Can Monstera be grown in water? Here is the latest answer
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is an evergreen climbing plant of the genus Monstera in the family Araceae. It is extremely shade-tolerant and prefers warm, humid environments. It dislikes direct sunlight and is not cold-tolerant. It gets its name because its leaves are strangely shaped, with holes and cracks, closely resembling a turtle shell. It is widely cultivated indoors for decoration and ornamental purposes. Now let us take a look at whether Monstera can be grown in water!
Can Monstera be grown in water?
Monstera can be grown in water. Monstera is native to the tropical rainforests of Mexico. It is very easy to grow. It prefers warm and humid environments, and must never be exposed to strong sunlight or dry conditions. It is shade-tolerant and grows easily in fertile, loose, slightly acidic loam with high water absorption and good water retention. Leaf mold or peat soil is best, and it can also be grown in water.
Water culture method for Monstera
1. Plant preparation: For water culture of Monstera, choose a small soil-grown plant. Take the Monstera out of the soil, wash the roots clean, and try not to damage the roots. Then cut off all the surrounding fibrous roots (do not cut the central main root). Remember to soak the Monstera roots in a very dilute potassium permanganate solution for about 10 minutes.
2. Water culture method: After the Monstera plant has been prepared, take a glass container and add an appropriate amount of clean water so that two-thirds of the Monstera roots are immersed in water and the remaining roots are exposed to the air. Check the root condition from time to time. If everything is normal, change the water once a week until the Monstera roots grow a sufficient amount of water roots, and the water culture of Monstera is successful. After that, replace the water culture medium with nutrient solution and carry out normal care.
Water culture management for Monstera
1. Water management: Water-cultured Monstera likes moisture and needs sufficient water during the growing period. When the weather is dry, water must also be sprayed on the leaves to keep the air humid, so as to benefit branch and leaf growth and keep the leaves bright.
2. Light management: Water-cultured Monstera should be placed in a place with ample indoor diffused light. If it is kept in too dark a place for a long time, artificial supplemental light can be used, or it can be kept in a place with suitable light for a period of time at intervals. In winter, place water-cultured Monstera in a sunny and warm place, and avoid cold wind. In hot summer, the ambient temperature for water-cultured plants should be <28°C, and it is best placed in an air-conditioned room.
3. Disease control: Because Monstera leaves are relatively large, heavy containers should be used for water culture to prevent them from tipping over. Brown spot disease sometimes occurs on the leaves, and thiophanate or carbendazim and the like must be sprayed promptly for control to prevent the disease from spreading.
4. Water changing and cleaning: Change the water and clean the container regularly to reduce bacteria in the water competing with the roots for dissolved oxygen, and increase dissolved oxygen in the water as much as possible. In winter, replace with fresh nutrient solution regularly every week; in hot summer, replace the nutrient solution every day, and at the same time lower the salt concentration of the nutrient solution. At the same time, frequently shake the water-culture plant bottle, which can increase the dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution.