How to prune Monstera deliciosa? A detailed guide to the latest pruning methods
Monstera deliciosa is also known as Penglai banana, iron wire orchid, perforated Philodendron, Monstera banana, etc. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Mexico, likes warm and humid environments, avoids direct sunlight, and is not cold-tolerant. In northern China it is grown as an indoor potted plant. It is a very popular foliage plant with a unique and beautiful leaf shape, suitable for placement in the home to beautify and decorate the home environment. Now let us take a look at the pruning methods for Monstera deliciosa!
Pruning methods for Monstera deliciosa
When the stem nodes and leaves of Monstera deliciosa grow too densely and the branches and vines grow too fast, pay attention to pruning the whole plant, striving for a natural and beautiful appearance. Use a sharp blade to cut it off 2-3 cm from the base; do not use scissors, as the cut will cause the wound to become a squeezed, water-soaked condition and make the wound difficult to heal. Usually Monstera deliciosa should not be pruned, because it has only one growing point, unless the main stem has grown to about 3 cm thick and buds have formed on the stem, only then is pruning possible. Even if there are new branches, the original ones are gone. If you want to grow a large pot, there is only one way: grow three to four plants in one pot, and when they grow well they will look lush and vigorous.
Propagation methods for Monstera deliciosa
1. Division propagation: carried out in summer and autumn. Cut off an entire section of a side branch of a large Monstera deliciosa, with some aerial roots, and plant it directly in a wooden tub or pot. It not only has a high survival rate but also forms quickly. It is one of the most commonly used and simplest methods of Monstera deliciosa propagation today.
2. Cutting propagation: Monstera deliciosa can be propagated by stem node cuttings in both spring and autumn, with cuttings in April-May of spring and September-October of autumn giving the best results. This is because the temperature during these periods is suitable for the cut stem nodes to heal and take root, and they survive quickly. Select current-year side branches with full stem tissue and robust growth for the cuttings. The cuttings should be 20-25 cm long, and the leaves at the base should be cut off. Keep the small leaves at the upper end, cut off the long aerial roots, and keep the short aerial roots to absorb water and help rooting. Use a mixed substrate of coarse sand and peat or leaf mold for the cutting bed. After insertion, maintain 25-27°C and relatively high air humidity. Rooting begins only about 1 month after insertion. After the cuttings take root, the axillary buds on the stem nodes also begin to sprout and unfold leaves. To accelerate seedling growth, keep the room temperature above 10°C and strengthen fertilizer and water management. In the second year after insertion, the seedlings are formed and can be sold as commercial products.
3. Seed propagation: Sowing seeds is also a relatively commonly used propagation method for Monstera deliciosa, but compared with the previous two it is used less often. Monstera deliciosa blooms in summer. To increase the seed setting rate, artificial pollination is needed, and pollination at 9-10 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. twice is best, with a high success rate. From pollination to seed maturity takes 15 months. During the seed development stage, pay attention to ventilation and fertilizer and water management to promote full and plump seeds. Before sowing, first soak the seeds in 40°C warm water for 10 hours. The sowing soil should be sterilized at high temperature. Monstera deliciosa seeds are relatively large, so dibbling can be used. After sowing, maintain the room temperature at 20-25°C, cover the box opening with plastic film, and maintain humidity above 80%. Generally, they germinate 20-25 days after sowing. If the room temperature is too low during the sowing process, it will not only affect emergence but may even cause the seeds to become water-soaked and rot.
Growing methods for Monstera deliciosa
1. Light: Monstera deliciosa likes warm and humid environments, avoids drought, and fears direct sunlight, otherwise it easily causes leaf blight. In summer, place Monstera deliciosa indoors or under a shade shed; it must not be placed on a balcony with excessively strong sunlight and exposed to the sun, as this can easily cause it to wither and die. When the winter temperature drops to 6°C, move Monstera deliciosa indoors to keep it warm.
2. Watering: Monstera deliciosa needs sufficient moisture, and the potting soil must always be kept moist. During the summer growing period, water once in the morning and once in the evening, and also sprinkle water on the leaf surface frequently to keep the leaves bright and the air humid. In winter, water evaporates slowly, so water once every 3-4 days; for routine watering, once a day is sufficient.
3. Fertilizing: Monstera deliciosa is a plant that relatively likes fertilizer, so pay attention to fertilizing it appropriately. During the growth period of Monstera deliciosa, apply thin cake fertilizer water once every half month. With sufficient and appropriate fertilizing, Monstera deliciosa will grow with pleasing leaf color.
4. Pests and diseases: Monstera deliciosa is very prone to damage by scale insects, and the stems and leaves are most easily attacked by scale insects. They can be cleaned with an old toothbrush and then sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate. Common diseases of Monstera deliciosa include leaf spot, gray spot, and stem blight, and timely prevention and control should be carried out.
5. Repotting: Potted Monstera deliciosa needs to be repotted once a year, and the best time for repotting is between March and April. When repotting, remove the old soil, cut off the dead roots of Monstera deliciosa, and then add decomposed organic fertilizer or phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to the pot as a base fertilizer.