Philodendron plant named `McColley's Finale`

Abstract

There is disclosed a stocky, compact self-heading Philodendron plant of unique color, having new leaves of rich chestnut red color, which color changes as the leaves mature, to a dark chestnut red and then to a medium green with dark chestnut red shading, dark chestnut red cataphylls and red black petioles add to the overall distinctive color of the plant, which retains its coloration in moderate indoor conditions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMy present invention is that of a new and distinct cultivar of Philodendron plant which is the result of hybridization of Philodendron plants of unknown complex hybrid parentage.Since the 1960's, an extensive Philodendron hybridizing program has been carried out in the vicinity of Orlando, Fla. Originally conceived and conducted by my late husband, Robert H. McColley, the hybridization efforts were continued under my auspices for several years by Dr. Howard N. Miller. Following Dr. Miller's retirement several years ago, the hybridization program was largely discontinued. However, I continued to raise thousands of plants from numerous crosses previously made, with particular interest in self-heading Philodendron plants having distinctive foliage color. Among a batch of seedlings of unknown parentage I identified and isolated a single plant which was strikingly different from all known Philodendron varieties. The single plant was a self-heading, rather than ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Since my new variety is a true rosette and essentially without a stem, it is compact. Growth is uniform and of good substance. Under good growing conditions, medium light intensity, moderate to high humidity and moderate temperatures, growth is fast, but without the plant becoming leggy. With high humidity and warm temperature (85.degree. F. or higher), one leaf per week is produced, resulting in a plant 18 inches-24 inches in diameter within 6 months of planting. The rich chestnut red color is maintained in rapid growth periods.

The growth of the plant indoors is good. It tolerates air-conditioning, infrequent watering, and a lack of fertilization. If provided with adequate light, it retains its form and color indoors. The plant performs best with regular care, but over-watering is detrimental.

Problems solved by technology

Prolonged exposure to extreme high temperatures adversely affects growth.

Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight is damaging to the plant, and exposure to very high light intensities may affect foliage coloration.

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