Distinctly cut, shiny and large leaves and resistance to unfavorable conditions makehollow monsteraone of the most effective potted plants. See what it should look likemonstera careto enhance its decorative qualities, what are the ways toreproduce the monsterain amateur conditions and whatpests and monsteradiseases can cause problems in the cultivation of this plant. Here are allsecrets of growing a monsterin a pot!
Monstera jajurawa - Monstera deliciosa
Fig. goja.k, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Monstera hollow(Monstera deliciosa) is a vine belonging to the picture family (Araceae), similarly to the gardens grown Calla Lily, Arisema and Italian Pictures. Monstera occurs naturally in the tropical forests of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. It grows slowly, producing a maximum of 2-3 new leaves in one year, reaching a diameter of 60 cm. However, after 7-8 years, it eventually reaches a height of up to 230 cm. In the wild, monstera climbs tree trunks, attaching to them with long aerial roots. In pot growing, however, it requires the use of supports, and specialcare is required for the leaves of the monstera
Monstera full of holes - varieties
Monstera with holes, although it is a very interesting and popular potted plant, has not had many cultivated varieties. More known is only onevariety of monstera holes called 'Variegata'
Monstera holes 'Variegata'- this sought-after, collectible variety of monstera with slightly smaller leaves than the species ( although still very sumptuous) with irregular creamy white discoloration.In this variety, it sometimes happens that the light, cream discoloration covers one half of the leaf blade in its entirety, which looks very interesting. For a plant to obtain this beautiful color, it requires a slightly lighter position than the species. However, like other monstera, it does not tolerate strong sunlight.
Monstera 'Variegata' is a very interesting variety of monstera , unfortunately also rare and therefore the prices of these plants are quite high.
Monstera holes in 'Variegata'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Monstera holes in the hole - care
Light and temperature in monstera cultivation
Monstera has a hole with little light requirement. She feels very comfortable in a shaded corner of the room. However, with more light, the leaves appear more jagged. Insufficient light causes the new leaves to be small, without indentation, and the stems thin and supple. Monstera hates strong sunlight , especially in the summer. Intense sunlight causes the monstera leaves to burn - the leaf is faded, with burned holes.The monstera variety 'Variegata'with variegated (green-white) leaves requires a lighter position than the base species and is less sensitive to direct sunlight.
Optimal the temperature for monsterais in the range of 18-24 °. In winter, the room temperature should not be lower than 13 ° C. Too low temperature causes black spots on the leaves of the monstera. When you notice them, move the plant to a warmer room.
Watering the hole monstera
Monstera doesn't need much water. It is enough to water it once a week, checking beforehand that the substrate is dry. Monstera does not tolerate excess water in the substrate.When the lower monsters of leaves turn yellow and brown(especially often in winter) the plant is shed.We let the substrate dry and we limit watering. In winter, in unheated rooms, watering intervals can be extended to 14 days.
Monstera jajurawa - Monstera deliciosa
Fig. Veli Holopainen, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
In summer and during the heating season, regularly (twice a week in summer, once a week in winter)moisten the monstera leaveswith water. Dry air causes the tips of the leaves to dry out and turn brown. To increase the humidity, we can additionally place the monster pot on a base filled with water and pebbles, paying attention that the bottom of the pot does not touch the water surface. We can also put the pot into a larger container which we fill with moist peat.
Fertilizing the holey monster
Monstera leaks need a lot of fertilizers. In summer, during the growing season, we feed it with liquid fertilizer added to the water once every 2 weeks.If we do not provide the monster with the right amount of nutrients, its leaves will turn pale and their edges will turn brown. It should be taken into account that the lower the lighting, the lower the fertilizer needs of the monstera. If we grow a monster in a shady corner, we provide nutrients less frequently - once every 21 days.Fertilization of monsterawe suspend for the autumn-winter period.
Monstera leaf care
The large area of monstera leaves favors the deposition of a layer of dust on them. We remove it with a soft, damp cloth. With the other hand, support the monstera leaf from the bottom to reduce the risk of breaking it. Once every 2 months, we use a leaf polish, whichgives the monster an elegant shine , and at the same time reduces the settling of dirt and dust on the leaves.
Sincemonstera is a sizeable climber , with a tendency to overlap, to maintain its vertical position, supports are used under the climbers.A wooden stake, wrapped with moss or coconut fiber, tucked into the base of the pot can act as a support. The stake should be placed in the pot before planting it. Otherwise, by inserting a stake between the roots of the monstera, we can damage them.Stems of the monstera should be attached to the stakewith a wire, raffia or hemp string. The wire or twine must not be tightened too tightly so as not to damage them. The supports must be strong and stable so that they do not tip over under the weight of growing monstera shoots.
Transplanting a holey monstera We replant the monster once a year in spring, but only until it reaches a height of 1 m. Once the plant has reached this height, it is enough to replace the top layer of the soil in the pot every year. First we water the monster and then remove 2.5 cm of the top layer of the substrate. Then we fill the defect with fresh soil. We knead the soil around the plant strongly and check that all the roots are below the surface.We put the monster aside for 2 days in a shady place, without watering it during this time.
Monstera produces long (up to 100 cm) aerial roots on its stems. They lower the decorative value of the monstera, but they must not be cut off. Place the aerial roots in the substrate.
The surface to which we transplant the monstershould be light and airy. Monstera grows particularly well in peat substrate, but basic flower soil will also be fine. It is good to add perlite to the soil (proportion 3: 1) to make it plump.
Note!Monstera leaves and stems contain poisonous juice. If swallowed, it may cause irritation of the throat and oral mucosa. Monster must be grown out of the reach of children and animals. During beauty treatments, wear protective gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly after care.
Monstera najurawa - reproduction
In early spring (March)take cuttings from adult monstera plantsBefore we start preparing the cuttings, we need to prepare a place for rooting them. Choose a shallow vessel (e.g. a glass bowl), put 3-4 small pieces of charcoal on its bottom and then fill it with water up to 3/4 of its height. Wrap the opening of the vessel with a food seal and attach it to the vessel with a rubber band or string. Make a hole in the foil, through which we will put the seedling.
We cut off the tops of the monstera stem with a sharp knife. Seedlings should contain 2 leaves. When planted, trim just below the second leaf.Place the prepared monstera seedlingin a previously prepared vessel. For the cuttings to take root, we maintain the temperature of 24-27 ° C. When the monstera seedling has formed roots, transplant them into a pot with peat soil. Water the planted plant abundantly and cover it with a plastic bag for a few days to ensure it has adequate air humidity.
Monstera holes in the hole - diseases and pests
One of thediseases that often attack monstersis primarily philodendron leaf spot. It manifests itself indark brown, watery, rapidly enlarging spots on the leaves of monsteraWhen the humidity drops, the spots dry and crumble. The tissues of the monstera leaves around the spots turn yellow, forming their edges. On the surface of the spots, on the upper side of the leaf, black spots are visible - fungus spores. To limit disease development, the monster should be watered directly into the substrate so as not to wet the leaves. Remove the sick leaves and spray the remaining parts of the plant 3-4 times, every 7-10 days, alternately applying Biosept Active (0.5 ml / 1 l of water) and Topsin M 500 SC (1 ml / 1 l of water) or Rovral Aquaflo 500 SC (1 ml / 1 l of water).
Monstera root and base rotis a disease that primarily affects monstera cuttings during rooting, but also sometimes develops on adult plants.Leaves turn yellow and stems turn brown at the base.Monstera roots rot and decayThe plant can be easily lifted out of the substrate on which brown mycelium appears. The development of the disease is favored by high temperature and air humidity. Sick seedlings should be removed together with the substrate. In home conditions, when we do not produce seedlings on a production scale,combating root and stem rot in monsterais unreasonable. If the disease develops on adult plants, then water them with Biosept Active (0.5 ml / 1 l of water), Substral Saprol Ornamental Plants (15 ml / 1 l of water) or liquid Bioczos (2 ml / 1 l of water) + soap Himal potassium (1 ml / 1 l of water). From chemical preparations for watering, we use Topsin M 500 SC (1 ml / 1 l of water).
When growing monstera in dark places , mealybugs may appear on it. They are small, 2-5 mm insects with a flat, oval and soft body, covered with white waxy scales.Mealybugs feed on the underside of the monstera leaves , damaging the tissue and sucking the sap from the plant.Leaves infected by mealybugs are contaminated with woolly bloom and sticky honeydew (honey dew). Remove pests with an alcohol swab or spray the plants with a rapeseed oil solution. To prepare such a solution, mix 250 ml of water, 5 ml of oil and two drops of gray liquid soap. Thoroughlyspray the lower part of the monstera leaves with the liquid,and then wash them with a cotton pad soaked in soapy water.
Low air humidity promotes the infestation of spider mites , such as e.g. the hoppy seed. Spider mites are small, red-colored mites, feeding on the underside of the leaves, and they spin with a delicate spider web. They pierce the leaf skin with their mouthpieces and suck the sap from it, which causes the leaves of the monstera to turn pale. Increasing air humidity effectively reduces the development of spider mites.Get rid of monstera spider mitesby washing the lower side of the leaf with a sponge soaked in water with washing-up liquid or soap or by spraying the plants with garlic extract.Prepare garlic extract by pouring 1 liter of cold water over finely chopped garlic cloves (about 25 g). After 12-14 hours, we strain the solution and spray it on the plant. Ready-to-use preparations can also be used for spraying, e.g. ready-to-use Agrocover Spray or Envidor 240 SC (0.75 ml / 1 l of water).
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
