Hi all this is my first Monstera, and I’m not sure what to do with it. I’m not feeling secure to take action because the plant looks healthy
I can see aerial roots under the dirt, should I remove it or try to bend them out?
I also see the roots are packed in the pot as they look from outside, should I prune them, get s bigger pot or split the plants?
I’ve put her under a grow light, hoping to make it bigger faster. How well will that work out? Is there a recommended DLI and air humidity recommendation? How often should I water it at this stage?
Is it possible to train it? I mean to slowly bend leafs towards a direction or somehow give direction to the new born leaf that’s coming out now
Any advice would be helpful,
Thanks in advance!
by pastre68
3 Comments
1. Aerial roots in soil are fine. They will just adapt and become normal roots.
2. I’d separate them.
3&4. You train them by giving them light in the direction you want them to grow, please don’t bend them. Moss pole will help with support, water only when soil is dry, and make sure you have chunky soil, as aroid like.
Just leave it be for a while, like you said it looks healthy…they typically undergo a bit of stress when they’re moved to a new place so best not to do anything with it just yet!
I’d leave the Ariel roots alone too, some will naturally grow into the soil, it’s not a problem! You could definitely split them too at some point, you can be a bit rougher than you think.
Light looks great, mine is under a similar grow light and is doing well, I put mine on a moss pole, and it has that more uniform growth which I like. You can technically train the leaves gently but they tend to always try and face the light.
For ‘faster’, strong growth, try using a fertiliser, with a combination of good light, the growth should boom!
In regards to watering…I feel like it’s a divided topic, but for me, since I’ve killed many a plant due to overwatering, I only water my plants when they *look* thirsty… I feel the leaves, they are soft and slightly limp, the stems are droopy etc… then I water, my only exception to this rule is my Calathea Sanderiana who will drop all her leaves and go *crispyyy* if the soil is allowed to dry out😭
What a healthy plant you have 🥰 leave the aerial roots alone. No need to cut unless they’re too long. Just redirect into the soil. It could dfntly use a repot but wait until a little warmer temps to note disturb their dormant season. The leaves will continue to grow upwards with the light right above but some sort of stake or pole should help support. Best of luck! 🤞🏽