How Long Does It Take A Rhaphidophora Decursiva To Mature?

How Long Does It Take A Rhaphidophora Decursiva To Mature?

Rhaphidophora decursiva is a huge climbing tropical liana that grows quickly and is evergreen. In its natural habitat, it can grow to be 66 (20m) feet long or more.

It takes approximately 3 years for a Rhaphidophora decursiva vine to mature enough to start wrapping itself around other trees.

The first couple of years it will only grow in the lower part of the forest. After two or three years, it will begin to grow up towards the forest canopy where it can reach tree trunks and climb into the limited sunlight area of the rainforest canopy.

It takes approximately 1 year to reach a length of 8-10 feet.

A juvenile plant differs greatly from a mature one in appearance. When the plant is young, the leaves are smaller, more pointed, and oval-shaped. The leaves will develop profound fenestrations (splits/cuts) as it ages. Mature leaves can grow to reach more than 3 feet long.

How Do You Fertilize Rhaphidophora Decursiva?

During the spring and summer, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer once a month. When applying a liquid solution, you can quickly dilute it by 50%. To reduce the concentration, simply add water.

There is no need to plant throughout the winter because it does not grow much during this time.

However, if you live somewhere where the sun shines all year, you can feed the plant throughout these times. Take your cue from the plant. Continue to feed it as long as it is growing quickly and generating leaves.

In tropical areas with year-round sunshine, they feed the plants all year because they will continue to grow as long as the sun is out.

In contrast, in cold temperatures, such as winter, it might become dormant and stop developing until the next spring.

How Do I Identify Rhaphidophora Decursiva Leaves?

The juvenile leaves of Rhaphidophora decursiva are smaller, oblong, and bluish-green. However, as the plant ages, it begins to produce massive pinnately split glossy green leaves up to 40 inches long and 20 inches wide (3.3 feet long by 1.7 feet wide).

The leaves are typically asymmetrically deeply lobed, with splits reaching the mid-rib vein, i.e., the pinnae.

As a result, they resemble palm fronds, a dragon’s tail, or Monstera, which accounts for the confusion or common names. Their outline, on the other hand, is oblong oval or oval with an almost heart-shaped base. The majority of leaves contain 9-15 pinnae per side and are slightly thin at the base.

Finally, these leaves have a green cylindrical petiole that is 7.9 to 15.7 inches long (20–40cm) and has up to 7 nodes that bear cataphyll that are separated from each other. These leaf stalks also contain a petiolar sheath that covers roughly two-thirds of their length.

How Do I Water My Rhaphidophora Decursiva?

These aroids prefer moist but not saturated soil. They also dislike sitting in water or allowing their soil to entirely dry.

Water your Rhaphidophora decursiva just when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. Depending on humidity, amount of light, and temperature throughout growing seasons, this should be done once or twice a week.

More light promotes faster development and necessitates more water. Furthermore, low humidity or high temperatures result in faster moisture loss.

Reduce the frequency of watering during the non-growing season, i.e., fall and winter. However, make sure the soil does not become entirely dry.

Saturate your potted or indoor Rhaphidophora decursiva with water until excess begins to flow through the drainage holes. Remove anything that has accumulated on the saucer.

Some people like to water from the ground. If you are one of them, all you need to do is immerse or sit your pot in 12 inch of water for 15 minutes. Allow the surplus water to drain.

If you want to cultivate R. decursiva on the ground, you should soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Water in the early mornings or late afternoons, allowing the topsoil to dry in between.

Mulching, drip watering, and xeriscaping can all help to keep your plants moist and reduce moisture loss.

Overwatering is a problem that can harm this houseplant, as it does with most aroids. It may not be due to a lack of water, but to other issues as well.

Poorly drained soil, pots lacking drainage holes, or oversized pots, for example, can all contribute to this issue. The most noticeable indicators are moist or soggy soils or potting mixes, as well as yellowing foliage.

Other indications of thirsty or underwatered Rhaphidophora decursiva include upward curled leaves, poor development, crispy, brown leaf margins and tips, and yellowing of foliage.

What Soil Condition Is Ideal For Rhaphidophora Decursiva?

Light, airy, and well-draining potting soil is ideal for Rhaphidophora Decursiva. This is critical since the plant’s roots require a lot of air movement.

This also ensures that excess water drains away from the roots, preventing them from remaining in water for long periods of time.

It, like other aroids, prefers a slightly acidic soil pH. A mixture of peat moss, coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite can be used. If you already have potting soil, add some perlite and orchid bark to it to increase aeration and drainage.

In addition to using well-draining soil, be sure the pot you use has drainage. This prevents the extra water that the soil excretes from pooling at the bottom of the pot. It exits via the perforations instead.

What Is The Difference Between Epipremnum Pinnatum And Rhaphidophora Decursiva?

Epipremnum pinnatum is also known as Dragon Tail Plant and Centipede Tongavine. It is common in North Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Southern China, and other parts of that region.

Both of these plants are Araceae climbers. They are, however, from different genera, namely Epipremnum and Rhaphidophora.

Also, and show some resemblance. These plants, for example, have smaller and more regular shaped juvenile leaves, whilst their adult leaves are symmetrically pinnately divided.

However, there are distinctions. The leaves of Epipremnum pinnatum range from slightly elliptical to arrow-shaped, depending on the cultivar, whereas Rhaphidophora has oval leaves.

Furthermore, when comparing their adult leaves, R. decursiva has slightly shiny bigger leaves than Epipremnum pinnatum, which are smaller (10 to 20 inches long), leathery, and thicker.

Furthermore, the leaves of several Epipremnum cultivars such as Cebu blue (with blue-hued leaves), skeleton key, Variegata, albo, and so on do not match those of R. decursiva.

Is Rhaphidophora Decursiva An Aroid?

Rhaphidophora Decursiva is also known as Monstera Decursiva and Philodendron Decursiva. However, this unusual plant is neither a Monster nor a Philodendron. It is actually a member of the Rhaphidophora genus.

However, because it is an aroid, it is related to the Araceae family and thus has the same progeny as the monstera and philodendron. As a result, there are several similarities between the plants.

It is a natural climber that can grow fairly large, similar to many monstera and philodendron species. They also have vast root systems that are water-sensitive. And because they are all aroids, they can all be grown in the same soil.

Is Rhaphidophora Decursiva Dragon Tail?

No, Rhaphidophora Decursiva is a plant that is often confused with other plants. In fact, its name has been used interchangeably with dragon tail (Epipremnum pinnatum).

Several nurseries mislabel their plants as such. Furthermore, because they belong to the Araceae family, they are all commonly referred to as “dragon tail” or “tongavine”.

Epipremnum pinnatum is also known as Dragon Tail Plant and Centipede Tongavine. It is common in North Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Southern China, and other parts of that region.

Both of these plants are Araceae climbers. They are, however, from different genera, namely Epipremnum and Rhaphidophora.

Also, and show some resemblance. These plants, for example, have smaller and more regular shaped juvenile leaves, whilst their adult leaves are symmetrically pinnately divided.

However, there are distinctions. The leaves of Epipremnum pinnatum range from slightly elliptical to arrow-shaped, depending on the cultivar, whereas Rhaphidophora has oval leaves.

How Do You Make Rhaphidophora Decursiva Climb?

Rhaphidophora Decursiva enjoys climbing and can develop to be a massive plant with aerial roots. Giving it a support or pole to climb on will also help it grow quicker and generate larger leaves.

Using a moss pole to support your plant’s growth habit is a wonderful idea. It resembles their natural habitat, in which the Dragon Tail climbs trees to get higher in the canopy.

Moss poles, in addition to providing climbing support, promote healthy development and more vivid foliage.

The Rhaphidophora Decursiva has no fenestrations as a juvenile. These emerge when the plant grows older.

Where Is Rhaphidophora Decursiva Native To?

Rhaphidophora Decursiva is an Araceae species that grows wild in China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries. The plant is notable for its large leaves, which change shape as the plant ages.

The leaves are blue-green and round when young, but as they mature, they spread out and form deep, alternating lobes. A completely developed plant may have leaves that are 40 inches long and 20 inches wide.

This Himalayan native floral Aroid can reach very tall in the wild. The bluish-green and oval juvenile leaves mature to become deep-green and heavily lobed. Furthermore, given enough space and moisture, these leaves can grow to be 40 inches long.