Philodendron Species, Velvet Leaf Philodendron, Heartleaf Philodendron

Per Irene Ngoo at Min's Garden @tropicaljungle in Singapore in regards to her photos above:
"Awe-struck by this palm tree trunk wh...Read Moreich is covered by the velvety leaves of Philodendron micans from its foot to the crown where the fronds are branching from. The heart-shaped leaves which are almost quilted in texture, have completely wrapped around the trunk which I stumbled upon during my walk in HortPark this morning. I’m inspired to do the same with the micans in my own garden. Depending on the light, the color of the foliage can take on a deep green, rich purple or a rust hue, with the new leaves emerging chartreuse, edged with pink. Vining in habit, Philodendron micans will cascade elegantly in a hanging planter, or can be trained to climb up a trellis or tree trunk."

I obtained a start of the plant from my friend, and she gave me a snipped off start, and told me to put it in water for a while before pl...Read Moreanting in soil. It has been a few weeks now and it still looks the same, except its leaves are curling. How do I know when it can be transplanted into its own pot?

I have a freshly rooted cutting of a velvet leaf philodendron. It's leaves have started turning orange. Any idea why? Too much sun? Too m...Read Moreuch water? Disease?

My family has had one of these plants for over fifty years. I am fiercely reactive to poison ivy and have been for as long as I can remem...Read Moreber, my sister got into her sixties before becoming sensitive to the dreadful stuff as a result of a heavy exposure while weeding a flower bed. Some time after that, she re-potted her velvet philodendron and in a day or two a rash quite similar to that of poison ivy appeared on her hands, in a milder form. When I heard of this I tried an experiment, I cut a bit of the vine off and drew a small "X" and an "O" on the inside of my wrist with the juice from the cut end. In two days the rash showed up. I have a strong suspicion the plant contains urushiol or something very much like it. Simply touching it is no problem but I wear gloves for any extensive handling of the lovely thing.