Hello friends! I have two monstera deliciosa cuttings here that I think are about ready to be potted. It’s springtime here in Southeast Texas, so I’m planning on potting them next month when we’re closer to the official start of spring. I really really want these to succeed and not die or rot in their new living space (I received the first cutting pictured in a rotting condition because it went straight from thriving in water to the soil and the stem was so very gross) does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for potting water propagations? Should I keep the roots in water for a day but let the cut part of the stem dry out before I put it all in the soil? Please send your help!
by MotherofSpears
2 Comments
Hey, I’m in SE Texas too. I buy miracle grow as a base for the substrate I mix on my own. I [pasteurize](https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-pasteurize-medium-and-sterilize-containers-and-tools) the soil before I use it, in the oven and cover it with foil & I don’t smell anything. I do recommend getting a 4” deep aluminum pan though, bc I don’t put plant stuff in containers I use for food.
For tropicals that like chunky substrate, I use equal parts of cactus soil, perlite, and pine bark nuggets. I use cactus soil bc I live in a humid ass area and my soil will stay wet forever if I’m not proactive about root maintenance & soil drying well.
https://preview.redd.it/0ul01kq1bvjg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb84c0e599290dabd49847a8d1d63176121a7eea
Michael’s craft stores has 60% off clay pots right now, if you buy online and pick it up in the store. Get a pot that’s only 2” bigger than the root ball. After I plant it, I wait 24 hours to water just so the roots can callous a bit if I accidentally damaged them during transfer.
I never *ever* use pots without drainage & for my big tropicals, I like open bottomed plant stands without a drip tray so I can increase circulation to the bottom of the soil. When I water them, I just put a bowl/container below to catch the water that drains out. For my smaller plants, I just bottom water them for 45 minutes or so & then place them on a rack to drain for a few hours.
To prevent fungus gnats: For my watering jugs, I prefer [microbe lift](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007UTE55A?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) BTI drops over [mosquito dunks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AH849?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-mobile_k0_1_10&=&crid=338SRDF79VK7U&=&sprefix=mosquito+d) since I don’t have to worry about having to fish pieces of dunks out of my plants (it’ll mold if you leave them) & it’s easier to dose.
How long ago did you put your propagation in water? Just curious