I recently decided to start learning more about botany and collecting rare plants that I can propagate and trade with collectors in the future. My first addition is what I believe to be a Monstera Deliciosa Aurea. I looked all around town for an interesting plant with some kind of cool variegation and came across a little plant shop that had this. I looked up a few questions to ask the seller since I’m not too experienced. He told me they don’t do tissue culture and that its from a stable mother.
I don’t really know enough to know if I have something unique or if I got fooled.
Could somebody take a look at the photo and let me know if it’s a good specimen/ what I should be aware of when making buying decisions? Thank you so much!
by Magus_Supreme
10 Comments
looks like a monstera aurea to me!!
Aurea and beautifully variegated.
You have a Monstera Aurea. They actually do tissue culture them. Keep it in a very chunky soil mix. It’s a beautiful plant. Enjoy!
It’s probably a Yellow Marilyn (Monstera Deliciosa).
Large form Monstera. It’s in large scale tissue culture so if you wait longer prices will continue to go down.
Its a large form aurea aka yellow marilyn.
Aurea with a half moon leaf 👏
Plant!
Definitely an aurea! I would say it’s most likely a small form (longer internodes). The large form monsteras are more compact, cost a bit more, and are less common.
When looking for variegated plants, you want to look at the stem. A highly variegated stem produces more variegated leaves. This plant appears to have a beautiful sectoral variegated stem. The most recent leaf popped right on the color divide, giving that half moon leaf.
I couldn’t find an aurea in person, and bought one online. Their level of rarity just depends on your access to them. I bought a two leaf cutting for $45. I’ve seen better deals since then and more expensive offerings too. The value of a plant is what you are willing to pay for it!
There are always people who say wait because everything will get tissue cultured eventually. I’m a firm believer that if you want a plant, spend the time to research pricing in detail, so you can find a good deal.
I also personally prefer cuttings over tissue cultures. There are a lot of TC scams out there. Unless you know a seller who has a relationship with a reputable lab or did the TC themselves, you just can’t be sure. Juvenile plants can look very similar, and variegation may not be as stable from TC. It just isn’t worth the risk to me.
Aurea certainly, probably not large form.
As all the other comments say you were not scammed! You did great, that monstera is a beauty, congrats!!
I wanted to add some quick tips for “rare plant” searching as you requested:
1. Shop around and be patient if you have an item on your list. Just like anything else some stuff is super overpriced and others is way too cheap and the more you shop around the better you understand the typical “ranges.”
2. As someone else said getting cuttings is better than tissue cultures. They mentioned because of the scams but another reason is you can ask for (and I HIGHLY recommend asking), a photo of the mother plant. That photo will show you how stable the variegation is, if they cut it up to sell because it reverted or if it was legging, etc.
3. For Albo & some pink variegations only (If you know this already so sorry BUT it is super important): If the plant has too many all white/pink or mostly white/pink leaves this is BAD. The plant will not be able to survive because that area isn’t producing chlorophyll. So, don’t get a pure white cutting and if the plant starts putting out a majority of white variegation as it gets larger, it might be worth trimming back. I have noticed some plant shops selling dangerously white/ pink plants. If you find a reputable place they wouldn’t be doing that but just keep it in mind.
4. If you order plants online, expect some damage no matter how short the shipment is. Usually this is minimal if they do a good job but plants aren’t meant to be in a box lol and some are just delicate.
I hope at least one thing here was something you haven’t already read or heard and helps you out. Good luck!!