Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera belongs to the family Araceae (Araceae). Homeland of the plants are tropical forests of South and Central America.
There are 27 species of Monstera. In grown indoors Monstera Spit (M. obliqua), Monstera attractive (M. deliciosa), Monstera Borziha (M. borsigiana) and punched Monstera (M. perttfsa).
Monstera - one of the most common species of flora grown indoors. There are many reasons, one of them - the plant is very unpretentious and easy to clean. Monstera ionizes the air in the room that can not be a plus for the maintenance of the plant.
Plant care
Lighting. Monstera necessary bright ambient light, so the best place for it is the windows on the east and west sides. On the northern windows of the plant may not be enough light and the southern Monstera need pritenyat from direct sunlight. In good light the leaves of the plant will be great, with good openings or holes. If the lighting is not enough, the new leaves will be small, and aerial roots - weak and thin. Move the plant to a new location without any reasons is not recommended.
Temperature. Monstera does not require a specific temperature. You just need to remember that the higher the temperature, the more the plant develops. The optimum temperature in spring and autumn - 20-25 °С. In winter, temperatures should not fall below 10 °С (and then only for a short time), and find the best temperature of 16-18 °С. Dangerous during the fall and winter.
Watering. In the spring and summer water Monstera need profusely as soon as they dry topsoil, which is soft, pre pooled water. Autumn reduce watering in winter watering a couple of days after drying the top of the substrate. We can not tolerate drying out of the soil as well as its wetlands - in the second case, the roots can start to rot and leaf spots to hide.
Humidity. Monstera positively perceived regular spraying, so it can not be neglected. Sprayed with water at room temperature, after letting her settle. Leaves occasionally wipe off dust with a damp cloth.
Feeding. Adults instances - to avoid slowing growth - should be fed twice a month from mid-spring to late summer, organic and mineral fertilizers. Young plants are fed not necessarily. In addition to feeding, Monstera need prop rod or bars, you can pull the rope leaves.
Circumcision. When an old plant growth slows down, the tip can be cut, stimulating the emergence of lateral shoots.
Airport roots. In each Monstera leaf grow aerial roots that can not be cut. These roots are immersed in a pot with a plant, or an extra pot of soil nutrient because they improve the power plant. If the aerial roots develop poorly and do not reach the soil in the pot, they should either drop into the water bottle, or OBV jazaty damp moss. Another option - buy a plastic tube wrapped with dry palm fiber, make holes in it and fill with soil, and then send the aerial roots of Monstera these holes. At the ends of the leaves of Monstera going to drop to thaw in winter or cloudy weather before the rain.
Flowering. In nature Monstera blooms every year and indoors - is rare. With sufficient nutrition in two years the plant can produce large inflorescences with bisexual flowers in cabbage with cream-colored cover. When the fruit ripens, the cover of the trees yaniye and falling. Inflorescence (long 20 centimeters) - purple and like ear of corn. Formed pressed to one another juicy and small fruits. Sweet in taste and flavor mixes with strawberries and pineapple.
Transplantation. Young specimens Monstera transplanted each year, three-, four-year - once in two years and five yatyrichni (and older) plants - every three to four years. Earth need to pour every year. Young plants are transplanted into neutral/slightly acidic soil (pH 5,5-6,0): sand, turf, peat and humusyana land (1:1:1:2). Adult Monstera transplanted into a soil (pH 6,5-7,0): turf, turf wooden, leaf humus earth and sand (3:1:1:1:1). Pot (preferably) should be large, and at the bottom - a quality drainage.
Propagation by cuttings. Monstera Propagation from early spring to early summer. For reproduction using side branches, stem or apical cuttings (stem with one or two letters). Designated sections of pre-need a sprinkle of powdered charcoal. Cuttings are planted in individual pots and covered with glass. At the bottom of the tank to be constructed drainage of broken bricks on top - 2 cm humus or peat of wooden earth, and then - two to three inches of sand. Watering in the evening and in the morning, and the temperature should be kept at a level of 20 to 25 °С. When Monstera take root, plant it in a pot interim. Three or four years Monstera plant in a large pot or tub. If cuttings are aerial roots, the plant ukorinytsya faster.
Reproduction tip. Adult specimens are unattractive because lose lower leaves, so you can pair the upper aerial roots wrap twine or wet moss and attach to the trunk of the plant. When roots start up roots, part of the trunk of one or two sheets of cut (cut seat sprinkled with powdered charcoal) and planted in a pot, covering with soil and place the cut roots - that the young plant. The old plant is cast forth lateral shoots becoming more extensive.
Attention!!! In social Monstera are substances that cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes. The juice of ripe fruit leads to bleeding in the stomach and intestine, and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth.
Pests. Most plants harm quadraspidiotus perniciosus, aphids and spider mites.
Possible difficulties
- in low light the trunk is losing leaves and stops the growth of plants;
- red spider mites can cause brown spots on the bottom of the sheet;
- the leaves become yellow with little food;
- the leaves turn yellow and begin to rot due to waterlogged soil;
- korychneviye leaves and becomes like paper, close the pot or if the air is very dry;
- the appearance of the leaves and pale yellow spots on them caused by excess sunlight;
- the stem is twisted, stretched shoots and new leaves grow pale and small because of the lack of light;
- in waterlogged soil, the leaves are to appear droplets (leaves "weeping"). Monstera need to be watered less often and let dry substrate;
- the new leaves can not be openings due to insufficient feeding plant or if the plant is not enough light;
- if the leaves become dry and korychneviye before opadanie - temperature too high for Monstera. Leaves fall with age, but fall off healthy - this is normal.