Hi everyone! Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I have this absolute unit of a Monstera deliciosa and I’m slightly overwhelmed. Would love some collective wisdom.
The situation:
• There are two main plants growing in the same pot, both very tall and leggy
• There are also two new sprouts coming up from the soil
• The lower leaves are looking a bit sad and burnt. I suspect the soil mix isn’t ideal and the pot may be too large. Also my now grown kitten used to play with the leaves so they have small scratches here and there at the base.
• Both plants are actively pushing out new leaves pretty often, I’d say monthly, and the two soil sprouts are also leafing up. The mature leaves have developed beautiful fenestrations, but the overall shape is getting pretty unruly and I’m not sure how to manage it.
My questions:
- Should I separate the two main plants? If so, when and how?
- The leggy stems, should I do a hard chop halfway up? I’m nervous about it but they’re getting unmanageable
- What should I do with the new sprouts coming from the soil? leave them, separate?
- What soil mix do you recommend for a repot?
- Any general advice on getting the lower leaves looking healthier?
UK-based, bright indirect light near a window. Any advice appreciated! I don’t want to accidentally kill it.
The last two photos show the new sprouts, one is very young with only 2-3 leaves, while the other is more established at around 6 leaves. The two main plants each have 15+ leaves. Internode spacing is roughly 10cm at the base and tightens to around 6cm towards the top. Plant is my height so 165cm tall measured from the ground.
by DesperateCheck1901
1 Comment
Well to you questions. It‘s really up to you. They are so subjective that it’s hard to give you a good answer.
About the soil: yeah it looks a bit dense. Maybe add perlite or orchidbark to transfer to leca. Whatever suits your habit. The plant would benefit.
Is the pot too large? Hard to tell without seeing the roots. But there are 2 plants and big ones at that. So i dont think it is too large. You would have to check. It could definitely be worse.
The plant is a bit leggy but its notthe worst. The left one seems to have relatively short internodes and when looking at the fenestration she seems to get enough light.the right one is more leggy
I dont think the lower leaves look bad. A plant will some day get rid of older leaves that just normal. But they are imo quite healthy
Should you seperate them? – you can having 2 plants fight over space leads to intertwined roots and will make it harder to seperate them down the line. But at the same time. Just treat them as one plant and you should be fine.
Should you chop? – if its getting hard to manage chop it. The plant will tank the hit. Those things habe evolved to survive tropic thunderstorms. Always keep that it mind. Maybe chop it first. Let it push out a new leaf and then repot. Or the ither way around.
What to do with the new sprouts? – idk you really have to make that decision. Gift them away, seperate them, keep them in the pot or throw them away (not every plant has to be taken care of, it hurts, but you cannot have unlimited plants, i had to learn that too) it really is up to you. There is no wrong or right answer to that.
What soil to use? -. I always had issues with rotten roots. I use 33% cocofiber , 33% perilte and 33% orchid bark. I have to water multiple times a week it‘s hobestly annoying. My next report will add general potting soil. Experiment what soots your lifestyle. How mich time do you have ans how much do you want to invest. What kind of person are you. Btw the % are just an estimate i just throw stuff together. This mix works for me. But a mix of those 3 components usually works fine. Again those plants have evolved to live and adapt.
Finally About the lower leaves. I think they look fine enough.
If i may make a small final statement. You seem to overthink that a bit. Do what feels right with that plant.