It’s a common question among new gardeners – when exactly is the best time to plant monstera cutting? Monstera cuttings are one of the most beautiful of all houseplants, and successful growth starts with when you plant your cutting. Knowing the perfect time to get your monstera cutting rooted is essential for thriving growth. Read on to discover the best tips for when to plant monstera cuttings.
1. Preparing for a Monstera Cutting Planting
Are you preparing to plant monstera cuttings and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, with a few basic tools and critical tips, you can make sure your cutting gets the best transition from the soil to the big outdoors. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Patience
- High-quality potting soil
- Container for your cutting
- Pruning shears
- Watering can
Step 1: Choosing or Making a Potting Container Before diving in, you’ll need to find or make a potting container that can accommodate your cutting. The container should be deep enough so that half of the cutting is buried belowground, with no leaves below the soil. Once you’ve found the perfect container, fill it with your high-quality potting soil.
Step 2: Pruning the Cutting It’s time for the main event – the cutting. Before taking the plunge, though, you’ll need to prune the cutting so it’s in the best condition for rooting. Using your pruning shears, remove any soft or rotten parts of the stem. If the cutting is too long for the potting container, trim it down to size.
Step 3: Keep it Moist Tender young cuttings are extremely sensitive to dryness. Make sure your container is staying moist by watering the soil from below using a watering can. Don’t water the leaves; this can cause rot or fungal infections. Allow the water to seep into the container for a few minutes before discarding any excess.
Step 4: Final Touch Monstera cuttings don’t like too much sun, so make sure you place them in a bright but shaded spot, away from harsh midday sun. Once it’s in its new home, sit back and wait. Your cutting should start forming roots within a few weeks. Your new monstera is sure to be a show-stopper.
2. Timing Your Monstera Planting Adventure
Get the Details Ahead of Time
When it comes to monstera planting, timing is everything. Before you rush out and buy your plants, consult with a gardening expert and research the optimal planting time for your particular geographical area. Different regions can have different preferences for when to plant, and knowing the local customs can save you a great deal of trouble.
Optimal Planting Time
Typically, the best time to plant monstera in any given region is determined by a few factors:
- Climate: You should know the climate zone you live in and what plant hardiness levels are. Cold snaps and hot summers can cause quite a bit of damage to your plants if you don’t consider the local weather.
- Soil: Different monstera varieties do best in different types of soil. Find out what kind of soil is available in your area and consult with a gardening expert if you’re unsure.
Staggered Planting
In some regions, staggered planting of monstera can be beneficial. This involves planting some plants in the beginning of the summer and then planting the rest later on, when the soil has had time to warm up. This ensures that you have healthy plants throughout the year, which requires less time and energy on your part.
Consider the Lifespan
Keep in mind that monstera plants can live for a very long time, so take your timing seriously. When you select a planting date, keep in mind the lifespan of these amazing plants. Planting too late can mean missing out on years of flowers and fruit, while planting too early could result in damage due to temperature and soil fluctuations. Find the perfect time and you’ll be rewarded with a lush and vibrant garden for years to come.
3. Factors to Consider When Planting a Monstera Cutting
When planting a Monstera cutting, there are several things you should take into account to make sure it thrives. Here are some essential factors to consider.
Type of Soil. The type of soil you use is important to the success of your Monstera cutting. Choose a soil that is well-draining and nutrient-rich for optimal growth. It should also remain porous, even when wet, since Monsteras prefer soils that remain loose.
Moisture. Monsteras need a steady level of moisture, but not so much that it drowns the roots. Whenever the top two inches of soil is dry, add some extra moisture to the soil. Use a soil moisture meter if needed to check if the soil still has enough moisture for the plant.
Light. Monsteras require bright but indirect light, so the plant can remain healthy and not get scorched. Still, shade it during the strongest midday sun, and make sure to turn the plant a bit so the foliage grows a bit more evenly.
Fertilizer.Monsteras grow better if given a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month. Avoid fertilizing in winter when the plant rests, and remember to always use a diluted solution in order to not overwhelm the plant. Additionally, make sure to read the instructions for the fertilizer prior to using it.
4. Getting Ready to Place your Monstera Cutting into Soil
Now that you have your materials, it is time to prepare your Monstera cutting for its new home. There are a few steps to this process, and they will ensure your cutting takes root and thrives.
1. Prepare the soil. Start by adding your potting mix of choice to the pot. Fill it up about halfway and then water it until the soil is moist but not soggy. Don’t cover the drainage holes with soil to ensure there is no standing water. You may also want to consider adding some perlite to the pot as it helps to aerate the soil.
2. Cut off any dead or weakened parts. Before placing your cutting into its soil, take a look at it and inspect for any dead or damaged areas. Gently snip off any unwanted growth to ensure your plant has access to essential nutrients and stays healthy.
3. Dip in a rooting hormone. To further increase the success of your cutting, you may want to dip the end that will be placed in soil into a rooting powder or other sutable powder, such as cinnamon. This will help to promote root growth and should be done before burying the cutting.
4. Place your cutting into the soil. Once the cutting is ready, it’s time to place it into the soil. If the cutting has leaves, determine which way is up by looking for the growing tip. If there are no leaves, feel free to pull off the bottom leaves to help you position the cutting. Then, gently press the soil around the stem so that the cutting is secure and stable.
5. Selecting the Perfect Location for your Monstera Cutting
1. Read the Labels
When selecting a location for your Monstera cutting, reading the labels should be your first step. Not all plants thrive in the same environment, and Monstera is no exception. If you want your cutting to have the best chance of survival, reading the labels is key. The labels should tell you what type of climate and soil Monstera needs in order to reach its full potential.
2. Consider the Climate
Take the climate into consideration when picking the perfect spot for your Monstera. Generally speaking, Monstera prefers a temperature between 60°F and 90°F. They also need plenty of bright light, without any direct sun exposure. Installing a sheer curtain to filter the sun’s rays is a great way to boost your Monstera’s chances of success.
3. Choose a Location with Good Airflow
Having a location with great airflow is important for Monsteras. They cannot cope well with still air, so it’s a good idea to choose somewhere with an active ventilation system or high ceilings. In places that get quite humid, a fan is a good way to keep the air circulating around your Monstera.
4. Opt For Well-Draining Soil
Finally, be sure to select a soil for your Monstera cutting that has good drainage. Monstera needs moist soil, but not overly soaked. The best option is a specialized soil mix with peat-free compost, or a mix of 2 parts perlite, 2 parts loam, and 1 part peat.
Don’t forget that you can monitor your Monstera’s needs easily as it begins to grow, and adjust the position or soil if needed. With a bit of gardening know-how and expertise, you’ll soon be cultivating a beautiful and healthy Monstera cutting.
6. Watering and Caring for your Plant During the Establishment Stage
After planting your seedling in the soil, it’s important to tend to the water and other care needs of your plant to ensure it grows strong and healthy. Here’s what you should keep in mind during the establishment stage:
- Keep your soil evenly moist. Take the time to monitor the moisture levels of your soil; the area should be damp to the touch, but avoid pooling or overly saturated soil.
- Stick to low nitrogen fertilizer. Like humans, plants need nutrients early on in the growth process. Avoid fertilizer with a high nitrate content that can stunt the growth of your plant.
In its early stages, your plant is vulnerable to pests and diseases. To fend these off, it’s best to have a regular schedule of checking not only leaf health, but also the roots and trunk for signs of damage or unhealthy growth. If you spot anything, carefully remove the affected areas if possible, or move the plant to a new pot with clean soil.
Regular , but gentle pruning is important during the establishment stage, too. While trimming away dead or dead leaves and growth, keep an eye out for caterpillars and other pests. Prune late in the evening to avoid them sunning themselves on the exposed leaves.
7. Enjoying the Fruits of your Monstera Planting Labour
Growing a monstera from seed is a labour of love. After all the watering, pruning, and coddling of the plant – the anticipation grows of enjoying its first fruits.
The tell-tale sign of maturing monstera is their swiss-cheese shape leaves, and the emergence of fruit after a full flowering. While it takes varying times to produce, having a harvest of these spiky, metallic green delicacies is totally worth the wait.
When the monstera is ready to be harvested, there are a couple of ways to properly go about it:
- Gently cut the fruits off the stalk with a knife or scissors
- Twist the fruit off the stalk
Once ready, the fruit can either be eaten raw or used in cooking for a sweet, citrus-like flavour. If food isn’t your thing, monstera can also be dried and turned into an ornament, to hang up and enjoy the fruits of your hard-earned labour! So get your gardening gloves on, and start the work: the reward will be definitely worth it!
Now that you know how to properly care for your monstera cuttings, you can rest assured knowing that your plants will live a long and happy life. With well-timed planting, your plants should be up and thriving in no time at all. With a bit of foresight, you’ll be able to witness the growth of a beautiful and unique monstera plant in your own home.