Monstera is a deciduous plant from the Aroid family. It got its name from the word "Monstrum", which means "monster" in translation. Gardeners emphasize that the flower has a monstrous beauty. Plants are considered perennial, have creepers with large stems, very thick petals and one single flower that looks like corn in shape under a white robe. When the flower fully ripens, an edible berry grows on it. This article describes how to properly care for a monster, which varieties and types of plants are the most popular today, and also describes the possible problems that beginner flower growers may encounter.
Monstera Flower: All About Liana
Monstera grows in the tropics of Mexico and Brazil. In the 18th century he was brought to Southeast Asia, where the plant took root very well. In the natural habitat of a monstera, it is a large evergreen vine with large carved leaves that fall down, as if a large fan.
The appearance of a monstera houseplant
In apartment conditions, an attractive monstera is usually grown, it is not toxic and does not affect human health, unlike those that grow in the wild. The plant can be propagated by both cuttings and seeds.
This plant is from the genus of large tropical vines with cut leaves, located on the stems in turn, of the Araceae family. The place of active growth is located on the top of the shoot.
In general, the plants are very easy to care for, growing them is quite easy, which is why these evergreen exotic flowers with beautifully cut swamp green thick leaves of various shapes have become popular indoor and office plants.
Important! But you must remember that even in room conditions, these flowers grow several meters, so it is advisable to plant them in cool and spacious houses, corridors and halls. Can be used for shading (like climbing flowers) and for trellis.
What does a monstera sheet look like?
The monstera plant has the appearance of a perennial herbaceous liana, with large stems and very wide leaves, on which cuts form as they grow. Young leaves grow whole, over the years holes form on them, and to an older age they are completely mottled with them. At home, the leaves of the plant grow on average about 35 cm in length, but sometimes they are much larger.
How blooms monstera
At home, the flowering of monstera takes place annually. It can form edible middle berries that taste and smell like pineapple. The flowers of the plant are very beautiful and similar to yellowish ears, wrapped in a dense white blanket. Inflorescences are most often formed at the base of the flower.
For your information! Some varieties generally cannot bloom at home.
Flowering process
What does a flower look like
The monstera flower looks like a big white thick bud, in the center of it there is an ear of corn-like corn. When the white petal fades, this ear becomes a greenish color. This suggests that he has matured, which means that you can safely taste it.
Note! The fruits of the flower are dense and taste sweet, most importantly, before use, do not forget to peel them like a banana.
How fast growing
The flower grows quite actively. After planting a young monstera in a small container, after about a few years, you need to think about re-transplanting into a large pot. Under comfortable conditions, a plant can grow up to 5 m in height over 6 years of its existence. To care for the plant, you need a minimum supply of simple knowledge.
What love
For the plant, you must follow the rule of the golden mean: it is forbidden to keep it in very dark places, but direct sunlight will be unpleasant to the monster for a whole day. Very bright, but diffused sunlight is good enough.
The leaves grow large and surprising, as if cut. If the sun is not enough, then they grow small, remain smooth without holes and cuts. Growth and development slows down. Under too much light, the leaves begin to fade and become yellow specks. Also, the flower does not like a change in the light and place of its position.
In winter, caring for the plant mainly consists in additional lighting due to the short daylight, otherwise the flower will cease to grow and develop. There are important nuances when choosing a location. If the plant is placed near the windows, after some time only certain parts of the window-shaped species will be visible, since the foliage will grow so that it closes the main part.
Note! Therefore, the best option for him is to put a pot near the wall at a distance of one meter from the window, and where the shadow falls on the plant, add artificial light from the lamps.
Popular views
In Russia, the following varieties are most in demand:
Monstera Karstenianum
View from the genus Aroid. It grows in East India and South America. Carstenianum is an amazing evergreen that also belongs to vines.
Fetus
This species is the most popular among indoor flowers. Young leaves are smooth, but after about a year holes begin to appear, and over the next few years become completely cut.
The flower is very unpretentious in care and grows quickly, after 4 years it will occupy half the room. Therefore, Carstenianum would be better suited for planting in offices or other large premises such as corridors or halls. When the plant is already old enough, it needs additional support. The best thing is a wooden stick lined with coconut fiber.
Note! Many aerial roots also need to be tied, sent to the soil or to a stick, but not cut off.
In the aisle, it is undesirable to put this flower, since giant leaves can be damaged or torn when touched. The plant also does not like the cold wind, from it the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall.
Face
This variety grows mainly in the tropical rainforests of Brazil and Guatemala. This creeping vine with ellipse-shaped leaves pointed at the tips makes a huge impression not only on flower growers, but also on ordinary people. Its foliage is about 25 cm long and no more than 6 cm wide. It is because of this unequal-looking and sickle-shaped appearance that Oblikva received another name - oblique. She is also called as Monstera Alba.
From the midpoint of the sheet, oblong cuts of various diameters extend in rows. Reproduction takes place mainly by cuttings.
Manki
Beautiful, small and one of the rare varieties of monstera. The size of the leaves of an adult plant is about 15 cm. The foliage of Monstera Monkey is different in lace. Indeed, the holes in it look like openwork underwear.
Perforated
It lives in the tropical zone from Costa Rica to Brazil. It can reach a height of up to 9 m, which is quite a lot. Its leaves are oval, thick, long with many holes on the entire surface. In apartment conditions does not bloom. The inflorescence, as well as on Thompson's monster, has a light yellow color.
Why the monstera does not have carved leaves
If there are no slots and holes on a young flower, this phenomenon is characterized by botanical factors. Over the years, the type of foliage changes and quickly takes on its own appearance.
Face
If the petals are very small, the growth has slowed, then you need to pay attention to the lighting mode. Very often, when a plant lacks light, fluids, or is often rearranged, it becomes ill and stops developing.
Important! Never tear the leaves of a plant yourself.
It must be remembered that in the summer, the monster needs watering every other day and daily rubbing of the foliage. You also need to give the flower a sufficient amount of light, otherwise it will stop growing, and then simply wither. You also need to remember some problems with this plant:
- if the flower has little light, then growth slows down, and the trunk becomes bare;
- if brown plaques form on the leaves of the flower, then they are caused by a white spider mite;
- the plant may turn yellow from a lack of fertilizers and minerals;
- yellowing and death may also occur due to too wet soil;
- if the room is very dry air, then a dry crust will appear on the sheets;
- if there is a lot of sun, then the sheets can get burns, and also turn pale;
- with too little light, the leaves will be very small and pale, the stem of the plant will begin to curl;
- with waterlogged soil, the leaves of the flower “cry” (liquid droplets form on them), but the appearance of drops is also possible before the rain;
- if you don’t give the right amount of fertilizing, then the leaves will not cut through, gardeners recommend using fertilizing from the Flower Garden company;
- over the years, the lower leaves of the flower always fall. But, if before the falling process, the leaves became dry and dark, then the problem is a very high air temperature;
- old flowers form many aerial roots. You do not need to remove them, it is advisable to send them to the ground, to a container of water or a tub. These roots improve plant nutrition;
- Monstera can die from aphids, spider mites, and insects.
Note! Monstera rightfully bears the name of the most amazing exotic plant. With proper care, it can amaze with its size.
But, if there is a limitation in space, then it is better to buy dwarf varieties of monstera. The secret to flower success is a large amount of light, mineral fertilizers, as well as daily wiping with a damp rag of leaves. This must be done so that the plant feels like in a tropical zone, where it often rains. You need to remember about the annual transplant of the plant into a larger pot than the old one, so that the roots are free and comfortable in it. Before you make yourself such a flower, you need to find out as much information as possible about it and read the reviews of flower growers.
