Monstera

Plants of the genus Monstera They are usually considered indoor, since unfortunately they are very cold; in fact, when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius they start to have a hard time, unless they are protected.

There are about 60 species, and all of them are characterized by having very large leaves, more than those of the vast majority of plant beings. So, How are they cared for?

Origin and characteristics

It is a botanical genus made up of some 60 described species originating from Mexico and tropical America. They grow as climbers, entangling themselves between the trunk and branches of the trees, and helping themselves with their aerial roots, which serve as anchors (without becoming parasitic). Thanks to that, they can reach heights as impressive as 15 or 20 meters.

The leaves are alternate, leathery, and enormous: 25 to 130cm long (as is the case with the monstera dubia, which is the largest species) and 15 to 80cm wide. It usually has the appearance of being leaky.

The flowers arise from an inflorescence called a spadix that is 5-45cm long. The fruit is a cluster of white berries, being edible in some Monstera.

Main species

• Monstera delicious: is the best known. Their common names are adam rib or ceriman, and is endemic from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It reaches about 20 meters in height, with leaves that are 20 to 90cm long and 20 to 80cm wide. It produces fruits that during its first year are very toxic, but that can be eaten from the second year.
• Monstera obliqued: it is native to Central America. Its size and characteristics are very similar to the previous one, only that it grows less (up to 10 meters) and has somewhat smaller leaves (20 to 60cm long by 20 to 60cm wide).

What is the care of the Monstera?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

• Interior: it must be in a bright room, without drafts (neither hot nor cold). Being a rather large plant, the ideal is to place it for example in the living room or in another area where it can stand out well.
• Body exterior:: place in semi-shade, since it burns in the sun.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is advisable to use one that is fertile and that also facilitates the drainage of water, such as 70% mulch (get it here) mixed with 30% of perlite (on sale here), arlite (how is this of here) or similar.
• Garden: grows in soils rich in organic matter.

Irrigation

The Montera, being native to the tropical forests, are plants that love high environmental humidity. But when they are grown outside their places of origin, and especially when we have them in temperate climates, you have to watch closely the irrigation otherwise its roots would rot quickly.

Taking this into account, the best thing you can do is check the humidity of the soil before proceeding to water it, at least for the first few times until you get the hang of it. To do this, you can insert a thin wooden stick; If when you extract it, it comes out with a lot of adhering soil, do not water.

Other options are to use a digital moisture meter or weigh the pot once it has been watered and again after a few days.

Use rainwater, or failing lime-free water.

Spray: yes or no? And because?

It is customary to spray the plants that are kept indoors, but I personally do not recommend it, except in spring-summer, and not even like that. The leaves cannot absorb water directly; in fact, when it rains the pores (stomata) close.

The problem with having closed pores is that during that time all its functions slow down or stop, and one of them is breathing. To this must be added that fungi love just that: the high humidity and weakness that the plant shows; so it is not surprising that if it is sprayed constantly the leaves begin to show brown or black spots.

Anyway, what you have to do is clean the dust from time to time, with a cloth and a little milk or distilled water.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer it is advisable to pay it with Organic fertilizers, using liquids if it is grown in a pot.

Pruning

Just you have to remove the leaves that are drying with scissors -you can use the kitchen ones- previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol or a few drops of dishwasher.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring. If it is potted, transplant to a larger one every 2 or 3 years.

Plagues and diseases

They can be affected by:

• Mites: as the Red spider. They cause the appearance of very small discolored spots. They are fought with acaricides.
• Mealybugs: they feed on the sap of the tender stems. They can be removed by hand (with a glove), or with an anti-mealybug. More information.
• Trips: they are like earwigs but in miniature version. They also feed on the sap of the leaves, leaving their droppings (black dots) and spots. They are fought with specific insecticides, or with diatomaceous earth which you can get here. More information.
• Mushrooms: As the phytophthora or the Cercospora. They produce brown or yellow spots. They are fought with fungicides.

Multiplication

Monstera multiply by seeds and cuttings. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

They must be sown as soon as they mature (8-10 months after pollination), since their fertile life is very short. Once you have them, follow this step by step:

1. First, fill a pot of about 13cm with universal growing medium.
2. Then, sow a maximum of 3 seeds on its surface, ensuring that they are slightly separated from each other.
3. Then cover them with a thin layer of substrate, and water.
4. Lastly, place the pot in a warm place without direct sun.

In this way, they will germinate in about 3 weeks as long as the temperature is around 20-25ºC.

Cuttings

It multiplies by cuttings in summer, following this step by step:

1. First, you must cut an apical stem cutting with previously disinfected scissors.
2. Then, impregnate its base with homemade rooting agents.
3. Then plant it in a pot about 15 to 20cm in diameter.
4. Finally, water it and place the pot in a bright area but without direct sun.

Spraying from time to time with distilled or rain water, and keeping the substrate moist (but not flooded), you will get it to take root after 4-6 weeks.

Rusticity

It does not resist cold or frost.

What did you think of the Monstera? You have someone?