Care and reproduction of monstera at home
Monstera is a popular plant that can often be found in homes and offices. Large carved leaves of saturated color look great in any interior. In order for the plant to please the eye, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules of care, which will be discussed in this article.
Plant description
Monstera is a representative of the tropics. Her homeland is South and Central America. The most common monstera is lovely (another variant of the name is delicious). This evergreen vine with leaves up to 45 cm long can reach a height of several meters.
- long thick stalk;
- leathery leaves with slits along the veins along the entire length of the sheet;
- cob-shaped inflorescence;
- fruits are berries.
Did you know? The name comes from the Latin monstrum ( which means "monster") and is consistent with the size of an adult plant.
Indoor cultivation conditions
Monstera is known for its unpretentiousness, but there are several conditions that must be strictly observed. One of the conditions is the temperature regime:
- in summer, the optimum temperature is +22 - + 25 ° C;
- during the winter months, +16 - + 18 ° C will be enough.
Humidity in the room is very important for the monstera, because its native habitat is humid tropics. If there is a lack of moisture, drying out is possible, and too much humidity will lead to the appearance of water droplets on the floor. It is also recommended to wipe the leaves more often and spray them with warm, settled water.
Important! The juice of the plant is toxic and irritates the skin, as well as the mucous membranes.
Home breeding methods
Monstera reproduces quite easily - by cuttings, but there are certain nuances in each of the ways. They start breeding in the spring. For rooting, you can use different parts of the plant. A section of the stem is disinfected with a powder of charcoal, which must be finely ground.
Apical cuttings
Before planting a plant in a pot, you must wait at least three shoots.
Even more roots contribute to better rooting of the cuttings.
Stem cuttings
Then the stalk is covered with a film or glass (a kind of greenhouse will turn out), periodically watered and sprayed.
From time to time to clear the transparent protection. The stalk is transplanted to a permanent place after the roots appear.
Leaves
This is not the easiest and most reliable way, but it can be used if there are no other parts of the plant. The cut off (or broken off) leaf is put in a jar of water and wait for the roots to appear.
Did you know? The first leaves of the monstera have a heart shape, and carved leaves appear a little later.
Layering
Air layers require a lot of effort, but they take root much better than the leaves or tops. It is necessary to find an escape with strong aerial roots and give them extra moisture.
You can tie moss and constantly moisten it with water or attach a small plastic bowl with water.
You should also protect the roots from drying out with a film by loosely wrapping it around a part of the plant. After the appearance of a sufficient number of roots, the layers are separated and transplanted into the pot.
Seeds
Seeds are rarely used to breed monstera. They germinate after 2–4 weeks in a warm and well-lit place. Adult carved leaves appear at 5–8 months. Seedlings need a dive, then they need to be planted, and then transplanted annually. A developed root system is formed in them after 2 years. After rooting, the plant lives in an intermediate small pot, and the monster is transplanted into a volumetric tub in 3-4 years.
Important! Liana monstera needs support, which can be a stick or grille, as well as stretched cords.
Further care
The roots of the plant, which provide the vital activity of the monstera, require special attention. They must be lowered into the ground of the main pot or, having collected in a bundle, placed in an additional container with earth. Monstera aerial roots can cling to the wall.
Watering and fertilizer
To water, remember that soft water is suitable after settling. Abundant watering is maintained from March to August, and from autumn it is reduced to moderate in the winter months. From the moment of drying of the upper layer, several days are counted (usually 2-3) and only then watered.
Transfer
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Liana grows very quickly and requires transplants at first every year, then from 4 years every 2 years. After 5-6 years, the plant grows so much that the transplant becomes unnecessary. Topsoil is replaced every year. The transplant is carried out in the spring.
For planting monstera use a mixture consisting of:
- 3 parts of turf;
- 1 part of peat, sand, earth and humus.
At the bottom, it is necessary to lay a quality drainage.
Pruning
Regular pruning is not needed for the monstera. The top is trimmed for branching and growth of lateral shoots. In this case, the support will need to be strengthened and a spreading place will be provided for the spreading vine.
The period of rest and flowering
Flowering periods in indoor conditions are extremely rare, sometimes it is possible only in the greenhouse or conservatory. In good conditions, the flower may appear in the second year of life. Cob fruits when ripening turn purple. They are edible, reminiscent of pineapple in taste. The rest period in tropical plants, to which the monstera belongs, does not stand out. They are looked after equally throughout the year.
Growing difficulties
Florists when breeding monstera can face several problems. The most common difficulties are:
- yellowing and softness of the leaves. These are symptoms of excessive watering, and their lack will be manifested in the appearance of brown dry spots on the sheets;
- the sheet changes color to transparency. Chlorosis is possible, from which iron chelate will help get rid (use according to the instructions);
- problems with leaves. That “fault” is incorrect lighting;
- leaves without slits. This is a lack of nutrition;
- attack of parasites and pests (for example, scabies or spider mites). You can get rid of them with the help of special drugs.
Find out how and how to feed indoor plants at home.
The care and reproduction of monstera is within the power of each grower. However, it is necessary to really assess the conditions under which it is planned to grow the plant. Liana requires a large space and is not suitable for a small room.