If you are learning how to trim a Philodendron tree, one of the most important parts of the plant is the stem. The stem is what holds the leaves together in the center of the plant. If it is trimmed too short or grows too much, the foliage will not be fully developed. When learning how to trim a Philodendron plant, there are a few things you should know about this exotic plant.
Learning how to trim a philodendron involves a little patience and care. Try not to go overboard while trimming, because this can stress the plant. Just trim it when needed and keep an eye on how it grows if you need to trim more than a couple of leaves. It is better to keep a little plant than over-trimming a large one.
There are several types of garden shears, but the best ones for cutting back a philodendron stem are scissors with rounded edges. Avoid sharp blades as they may cut the leaf and cause the stem to wither. Use the right kind of pruning shears for the job. A pair of long serrated scissors is ideal for trimming stems. Don’t buy cheap pair of garden shears as these may also cause damage to the plant.
If you are just starting out with a houseplant and are not yet ready for landscape trimming, it is best to wait until your plant has grown accustomed to its new environment. Some plants grow better when you only water them once a week or even nothing at all. Your new houseplant can only tolerate dryness up to a certain point, after which it will usually need water to survive. If your new houseplant has grown accustomed to constant watering, then pruning it every few weeks should be no problem.
To start trimming off old, dead leaves and stems, use a pair of shears. Trim the branches in different directions, going left to right. Trim away anything that is too thick or overgrowing. Keep in mind that some philodendrons can have very thick stems, so make sure you don’t cut too far ahead.
Now that you are done trimming off the thick stems, move on to removing the leggy stems. Cut these off at the base or stem, being careful not to damage the root system underneath. You want to keep as much of the stem tissue as possible. You may want to use a trellis to support the plant during this stage of how to trim a philodendron plant.
After you have removed all of the tough, overgrown stems, you can move on to removing the leaves. This is the tricky part, since many people believe that the more leaves you remove, the more the plant is likely to grow. The truth is, while the more leaves you remove, the more likely the plant will grow back (since leafy stems will not take up as much space), you must also consider how many leaves the plant actually needs. If you simply cut away too many leaves, it will have less foliage overall, which can make the plant look bushy. You must trim the plant carefully, taking care not to cut through any of the central nodes or flower buds.
Once you’ve finished trimming all of the tough, overgrown stems, you are ready to prune the plant. Do this in the late winter or early spring, after the soil is warm and moist enough to help your pruning go smoothly. In the fall or early winter, before the leaves begin to turn color, the best time to prune is actually in the morning, while the leaves are still on the trees. This is when they are turning golden yellow and turning brown before turning to the desired colors of red, blue and green. Overall, learning how to trim a philodendron is not a difficult task, especially if you take the time to learn about the various tricks and techniques involved.
