Question
I have rooted new shoots from philodendron in water in the past, bu this year I am not having much success at all.  What could be wring.  Is there a better rooting medium than water?

Answer
Hi there,

Philodendron cuttings are among the more reliable species when it comes to rooting them in water. However, even so they develop roots only about 75% of the time in my experience.

Sometimes the reason for not rooting are more apparent than others. For instance, older stem cuttings do not root as readily as tip cuttings and cuttings in hard water do not root so well. There also seems to be a genetic factor that allows some cuttings to root more easily than others. And finally, timing seems to affect the development of roots, but no one seems to know just how the timing factor works or how to predict it.

If your water is not too hard, then there is no reason the expect that your cuttings would root more readily in potting soil. But is is possible that you might have more success using that method.

If your water is on the hard side, try using filtered or distilled instead.

I wish I could give you a more clear-cut answer, but there is none.

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

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