Monstera - home care

A visitor from the hot and humid rainforests, whose name translates as "strange" or "surprising", the monster quite successfully blended into the interior of our homes. But how else, because the representative appearance of this lush green beauty makes her a welcome guest both in an ordinary apartment, and in any office . About how to care for the indoor flower with the sonorous name of the monster, we'll talk today.

Monstera - the basic rules of care at home

To ensure that the monster feels comfortable, in the care of her must adhere to the following rules:

1. Provide proper drinking regime. For normal activity during periods of active growth (in spring and summer) monster needs a lot of liquid. Therefore, at this time, it should be watered often and abundantly, using for this purpose a water that has been kept for several days. With the advent of autumn, the number and volume of irrigation should be reduced. And in winter, the monster should be watered only after the soil in the pot has dried to a depth of 5 cm. At the same time, periodic irrigation with soft water from the spray will go to the monster for both winter and summer.
2. Find a suitable place for illumination. Monstera belongs to those fastidious plants, which react quite painfully to any movement from place to place. Therefore, the place for it should be thought out in advance, considering all its "whims". It should be remembered that direct sunlight and bright lighting for monsters are absolutely unacceptable. To the shadow, she is calm, and the best lighting option for her will be diffused light or light penumbra. It is best to put it at the western or eastern window so that from all sides there is enough space for its growth.
3. Maintain the optimum temperature. Most actively grows monsters at a temperature of +23 ... +25 degrees Celsius. In winter, in order to ensure a rest period, the room temperature should be lowered to +16 ... + 19 degrees.
4. Periodically transplant. While size allows, young bushes monsters are transplanted annually. In the future, the soil is renewed in the pot at intervals of once every three to four years. Transplanting old and large-sized monsters is usually not practiced, preferring to grow this plant anew from the apical shoots.

Reproduction of monsters

Like many other types of indoor plants, the reproduction of monsters is usually produced by apical cuttings. But for a change, you can try other ways to multiply the monster, for example, shoots or air cuttings. In the classical case, the process of reproduction of monsters looks like this: the plant cuts the tip with 3-4 large leaves and placed in a container of water, propping it for stability. Left in this condition until the end of summer, the monster will actively begin to grow: to release roots and new leaves. To accelerate this process, a container with water should be washed (every 2-3 weeks) periodically, water is changed and a weak solution of fertilizers is added. Once the entire container is filled with roots, the monster can be identified for a new location. A pot for planting should be chosen such that its size is slightly larger than the volume of the root system of the appendage. Ground for the monster will need a loose and nutritious, for example, a mixture of sand and peat land.

Difficulties in growing monsters

With all the rules of care for the monster will actively grow and delight the eye with beautiful carved leaves. Any violation of the conditions of the first thing will affect the decorativeness. For example, drying and active falling of leaves testifies that the green beauty does not have enough moisture or light.