How To Propagate Philodendron Birkin? 3 Best Methods
No matter where you place your potted Birkin in your house, it will seize the spotlight and deliver a unique natural look. The zebra-striped leaves make this rare houseplant a highly-seek addition to household decor.
The propagation is an excellent way to expand your collection without extra expenses. It’s a bit harder than breeding regular plants, but the right methods will make the process easier, more satisfying, and fun.
This article acts as a detailed guide on how to propagate philodendron Birkin using different techniques. Stick until the end to listen to all our experiences!
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Why Propagate Your Philodendron Birkin?
You should propagate Birkin since it offers many benefits besides bringing you more favorite plants.
The primary reason is that you can multiply your plant ranges without spending dozens of dollars on new ones. Isn’t it fantastic to have free greens?
Plant cuttings are also a great gift for your friends, particularly if they love to have greens in-house but have no experience choosing or growing ones.
Another reason many long-term gardeners go for the propagating option is that their plants are becoming too leggy or too big.
Cutting the plant’s back will encourage bushier growth. Also, winter growth may make your greenery leggy or straggly, so cutting should be the choice.
How To Propagate Philodendron Birkin?
Now, let’s dive into the main section: how to propagate Birkins? You can use three different methods as below to perform your propagation.
Stem Cutting
Stem cutting is the most straightforward method
Many beginner growers opt for the stem-cutting method since it is hassle-free, has a low failure rate, and roots relatively quickly.
You just need to choose a healthy, green stem and breed a brand-new plant from this stem. Here are the detailed instructions on stem cutting:
Step 1: Select a green, healthy stem
Start by picking a good stem with a beautiful color that is not drooping or wilting. Also, it should have at least 2-3 green leaves along the strip.
The most vital thing to check for is that the stem you pick must have one node at least: the more nodes, the greater the result.
Another thing to note is that philodendrons often have aerial roots that emerge from the plant’s sides. They don’t look slightly firm and white like ordinary soil roots but are a bit woody.
Some varieties may grow more aerial roots than regular ones, while others may have long aerial roots. It would be best that the stem you pick has 2-3 leaves and one node with some aerial roots.
In my experience, aerial roots can increase the chance of successful propagation. Besides, this root type is one of the fastest to produce new roots, mainly if you breed in water.
Step 2: Perform the cutting
After choosing the ideal stems, it’s time to perform the cuttings.
Grab sharp pruning shears or scissors and disinfect the blades by wiping them with rubbing alcohol.
After that, start by cutting ½-1 inch underneath the node. Ensure to make your cut as clean as possible.
Step 3: Remove the bottom leaves
The next step is to remove the bottom leaves, which will end up landing in the soil or water. Both cases will do no good for the propagation procedure.
Thus, remove the bottom leaves after cutting the stem. You need to keep the upper leaves because they will aid in photosynthesis.
Air Layering
Air layering can yield beautiful results quickly
The second philodendron Birkin propagation method we’d like to introduce is air layering. It involves breeding new plants from stems still sticking to the parent plant.
Though this technique is more complex and takes more steps than stem cutting, it yields quick, impressive results that long-term gardeners will treasure.
We’ll dig into the solid steps right below:
Step 1: Choose the perfect stems
It’s crucial to pick the healthiest, freshest stems on your plants for air layering. So, you can guarantee a faster rebound after propagation and maximum growth.
Step 2: Cut vertically
After choosing your ideal stems, perform a vertical cutting of 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) along the strip using a sterilized knife or tool.
Ascertain that your blade goes deep to the halfway of the stem.
Step 3: Ensure the cut remains open
The next step is maintaining an open incision so the roots can develop. Put a long toothpick into your cut’s center to make it open.
Step 4: Adhere the peat mosses to the stems
You first need to dampen the peat moss, then wrap the step with the wet moss where the cut is.
Remember that the peat moss must always remain damp yet not soggy since this may encourage bacterial growth.
Step 5: Wrap them up
Enclose the stem and peat moss with plastic wrap to prevent the moss from drying too fast and stop the bacteria and dirt from approaching the incision.
Step 6: Replant your Birkin
After caring for and waiting patiently for a couple of weeks, you will see new stems emerging from the peat mosses.
This sign indicates that it is time to trim off your clipping. Cut underneath the roots and mosses and put your cuttings into a fresh potting substrate mix.
Don’t forget to apply gentle pressure during this step to avoid hurting the roots and cutting and killing your bred Birkin.
Dividing
The division method applies to plants with multiple offshoots
It’s possible to use this Birkin propagation technique only when your philodendron has multiple offshoots emerging from the same parent plant.
That means you must go for the air layering or stem-cutting techniques if your green is a single offshoot.
This propagation method will go like this:
Searching for a point to divide your Birkin will be effortless if there are multiple offshoots on the plant. They will grow entirely separate from each other from the center of every section.
Step 2: Remove the plant from the pot
After locating those different sections, you need to remove your philodendron from the pot to split the root systems.
Lift the green out and gently shake the potting blend around the root. The best way to soften the substrate is to use your fingers to separate the roots carefully.
Step 3: Split the sections
It may be necessary to cut off the weird roots if they don’t tangle easily, yet you should succeed in pulling apart the sections without much effort.
Sometimes, you may need to slice the soil around the green to split them more easily. It’s OK to do so, yet ensure each section has a robust root system that helps with an accomplished propagation.
When splitting those sections, it’s better to use shears than tearing the green apart since this can destroy it badly.
Step 4: Reposition the parent plant
Place the parent plant back in its previous pot. After that, determine whether to place the offshoots straight in the potting blend or in the water first.
It depends on your cutting’s size and the root system’s maturity. If the offshoots have pretty mature roots, they will develop fine in the potting mix.
But if the roots feel like they need more time to grow, we suggest positioning them in the water before the potting mix.
Step 5: Maintain a periodical care routine
Once your cuttings settle in the fresh soil mix, you can continue the usual maintenance routine applied to other Birkins.
If you transfer them to water first, it’s necessary to refresh the water once every few days and move them to the potting blend once they’ve matured.
How To Care For Your Philodendron Birkin Properly?
Now that you’ve known how to propagate Birkin? We have some helpful tips for maintaining bred and parent Birkins after breeding that will help keep your collection healthy for an extended period.
Watering
Proper watering is a vital factor when caring for your plants
This variety loves to remain a bit moist yet not too wet. It’s critical since the line between root rot and good moisture is fragile.
We advise you to provide enough humidity to your greens by watering them when the mix dries about one inch. So, a crucial step before watering is to feel the compound to determine its dry or wet level.
The substrate will signal the right moment to provide moisture, so don’t set a fixed watering schedule. Instead, observe it regularly to identify the signal.
Light
Most philodendrons prefer medium to bright, indirect light, and this variety is no exception.
Greens that don’t receive enough sunlight for their demands will be unhappy and show a sad-looking development.
Yet, too much sunlight may ruin the leaves of your greens and cause severe sunburn.
That’s why it’s critical to ensure an indirect light source for the Birkins, meaning the sun rays shouldn’t shine directly on your greens.
Soil
Ideal soil should have decent moisture
This variety thrives best in airy, well-draining potting mixes that hold a decent amount of moisture. If it sounds confusing, here’s a detailed guide on what to do:
- A decent amount of moisture: Not too wet. The soil should keep a little humidity and not get soaked in water.
- Airy: An airy substrate will lighten up your mix and prevent itself from getting compacted.
- Well-draining: Most water must drain out to avoid leaving the roots too wet.
How to tell if your potting soil has gone bad? There are four warning signs to check for.
Temperature
Philodendron Birkin is fond of warmer environments with an average temperature of 60-80 degrees F (about 16-27 degrees C)
If you live in cold regions with freezing winters, ensure to keep your greens away from cold areas in your house, like front hallways or drafty windows.
Fertilizing
It’s advisable to feed your plant a balanced fertilizer once per month when the growing months approach, usually in summer and spring.
Every fertilizer has a particular N-P-K ratio. A balanced product will have these three elements at the same level.
If you wonder which fertilizer makes plants grow fast, check out this post for valuable tips.
Conclusion
How to propagate philodendron Birkin? You can choose from various methods, such as stem cutting, division, and air layering.
These techniques are not too complex to apply for beginners and yield satisfying, rewarding results relatively quickly.
If you choose a suitable technique and follow the solid instructions above, trust that new, beautiful offspring plants are coming to you!
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