Contents:
- Monstera - characteristic
- Job title
- Watering
- Fertilization
- Overdoing
- Diseases and pests
Monstera - characteristic
Monstera (Monstera) is a genus of Central American climbers belonging to the Araceae family.Already in the times of the Polish People's Republic, the fragrant monstera (Monstera deliciosa) reigned in salons. Huge (up to 1 m long), undercutting, dark green leaves pouring out of a large pot, enlivened the interiors, both in the block and in the tenement house. The long-stalked leaves grow on a pliable stem that sometimes starts to get lignified. Thanks to the sticky mustache along its entire length, the monstera stays well on the supports to which we should attach it.
Monsters can reach up to 2 m in height, so they are not suitable for every interior. Thanks to breeders, now there are also varieties that require much less space, suitable for small rooms and corners. Fans of the urban jungle trend appreciate the monster Adanson, and more precisely its variety with small openwork leaves - Monkey Mask. Also the narrow-leaved version of Monkey Mask - Narrow is noteworthy
Job title
Monstera prefers semi-shaded positions. In full sun, it burns quickly.In order for the openwork holes to be clearly visible, we should place the monster in a room with a west or south exhibition. The plant feels best at room temperature of approx. 20 - 24 ° C in summer and slightly lower - 15 - 18 ° C in winter. It tolerates dry and polluted air well, therefore it is suitable for offices.
Fertile, nutrient-rich soil is essential. A suitable substrate must also be slightly moist and well-drained. At the bottom of the pot, it is worth placing a layer of drainage to protect the roots of the plant from excess moisture.
Watering
Moderate and regular watering is the key to success in growing monstera. In summer, water the plant on average once a week when the substrate is slightly dry. In winter, we limit watering to twice a month. When we overdo it with water, the monstera will react with yellowing and falling leaves. So it is better to even dry it than pour it. To keep the plant in good condition, you can sprinkle it with soft water several times a week.
Fertilization
Monstera produces a lot of leaves, so it needs regular feeding. During vegetation, we can apply fertilizer to potted plants and apply it every other week. For the forgetful, a multi-component fertilizer with slow action will be ideal. The granules mixed with the soil gradually release nutrients to the soil throughout the growing season
Overdoing
Young plants should be transplanted every year, and older plants every 2-3 years. We do this in the spring, when the plants have not yet started to sprout leaves. We should remember about the drainage for the days of the pot and its correct size. Not too big and not too small. A permeable substrate is as important as caring for the condition of the roots when transplanting. Both the root system and the sticky tendrils should not suffer during these treatments.
All care treatments for monstera should be performed with gloves, due to the juice contained in the shoots and stems, irritating the skin and mucous membranes. Keep Monster away from children and animals.
Diseases and pests
Monstera is quite resistant, but under unfavorable conditions it can be exposed to pests and diseases, mainly fungi. Here are the most common dangers in growing monstera.
Leaf blotch- a fungal disease characterized by watery brown patches that spread rapidly to more and more leaf areas. Dark mycelial spores are visible on the infected tissues. Too abundant watering and soaking the leaves contributes to the disease. We start the fight against infection by removing infected leaves, and then spray the entire plant with home-made or commercially available extracts of horsetail, garlic or onion. Grapefruit extract is also available in stores, which effectively fights pathogens and strengthens plants at the same time.
Wełnowce- these are small insects covered with a white coating resembling wool. They feed on plant juices. As a result of infection, the leaves of the monstera turn yellow and fall off, and the entire plant dies.When we notice clusters of mealybugs, most often appearing on the underside of the leaf, rub the entire plant with a preparation made of denatured alcohol or spirit, water (in a ratio of 1: 10) and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. We repeat the treatment every few days until the results are obtained.
Scales- suck the juices from the plant, weakening it, causing wilting and dying of the leaves. On the underside of the leaf blade, we can see brown, convex insects' discs. To get rid of pests, we use a brush, which we remove the feeding individuals, and then rub the entire plant thoroughly with a preparation, such as for fighting mealybugs. Also in this case, we repeat the treatment every few days.
Thrips- similarly to the abovementioned insects, they feed on the juices sucked out of the plant. The symptom is the weakening of the plant, yellowing and dying of the leaves. When we notice white commas of thrips, we spray the plants with an oil-based preparation made or available for sale.
Spider mites- these are small mites that suck the juices from plants. You can see them on the underside of the leaves. The delicate spider web that entwines the plant is also a characteristic symptom of their occurrence. Dry air favors spider mites, so we can start fighting them by increasing the humidity in the surroundings of the monstera. Wiping leaves with water with the addition of potassium soap, and spraying with garlic-based extract are excellent ecological methods of fighting spider mites. You can spray the plants with oil-based preparations prophylactically.
