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Question about monstera species?

8 years ago

Got a job today, as playmate to a four year old. To make it even better, they have a big plant room and want help in it. Will likely have some more questions and maybe some ID requests to help me best help them care for it, but I am realllyyy loving life right now. Seriously, you can get paid to play with a four year old in their personal jungle? :-D

Anyways, said jungle has tons of monstera in it. I am assuming it is deliciosa, but none has the trademark enormous leaves. I suspect it could be due to lack of enough water, light, or perhaps that it has nothing to climb and is growing more as a ground cover? They are very big plants, I wouldn't be surprised I some vines are around 20'.

I didn't get a picture, can do that next time I am there. For now, are there any other monsters species that are popular in cultivation, whose leaf lobes don't get as pronounced? The leaves average about 6-8 inches wide, and to me look like young M. deliciosa leaves.

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Comments (4)

patton40
8 years ago
We need a picture to be able to help you better. congrats on your job and being lucky enough to play in a jungle!
tropicbreezent
8 years ago
What is sometimes labelled "Mini Monster" looks very similar but smaller - Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Monstera deliciosa that can't climb can still get quite large.
Kim thanked tropicbreezent
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I'm not an expert by any means but here's my experience with Monstera. I had a very large plant that I just didn't have room for anymore. It had climbed all over the front porch and I needed the space. I hacked (and I do mean HACKED) it back and dragged the pot into the back yard for the winter. The cutting were thrown into the compost pile and the pot was left to fend for itself. Well, the cuttings ALL took root. The original plant spent the entire winter with no protection in the coldest portion of my yard. In spring it jumped out like a jack-in-the-box. So, my experience with Monstera is this. It's indestructible in our climate. It roots like crazy and it will cling to and cover your house if you so desire. Note: This winter I'm dragging the original "monster" back under cover for the cold season. I feel ever so guilty for my attempted murder.
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No, it's not getting too much sunlight. Just as long as the Sun isn't shining directly onto its leaves, then it's not too sunny. I keep mine outdoors for most of the year, and, in fact, it gets some direct sunlight early in the morning and late afternoon. Throughout the rest of the day, it gets shaded by the overhang from my roof. Looking at yours, I don't necessarily see anything wrong with it. If its foliage starts to wilt, then just increase your waterings. These plants don't like soggy soils, but they are also no strangers to water. These grow in the rain forests, where they climb up the side of large trees. They get rained on all of the time, but any excess water quickly drains away.
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
Philodendron bipinnatifidum & xanadu are often mistaken for Monsteras also. Can't wait to see this jungle! :)
Kim thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Kim
Original Author
8 years ago
I will get some tomorrow pictures tomorrow, thanks everyone! Oooh this is going to be fun!

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