Last summer my monstera got scales. My monstera was beside an infected new plant that I was given, I went on a trip came home to it being bad. I figure it had started a few weeks before the trip and I didn’t catch it. I cleaned it off with dawn and a tips 3-5 times before I got them all. I figure it lost 3-5 leaves during this time. In late winter it began losing leaves again, I checked and found it was starting to become root bound so I decided to wait until it was warm enough to move it outside. Once it was warm enough, I repotted it and moved it half inside/outside in a covered space to get it a little extra help. It did well, I fertilized my plants for the first time since spring 2 weeks later and it began losing leaves again. What can I do to save it? I normally am very lucky with plants so I’m very confused because it’s such a mature plant. Draining pot, watering it three times a week because it’s outside. Shaded light.
by Yessssirrrr1
9 Comments
It looks like it needs more water. Maybe put it into a smaller pot with better soil or cut it and propagate it.
I would chop and prop this. The bottom is such a scraggly mess it’s hard to see what’s going on there. Chop and throw it in water and repot when it’s ready and it will look much nicer
First of all I dont know if you’re doing this but you should really touch the soil putting your finger in to see if its dry before watering again, it doesnt matter if its outside or not if the soil isnt drying in between waterings
Okey so this is what I would do, first i’d check the roots to see how they are, if they are rotting, or dead, or if it has any pest… I dont know, coyld be anything. Then, if the roots are dead/rotten/in bad shape, but some of it is salvageable I would repot it to a smaller pot (as the root system isnt as big it wont need that much space or water as it would cause more damage), if they are rotten maybe putting them into oxygen water but Ill just tell you more about this if it ends up being this! If theres no roots anymore when you check, I would just chop the plant cutting it in pieces with at least one node each and then propagate.
If you check and the roots are good, I would maybe prune the dying leaves to save energy and give it some stable conditions as to not stress it at all, maybe even bring it inside in front of a window without direct light and trying increasing the humidity. Have in mind that all of this will make it less necessary for you to water as much, as the soil will dry slowlier due to the humidity and the plant not having leaves to photosynthesize and will spend less energy. If after this the plant is still not recovering, then I would still chop it off and propagate in order to save some of it.
In either of these cases, I would apply some pest control just in case, either neem oil, potasic soap or other ecologic and safe method for the plant. If you are going to check the roots you should also see if theres damage caused by some particular pest, and if so, take the measures according to whats happening to it. But even if not, the soap or some oil should be used to clean it to avoid any risk.
The good thing is it has maaany aerial roots, so in case of propagating and chopping it off, those could go in water/soil directly and be used as normal roots once they acclimate. You can also do this with some of the lower ones even if you dont chop it, just to give it more roots to absorb nutrients.
The only other thing I can think about is if it already has any pest, or scale as you mentioned, which you should check, theres a lot of resources online for identifying them. This could also be some fungus or other illnes which I dont know much about so if you notice anything particular in this regard you should post about ir specifically so someone can tell you about it.
I really hope it goes well and you can save at least some of it!!
I’m skeptical the water from the roots actually in the soil is reaching the leaves. The stems look withered and brown down the bottom.
As others have said, chop and propagate.
I genuinely don’t think the roots in the soil are even alive anymore, I think it’s surviving on its aerial roots. Chop and prop it.
Everyone is saying chop and prop, but I think you could also coil all of the bottom stem and aerial roots into soil. She’ll grow more roots along the nodes. Seems like a safer bet than chopping since this plant has emotional significance for you.
Incidentally, I can’t speak for your grandma, but I bet the thing she really would like to pass along to you is just a love for plants. If my kids kill every plant I leave them but somehow the joy of the hobby rubs off, that would make me very happy 🙂
Others have given you good advice but I would add to watch the kill this plant channel on YouTube for lots of great monstera advice.
Pot’s too big. Repot it into a smaller pot and give it a good drink, some fertilizer and some dappled sunlight
I’d not chop and prop this… the leaves are dying. They’ll die faster if cut.
I’d take a look at the roots and swap the soil for an aroid mix.