I have a small monstera that I purchased online, (and was disappointed by what I got). It came with root rot and I cut off the bad part and am attemping to root the remainer in water at the moment. How long will rooting take and once rooted, how do I properly pot up and care for this plant. I really want this plant to make it and am heartbroken at the moment from its appearance and looks. What are any tips that would be useful to me? Thanks so much.
Our resident expert, "photopro" will hopefully chime in on this one. Having said that, I have had success with rooting the cuttings of this plant, but I have made sure the cuttings had the beginnings of aerial roots (the little brown growths that form on the vine). I have used a loose mix of peat and perlite. I dipped the fresh cutting in some rooting hormone. Then, simply stuck the cutting in the potting mix. Medium-low light and kept the mix slightly moist, keeping an eye on it everyday. Usually within a few weeks it will successfully root, and a few weeks later it will begin forming new foliage.
Just to add, I would add something to the potting mix to make it drain easier, eg perlite or bark etc. I have also found them pretty easy to take root. They are pretty tough, I had to rip one out of the ground, about 6ft, so my fence could be built, and left it on top of the ground for weeks and it took root in situ, so you should be fine... Ed
Doesn't appear anyone needs any info from me! I can only assume the question is about Monstera deliciosa which is the most popular species in the genus of approximately 33 species. M. deliciosa is primarily from southern Mexico and Central America and grows along the banks of streams. It likes a lot of water but does not do well if kept too wet. The plant needs very well drained soil as pointed out by Ed above. And, as Markinwestmich pointed out is easily started from cuttings of the cane. The aerial roots are a good idea but I've started many by simply cutting a 6 inch piece of cane and laying it on the soil. In time, the plant will sink new roots into the soil and begin a new specimen. If the plant you have is not doing well I would consider re potting it in a mixture of very loose soil. You might try this mixture, use about 50% moisture control soil mix and combine into that peat moss, Perlite, and orchid potting media which contains both gravel, bark and charcoal. Vermiculite won't hurt either if you can find some of that to add. The goal is to create a soil mixture that won't stay soggy but will stay damp. This mix will also drain very quickly which will keep the plant happier. Be sure and use a large enough pot that will drain. Never use a pot that will hold water in the bottom. The large pot is important since the plant is eventually going to become enormous. Keep that mix evenly damp but don't over water. As for light, the plant can grow in all sorts of different light situations. I've seen many growing in near full sunlight, although they tend not to be very pretty when exposed to that much direct sun. Most tend to do best in slightly diffused light. I water frequently during the heat of the year, but less often during the winter months. I read an article once where a large plant survived almost 6 months with no water at all!! I certainly don't suggest you try that, but in the case of this plant, less water is probably better than too much. The real key seems to be the fast draining soil. And if you are going to be away for a few weeks, the plant will survive nicely with little or no water at all. Monstera deliciosa isn't a super fast growing plant until it becomes well established. I've got small plants that are nearly two years old and still only a couple of feet tall (60cm). But I've got big ones that are 10 years old and enormous! However, don't believe everything you read. These don't grow 5 or 6 foot leaves as a few websites claim! Most often, the leaves will be around 3 feet (90cm). One last thing, you can often find a plant being called Philodendron pertusum being sold that looks just like Monstera deliciosa. That's because it is Monstera deliciosa! Philodendron pertusum is simply an old name that a tissue culture company drug out of the books in order to sell more plants. The correct name is Monstera deliciosa. It is related to the genus Philodendron, but this one is not a Philodendron. Well, two more things. The plant will eventually produce a spathe and spadix that once mature produces a very nice fruit. The spadix will take about one year to turn yellow and at that time you can pluck out the fruit and eat it. Tastes like a mixture of pineapple and strawberry. And if you read somewhere it is poison, someone needs to explain that to all the people in Central America who eat it every year. That is how the plant got its scientific name, "deliciosa". The fruit is delicious. And despite the warnings on likely 100 or more websites, it is not dangerous to eat. Hope that helps.
I have seen them in full sun, but like Steve says, they look a bit ratty, mainly burnt edges on leaves. And the fruit does taste delicious, over here one of the common names is Fruit Salad plant. I'm not big on common names but this one seems to fit perfectly. The only problem is that the fruit has a lot of, whats the word, "splices" near the centre that can make it a bit of a pain, unless someone here knows how to successfully eradicate them??? Ed
It is a bit tricky, but I usually wait until the fruit is just about to fall off the spadix and then pluck it out one chunk at a time. If you wait too long it will rot on the plant. But if you get it at the right time it isn't difficult to pull off the spadix and enjoy right out in the yard. I never heard the term "fruit salad" plant, but that is quite appropriate! But I promise, if you do a search for Monstera deliciosa on the net you'll find a long list of sites that will warn you that "all parts are deadly poison". Once a myth gets started on the internet, it is next to impossible to stop! One last thing, this plant will climb if given the chance, but not in Michigan unless it is in a big atrium! I've seen them 30 feet (10 meters) up in trees in Central America and South Florida.
Just two more points if I may. I just reread the opening question and would strongly recommend against trying to re root this plant in water. Too much water is not good for the species and my guess would be the root rot began as a result of excess water and soil that didn't drain quickly enough. It will root in well drained soil. In South Florida landscapers and nurseries simply cut 6 inch chunks of the cane and plant them half in and half out of the soil laying horizontally on the ground. They don't even cover the cane. And lastly, Monstera deliciosa is an aroid (Araceae). This thread will likely get more qualified responses if listed under the aroid section.
Well no-one better eat spinach either.... Heres one I seen in a Botanical garden on Boxing Day. It is starting to climb, about 5-6 metres high... Ed
Ed , is the Town Hall in Brisbane still covered in Monstera ? I was amazed at how impressive it looked when I first wandered around town many years ago . I leave the fruit in a jar on the counter , covered with a paper bag , and only eat the small portion that the scales have fallen off of . Sometimes I had 10 or more sitting there . Another way is to wrap it tightly in paper and put in plastic bag with a ripe banana . I always wait until the fruit has sunk down to below horizontal level and the base has swollen up and the first few sclaes have fallen off . This ensures full flavour . You really notice the time taken to ripen as the flowers for next years fruit are usually out as you pick last years crop. I have gotten fruit in 3 years from a stem cutting , and in 4 years from a seed grown fruit . I noticed bettles all over a flower one year , and that fruit had many seeds in it , a bit dissapointing as a lot less fruit to eat .
Ed, I think the Monstera in your picture is not a M deliciosa, it looks (to me) like Monstera acacoyaguensis because the last does not have the 'holes" in the leaves like M delicosa has.
Mick the town hall is not covered in Monstera anymore, I've only been up here 10 years and it was never covered in my time. Here is a few more pics of that plant. If I'd known it wasn't M. deliciosa I would of "acquired" one as it was everywhere!!
Thank you all for the great help! I currently have the small cane I have curently trying to root in water. As suggested above, I will put it today in the soil mix that is recommeneded. I am really praying that this works........lets hope. I really love the Monstera and do want one of my own. Thanks again for all the help everyone:)
The saftest way to save a plant with rot is to keep in just moist sphagnum moss . It has a natural healing effect . Keep in the moss over your winter and you should have great roots to pot up in spring .
I have the long fibered sp. moss, is this what you mean? I think it is :) And will be doing this today.....I pray it works out. I do want a monstera badly and there are no places in my area that sells them:( Thats why I had to buy online and was disappointed when I got this in the mail.....sad.
