Monstera flower - what a plant and a leaf looks like
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Monstera is a deciduous plant from the Aroid genus. It got its name from the word "Monstrum", which means "monster". Gardeners emphasize that the flower has a monstrous beauty. Plants are considered perennial, have vines with large stems, very thick petals and one single flower, which is similar to corn in its shape under a white robe. When the flower is fully ripe, 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 possible problems that novice growers may encounter.
Monstera flower: all about the liana
Monstera grows in the tropics of Mexico and Brazil. In the 18th century. it was brought to Southeast Asia, where the plant took root very well. In its natural habitat, monstera is a large evergreen vine with large carved leaves that fall down like a large fan.
The appearance of a houseplant monstera
In an apartment, an attractive monster is usually grown, it is not poisonous and does not affect human health, unlike those that grow in the wild. The plant can be propagated both by cuttings and by seeds.
It is a plant from the genus of large tropical lianas with cut-through leaves on the stems alternately, of the Araceae family. The place of active growth is located at the top of the shoot.
In general, the plants are very easy to care for and easy to grow, which is why these evergreen exotic flowers with beautifully cut marsh green thick leaves of various shapes have become popular indoor and office plants.
What does a monstera leaf look like?
The monstera plant looks like a perennial herbaceous vine, with large stems and very wide leaves, on which cuts form as they grow. Young leaves grow intact, over the years holes form on them, and by an older age they are completely dotted with them. At home, the leaves of the plant grow on average about 35 cm in length, but sometimes they are much larger.
How monstera blooms
At home, monstera blooms annually. It can form edible medium-sized berries that taste and smell like pineapple. The flowers of the plant are very beautiful and are similar to yellowish cobs, wrapped in a dense white blanket. Inflorescences are most often formed at the base of the flower.
Flowering process
What does a flower look like
The monstera flower looks like a large white, thick bud, with a corn-like ear in the center. When the white petal wilts, this ear becomes greenish in color. This suggests that it is ripe, which means you can safely taste it.
How fast it grows
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 a plant, you need a minimum stock of simple knowledge.
What he loves
For a plant, the rule of the golden mean must be observed: it is forbidden to keep it in very dark places, but direct sunlight throughout the day will be unpleasant for the monster. Very bright but diffused sunlight works well enough.
The leaves grow large and amazing, as if cut through. If the sun is not enough, then they grow small, remain smooth without holes and cuts. Growth and development is slowing down. Under too strong light, the leaves begin to fade and become covered with yellow specks. Also, the flower does not like a change in the light and the place of its position.
In winter, caring for the plant mainly consists in additional lighting due to the short daylight hours, otherwise the flower will stop growing and developing. There are important nuances when choosing a location. If the plant is placed near the windows, after a while only individual parts of the outside-window view will be visible, since the foliage will grow so that it covers the main part of it.
Popular types
In Russia, the following varieties are in greatest demand:
Monstera Karstenianum
A species from the genus Aroid. It grows in Eastern India and South America. Karstenianum is an amazing evergreen plant that also belongs to lianas.
Fetus
This type 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 they become completely cut.
The flower is completely unpretentious to care for and grows quickly, after 4 years it will take up half of the room. Therefore, Karstenianum would be better suited for planting in offices or other large premises such as corridors or hallways. When the plant is old enough, it needs additional support. The best thing is a wooden stick sheathed with coconut fiber.
It is undesirable to put this flower on the aisle, since giant leaves can be damaged or torn when touched. The plant also does not like the cold wind, from which the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off.
Oblique
This variety grows mainly in the tropical rainforest zone of Brazil and Guatemala. This creeping vine with elliptical 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, its width is no more than 6 cm. It is because of this unevenness and crescent-shaped appearance that the Oblique received a different name - oblique. It is also called Monstera Alba.
Elongated cuts of various diameters extend in rows from the midpoint of the leaf. Reproduction takes place mainly by cuttings.
Decoys
Beautiful, small and one of the rare varieties of monstera. The size of the leaves of an adult plant is approximately 15 cm. The foliage of Monstera Monkey is distinguished by lace. Indeed, the holes in it look like fishnet linen.
Perforated
It lives in the tropical zone from Costa Rica to Brazil. It can reach heights up to 9 m, which is quite a lot. Its leaves are oval, thick, long with many holes on the entire surface. It does not bloom in apartment conditions. The inflorescence, as well as on the Thompson's monster, has a light yellow color.
Why doesn't monstera have carved leaves?
If there are no cuts and holes on a young flower, this phenomenon is characterized by botanical factors. Over the years, the appearance of the foliage changes and quickly takes on its own form.
Oblique
If the petals are very small, growth has slowed down, then you need to pay attention to the lighting mode. Very often, when a plant does not have enough light, liquid, or is often rearranged, it gets sick and stops developing.
It must be remembered that in the summer, the monstera needs watering every other day and daily wiping of the foliage. You also need to give the flower a sufficient amount of light, otherwise it will stop growing and then simply wither away. You also need to keep in mind some problems with this plant:
- if the flower has little light, then growth slows down, and the trunk becomes bare;
- if brown plaques have formed 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;
- also yellowing and death can occur due to too wet soil;
- if the air in the room is very dry, then a dry crust will appear on the sheets;
- if there is a lot of sun, then the sheets may get burned, 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" (drops of liquid are formed on them), but the appearance of drops is possible even before the rain;
- if you do not give the right amount of dressings, the leaves will not cut through, gardeners recommend using dressing from the "Flower Garden" company;
- over the years, the lower leaves of the flower always fall off. But, if before the process of falling off, the leaves became dry and dark, then the problem is in a very high air temperature;
- old flowers form many aerial roots. It is not necessary to remove them, it is advisable to direct them into the ground, into a container of water or a tub. These roots improve plant nutrition;
- monstera can die from aphids, spider mites, scale insects.
But, if there is a space constraint, then it is better to buy dwarf monstera varieties. The secret of the flower's success is in a large amount of light, mineral fertilizers, as well as in daily wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. This must be done to make the plant feel like it is in a tropical area where it often rains. You need to remember about transplanting the plant annually into a larger pot than the old one, so that the roots are free and comfortable in it. Before you get yourself such a flower, you need to find out as much information as possible about it and read the reviews of florists.
