Philodendron Cordatum

Philodendron Cordatum (Heart-Leaf Philodendron)

The proper Latin name is Philodendron scandens oxycardium and is better known as Philodendron cordatum or Heart Leaf Philodendron. It is found in tropical rainforests of America, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Central America, where its native habitat is on the forest floor in the shade of larger plants. The name is derived from, phileo = love and denderon = a tree, love to climb trees. Philodendron has been used as a houseplant since Victorian times, and its popularity has only increased. Today’s popularity is largely in part to the ease of care necessary with less than optimal conditions.

Light: Will live in low light, prefers bright indirect light and never direct sun.

Water: Keep the soil moist, when the soil starts to feel dry on the surface, water again. In the winter months let soil dry to ½ inch; it is always safer to be on the dry side and never allow plant to be soggy or stand in water.

Temperature: Ideal temperature is 60-75 degrees and as low as 50 degrees and as high as 105 degrees provided it has adequate water.

Fertilizer: During the growing months, feed every 3-4 months or you can use a timed released food such as Osmocote 14-14-14.

*Tip: New tender growth is often pinkish reddish in color and darkens later in development. Philodendron can be grown as a hanging pot or grown upright supported by a pole or column.

Quotation of the Week: "The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month." — Henry Van Dyke

Catch the Queen!

	With their potent sting, yellowjackets can be menacing creatures when it comes to a showdown over the picnic table. If you want to minimize these uninvited guests all summer, you need to act now. Yellowjacket colonies die completely each year, except for the queen. In the first warm days of spring, the queen comes out of dormancy and begins to feed and search for a nest location for her new colony. By trapping the queen in the spring, you can prevent the founding of the entire colony, and therefore minimize the problem. To catch this window of opportunity, you need to do it now before the queens have found their colonies. Even a few days can make a difference, don’t delay.
Orchard Nursery carries both disposable and reusable traps. RESCUE!® Yellowjacket Traps should be placed about 20 feet away from outdoor activity areas, ideally in a natural setting of trees or shrubs. Other effective placements are around the perimeter of the yard and 20 feet away from any known nests.

The Basic Landscape

Fertilize permanent plantings. Most ornamental trees, bushes, lawns and ground covers respond well to fertilizer at this time. In good years abundant spring rains green up the hillsides and bring out wildflowers, gardeners don't have to water as much, and salts are leached out of our soils. But heavy rains also wash soluble nutrients, especially nitrogen, down to lower levels, sometimes out of reach of roots. So fertilize the basic landscape with a complete granulated fertilizer high in nitrogen like Master Nursery Multi-Purpose Fertilizer. If you have a straggly ground cover that's never quite covered the ground, a sprinkling of granulated fertilizer in early March will do wonders. Water it in thoroughly or apply it when the weatherman says we're going to have rain. This doesn't mean you should simply fertilize everything in sight. Many plants fall into the broad category of specialty plants because they require special handling. Some specialty plants, including cacti, succulents, and native plants, have little or no need for fertilizer. Others, such as camellias, azaleas, begonias, fuchsias, ferns, orchids, epiphyllums, roses, fruit trees, and vegetables have unique requirements. Follow the directions for them in this and other monthly chapters. Plant new permanent specimens. March is one of the two best times of year to plant almost anything we grow in the permanent landscape, such as trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers. The other is October. Planting in fall is traditionally considered to be just a bit better than planting in spring, but after a year or two you'll never know the difference. Now through mid-June is the time to look your garden over, see its strengths and weaknesses, replace troublemakers you don't like, and add permanent specimens where needed. Choose drought-tolerant plants over heavy water users. Be sure to group plants according to their needs for water, for sun or shade, and for soil type. Before purchasing any plant, research its requirements and growth habit.

What You'll Need: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup 2% milk 4 tbsp. butter, melted 2 cups fresh or frozen sliced, peeled peaches, thawed 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Step by Step:

In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine the milk and butter; stir into the dry ingredients until smooth. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with peaches and blueberries. Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes or until fruit is tender. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired. Yield: 4 servings