So I have a gorgeous Monstera Aurea which is my pride and joy. It reached the top of the pole and I was holding off on doing a chop and extend until we started coming into spring down here in the southern hemisphere.
This girl is an overachiever and has been growing slower but steadily through winter. I was probably 3 weeks away from doing the chop when she decided to throw another leaf so I've been waiting for it to harden off before I chop her.
In the meantime these roots have gotten so long that I have no idea how to get them into a filled pole without damaging them. Even if I can, the length will mean I won't be able to place the pole hard against the edge of the pot.
I see three options:
- Take a top cut off the pole and restart with those roots below the soil level and dealing with the setback in leaf size as it reroots.
- Take the top 20cm of pole (my original plan) and try to jimmy them into an extension without damaging them.
- Chop them either partially or completely so that I can strap the vine to the pole and put the pole hard against the back edge of the pot.
Thoughts?
by wonderingmystic
4 Comments
In their natural habitat, after the roots hit or grab the tree, most of those then reroot into the soil. They don’t remain aerial if that makes sense.
I would extend the pole and push the aerial roots either to its side or try to include them into the pole if they are shorter and full the pole with moss after. Those you pushed to the side of the pole will find their way into the pole or pot eventually. And try to stay on top with extending or chop and extends đ nice monsters !!
I see the easiest solution being cutting each of the aerial roots to half length. They should easily fit into a pole then and will root quickly in the moss. I have cut a few aerial roots from different plants in the past and itâs never harmed the plant
This is why you extend the pole before the plant grows off it