing in water, and cover it in with a plastic bag as a makeshift greenhouse. I"ll come back if anything happens.

Hey,

I know this was from last year but, I'm having problems with my brasil philodendron. I saw root rot when I took it out of its nursery pot (like 3 weeks after I got it) so I put it in water to recover. I saw a root growing but then it slowly turned brown and I checked it and its soft and mushy. So I'm considering putting it in solid because I don't think water is doing it any good. Just wanted to know if it worked for you.

You'll need to bare-root, cut the roots back to sound tissue, then transplant into a well-aerated, fast-draining medium.

Al

Hey Moonflower! i am having a simiar problem with my florida ghost. Did potting it help in the end? enquiring minds need to know! ☺️

Oh that‘s soo great! So happy it worked for you. Unfortunately i didn‘t see your response straight away and tried sphagnum moss first and it rotted what was left of the remaining root and it’s only remaining leaf has fallen off so i think it done for to be honest. But i will not say die! I refuse! Not until the fat lady sings! oh wait that’s me. 😂

Thank you for your reply. I think regardless of the rot and having to cut it back so hard i will try what you did and see if I can salvage her.

Wish me luck! 🥰