Table of Contents
* A Shingle Plant.
A Shingle Plant is botanically named as Rhaphidophora hayi, a rare climbing plant of the Araceae, Arum family of the plants which involves many homeplants like monstera, pothos and philodendron.
The leaves of a Shingle plant spread outward or upright to the surface of a tree or support. The leaves are flat, dark-green, leathery and smooth. The aerial roots are produced from the
climbing plant from the leaf nodes. These aerial roots tend to stake themselves by digging into everything thay can, especially wood. The Shingle Plant makes the environment pleasant by giving the interior a unique charm.
*Features of a Shingle Plant.
The Shingle Plant stands out from the rest of the family because of its characteristics as the leaves grows flat against the support creating the lush green roof shingles.
The Shingle Plant is in demand aroid and has strong connection to philodendron, pothos and monstera. As the Shingle plant has climbing stems which do not curl further, therefore
new stems emerge on the surfaces where there is a chance that plant may have flower.
*Lighting of a Shingle Plant.
A Shingle Plant flourishes in subordinate and bright light. Sunburn and crispy marks on the foliage might effect from direct sunlight. Lack of light may result in little or nonexistent new
leaves. The Shingle plant survives in low-light situations and can thrive under artificial lights like fluorescent or LED lights. This shows that a Shingle plant can grow indoors as well.
*Watering a Shingle Plant.
At first, it’s crucial to keep the Shingle plant moist and avoid overwatering it, as the plant prefers damp soil and high humidity. When the top two or three inches of the potting mix
begin to feel dry to touch, water the Shingle plant. Water the plant atleast three times a week if the weather is nice outside. In order to prevent root rot, it’s better to give sufficient amount
of time in between watering sessions. However, it’s a climbing plant, it is needed to mist it every few days. Maintain a minmial watering schedule during winters.
*Humidity needed for a Shingle Plant.
Shingle plants appreciate higher-than-average humidity levels and they can hinder their growth from very dry air. Grow the plant in a sizable terranium over a large tray of pebble
placing close to a small humidifier or team with other indoor plants to improve the humidity in the surroundings. Infact, the Shingle plants need atleast 70% humidity as they are native
to moist low-land rainforests. It is more effective to maintain a high moisture level by placing a Shingle plant inside a greenhouse cabinet.
*Fertilizer requirements for a Shingle plant.
Shingle plants as moderate feeders, requires fertilization in the spring and summer to promote nutritional and robust development. Throughout these seasons, an appropriate
liquid fertilizer which contains all three macro nutrients (N, P, and K) with ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied for every four weeks. The Shingle plants are sensitive to fertilizer burns, so
we should be careful/cautious with the dosage and timing. Further, avoid fertilization during winters as the Shingle plants are dormant in winters .
*Climbing board utilised for a Shingle Plant.
Shingle plants climb on rocks and other trees while they are in their natural habitat. However, if placing the Shingle plant indoors then various supports can be utilized to climb like a
wooden board, tree limb, wall, moss board/pole or bamboo ensuring that the structure used has a ragged texture. The roots of this plant tend to bind to the board better because of the rough finish.
> The moss board/pole method involves misting the moss with a diluted fertilizer solution to increase its nutrient value. By using vinyl plant tape or a soft string, the plant on the board is secured and will eventually find that it is holding on and no longer requires the string’s support.
> For the wooden board method, obtain a thin piece of wood and let it mount to the plant and may begin grasping onto it without ongoing assistance.
> Tree branch method is a similar method as in their natural habitat, the plants rely on tree branches but ensure that the branch has been well sanded.
Surprisingly, as the Shingle plant reaches the top of it’s climbing layout, the leaves at the peak return to their immature form and grow smaller again.
*Repotting a Shingle Plant.
A Shingle plant doesn’t require often repotting due to its small root balls. Shingle plants grow rather quickly and are often root-bound. We can transplant the plant for every two
years. If the Shingle plant is three times as tall as the pot, it’s probably time to transplant it into a bigger pot. The right time to repot is when the pot is filled up by the roots and is
protuding through the drainage holes. If you find that your Shingle plant is firmly growing in the spring, you should repot it. To avoid the old mixture affecting the plant’s growth in any
way, it is a good idea to replace the potting soil as well. After few years, the old blend is more prone to become exhausted.
*Propagation of Shingle Plants.
Starting with Stem cuttings from a healthy and mature plant is the best way to propagate a Shingle Plant.
1. Trim a leaf and atleast two nodes from a (4 to 6 inch) small stem.
2. Submerge atleast one node of the stem in damp soil.
3. For roughly two weeks, keep the pot covered with a bag in a warm, humid environment.
4. Keep the soil continually moist and provide indirect light.
Air layering is another propagation technique. This means cutting a tiny hole in a stem and covering it with a moist sphagnum moss. Wait for the moss roots to grow while
wrapping it in a plastic. Cut the stem below the roots once they have formed, then plant it in a different pot.
Another method of Shingle plant propagation is Division. In this, a mature plant is divided into small segments, each with its own roots and stems. Make sure the plant is divided
evenly and that each part has enough roots to support growth. Plant the separated parts in distinct containers and give them the attention they need to grow.
*Shingle Plant issues that could arise.
Spiders mites, aphids or mealybugs might affect the houseplants, as Shingle plants are prone to pests and diseases.
By examining the plant on regular interval of time, of any sign of pests then it can be treated with organic pest control technique.
The functioning of Shingle plants might be harmed by excessive watering and underwatering. Giving the appropriate amount of water is necessary and ensuring the soil’s
moisture content as well. As Shingle plants are likely to root rot, it is preferable to give less water rather than overwatering the plants.
The fungal disease known as “leaf spot” can develop black or brown spots on leaves. Those leaves should be removed avoid watering to the plant until the leaf spot is cured.
A fungicide can also be used for healing the plant.
*Shine the Shingle.
Shingle plants are fantastic idea for beautifying the interiors of your home. The Shingle plant is the not typical grown habits you’ll find for home cultivation and it’s worth including one of
your archive of homeplants. Experience the climbing structures for the plant if want to be innovative in nature. For the plant to climb, you could fix a plank of wood to a wall or locate
an adequate flat rock to place alongside. Other pleasant choices are concrete statues, fireplace bricks or stone masonry. Flaunt your Shingle plant with no reluctance !
*How do you take care of a Shingle Plant.
Growing a Shingle plant out shouldn’t be a problem if you reside in warm regions. Indoor cultivation is preffered so far. Simply keep it away from from direct sunlight, warm and wet. That’s it.
> SOIL: The Shingle plant prefers wet or moist soil but using aroid soil mixture is the best outcome.
>WATER: Watering the Shingle plant for every two to three days is advisable as this plant is native of rainforests and cannot let it’s soil to dry.
>LIGHT: Bright, filtered sunshine is ideal for the Shingle plant to flourish.
>PRUNING: Pruning is not necessary, simply remove the broken or dead leaves as noticed in the Shingle plant.
*Shingle plant’s scientific designation.
The scientific name of a Shingle plant is “Rhaphidophora hayi”, from Arum family, Araceae (aroids). Aglaonemas, monsteras, philodendrons, pothos, ZZ plants are popular aroids.
The popular name is Shingle Plant. Queensland, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago are its natural habitats.
The Shingle plants are Shingling, shining, evergreen, perennial and tropical hemiepiphytes.
*Are Shingle plants uncommon?
Yes. Rhaphidophora hayi is an uncommon indoor plant. But considering that it’s an affiliate of Costa Farm’s Trending Tropicals Collection, the Shingle plants are widely accessible and a fair amount of people are acquiring it.
*Comparing Rhaphidophora cryptantha and Monstera dubia.
Monstera dubia also a Shingle plant, is a climbing vine is grown as an indoor plant. It resembles Rhaphidophora cryptantha because of its silvery leaf veining. The two species
make the distinction as, Monstera dubai needs an additional level of care when compared to Rhaphiodophora cryptantha. At some point, the Shingle plant, Monstera dubia gets enormous.
> As Monstera dubia plant matures, its leaves expand, get holes in them, changes the color to shade of green and grow to be enormous. Whereas, Rhaphidophora cryptantha manages its color, leaf form and tiny leaf size as it grows.
> The leaf tips of Rhaphidophora cryptantha are slightly upwards while Monstera dubia leaves bend downward.
> Rhaphidophora cryptantha leaf veins are silvery in between the veins and Monstera dubai’s leaf veins are silvery.