I was just gifted a Monstera! š Iāve been wanting one for a while. She came in a self-watering pot, so I was curious how that might work out with it? I have read that chunky mix, grow pole, dust the leaves, keep in bright indirect light, donāt repot often. Am I missing anything? Or any more advice you guys have?? I want to keep her around!! Much appreciated friends! š«¶š»
Herman seems happy since I got him 4 months ago in the same self watering pot and soil (will be changed after this season). Excited for this newest leaf!š
what Iāve learned is donāt keep moving her around either, sheāll twist. Keep her facing one way with aerial roots at the moss pole or whatever youre using and also using a pole from the get go, donāt wait til its all over the place š
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Self-watering is a little tricky since the thai roots are more sensitive to excess moisture but it is manageable. - If the soil it came in is really dense, it would be better to change it out and check the roots after it aclimates to your home a bit. Repot it in the same pot or a pot that fits its roots. Their roots like to be snug in their pots so will usually focus on growing roots to fill up the pot first before growing leaves if there is space but too much space and wet soil that the roots canāt drink up can increase the risk of rot and attract pest. - When you do repot it, water it from the top afterwards to settle the soil and for the next watering before using the self watering set up. Always wait for ~top half of soil (and water reservoir) to dry up before watering/filling the water reservoir. With self-watering, water from the top every month (4-6wks) will flush out the build up minerals and salt from the water or fertilizer
2 likes Bravo!!!š Everything I kinda knew, but so helpful to have it confirmed!!! Herman and I thank you!š (is rotating him, to encourage new leaf growth direction, fine? I donāt want home reaching too far one way or otherā¦)
1 like If you want new leaves to grow in different directions you can rotate it but itās not encourage to do so because it can get really messy. The new leaf petioles and the stem can grow twisted towards the direction of the light + aerial roots growing out in different directions make it hard to stake something to support it. Monstera leaves can get really big and heavy so they like to climb or latch on to something with their aerial roots to support itself. Itās easier when they have a distinct front and back where their leaves all face front towards the light acting like solar panels and the aerial roots can attach to the support in back. But if you really want a monstera facing all directions, you can also plant multiples of them with the backs touching a pole in the center and give it a 360 light source. Or I believe you can stake a round moss pole in the center of the pot, attach the back of the plant to it, and then only make small rotations in one direction (like clockwise) when you see a new leaf is spiking out then loosely secure the young stem (not petiole) to the poll so it guides it to kinda harden slightly towards that direction. I havenāt tried it so itās just a theory that it might eventually surround the poll in a spiral staircase way.
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