How Do You Care For Rhaphidophora Korthalsii?
Is Rhaphidophora Korthalsii Rare?
Rhaphidophora korthalsii, commonly known as Rhaphidophora celatocaulis, is a lovely but uncommon Southeast Asian Rhaphidophora with a moderate growth rate.
As a young plant, it has ovate, bullate, dark green leaves that might become blue. It climbs trees like a tendril and adheres its leaves extremely tightly to its support.
This form of development is referred described as “shingling” in allusion to roof shingles.
As a plant grows, its leaf morphology undergoes a complete transformation.
The leaves become enormous and lobed in a pinnate pattern. It will resemble an adult Epipremnum pinnatum.
You will receive a rooted cutting placed on a peat plate with four to six leaves and no soil or container. It should thus continue to be maintained in a terrarium for the time being.
How Do You Care For Rhaphidophora Korthalsii?
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Araceae and to the genus Rhaphidophora.
- korthalsii is a very tall, strong pachycaul, heterophyllous liana that can reach a height of 20 meters in its seedling stage as a non-skototropic, “shingling” juvenile stem.
It has heterophyllous leaves. The term “shingling” refers to the way in which the leaves are arranged such that they follow the contours of the substrate.
The mature shoot is made up of elongated, “clingy,” leafy stems that flow together in a fluid manner.
The following environmental conditions are optimal for the growth of Rhaphidophora korthalsii:
Humidity requirements
Up to and including above average, at least fifty percent. If the humidity in your home is too low, try growing your plants in a terrarium, misting them frequently, placing them on a pebble tray, or purchasing a humidifier.
Temperature requirements
55-85°F (12.8-29 C) with 70-80° F (21-27°C) optimal. Stay away from areas with unexpected temperature fluctuations, drafts of cold air, and anywhere near heat producing devices or air conditioning vents.
Light requirements
Light that is bright and indirect for a whole 24 hours each day. Grow lights are required in dwellings that do not receive direct sunlight and are not well illuminated.
Light is essential for the development and health of rhaphidophora korthalsii, especially in the case of young plants.
When exposed to bright light and optimal temperatures, your plant might sprout aerial roots.
Soil mix requirements
Use a potting soil that is open, has good drainage, is high in organic matter, and has a pH between 6.0 and 6.5; nevertheless, neutral is okay.
Rhaphidophoras Korthalsii thrive on organic soil that is well-drained but yet kept somewhat damp. Remember to avoid soils that are either too moist and mucky or too dry and sandy.
Watering requirements
When the top 1-2 inches of the potting mix get dry, thoroughly water the plant. In general, every four to seven days throughout the growth season, and every two weeks during the spring and summer. But get your hands dirty, which means you shouldn’t stick to a timetable.
Fertilizer requirements
Only during the active growing season should a half-strength solution of an all-purpose, balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer be applied to the soil around the plant.
Does Rhaphidophora Korthalsii Need Soil?
The ideal soil conditions for Rhaphidophora korthalsii include having good drainage, being somewhat acidic (with a pH range of 6.0–6.5), having a high organic matter content, or being nutrient-dense.
The soil should be well-drained and loamy, and you may use regular potting mix or soilless potting mix. These plants are not overly picky about their environment.
You only need to make sure that your potting mix has good drainage, that it is aerated, and that it is rich in nutrients.
As a result of this, you have the option of purchasing aroid mixtures, sphagnum moss, coco peat, LECA, or making your own medium.
For instance, you may use potting soil, perlite or pumice, and peat moss in proportions that are all identical.
Peat moss has the ability to elevate pH while also contributing humus, while perlite is known for its drainage-improving properties.
How Do You Propagate Rhaphidophora Korthalsii?
Stem cuttings can be used in either soil or water for the propagation of Rhaphidophora korthalsii. However, the usage of seeds, albeit uncommon, and air layering are also viable options.
Soil propagation
The spring and early summer months are ideal for propagating plants of all kinds, including this one. Why? It will provide the plant a sufficient amount of time to develop roots and get established before the fall, which is a season when growth is not possible.
- Place the potting mix in the nursery pot, then water it thoroughly until excess water emerges from the drainage holes. Throw away any excess that has accumulated on the saucer.
- Using your sterilized gardening shears, cut the mature stem just below the lowest node of one of the mature stems that has at least two nodes. If there is more than one leaf, you should take the ones that are lower off.
- Dab some of your rooting hormone into the end that you just cut off, being sure to cover the nodes that will be going into the soil.
- Make a hole in the potting mix and plant the Rhaphidophora korthalsii stem cutting such that it is buried in the soil to the depth that it covers at least one or two of the plant’s nodes. Applying some pressure to the earth surrounding the cutting should help it to remain erect.
- Place the cutting in a plastic bag and cover it, being sure to leave a tiny hole so that the plant may continue to breathe. Also, make sure the bag does not come into contact with any leaves. You may use a stick to check that this is the case.
- Transfer your cuttings to a toasty area that is illuminated by bright indirect light.
- Remove the plastic bag from around your plant once every few days and leave it off for a few hours at a time to allow it to breathe. In addition, spray the soil so that it remains wet (not soggy).
Your plant will have rooted by the end of the fourth to sixth week, it will have gained new growth, and it will perhaps be ready for transfer. However, the precise timing will be determined by the conditions that already exist.
Water propagation
The water propagation method is ideal if you want to observe the roots of your plant. The plant should be dipped in a jar of water, but you should take care not to submerge any of the leaves.
Put your plant in a warm location that receives bright but indirect light, and be sure to change the water every three to four days. You should wait until the roots are at least 3 to 4 inches long before transplanting them.
Is Rhaphidophora Korthalsii Slow Growing?
Rhaphidophora Korthalsii is an uncommon aerial root plant that is well-known for the flat climbing foliage that it produces.
This foliage creates the appearance of verdant green roof tiles. It is a houseplant that is native to Australia and is also known as the “Shingle plant.”
It has a reputation for being slow-growing and may be used as an attractive table accent or stunning floor plant.
What Is A Rhaphidophora Korthalsii?
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a flowering plant of the genus Rhaphidophora in the Araceae family.
- korthalsii is a large, robust pachycaul, heterophyllous liana that grows to 20 meters as a non-skototropic, “shingling” juvenile shoot.
The term “shingling” refers to how the leaves are oriented to match the contours of the substrate. Adult shoots are made up of elongated, “clingy,” leafy flowing stems.
The first inflorescence is solitary or several together and is subtended by a bract and one or more cataphylls, which degrade into netted fibres following the emergence of inflorescences subtended by one or more cataphylls.
The infructescences measure 14-27 x 3-3.5 cm in size. Unripe, they are a dark green color that will ripen to a dull orange color.
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is found in Arunachal Pradesh, South Nansei-shoto, peninsular Thailand, Malesia, and the western Pacific.
How Big Can Rhaphidophora Korthalsii Grow?
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a massive, slender to robust liana that can grow to be enormous at times. The seedling grows toward the light (non-skototropic), juvenile shingles have erect large split leaves, and mature plants have erect large split leaves.
This tropical liana is native to southern tropical Asia, the tropical western Pacific, and the East Himalayas, which includes southern Thailand, Sumatra, Java, and the Philippines, as well as eastern New Guinea and Vanuatu.
It grows in disturbed and primary montane, hill, and lowland forests, including moss, peat-swamp forest, rocks, cliffs, and trees on a variety of soils, including ultrabasic and limestone.
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a fast-growing liana that can reach a height of 65.6 feet (20 meters). However, at home, you will find juvenile, much smaller plants that will never grow taller than 8 feet and will require a climbing structure.
How Often Do You Water Rhaphidophora Korthalsii?
Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a tropical plant that requires a lot of water. For optimal growth, you should water your plant when the soil dries out.
When watering your indoor plant, it is best to water it so the soil remains wet, but not soggy. You will need to check and make sure that the potting mix does not begin to absorb any of the water.
Water your plant when the soil dries out. It is recommended that you water your indoor plants once every seven to 10 days.
The sunshine hours are most important in determining how often your plant needs water. While a plant growing indoors will be able to tolerate less frequent watering, it is always better to pay attention to the individual needs of each plant.
What Is The Difference Between Rhaphidophora Korthalsii And Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma?
These two species have shingling plants as juveniles, and their mature leaves are large, entire, and shallowly to deeply split. However, the leaf shape and pinnae are easily distinguishable.
The mature leaves of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma are smaller and broader. Furthermore, unlike korthalsii, their pinnae do not have holes (perforation) near the midrib, making them appear stilted.
Not only that, but tetrasperma lacks primary veins on the pinnae and may have rhombic holes near the midrib.
Rhaphidophora korthalsii, on the other hand, has narrower but larger leaves, and the pinnae have 2-4 primary veins and no small holes at the base.
Should I Stake My R. Korthalsii?
We strongly advise you to stake Rhaphidophora korthalsii, which means providing and training it to shingle on a flat board, moss pole, burlaw wrapped totem, or similar structure.
It’s one of the plant’s most attractive features, and it will grow larger leaves as time goes on. However, it is not required. Some people prefer to grow it in a hanging basket.
Attach your plant to the climbing stake with gardening Velcro, twist ties, or a soft string until it is secure. You can then remove whatever you used to secure it.
