Question
QUESTION: I have a split leaf Philodendron that is at least 25 years old.
It's getting too big for the spot in the house where it has sat for 20 years.  I'd like to cut it back. Should I just chop the top off?What will happen if I do that?

ANSWER: Doug,

There are two plants that are called split leaf philodendron, philodendron selloum: http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&q=philodendron+selloum&btnG=

and Monstera deliciosa:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=monstera-deliciosa&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&ta.
If you are not sure which you have please go to each site above and loo at the pictures and let me know and I will give you directions for what you have. If you hve the philodendron selloum let me know how many truns there are.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have a Monstera deliciosa.  It has three stems as thick as my arm.  I'd like to cut the top off two of them.  Especially if that would mean they would sprout from the lower woody stem.

Answer
Doug,

Yes, that one can be successfully pruned. Cut it back to the lowest leaf on each vine and it should force it to send out sprouts down lower. At that time you can cut even lower if you wish to. If you cut lower than the lowest leaf you are taking a chance on killing that stem but it still might send out new stems. Spring is the best time of year to do this since the plant goes into a new growing spurt at that time as the days get longer but I understand your need to do it now. It may sit thru the winter and you may not see the new sprouts till after the first of the year as the days start to lengthen. Don't worry about it, they will come along. Good luck.

Darlene