Philodendron Bob Cee is a tropical plant with unique Saw-Toothed leaves. It is a variegated plant and produces lime-yellow variegation along with green parts.
But for variegation to develop you need to give your plant bright light for 6 to 7 hours per day.
The second most important thing is the type of potting soil. Well-draining soil is a must to keep it thriving and disease-free.
The soft root ball of this plant is prone to root rot. For extra protection always use a plant pot with a drainage hole.
Do not mist water on its leaves even in low humidity. This technique is totally wrong in this case. Use other humidity-increasing methods.
Everything is discussed below in detail:
What is Philodendron Bob Cee?
It is a philodendron plant with the genes of two famous philodendrons. Philodendron Micans and Philodendron Squamiferum are its parents.
Hybrid versions like Bob Cee are more adaptable. They can quickly adapt to different growing conditions.
This hybrid philodendron needs dim light.
But then it will only grow healthy green leaves, not variegated leaves. The size of its leaves stays smaller than 5 inches.
This fast-growing plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall even with less care. Fertilizing is the part where you need to be careful.
Do not overuse the nutrient supplements and always use synthetic liquid fertilizers. Adding compost to potting soil is helpful.
It increases the overall health of your plant.
How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Bob Cee?
Light Needs
Moderate bright light is enough to grow a healthy Philodendron Bob Cee. But this doesn’t mean bright filtered light is harmful to the plant.
In fact, if you want your plant to grow large size healthy leaves. Then you must expose it to morning sunlight for 1 to 2 hours.
Morning light is considered a cool direct light for indoor plants.
For low-light areas, you can use grow lights.
Bob Cee needs 250 to 300 FC of light to grow into a healthy houseplant.
You can check the light condition of your plant’s health. If the green leaves are turning yellow.
This means you are exposing it to too bright light.
Move it to a shady place and help it to heal fast. On the other hand, if the leaves are turning dark green, no variegation, and the plant grows leggy.
This indicates low light and in this condition place it in bright light and it will adjust everything.
Soil
You should use potting soil that contains lots of organic material and also drain extra water as quickly as possible.
I trust Fox Farm aroid potting soil because it is rich in organic matter and also contains well-draining ingredients.
It only holds the required amount of water and allows excess moisture to drain out quickly.
Your plant will feel happy and grow like crazy when it continuously gets a proper chain supply of natural nutrients,
The good news is you can also make potting soil for bob cee at home with the following ingredients.
- Perlite
- Peat moss
- Bark
- Coco Coir
2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite + bark and coco coir.
Do not use garden soil I know it is free but it gets compact and waterlogged in a few watering applications.
Watering Philodendron Bob Cee
Philodendron Bob Cee needs consistently moist soil. Overwatering results in root rot and leaf spot-like fungal diseases.
In my experience bottom watering is the best technique for watering philodendrons.
In this method, you put your plant pot in a water tub for 10 to 15 minutes. The soil absorbs water from the bottom drainage hole.
This way the water quickly reaches the roots ball and the plant.
After 15 minutes take out the plant from the tub and allow it to drain extra water. Then empty the bottom saucer and let your plant enjoy fresh moisture.
I only water my Bob Cee Philodendron when the top soil layer gets dry.
It takes 6 to 7 days to absorb water from the soil in summer and spring. Whereas in winter season bob cee takes 12 to 15 days to absorb water.
The rate of water absorption and transporting to different parts of the plant depends on various factors like:
- The temperature of the grow room
- Humidity Levels
- Intensity of Light
- Type of Potting soil
Filtered or distilled water is best to use for watering plants. If gardening is your profession, then you can store rainwater in rain barrels.
It works like a miracle on indoor houseplants.
Ideal Temperature
Keep the temperature of grow room above 50 Degrees F all the time. It cannot tolerate cold temperatures for a long time.
Its leaves start dying. Brown and crispy leaves are the first indications of too-cold temperatures.
Stunted growth is another side effect of cold temperatures.
In too hot temperatures bob cee will wilt and drop off. In extreme temperatures, the green leaves will get sunburned spots and turn brown.
To easily fix all these problems, simply move your plant to a warm room where the room temperature stays between 55 F to 80 F.
Humidity
Grab your hygrometer to measure the humidity of grow room. If it is between 50% to 85% you are good, no need to make any changes.
If the room humidity is lower, this can be a problem for your growing plant.
The early sign of low humidity is leaves turning brown and crispy. At first, the lead edges turn crispy brown.
Just increase the humidity levels to help your plant revive its health.
To increase relative humidity, you can group your plants or mist some water on their leaves.
The easy method of increasing humidity is using a plant humidifier. It is a one-time investment and is less expensive than a room humidifier.
Consume less electric energy and is highly portable.
Toxicity
Philodendron Bob Cee contains calcium oxalate and all its parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
To prevent toxicity wear gloves while pruning and propagating your Bob Cee Plant.
Common Toxicity symptoms are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive Drooling
Call your veterinarian immediately.
Pruning
This philodendron is fast growing tropical plant. But it needs less pruning because it grows fewer leaves.
Prune its dry and dead leaves.
This way your plant will stay healthy and thriving.
Use sterilized sharp shears to cut the dead stems of bob cee philodendron. Sterilize tools again before storing them.
Repotting
For the good health of your plant, you need to repot your Philodendron Bob Cee once in 2 years. Use the same type of fresh potting soil for repotting.
Below are the repotting steps:
- Water your plant 24 hours before repotting, this helps to loosen the soil.
- Take out the plant from its old pot and remove the soil from the roots.
- You can wash the roots if they are healthy.
- Fill the new pot with soil and plant it in a new pot.
- Give some water to add moisture to the soil.
Fertilizing Bob Cee
Fertilizing helps philodendrons to grow shining long leaves. The potting soil loses its nutritional value over time.
Fertilizers help to refill the nutrient stores of soil.
I am using miracle gro balanced general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Twice in 30 days in spring and summer, stop fertilizing bob cee in the winter season.
To prevent overfertilization you must follow the instructions on the nutrient bottle. Use distilled water and the appropriate amount of nutrient solution for dilution.
Never use concentrated nutrients in high doses. It will not make any difference in the growth rate. But surely result in fertilizer burn.
Philodendron Bob Cee Propagation
Propagation is a part of indoor planting. It is expensive to buy plants of the same variety every time you need more.
Propagation technique help to multiply existing plants at a low cost (rooting hormone).
You have two options one is stem cutting and the second is root division.
For stem cutting technique see Philodendron Selloum Propagation.
Root Division Process:
- Water your plant 24 hours before propagation as you do in repotting.
- Tap around the pot, tilt it, and remove the soil and your plant.
- Remove the soil from the roots.
- Use a sharp and sterilized knife and divide the rhizomes into sections.
- Plant each section in potting soil and give water.
- Place the newly propagated plant in bright light and follow the general care techniques.
Troubleshooting
Pest Infestations
Aphids and spider mites are common insects that infect houseplants like Bob Cee and Monstera plants.
They are commonly found on the underside of the plant leaves and near the leaf nodes.
The first option and most effective option that we have is insecticidal soap. Take your plant out of your house and rinse it with soap and tap water.
Keep it separate from other healthy plants.
I don’t recommend using commercial pest killers on plants. They are made for trees and other strong root plants.
To prevent pests issue I use neem oil spray once in 20 days. Dilute it in water and spray it on the plant leaves and stems.
Or use less toxic insecticides for killing houseplant pests.
Root Rot
Pythium spp. is a pathogen that is deadly for the philodendron roots. It moves from the soil to the plant. It can be found in infected and contaminated potting soil.
The most common reason for the presence of this pathogen in potting soil is overwatering.
The extra amount of moisture, high humidity, and warm environment are the perfect place for pathogens.
Soggy soil, yellow leaves, and foul smell from potting soil are the signs of root rot.
When you see these signs, immediately separate your infected plant from other healthy plants.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown tips of Philodendron Bob Cee leaves indicate low humidity. In low humidity, plant leaves send the stored moisture for photosynthesis.
They go out of the moisture and this turns their green tips to crispy brown.
Measure the humidity with a hygrometer and make adjustments accordingly.
Brown Crispy Leaves
Green leaves turning crispy brown indicates a lack of moisture in the potting soil. In simple words, your plant is not getting enough water.
The first sign of dehydrated plants is yellow-turning leaves and dry soil.
To revive its health immediately water your plant with the bottom watering method. The brown leaves will not turn green again.
Remove them from your plant and wait for the new green growth.
Conclusion
Philodendron Bob Cee is a climber uses a moss pole to support its structure. General light conditions are best for it.
Occasional fertilizing is perfectly fine to encourage the growth of new leaves.
Neem oil is good to prevent pests and fungal infections.
