The Philodendron Bob cee plant is a hybrid of the Philodendron hederaceum variety Micans and the Philodendron squamiferum. It is a beautiful serrated aroid with dark green sawtooth-shaped leaves.
Philodendron plants are native to the tropical regions of South America and thrive in humid environments. They are popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and require very little maintenance.
The Philodendron Bob cee is a relatively new hybrid that was only recently introduced to the market. It is named after its creator, Bob Cee, a well-known plant breeder in the United States.
This plant is relatively rare and can be challenging to find. However, it is becoming more popular as people learn about its unique features and uncomplicated care requirements.
If you are looking for a Philodendron that is beautiful and easy to care for, the Philodendron Bob cee is the perfect plant for you!
Quick Summary Care Guide:
- Light: bright indirect light
- Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering
- Humidity: Moderate to high humidity
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temp: 60-85 degrees F
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested
Classification:
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Tribe: Philodendron
Genus: Philodendron
Species: P. Bob cee
The Philodendron Bob cee plant is a hybrid of the Philodendron hederaceum variety Micans and the Philodendron squamiferum. Common names include Bob cee Philodendron, The Bob Cee, or Bob See (misspelled) plant.
Overview of the Philodendron Bob cee
The Philodendron Bob cee is a fast-growing plant and can reach up to 3 feet in height as a household plant. It is an easy plant to care for and is perfect for those new to gardening. It can create a jungle like environment if its allowed so be sure to take good care of this humid loving plant and it will bring your joy for a long time.
Watering
The Bob cee plant likes a nice warm tropical environment. Only allow about the top inch of soil to dry out between watering. These plants want to stay moist but not soggy or wet. An excellent ceramic or plastic pot with drainage holes is essential to prevent overwatering.
Philodendrons can be bottom watered by placing the pot in a water dish and letting it soak up from the bottom. Only do this for about 15 minutes to prevent too much water from being absorbed.
If you use the pour and drain method, make sure to water the dirt all the way through, not just the top layer. It would be best to thoroughly let the water soak in and drain out the bottom. Do not let the plant sit in water that has drained.
What Type of Water Should I Use?
Use room temperature filtered water or rainwater if possible. If using tap water, allow it to sit out for 24 hours so the chemicals can evaporate before watering your plant.
Fluoride and chlorine can damage the roots and leaves of your plant, so it is essential to use good quality water. Distilled water is also ok to use but is void of all nutrients so you may find that you need to fertilize more often.
Temperature and Humidity
The Philodendron Bob Cee plant thrives in humid environments. If you live in a dry climate, you can create a more humid environment for your plant by placing it on a pebble tray or using a humidifier. You can also group them with other plants and Philodendrons like the Bipennifolium or Mamei.
They prefer a humid environment of 40-60%. If you notice crisping on the sides of the leaves, it could be due to low humidity. Try spraying the plant with a spray water bottle and upping the moisture.
This plant prefers temperatures of 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees, the leaves will start to turn brown and die. They cannot tolerate frost, so it’s best to keep them indoors as houseplants.
Lighting
Philodendrons like bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. You will find that you will get the best growth out of the Bob Cee with warm indirect light, and with less light, you will see less growth, but it won’t die or be damaged.
These plants can also become leggy if they do not have enough light. If you find that your plants growth has slowed or has been leggy with fewer leaves, then you can trim it up and move to a brighter location.
Seeing the leaves start to turn yellow, indicates that it is getting too much light. If they are in direct sunlight, you will see the leaves scorch and turn brown. If you see this, remove it from its location and find another spot to try.
It isn’t easy to eyeball light, so a light meter can be helpful to know how much light an area is getting. These are super useful for all plants and not too expensive.
If you live in a low-light environment, you can try place your plant near a north-facing window. You can also use grow lights to give your plant the light it needs to thrive. During the winter months or times when there is limited sunlight, a grow light can be ideal for tropical plants.
Soil
The Philodendron Bob cee plant prefers loose well-draining soil high in organic matter. A good potting mix for Philodendrons is two parts peat moss to one part perlite. You can add some shredded bark or coco coir to the mix to help drainage.
You can also use a commercial potting mix designed for tropical plants. Be sure to add extra perlite or pumice to improve drainage. You can also place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot to help with drainage.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your plant every two weeks during the growing season and once a month during the winter. These plants prefer a high nitrogen fertilizer that is diluted to half strength.
You can also use a slow-release fertilizer which will last for three months. Be sure to follow the directions on the package as too much fertilizer can burn the roots.
I like to use organic compost or worm castings as a fertilizer for my Philodendrons. These are great for adding extra nutrients to the soil and also help with drainage.
Don’t over-fertilize your plant as this can lead to leaf burn. If you see the leaves turning yellow or brown, that is an indication that you are fertilizing too much.
Pruning
Pruning is only necessary if you want to control the size of your plant or if it starts to get leggy from lack of light. To prune, simply cut the stem back to the desired length. Dead leaves should be removed as they occur.
Propagation
The Philodendron Bob cee can be propagated by stem cuttings or division. They can also be propagated by seed, but this is a slower method.
Stem Cuttings:
- Fill a pot with well-draining soil and water until moist.
- Cut a 4-6 inch piece of stem from the mother plant.
- Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Place the cutting in the pot and water until moist.
- Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to create a greenhouse effect.
- Place the pot in a warm area with bright, indirect light.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Roots should form within 2-4 weeks.
- Once roots have formed, you can remove the plastic and transplant it to a larger pot.
Division:
- Water the plant well and place it on a tarp or newspaper.
- Carefully remove the plant from the pot and shake off the excess soil.
- Use a sharp knife or garden shears to divide the root ball into 2-3 sections.
- Replant each section in its pot with well-draining soil.
- Water well and place in a warm area with bright, indirect light.
Seed:
- Fill a pot with well-draining soil and water until moist.
- Place the seeds on the soil’s surface and lightly press them into the soil.
- Do not cover the seeds as they need light to germinate.
- Water until moist and place in a warm area with bright, indirect light.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Seeds should germinate within 2-4 weeks.
Toxicity
The Philodendron Bob cee is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Keep this plant up high away from kids and cats especially. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested this plant.
Common Pests and Diseases
The Philodendron Bob Cee is a fairly hardy plant with limited issues. However, like most philodendrons, they are susceptible to mealy bugs, aphids, and spider mites. It is also vulnerable to root rot if overwatered. Brown or leaves can be a sign of too much direct sunlight. Yellow leaves can signify too much fertilizer or not enough light.
Mealybugs:
Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on plant sap. They can be found on the stems and leaves of plants.
- Mealybugs excrete a sticky substance called honeydew that can attract ants and other pests.
- To control mealybugs, you can wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. You can also treat the plant with an insecticide designed for mealybugs.
Aphids:
Aphids are small, green insects that feed on plant sap. They can be found on the stems and leaves of plants.
- Aphids excrete a sticky substance called honeydew that can attract ants and other pests.
- To control aphids, you can wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. You can also treat the plant with an insecticide designed for aphids.
Spider Mites:
Spider mites are small, red insects that feed on plant sap. They can be found on the undersides of leaves.
- Spider mites excrete a sticky substance called webbing that can attract other pests.
- To control spider mites, you can wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. You can also treat the plant with an insecticide designed for spider mites.
Root Rot:
Root rot is a disease that is caused by overwatering. The plant’s roots will start to rot, and the plant will become sick.
- To control root rot, you can water the plant less often. You can also treat the plant with a fungicide designed for root rot.
Brown Leaves:
Brown leaves can be caused by too much direct sunlight. If you start to notice small brown spots- this is most likely from sun. If you see brown spots with holes- that may be a pest.
- To control brown leaves, you can move the plant to a location with less direct sunlight. If the plants leaf is too dried out, you can trim it off.
Yellow Leaves:
- Yellow leaves can be caused by too much fertilizer or not enough light. If the leaves are crispy on the edges and yellow-this is most likely from too much fertilizer. Cut back for the next few weeks and trim off any dead leaves. If your plant leaves look pale or yellow, then move to a location with more light and see if that fixes the issue.
To control yellow leaves, you can fertilize the plant less often. You can also move the plant to a location with more light.
Repotting
The Philodendron Bob cee should be repotted every two years or as needed. It is a fast-growing plant that requires a larger pot as it grows.
- To report the plant, water it well and place it on a tarp or newspaper.
- Carefully remove the plant from the pot and shake off the excess soil.
- Place the plant in a new pot slightly larger than the old one. Ceramic pots with drainage holes are ideal.
- Fill the pot with well-draining soil and water well.
Uses in Landscaping
The Philodendron Bob cee is perfect for those who are looking to add a bit of the tropical either indoors or out. These plants look beautiful when used as landscape, but remember they still like warm and humid environments without direct sunlight.
This plant can survive in zones 10-11. It can be planted in the ground or in a pot. The Philodendron Bob cee can reach a height of 10 feet and a width of 10 feet in an ideal growing environment outdoors. It is a fast growing plant and will need to be pruned regularly.
FAQ
Q: Why are my plant leaves turning yellow?
A: Yellow leaves can signify too much fertilizer or not enough light. It could also be a lack of water or nutrients or even pests. How do you tell? Check the leaves for pests or staining. If there are no pests, try moving the plant to a location with more light or fertilizing it less often.
Q: How do I care for the Philodendron Bob cee?
A: The Philodendron Bob cee is easy to care for. It prefers indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
Q: How often should I water the Philodendron Bob cee?
A: Water the Philodendron Bob cee when the soil is dry to the touch. This should be about every 7-10 days, depending on the sunlight and location.
Q: Will My Bob Cee plant climb?
A: Yes, the Philodendron Bob cee is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 3 feet in height. It will climb if given something, such as a trellis or pole.
Q: How often should I fertilize the Philodendron Bob cee?
A: Fertilize the Philodendron Bob cee every two weeks during the growing season. Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.
Q: What pests or diseases are common in Philodendron Bob cee?
A: The Philodendron Bob cee is susceptible to mealy bugs, aphids, and spider mites. It is also vulnerable to root rot if overwatered. Brown leaves can be a sign of too much direct sunlight.
Q: Should I report the Philodendron Bob cee?
A: The Philodendron Bob cee should be repotted every two years or as needed. It is a fast-growing plant that needs a larger pot as it grows.
Q: Why are Plant leaves curling Inward?
A: There are several reasons why plant leaves may curl inward. These include pests, diseases, insufficient water, too much sun, or fertilizer burns.
Q: How can I prevent pests and diseases in my Philodendron Bob cee?
A: You can do several things to prevent pests and diseases in your Philodendron Bob cee. These include: keeping the plant healthy, using pesticide and herbicide sprays, and removing dead leaves and stems.
Where to Buy the Bob Cee plant
These are not often at your local garden store but can be found online. Etsy is often an excellent place for unusual plants. Always do your research before purchasing a plant to ensure it is the right plant for you and that you will be able to care for it properly.
Conclusion
The Philodendron Bob cee is a rare beautiful, easy-to-care-for plant that can add life to any home or office. It is important to remember that the Philodendron Bob cee is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so keeping it out of reach of children and pets is essential. The Philodendron Bob cee loves warm and humid environments so its best to keep it indoors and around other plants.
