For aroid or pothos enthusiasts wishing to diversify their indoor gardening collection, the Baltic Blue pothos is an absolute must-have houseplant. It is an Epipremnum pinnatum cultivar with deep green, maturing bluish-green leaves. Baltic Blue’s leaves have spectacular fenestrations once the plant has fully matured, or in some cases, the cut develops early on.
When Baltic Blue Pothos is younger, you may allow its roots to spread laterally down a surface, making it ideal for cultivating on a sunny countertop or workstation. Or, you may cultivate it in a suspended pot and let the branches cascade down from the container in a beautiful arrangement.
Despite being a separate species, Baltic Blue Pothos is intrinsically linked to Cebu Blue Pothos. Darker and earlier-fenestration leaves are characteristic of Baltic Blue. The flora in Cebu Blue has a significantly more pronounced electric blue tinge.
If you already have Baltic Blue pothos and wish to extend your collection, or you are buying a baby plant and want to propagate it in a bigger pot, here are some tips for Baltic Blue Pothos.
How to Propagate Baltic Blue Pothos
For propagation, you first need a cutting from maturing stems. Once the Baltic Blue Pothos has grown too big, cut the stems and save them for replication. For propagation of pothos, you can place the stem cutting in water or soil.
How to Cut Pothos Stem for Propagation
The ideal length for stem cutting should be about six to eight inches. Choose a vigorously growing stem that has grown enough to give a cutting six inches above. Make sure to remove a few nodes because roots will sprout through the nodes, i.e., the small brown protruding bumps where leaves develop.
It is also essential to leave the nodes on the bottom of the stem so the roots can develop downwards when the cutting is placed in water or soil.
Another option is to make the cut immediately above a leaf node, leaving the node as the only component still attached to the mother plant. As a result, new shoots will appear precisely where the mother plant was clipped, but the budding growth’s roots will be somewhat higher. Ensure the water container has adequate depth keeping the nodes immersed in water.
Stem-Cutting for Root Growth: Soil Or Water?
Stem Cuttings in the Soil
Cutting and transplanting is the most practical method of propagating a Pothos Baltic Blue. Although it may be challenging to locate and germinate seedlings, they are occasionally accessible, and summer and spring are the perfect seasons to multiply your plant.
- Locate a maturing portion of the stem with nodes and rapid development. Use new gardening clippers for this portion to be cut.
- Plant the clipping right away in barren ground.
- Keep an ambient temperature of around 70°F while keeping the soil wet.
- Cover your cuttings with an impermeable wrap to retain moisture and promote quicker rooting.
- For constant development on both sides, move the pot periodically.
Stem Cuttings in Water
The Epipremnum Baltic Blue needs to go through the following crucial procedures to propagate in water:
- Pick a healthy branch of the pothos plant that has at least one or two alive nodes. Cut it off with sharp clippers.
- Put your clippings in a transparent container with water. Ensure no foliage is immersed to avoid rotting.
- Place your cuttings in a bright, well-ventilated spot as you prepare for roots to form.
- Make sure to replace the water in the container every five days. Plant nodes need to be supplied with water regularly to develop roots.
- Check the stem cutting after two to three weeks to see if they have developed roots and are ready to be planted in a pot.
Growth Requirements For Baltic Blue Pothos
Although taking care of Baltic Blues isn’t difficult, there are some requirements for cultivating it to its full potential. The Baltic Blues prefers moisture and requires somewhat dry soil to flourish because of its perforated leaves.
It’s essential to water them as soon as the topsoil feels dry. The pot should have a drainage hole to drip away excessive water after irrigation. When watering the plant as per schedule, it’s essential to thoroughly drench the potting mix. Regarding lighting needs, this gorgeous plant will thrive in filtered, solid light.
Read on to learn more about the detailed requirements for caring for your Baltic Blue pothos plant!
Care Challenges
The Baltic Blue from E. Pinnatum requires little maintenance. The soil’s ability to drain well efficiently and the intensity of sunlight are the two most important factors for its magnificence.
Potting
The natural preference of Baltic Blue plants is a pot with excellent drainage, preferably made of clay or terracotta. Even though the Baltic Blue can climb naturally, you can also add support to the growing stems with a moss pole.
Among the significant factors contributing to the loss of indoor plants is poor draining, which results in root disease. A well-drained pot is the best option.
Repotting
The Baltic Blue Pothos’ root systems will have additional space to expand if you move it into an enormous container. When your roots start growing out of the drainage hole in the pot, it’s time to transplant them into a bigger container.
Tropical plants usually need to be replanted every other year. It is preferable to use fresh potting soil instead, as the old soil is often deficient in nutrients necessary for growth.
Conditions for Soil
The potting soil readily accessible in stores is ideal for the Epipremnum Baltic Blue. Because the roots of this plant thrive in a relatively dry environment, use a soil mix with suitable moisture absorption properties. You can mix peat moss, coco coir, or perlite to make a soil mix perfect for your Baltic Blues.
A well-drained soil mixture will prevent your plant from root rot and other diseases associated with stagnant water. If you want to improve soil aeration, try adding coarser and crumbly manure.
pH
It would be best if you had slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.5 for your Baltic Blues. pH is not a problem with commercial soil mix as it is maintained at the optimal range.
Mix baking soda, wood ash, or dolomitic or calcitic lime when the soil needs a pH boost. If you’re concerned that the pH is slightly higher, you may use sulfur or aluminum sulfate to bring it down. You can monitor the soil’s pH level with soil moisture meters.
Water Requirement
Overwatering indoor plants can cause problems like fungal diseases and root decay. They need just the right amount of water to survive. The foliage of the plants might, however, whither and become brown if given insufficient water. For maximum growth, Baltic Blue often prefers somewhat dry soil.
Checking for moisture is as simple as sticking one’s fingertip in the container. It is time to water the plant if the finger comes out clean. For Pothos Baltic Blue, aeration and drainage are essential. Keep your plant submerged in water for a short time.
Optimal Light
The Philippines’ tropical rainforests might be a good model for simulating Baltic Blue Pothos’ native habitat. For six to eight hours daily, expose your Baltic blue to intense filtered light. You can also position the pot close to a doorway or window that faces west or east.
A window with west or east exposure is the best indoor setting for Baltic Blue Pothos, which should be kept around three feet away from the window. Install translucent curtains or blinds to block off direct window light. The pothos may also be grown using artificial lighting, ensuring indirect exposure.
If Baltic Blue’s foliage starts turning green instead of blue, that’s a sign that it’s absorbing too much sunlight. On the other hand, the plant’s growth will slow down, and size will be stunted if there’s insufficient light. The Baltic Blue Plant might suffer severe damage or perish if you place it in bright direct sunlight.
Although its development is potentially slow, the plant can endure low light circumstances. Avoid placing Baltic Blues in direct sunlight as it may result in the petals losing their blue tinge and discolor.
Warm Temperature
Warm, ambient temperatures are necessary all year round for Baltic blue pothos. The optimal range is between 65 and 85 °F. The pothos will experience stunted development, stress, and final death in any environment that is 55 °F or lower.
Also, avoid placing the Baltic Blue in places with abrupt and extreme temperature changes, like ventilation windows or heating or cooling air ventilators.
Periodic Fertilization
Plants need more energy during active growth, and regular fertilization becomes necessary. The spring and summer are often when the Baltic Blue goes through its growth spike. You may fertilize your houseplants with a standard fertilizer twice a year at this time.
Baltic Blues are dormant and low in energy during winter; therefore, there’s no need for fertilization during winter.
Mid-to-High Levels of Humidity
Even though Baltic Blues don’t have many preferences, they function best when cultivated in environments with around 50-60 % relative humidity. This degree of humidity promotes bigger leaves and rapid development.
The most common method for boosting the moisture levels surrounding the pothos plant is dripping pots. The pots are placed on top of small, pebble-filled pots called drip trays. Any extra water you need to hydrate the plant drips through the pot into the tray rather than remaining in the pots.
By slowly evaporating into the atmosphere, water in the trays will raise the moisture levels surrounding the pothos. A humidifier can also be used as a substitute.
Pruning From Time to Time
Because of its rapid expansion, Baltic Blue may require more frequent pruning than other variants to maintain control over its appearance and size. One factor to bear in mind is that this species occasionally becomes floppy; trimming the leaves will reduce the chances of floppy growth and support the growth of leaves.
When trimming your plant, it’s best to use a set of clean, sharp clippers. Also, remember to wash and sterilize the clippers after every use. By doing this, disease-carrying plants may be protected from one another.
Does Baltic Blue Have Blue Colored Leaves?
When the Baltic Blue is young, its leaves are lush and rich green, but it begins to take on a bluish tone as it ages. Throughout the autumn and winter season, the bluish tinge is more noticeable. Additionally, the Baltic Blue will exhibit fenestration, characterized by splitting and holey leaves.
The critical distinction between Baltic Blue and other Epipremnum species is that Baltic Blue has gorgeous blue-hued leaves.
Is Baltic Blue Pothos Variegated?
While Albo Variegata, a variety of the pothos that resembles the Baltic Blue in appearance, has variegation, the pothos itself does not. The plant might suffer from a fungal infection or food deficit if the Baltic Blue shows yellowish stripes resembling variegation.
Ensure not to overwater your plants, as this may lead to several microbial issues and cause the foliage to turn a variegated shade of brown. Furthermore, to lessen the possibility of nutritional deficiency, think about fertilizing the pothos throughout its vigorous vegetative stage.