How Do You Care For Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla?

Is Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Rare?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is a rare, aggressive shingling liana endemic to New Guinea with narrowly oval to elliptic stiff, leathery green leaves.

Unlike other Rhaphidophora species, the juvenile leaves do not alter, i.e., they do not become bigger, divided, or fenestrated.

The shingling liana Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is endemic to New Guinea. Its seedling stage develops towards the light (non-skototropic), juvenile shingles, and mature resembles each other little.

If provided a place to climb, it shingles; otherwise, the leaves spread a little.

How Do You Care For Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is a New Guinea shingling species. It is a very aggressive shingler that is intriguing because it will grow downward after reaching the top of a vivarium. It sticks nicely to backdrops and is a lovely accent to any vivarium.

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla need the following for survival:

Humidity requirements

They adore moisture. As a result, maintain it at 50% or higher. If humidity levels are low, water your plant, use a pebble tray, transfer to humid rooms such as the bathroom, or use a humidifier.

Temperature requirements

Because Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is a tropical plant, it requires a warm temperature. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 29 degrees Celsius).

Avoid abrupt changes in temperature, cold winds, heat stress, and places near air conditioning or room heating vents.

Light requirements

For around 12 hours, they require intense, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, and if your home isn’t well-lit, a grow light will come in.

If you don’t provide a grow light, they’ll tolerate low light, but they likely won’t thrive and could develop leaves that are smaller than healthy.

Soil requirements

They thrive best in soil that drains quickly, so avoid overly wet soil. In addition, they do not like ‘wet feet’ since their roots are near the surface.

A well-draining potting soil is a good choice, and a 60/40 sand to potting soil ratio is ideal.

Watering requirements

Deeply water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, which is normally every 3-7 days in the summer or spring and every biweekly in the fall or winter.

However, always feel the potting mix because water requirements vary according on the weather and other factors.

Fertilizer requirements

In the spring and summer, only apply an all-purpose, balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Bonide Liquid Plant Food and Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) are ideal.

What Is The Difference Between Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla And Rhaphidophora Hayi?

These two species are very similar, and occasionally people get them mixed up. However, you can tell them apart by looking at their blooming and foraging branches, as well as a few other characteristics.

Rhaphidophora hayi has free disarticulating side shoots and perhaps foraging shoots. Their blooming stalk leaves are also larger and truncate, and the stigma is distinct.

1. pachyphylla, on the other hand, never develops foraging branches or disarticulating side shoots. Rhaphidophora cryptantha is the only species with disarticulating side shoots.

Does Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Grow Fast?

This aroid is a climbing hemiepiphyte that is evergreen and permanent. As a result, it spends part of its life as an epiphyte (a plant that grows on other plants) and part of its life as a terrestrial plant or liana (has roots in the ground).

It is usually seen shingling on tree trunks, rocks, or any other support. The stem grows firmly to the vertical structure, and the leaves rest flat against it, producing a lush, dark green shingle look.

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is known as a shingle plant because its leaves flatten against the surface it grows on. This simulates the look of roof shingles (hence the name).

This is a fast-growing plant that prefers a damp and shaded environment.

Does Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Climb?

It can climb, but it prefers to cling, and therefore most of its life will be spent on the support of a tree trunk, in a rock crevice, or in any other place.

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla likes to shingle on the supports of trees or other objects (e.g., rocks).

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is a New Guinea shingling species.

Its aerial roots are fast to attach to a flat surface and lay its leaves flat as it rises.

As it grows and matures, the leaves expand somewhat. This plant is ideal for use as a terrarium backdrop.

How Do You Propagate Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla propagation is by stem cutting in water or soil. However, seeds or air layering can be used. However, seeds are scarce, and air-layered branches will be ugly as a shingling plant.

Spring or early summer is the optimum time to reproduce this or any of your houseplants. It will allow your plant to root and establish itself before the non-growing season.

Take some sharp sheers and cut a 5 inch section of stem with two or three nodes. Dip the cutting’s base in rooting hormone powder and plant it with one node in soil.

Some nodes will be above ground, which is OK. Because this is a climber, there are nodes all the way up the stem. Use a rich, well-draining soil and keep it in a warm, humid environment away from direct sunshine.

Rooting takes around 2 weeks, and new growth from the nodes takes about 4 weeks.

Once the stem segment has grown sufficiently, it may be divided into sections, each containing a rooted component, and planted separately.

What Are The Best And Diseases That Affects Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla?

Pests

Pests are uncommon but may develop when cultivated inside. Spider mites, scale insects, and thrips are common pests. However, your plant may also be infested with mealybugs, whiteflies, and aphids.

These bugs will seem as little bumps, dots, spots, or other objects. Some insects, such as thrips, fly. Others, like scale insects, have waxy bodies.

The signs to look for will vary depending on the problem. Honeydew, sooty mold, webbing, silvery stippling, or black, white, brown, or yellow patches are all things to look for.

Pests are best controlled using horticulture spray oils, neem oil, or insecticidal soaps. BND022- Ready to Use Bonide if you have bugs, Neem Oil is an excellent treatment.

Diseases

Keeping your plants healthy, using adequate hygiene, and watering them correctly might help you avoid illnesses like root rot.

Bacterial leaf spots generate water-soaked brown to black lesions with a yellow halo. Such plants should be discarded. There is no treatment.

Fungicides, on the other hand, can be used to treat fungal leaf spots, blights, and rusts. They develop lesions on leaves or stems in the same way, although they are not water-soaked.

Finally, root rot causes yellow leaves, wilting, mushy stem bases, mushy potting mix, black or brown mushy roots, and other symptoms.

Repot your plant to a new potting mix after clipping off rotting areas and adding a fungicide if the entire root ball is not impacted.

Why My Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Leaves Turning Yellow?

Leaf yellowing is a common problem with houseplants and generally happens when they are stressed.

Overwatering is the primary culprit. Rhaphidophora pachyphylla does not like soggy soil.

Cold environments can also lead to leaf yellowing, as the plant’s metabolism slows down in response.

Too little and too much lights is another reason. If the plant gets too much light, it will yellow up. Too little, and you risk weakening your plant.

The leaves will turn yellow if they are exposed to too much light or if they are not getting enough light (too dark), so make sure you have the correct lighting for your Rhaphidophora pachyphylla plants.

Under watering is another problem that could cause the leaves to turn yellow.

How Can I Save My Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla From Developing Scale?

Scale insects are a common problem for houseplants. The best way to check for scale infestation is to look for eggs, nymphs, and crawlers.

They are generally white in colour and easy to spot during inspection of your Rhaphidophora pachyphylla plants.

Prevention is the best way to avoid scale infestation. Manage your Rhaphidophora pachyphylla plants effectively to prevent damage from these pests.

The first step is to keep rhaphidophora pachyphylla clean. The more dirty you can keep it, the more likely an insect infestation will happen.

Scales are generally an issue when a plant gets too much water and too little light, or when the soil becomes soiled with nutrients.

Why My Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Leaves Turning Brown?

Brown leaves are generally the result of something that is stressing your plant. They could be low humidity, exposed to too much or too little light, or they could even have a pest problem.

Low humidity is the most common reason for brown leaves among houseplants.

Make sure you have the right conditions in which your Rhaphidophora pachyphylla can thrive. Plants like high humidity, so keep your Rhaphidophora pachyphylla in that range.

Poor lighting can also cause brown leaf tips, so make sure you have the correct lighting and don’t expose your plant to too much or too little light.

Pest infestation is the least likely reason for brown leaf tips. However, if you have bugs, they are possible culprits.

Is Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Toxic?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is toxic to pets and people alike. They can have adverse reactions when touching or ingesting it.

Because it contains insoluble calcium oxalate, it is toxic to people, cats, dogs, and other pets. When you chew the plant, you will experience significant mouth irritation, redness, and swelling.

Drooling, swallowing difficulty, drooling, and dogs pawing at their mouth are some symptoms.

Avoid touching plants to minimize contact. If you are uncertain about the plant’s product, then stay away from it.

Does Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Need Humidity?

Because of its small size, Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is ideal for terrariums or pots.

It flourishes in a warm and humid climate, hence it is not suggested as a houseplant due to the plant’s high humidity requirements.

As it grows, it will adhere to the backdrop and other structures in the vivarium and gradually blanket them.

They adore moisture. As a result, maintain it at 50% or higher. If humidity levels are low, water your plant, use a pebble tray, transfer to humid rooms such as the bathroom, or use a humidifier.

Why My Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Leaves Curling?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is prone to curling of the leaves, especially when it is exposed to cold. This damage can be minimized by keeping the plants in an area with ample light and warmth.

Under watering is another reason for leaves curling. Make sure you are not overwatering your plant and that the potting soil is wet before watering it again.

Heat stress is another cause for curling of the leaves. It happens when Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is exposed to high temperatures, especially in a warm and dry environment. Make sure the area has adequate airflow and humidity levels.

Too much light is the final cause for leaf curling. Plants are sensitive to light and Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is no exception.

Low humidity is also a factor. The plant is not suited for indoor environments, as it requires high humidity levels. Too much or too little humidity t can also cause the leaves to curl.

Does Rhaphidophora Pachyphylla Flowers?

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is an herbaceous perennial that does flowers. Rhaphidophora pachyphylla has a single inflorescence supported by a completely grown leaf and a membrane-like prophyll that fades quickly.

The small yellow inflorescence blooms of the spadix are encircled by a stiff, roughly canoe-shaped yellow spathe. After the flower opens (anthesis), the spathe collapses, leaving a huge scar at the spadix root.