Has anybody besides wynative e-mailed me? I ask because I apparently can't get e-mail forwarded to me through GW. If not, carry on as you were, but if you did, I will be checking back here after all, so please let me know that you tried and I'll try to reach you instead. Apologies to the group for bumping the post again.

Hi Sheri! If the plant is truly Monstera deliciosa it isn't a Philodendron at all. The genus Monstera contains 33 to 36 or so species depending on the scientific source quoted. There are many scientific names in the genus but almost all have been sunk into synonymy with a much smaller number of accepted species names. It sounds as if you've done your homework already since you know the name of the botanist that originally published the plant or at least his abbreviated name so I'd say you actually have that species. Monstera deliciosa has a number of natural variations and some produce leaves that remain very small for the entire life of the plant. I was recently given a cutting from a 20 year old plant the the largest leaves weren't 12 inches wide. Philodendron is a very large genus with something close to 1000 species divided into three major sections but that is a totally different discussion. The same common name is used for Philodendron bipinnatifidum (P selloum) since it has multi-lobed leaf margins (edges). Even if the plant were P. bipinnatifidum the growth method is basically the same. It sounds as if your growing conditions are good for Monstera deliciosa since it is very tolerant. I doubt you can over water it since it naturally grows along steam banks in southern Mexico and most of Central America. However, the soil mixture may not be good for this species. Monstera require a very fast draining soil so if you have it in Mississippi clay the roots may not be able to freely grow and gather water and nourishment. The other possible cause would be either lack of or over fertilization. Either is just as bad. Most commercial growers prefer something like Osmocote 30-30-30 for large aroids. If the soil is good I'd try the fertilizer first. If the soil has not been amended I would suggest you mix a large quantity of moisture control potting soil with about 20% peat moss and add a BUNCH of cypress mulch. If you can find a bag of cheap orchid bark with charcoal add that as well along with any compost you can find. I know it may be a big job but if you dig the plant up and replant it in this mix it should begin to thrive. My big question is the weather in your area. Although Monstera deliciosa will likely survive, it will be temporarily stunted by extreme cold. The species is not know to do great much north of Orlando so keep that in mind. You can shield it from the cold during any really cold nights but try to keep it from long exposure. You should know this species craves to climb. I have several large specimens in my own atrium and one is now 10 feet up the nearest tree. I've seen them in the tropics and in South Florida at least 50 feet into the canopy and have read of them climbing much higher. Other than that, without photos to examine I'm not sure what other advice to offer.

If those were nice round yellow spots with a a darker centre it would be easy, but this looks more like a humidity/water and/or Ca problem. If your humidity is too high (unusually high rainfall maybe?) or if leaves remain wet for too long, it may cause such problems which can then be traced to Ca deficiency. However, the best guess is you local State Agriculture Extension Office, since it is very difficult to suggest a cause for your problems from the other side of the globe.

Pileas are very cute and apparently addictive! Enjoy the googling - I love them when they are older and have a bit of a trunk to give them character, rather than the baby form with just a rosette of coin-shaped leaves. What you have is an adorable baby Monstera - give her some dilute fertilizer, and a bit of light, and she'll sprout 'grown-up' leaves with holes in them in a hurry for you! I bought a little one just like this about a month ago and it's happily sprouting new leaves for me under grow lights (I'm in Norway so very high latitudes and autumn is already very dark). I hope to repot her in a while to a larger pot (since she's growing actively under lights), because they are supposed to grow into whatever size of pot you give them (though obviously you have to increase it somewhat gradually), and I have a corner in the house we are moving to shortly earmarked for her future giant self! <3 As best I understand it, Split-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is actually a different plant altogether, and the leaves do resemble Monstera's adult foliage a lot, but it's much more rare in cultivation, not nearly as easy, and in my opinion also less pretty.