I’ve been so reluctant to chop my monsteras latest leaf because it is so beautiful, but it has been battling thrips (since the leaf first unfurled) none of the other leaves have thrips, but at this point I’m checking the new leaf daily and there’s more thrips. I’m thinking I should just chop this leaf but will my plant grow normally after? The petitole has browned on the new leaf so I feel like the thrips have gotten to that too.
by Bananafoam12
2 Comments
Chopping it doesn’t sound like a bad idea
Check the petioles and the cracks, they love hiding in these spots as well. If you are seeing new adult thrips, just chopping the newest leaf won’t do much as they already gone through pupae stage (soil) and might be more.
Plant will grow normally again if you just chopping the leaf but keep the petiole. But usually that won’t do much than slow them down. You have to actively deal with them as they are already everywhere. I would also check neighboring plants and ideally separate the infestated plants.
If you are certain they are only on monstera, unless if holds a sentimental value i would either repot and chop it back to the base and restart, or just get a new one.its just not worth all the trouble unless you can give it systemic treatment (banned in EU).