I bought a split leaf 2 years ago at a yard sale for $2. When I got it, there was only 2 small leaves. Since then, I would say it is about 3 1/2 - 4 ft tall and about 7-8 ft in diameter. There are so many leaves:) I love it, but I need to prune it back some because after I transplanted it into a new pot, the leaves are pointing in different directions and some of them are upside down now. I have tried to prop them up to face the right way, but I am afraid of breaking the thin stock. For some reason, their branches are thicker than the base. So, how would I go about pruning the leaves back? Do I just cut them where I would want it, or is there a certain spot on the branch, base, or what I call (conjunction-a cluster of branches from one place)? I won't do anything to it until I know it won't hurt it. This thing likes to grow fast!!! I can almost guarantee that I won't be able to find this place again on the web, so if you know the answer to my question, please email me at cpenena@hotmail.com. Very much appreciated.

Overwatering is really a misnomer. What's really going on is that some types of soil can stay moist for too long, because of the texture of the particles, and they way they lodge tightly together, filling all spaces in the pot. When that happens, there are no tiny air pockets and roots can rot. When a drip saucer is used, the bit of standing water in there can also be lethal to roots. When roots are rotting, they are unable to deliver moisture and nutrients to the leaves, and the effects manifest as yellowing, brown edges, eventual death of the plant. Learning how to avoid that can greatly increase your success with any potted plants. To read specifically about that, this article is extremely informative. Bagged potting soil is often not what one would describe as well-drained, especially after significant time has passed. It can settle (in conjunction with some decomposition as well) and suffocate roots as it turns into muddy muck. Meanwhile, the roots have filled the spaces they find suitable, and eventually run out of room to grow. A well-drained soil... water flows out as fast as you can pour it on, and dries within a few days. The way (stuff to use, amounts of it) to achieve that is the worthy subject of debate, but about the principle, there is a huge confluence of agreement. Ideally, about any (non-cactus) plant would like to have soil that is never dry, never soggy, always well aerated.

The emerging leaves are pale, telling me that it's not getting the bright indirect sunlight it needs. The soil mix looks fine, very similar to what I use, but it's not getting watered enough. These plants love water, they just don't like wet feet. If that makes any sense. With the soil mix that you're using, you can water it much more often. Mine stays outside for most of the year and I water it almost daily. Plus, I rarely fertilize it and it still grows like a weed. That's because it gets all of the bright, indirect sunlight that it wants. It doesn't matter how much fertilizer you "feed" a plant, those fertilizers aren't food, and they won't do any good if a plant isn't getting the sunlight it needs to photosynthesize. Plants manufacture their own food, and they can only do that through photosynthesis. As for the aerial roots, you won't really see many of those until the stems grow much longer. Just give your plant much brighter indirect sunlight and more frequent waterings, and it will take care of the rest itself. These plants are called monsters for a reason, HaHa... Also, don't bother misting. Monsteras love humidity, but will grow perfectly fine in the interiors of our homes. My place uses gas heat, which pretty much strips any moisture out of the air during the winter months, and it doesn't phase my monstera one bit.

That is up to you! It is still photosynthesizing and providing energy for the plant. However if you don't like the aesthetics you can cut it off......the plant will continue to grow and produce new unblemished leaves with time.