How to Grow and Care for Monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa (scientific name: Monstera deliciosa Liebm.), also known as Mexican breadfruit and wire vine, is a climbing shrub. Native to Mexico, it is grown outdoors in Fujian, Guangdong and Yunnan in China, and mostly cultivated in greenhouses in Beijing, Hubei and other places. It is widely introduced and cultivated for ornamental purposes in various tropical regions. The fruit cluster is tasty and edible, but often has a numbing taste. The stem is green, thick and sturdy, with pale white half-moon-shaped leaf scars, 3-6 m long, 6 cm thick, with internodes 6-7 cm long, and bears aerial roots. The leaf surface is shiny and light green, while the underside is greenish-white. The berry is pale yellow; the flowering period is August-September, and the fruit ripens after the flowering period of a different year. The stem is green, thick and sturdy, with pale white half-moon-shaped leaf scars extending in a ring, 3-6 m long, 6 cm thick, with internodes 6-7 cm long. The plant bears aerial roots. The berry is pale yellow
Growing Methods
1. Seed preparation
Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 40°C for 10 hours; the sowing soil should be sterilized at high temperature.
2. Sowing
Monstera deliciosa seeds are relatively large, so dibbling can be used. After sowing, keep the room temperature at 20-25°C, cover the box opening with plastic film, and maintain humidity above 80%. After sowing, germination generally takes 20-25 days. If the room temperature is too low during sowing, it will not only affect seedling emergence but may even cause the seeds to become water-soaked and rot.
3. Stem cuttings
Stem node cuttings can be taken in both spring and autumn, with April-May in spring and September-October in autumn giving the best results.
Select current-year side branches with solid stem tissue and robust growth for the cuttings. The cuttings should be 20-25 cm long; remove the leaves at the base, keep the small leaves at the upper end, cut off the long aerial roots, and keep the short aerial roots to absorb water and promote rooting. For cuttings, soil, silica stone and plain sand can all be used; a half-and-half mix of peat soil and plain sand, or a half-and-half mix of leaf mold and garden soil, also works. After cutting, place them in a shaded spot, keep the potting soil moist, and mist frequently.
4. Division
Carried out in summer and autumn, cut off an entire section of a side branch from a large Monstera deliciosa, with some aerial roots attached, and plant it directly in a pot. This not only gives a fast survival rate but also achieves a formed shape quickly
Temperature
Monstera deliciosa originates from the tropical rainforests of Mexico and likes a warm environment, and it fears freezing and severe cold weather. It will not suffer cold damage above 5°C, and grows well above 12°C.
Light
Monstera deliciosa likes a warm and humid environment, fears drought, and is afraid of direct sunlight. In midsummer, the plant should be placed indoors or under a shade shed, and must not be placed on a balcony with excessively strong sunlight; otherwise, it easily causes withered leaves. Otherwise, it easily causes withered leaves. When the winter temperature drops to 6°C, it should be moved indoors for warmth. Prevent cold wind from blowing on it, otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow and fall off.
Soil
Monstera deliciosa likes fertile soil, especially fertile sandy loam. Although it can grow in poor red-yellow soil, its growth becomes weaker, its tree form becomes deformed, its leaves become smaller, and its leaf color becomes lighter, affecting the ornamental effect. For cuttings to root and for transplanting into pots, fertile pond mud or black mountain soil can be used. Because it grows rapidly, it needs repotting once a year. Repotting should be done between March and April. Switch to a pot one size larger. Put some hoof pieces, crushed bones, etc. at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer, and fill in a growing medium mixed with 1/3 leaf mold, 1/3 vegetable garden soil and 1/3 sandy soil.
Water
For daily watering, once a day is fine; in summer, once in the morning and once in the evening. In dry weather, water should be sprinkled on the leaf surface and the surrounding environment to keep the air fresh and humid and the leaves bright. In winter, water once every 3-4 days and spray the leaf surface once every 7-10 days, mainly to clean the leaves, keep the plant evergreen and fresh, and improve its ornamental value.
Fertilizer
Monstera deliciosa is relatively fond of fertilizer and should be fertilized appropriately. From April to September, apply fertilizer twice a month; for the dilute liquid fertilizer, use diluted cake fertilizer water, or fermented animal and plant manure. With sufficient fertilizer, the leaf color becomes pleasing.
Growing container
A somewhat larger flower pot, a waste wooden box, etc.
Main values
1. Ornamental: Monstera deliciosa has a graceful plant shape, peculiarly shaped leaves, and deep green, glossy leaf color, giving a good overall ornamental effect.
2. Air purification: Monstera deliciosa has the effect of absorbing carbon dioxide at night, and is very helpful for improving indoor air quality and increasing oxygen content.
3. Edible: The fruit is tasty and edible, but often has a numbing taste. After the fruit ripens, it can be used to make dishes; it has a sweet taste, and its fragrance is like pineapple or banana. But note that the fruit cannot be eaten when unripe, because it is strongly irritating. In its place of origin, residents call this fruit "the beautiful fruit bestowed by the immortals."
Precautions
1. The sap of Monstera deliciosa is toxic and has irritating and corrosive effects on the skin.
2. Eating unripe fruit will cause burns to the mouth and tongue.
Flower meaning
Health and longevity