Question
I needed to repot my normally happy and healthy philodrendron because it hasn't been repotted for 5 years.  When I repotted it I wanted it to go into the same pot.  So I looked up how to do that and it told me to get down to the root ball.  I did no cutting but rid the dirt up to the ends of the roots and added new soil.  About a month later it started to go downhill fast.  It started to wilt and loose color.  A week later leaves are getting little holes in them and some are browning at the ends.  Its now a week after that and although none of the leaves have fallen off the leaves are week and they feel like almost how the fake thick silk plants feel.  I have a water meter thing and it is at no more or less,  the light is the same.  I think I did some root damage or maybe the soil I used was bad, I used Miracle Grow.  Please help me,  I have really love this plant.  I don't know what to do.

Answer
Hi Jodi,

I wish you had consulted me before you repotted. I would have advised you not to. Unfortunately, thee is a lot of bad information out there that suggests that regular repotting is essential. In fact, most plants max out in their pot size within a year or two and never need repotting again.

Philodendron have fine and fragile roots that do not respond well when the are disturbed. When you removed the outer layer of soil, you probably also removed the very fine root hairs that do most of the work. In addition, the soil that soil used may not have been porous enough, keeping the soil moist for too long and discouraging healthy new root growth.

Finally, moisture meters are notoriously inaccurate and the readings vary considerably from one soil mix to another. Yours may have been accurate for the old soil, but not for the new soil. There is no way to tell.

The wilting is because the roots are damaged and not absorbing moisture, even though there is plenty available in the soil. It may be that it is already too late and nothing can be done.

All I can recommend is that you unpot the plant and remove the fresh soil that you added. Then repot it in a pot that is just big enough to hold the slimmed down rootball. Tightly potted plants have a better chance of recovery and growth. Water your Philodendron only when the top quarter of the soil feels dry to the touch, regardless of what the meter says.

I have written  an article on repotting that I will send to you if you send a request to my email address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.