Monsters are among the very popular ornamental plants grown indoors. Their popularity is based mainly on their beauty and unpretentiousness. Typical perforated leaves and aerial roots I like to guess everyone. Another advantage is that the Monsters grow slowly, so there is no need to change their habitat often. Stately older plants aesthetically very decorative appropriately complement the larger interior spaces. The best known and most cultivated is Monstera deliciosa.
What should you look out for when growing a Monster?
Diseases
Leaf spot
It is one of the diseases that Mostery suffers from most often. If brown watery spots form on the leaves, which enlarge quickly, the cause is excessive moisture. Monsters need to provide a drier environment. Pour the plant directly into the substrate and do not moisten the leaves. Less infested leaves should be cured in this way. Leaves that are heavily infested must be removed.
If the edges of the spots turn yellow and black spots appear on the surface of the spots, then Monstera is already attacked by fungal spores. The cause of this disease is that too heavy substrate is used for cultivation in combination with excessive irrigation of Monstery. The disease can also be transmitted from other nearby plants or infected tools.
We treat the plant by watering it less and only into the substrate. We will use a more permeable substrate with a sufficient drainage layer and a flowerpot with drain holes. We remove all infested leaves and treat the plant by repeated spraying (3-4 times) in a time interval of about 10 days.
When using a natural preparation based on grapefruit juice, users' opinions on its effectiveness differ. It is considered effective if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage and spray is applied immediately. Otherwise, the prevailing opinion is that it is very suitable as a supplement to plant nutrition. Good results in combating this disease are obtained after the use of a chemical fungicide.
Root rot
This disease is caused by fungi on the root system of the plant. Molds form quickly and easily in warm and very humid environments. In Monster , the disease manifests itself by the leaves turning yellow and the stems softening and browning. The whole plant gradually withers and may die. If we recognize the symptoms of this disease in time and react immediately in the right way, we will be able to save the plant. After removing the plant from the substrate, it is necessary to check the condition of the root system. If the roots are brown and mushy, the plant can no longer be helped and must be destroyed. However, if we find that most of the roots are stiff and white , we can start treatment. We remove diseased parts from the root system. We will also remove the infested leaves and stems. It is also necessary to remove several non-infested leaves to ensure a balance between the aboveground part and the roots. We plant the plant in a new substrate. Pour in a phenolic solution.
Pests
July
Monsters grown in too dark a place can be infested with worms. It is a small white mammal insect, which we register as white fluffy tufts on the stems and undersides of the leaves. The leaves of the infested plant wither and yellow. If the occurrence of pests was detected early, they can be removed by thoroughly wiping the infected parts with a cloth soaked in alcohol. If this does not help, or the attack is more extensive, we will use an insecticide.
Mites
If we grow Monster in an environment with too low humidity, other parasites - mites - will appear on it. Mites are not insects, but are spiders. They are very small, visible only with a magnifying glass. We first register their occurrence according to the typical cobweb on the underside of the leaves. They are red in color and feed on the suckling of plant juice, which leads to a reduction in the overall condition of the plant. Fighting mites is not easy. Mites multiply rapidly and quickly become resistant to pesticides, so it is necessary to use pesticides with different active ingredients in repeated spraying. It is important to remove and destroy the infested leaves. It is necessary to increase the humidity accordingly.
Signs of improper monster cultivation
Faded small leaves and slow growth
It is very likely that the plant has little light. The shadow doesn't suit her.
Brown edges of leaves
The cause may be very dry air. I will eliminate the problem by dewing the plant. Similar symptoms appear on the plant even if the flowerpot is too small.
There are no holes in the leaves
This is normal for young leaves. Otherwise, it may be caused by a lack of light and nutrients. For higher plants, it is necessary to push the air roots into the substrate, or make sure that they grow into a support - moss rod.
Creased edges of leaves
This indicates a lack of heat and light in winter.
Pale to yellow leaves with white spots
The most likely cause is too much light.
Falling leaves
It is normal for the lower leaves of older plants to fall off. If the leaves fall more often, the cause can be a serious problem. We watch the upper leaves. If they turn brown and dry before falling, the cause is a high temperature. Most often in winter, if the plants are placed near radiators.
Yellowing of leaves
If the leaves turn yellow and do not rot, the cause is a lack of nutrients. The leaves turn yellow, soften and rot appears - the cause is too much water.
Professional imitation plants
Monstera is one of the popular houseplants. The typical, very decorative shape of the leaves is an integral part of many residential and utility interiors . However, the need for suitable cultivation conditions still limits their use. Monstera as a professional imitation is produced in a large number of designs and sizes. Everyone interested will definitely choose their own in the range of sizes 40 - 200 cm. Very nice are the separate leaves and artificial tendrils. The Monstery hanging decorations in a moss ball are attractive. In addition to the most popular and widespread Monstery deliciosa , imitations of others, for the cultivation of more demanding species, are also produced. Using suitable materials, a wide range of artificial Monsters designed for outdoor installation is also produced. Their quality is a guarantee of long-term resistance to weather conditions.