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.

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.

Popmama, you are so generous offering all kinds of plants! I'm not really looking for so much anything aggressive or a good reseader, I just like many attributes of the red Valerian. Faith, I think you may have hit it on the head!!! I tend to split my plants a lot. The one red Valerian that I split this spring was looking good, so I dissected into about 10 plants. That particular spot is where I found the wedged Valerian and the one in the ice plant. Tonight I just found another tiny start in that area. The other Valerian that I transplanted doesn't have any seedlings that I've found but there are so many other plants by where it was, there isn't much chance of anything growing. I'm going to see how I do taking basal cuttings and stem cutting to propagate what I need in the other areas. Luckily the areas I'm putting it in, I don't care where it pops up (at least for now). What I'm finding aggressive is the Shasta Daisy Becky. I love the look of the plant and the extremely long bloom time but it is taking over one of my garden areas. Spring apparently is the best time to transplant the Shasta Daisy and I'm hoping several gardeners want them for the spring swap. in 2018.

@salex is there a specific type of countersink bit that works best with plywood? From what I was reading (I know, always dangerous ...), countersinking into plywood can be more challenging because of the layers. Also, would you go with panhead, or flathead? (Flathead is potentially a flatter surface, but potentially over constrains the system and possibly still need a cover, though maybe just a piece of felt; panhead would probably need a filler/cap over its hole; I might be able to get creative with my 3doodler, a wood plug, or buy something.) This is the little shelf ... the bigger shelf will go all the way across the armoire like the lower one. The screws aren't super easy to see, but they're the shiny bits sticking up aligned with the legs. They're normal panhead screws that I colored black. (Sharpie works surprisingly well on metal fasteners.) It used to hang, then I took off the eye bolts and put on the rubber feet, now they're legs. The doors of the armoire recess back in, so everything inside is free standing or hangs. Hanging organizers swing and sag too much, though there are some in there now, until I get my larger board finished. (Shelf is 19"x34" so not a standard size, hence making them myself.) The lower one sits on racks, but I don't have more little stuff to make more racks practical. The new shelf is currently just a cut and sanded piece of wood, so not very interesting to look at.