How to care for a monster?

Monstera is an evergreen exotic vine of the Aroid family. The birthplace of the epiphyte is the moist tropics of South America. The plant has large leaves with cuts or whole. At the top of the shoot is a growth point.

The adnexal roots are rather long, thick and brittle. Flowers are inconspicuous, and the fruits are edible. The genus of the plant includes about 50 species and many varieties.

Types of home monsters - table

Not all types of plants are suitable for home growing, depending on the regions. Most often, 2 species are grown: oblique and lovely. You can try to contain creepers at home, presented in the table:

Variegata

Thin

Delicacy

Slanting

Borziga

Adanson

Dubia

The unpretentious nature allowed plants to decorate the rooms of houses, offices, botanical gardens. So, variegate monstera is a symbol of luxury and wealth. It should be remembered that many creepers are large and require a certain place: some species grow up to 3 meters in height.

Seasonal Monster Care - Table

Liana does not require complicated care. She needs a lot of water in the warm season, winter vacations and timely pruning.

At low temperatures in the house, watering should be sparse. Top dressing is carried out approximately once every 30 days during growth. If the plant is always in the shade, its crown shreds. At very low temperatures, the leaves may blacken, and if you add to this also abundant watering, they become sluggish. If the temperature is too high, the leaves twist, this is observed more often in winter.

The table shows the care of the plant by the seasons of the year:

Flowering monstera at home is difficult, and sometimes impossible, because she prefers to bloom in natural conditions, but if all the simple rules for avoiding it are possible, this can be achieved.

Landing, transplanting, trimming, support

When planting a plant, you need to pay attention to the soil. It should be loose, neutral. There are several mix options:

• take one part of humus, peat and sand and add 2 parts of turf;
• mix one part of the bark, leaf soil, peat, moss and ½ part of coarse sand;
• add coconut fiber or perlite to the purchased primer primer.

Young vines should be replanted annually, as they grow very quickly. The pot should be 2-3 cm larger than the old one. It is better if its height and diameter are approximately equal. In tight dishes, leaves may turn brown, thin as papyrus.

Soil, drainage material and capacity must first be sterilized. Drainage should occupy about a fifth of the volume.

The plant must be replanted carefully, together with a lump of earth. Dry damaged roots must be trimmed. They put Liana in the middle of a new container, cover it with earth and lightly tamp.

Adult vines are transplanted after two years. It will take a fairly large flowerpots. It will depend on them how large the liana will be. The new capacity should be larger than the old one so that the root system feels comfortable.

Since the plant is large enough, it is better to transplant it together. Transplant step by step.

Transplanting a very large monstera is difficult, therefore, over time, only the top old soil layer is changed with the addition of humus. If you do not want such problems, you can start a mini plant.

A young monster definitely needs support, as she curls. In addition, the liana will look more attractive. They put it in a permanent place and spray it. For an adult plant, the support can be made by yourself. Sticks with coconut fiber are not a good option, as lianas are hard to fix. To make a support, you can take a piece of plastic tubing, a length higher than the plant, and drill many slots in it. Next, install it in a pot and pour sand inward to the surface of the soil. Top you need to fill up the moss mixed with peat. The support is wrapped with wet moss, on top with a mesh with cells and fixed with a fishing line. This design also needs regular spraying. Other options are possible.

Aerial roots grow in a plant, but they cannot be removed. If the vine grows along a moss tube, then the roots themselves grow into it.

When an adult plant stops growing intensively, you can cut off its top for rejuvenation. The cut should be sprinkled with charcoal. This procedure promotes the growth of lateral shoots, the formation of the crown.

Watering, fertilizer

Caring for a liana at home is not complicated. The plant does not require frequent watering, although it is hygrophilous. The leaves of the monstera are covered with a waxy coating and evaporate little moisture. Watering is carried out after drying of the soil from above, preferably with warm water.

Young plants do not need top dressing, and adults need organic and mineral fertilizers 2 times a month in the warm seasons of the year.

Flower shops have a wide selection of fertilizers. For example, "Agricola 7", "Nitrofoska", "Lingogumat" and others. Before use, read the instructions.

Breeding

Monstera propagated by seeds, cuttings and aerial layering:

1. With seed propagation, light and heat are needed. Seeds are placed in soil or wet moss. In a month they should rise. Planting material is recommended to leave overnight in a growth stimulator.
2. When propagated by cuttings, the stem or lateral processes are planted in a pot under glass. Cuttings should be short with 1-2 leaves. Top cut at a right angle, and below - at an oblique. Plantings should be watered and sprayed as the topsoil dries. The plant takes root and is placed in a pot.
3. A layer with aerial root and a leaf is planted in a pot.

Pests, diseases, possible problems - table

Diseases and pests rarely affect the vine, but sometimes they cause her death. The plants may curl, fall, turn yellow and dry.

Benefit, harm

Various signs and legends are associated with the monster, dieffenbachia and other Aroid ones. Superstitious people relate their name to a monster, a vampire. By this they explain why it is impossible to keep a creeper at home.

In Latin America, the tropical palm tree was called the killer, because they found the remains of animals and people penetrated by its stems and roots. But in fact, the liana sprouted through already dead bodies, the destructive effect was denied.

If there are animals in the house, for example, cats or dogs, then the flower can become a little nuisance for them. There are small needle formations on the leaves. If it enters the mucous membrane, a slight burning sensation may occur, but it goes away by itself. Of course, in a child or an adult in rare cases, an allergy to the vine is possible, as well as to other plants.

It is undesirable to keep parrots in the same room with the monster. The juice of the plant can cause swelling of the mucous membrane and larynx of the bird.

Some people believe that all creepers symbolize loneliness or are energy vampires. It's a delusion.

Indoor flower is not poisonous and dangerous, brings many benefits:

• has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the premises;
• absorbs electromagnetic waves and harmful formaldehydes;
• ionizes the air.

It is believed that the liana is able to influence the intellectual abilities of a person, strengthen the immune system.

Fashionistas make tropical manicure with monstera leaves on nails. Her image is used in drawings, vectors from the leaves of different plants.

Liana does no harm, but you can not put it in the bedroom, because at night photosynthesis slows down and a lot of oxygen is absorbed.

Monstera can be bought at specialty stores or at OLH. Price from 500 rubles and more. The tropical palm tree makes the rooms cozy, creates a calm atmosphere. Provide her with good care and enjoy the rich greens.

Watch the video: Gila Monster Captive Care - Ep. 55 (May 2024).