Finale and Philodendron McColley’s Prince of Orange are hard to tell apart at a young age. The differences between them begin to become significant after 2 weeks.
Both are part of the larger genus Philodendron which consists of 489 species of houseplants and broadleaf ornamentals.
By the way, did you know that philodendrons are the second largest group of members of the large Araceae family? Should. This article will discuss the similarities and differences between these two.
Comparison between Philodendron McColley’s Finale and Prince of Orange
Here is a table of the differences and similarities between the characteristics of these two plants:
| The end of McColley | prince of orange | |
| Height | 1 to 3 feet (indoors), may be taller than outdoors | 2 legs fully developed |
| sheet size | L5-8″ | L5-10″ |
| Rate of growth | rapid growth | rapid growth |
| Typical toxicity of Araceae calcium oxalate crystals can be found throughout the plant body; Toxic to humans and pets. | Typical toxicity of calcium oxalate crystals of Araceae. Toxic to humans and pets. | |
| water needs | 3 times a week (summer); once a week (winter) | 2 – 3 times in 2 weeks (summer) |
| Light requirement: | Indirect sunlight, medium to low density | Indirect sunlight, low medium density |
| Temperature | Pleasantly warm temperature between 60 and 75°F (16 and 24°C) | Between 60 and 75°F (16 and 24°C) |
| Usually I | Potting soil with good drainage capacity; PH Acid 6.1 – 7.3 Neutral | Soil with good drainage capacity PH Acid 6.1 – 7.3 |
| Humidity | Tolerant to dry conditions | Tolerant to dry conditions |
| fertilizer | Balanced liquid fertilizer for indoor plants, to be applied monthly in summer and spring | Balanced liquid fertilizer for indoor plants, to be applied monthly in summer and spring |
| Flower pot | Larger than a root ball with drainage holes | Larger than a root ball with drainage holes |
| growth zone | USDA 9-11 | USDA 9b-10 |
General appearances and origin
Young McColleys Finale plants have bronze leaves that change to deep greenish red tones with age. A fully mature McColleys Finale can grow to about 2 feet, but it’s not uncommon for it to reach about 3 feet when exposed to optimal light, such as on the porch or patio.
Philodendron McColley’s Finale was hybridized by Robert H. McColley in the late 1960s. It shares many characteristics with other proprietary Philodendron plants such as Prince of Orange, Royal King, and Black Cardinal.
Perhaps the biggest difference between them and other varieties such as Prince of Orange, apart from the very colorful, glossy, dark reddish-brown leaves, is the combination of independent growth habits, leaf shape and the dark red new leaves.
Prince of Orange, on the other hand, as the name suggests, has orange tinged leaves in its early stages. Fanning out from the center of the plant, these leaves create a pretty show of color, combining shades of orange with purple-pink veins and green leaves.
If you’re tired of green philodendrons, this might be one of the best options to consider for your floor or table. Another impressive thing is its height: unlike McColley’s Finale, this plant rarely grows taller than 2 feet.
It will remain short and small wherever you place them (no matter if you place them with enough light on the terrace or in the corner of the living room, they will not rise into the sky)
The origins of Prince of Orange are a bit murky, but they are well-hybridized cultivars from a long line of Philodendrons.
cultivation areas
McColley’s Finale is a bit sturdier than its smaller orange cousin. For this reason, you can grow it in USDA Zones 10 through 11. USDA Growing Zones 9 through 11 are ideal for the latter. Doesn’t seem like a big difference, does it?
Usually I
McColleys Finale will enjoy a well-drained but moist organic mix. It does not like wet, dry, muddy or sandy soils. It is recommended to fertilize the soil sparingly, at least 15 cm from the base.
Prince of Orange also thrives in the typical soil a philodendron plant needs: loose, well-drained loam that’s rich in organic matter.
However, if you want them to grow better and produce even brighter leaves with deep orange hues, you should enrich your regular potting soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Even better, you can make a simple mixture of peat moss and perlite or peat moss and vermiculite and grow your plant in it. Also, peat moss (mixed with nothing else) has proven to be just as effective.
The general idea is to plant your Prince of Orange in soil that allows water to seep through without it staying any longer. It is also important to aerate the roots, as this can help prevent rot.
Similarities Between Late Philodendron McColley and Prince of Orange
growth habit
Both are self-contained members of the genus Philodendron. They also grow best in a container and ground cover.
the reproduction
Both plants can be propagated from simple stem cuttings. Simply take a few stem cuttings by pruning the long stems of a mature plant.
Your stem cuttings should have leaf nodes to increase propagation success. Even better, you can place stem cuttings in moist soil or water to expose them to optimal growing conditions. Change them frequently and remember to keep the soil moist and less soggy.
Prepared cuttings will produce roots after one month. Transfer promising cuttings to their pots and watch them grow into captivating houseplants.
Fertilizer requirement
They both require very little fertilizer, which means you need to be frugal in your fertilizer application. If you add too much, these plants have been reported to develop brown leaves and ruffled edges.
You can use any fertilizer approved for houseplants. Light and diluted fertilizers are also allowed; Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
It is also recommended to apply it monthly from early spring to late summer. Balanced water-soluble gel/liquid fertilizers give the best results.
As there is generally much less metabolism in winter, you should reduce the frequency of fertilizing at this time.
Large amounts of fertilizer, or undiluted fertilizer, can be devastating to both of these plants, causing an oversaturation of minerals in the soil.
If you accidentally fertilize them, you can take two tried-and-true remedies: transfer the plant to a new pot with freshly prepared soil, or simply rinse the old soil under cool running water.
If the worst happens and you don’t take corrective action, you’ll likely end up with a burnt plant with yellowing leaves with unsightly brown leaf tips and curled edges. It’s not pretty.
indirect direct sunlight
Both plants are less demanding on sunlight: direct sunlight is not necessary. Keep them happy by giving them full access to direct sunlight from your windows or balcony.
Moderate temperatures – 53.6°F (12°C) is too low; 86°F (30°C) is too high
Most of the philodendrons there enjoy pleasant warm temperatures – those two are philodendrons. Any temperature between 60-75°F (16-24°C) is ideal for McColley and Prince of Orange finals. Temperatures below 12°C or above 30°C will kill these delicate potatoes or stunt their growth.
If you plan to grow them in a cooler area, such as somewhere in the Far North, you should move them to a warm spot in the house immediately after fall.
Close
Finale and Prince of Orange by Philodendron McColley are closely related and plant-like. McColley’s Finale foliage starts out as cinnamon, but tends to age towards shades of scarlet or red.
As they mature, they start to feel shiny in the palm of your hand. This colorful beauty is one of the best indoor plants you can bring into your office or home.
Additionally, it performs impressively when grouped with other suitable plants on decks and patios in pleasantly warm areas.
Although it is a well-known air purifier, thanks to those huge, wide leaves that happily sniff out all the carbon dioxide and release oxygen, it is also poisonous and should not be ingested by people or pets. You should be more concerned with children, as cats will find the leaves unpleasant and will avoid them on their own.
If you’re looking for something other than McColley’s Finale (there are of course other attractive Philodendron hybrids besides these two), you should give Prince of Orange a try.
The reason you might buy one is because it tends to run short no matter where you put it. You’ll love its orange-green stems and leaves.