New monstera deliciosa parent. Help!

3 years ago

Hello Houzz-plant community,

I've read through these discussion threads for plant advice many times, but this is my first time posting.

I recently acquired a monstera deliciosa from a friend who had rooted a cutting from his large plant. The cutting was living in water for a couple months and grew a couple of new leaves during that time.

Here is the plant before coming to me

I kept the cutting in this container for two weeks. I had read elsewhere that it helps the roots to adapt if you gradually mix in a bit of potting soil, so I did that and it didn't seem to mind. The plant also started to put out an aerial root during this two week period. I placed it on top of my dresser, which is four-and-a-half feet back from a window that faces pretty much due south (a bit beyond the frame of the photo below).

After two weeks I transferred the cutting into a pot. That was four days ago and the plant does not seem to be adjusting well to its new conditions. In that short time one leaf has already turned yellow and it looks to me like a second is starting to as well. I put it in a mix of about 75% normal potting soil and 25% cactus/succulent soil. I gave it a thorough watering after potting and the soil is still quite moist.

Immediately after potting:

Four days later:

My initial response to this type of thing tends to be to panic and try to correct the problem (not knowing what it might actually be). I don't want to do that if this is just a matter of the cutting getting acclimated and I need to just let it be for now. But if there is something obvious that I am missing that will curtail what looks like the demise of this plant then I'd like to be able to help it. Since this was given to me by my friend who took the time and care to root the cutting, I am more invested in trying to help it thrive.

Is it not getting enough light? Too much? Does it need more water? Less? Fertilizer? Nothing?! Please help!

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Comments (2)

woodnative
3 years ago
Is that the only leaf that is yellowing? Probably the oldest leaf? Do not worry about one leaf. Are the rest of the leaves less perky than before. Roots grow differently in soil than in water. I prefer to root directly in soil and mixing soil slowly in the water doesn't help the transfer. The plant actually has to grow new roots or at least new root tips into the soil mixture to take up the moisture from it (the soil). That takes a little adjusting and the plant it a little stressed during the process but should be fine. I hope you are using a nice open mix.....one that stays moist but has a lot of air space (e.g. extra perlite and/or bark (you can add orchid mix) in the soil). keep lightly moist. If the plant get real limp you can get a large clear bag and put it around the plant to raise humidity for a few days while new roots get established.....than gradually open the bag over several days. The lighting look probably good..........very bright but no direct southern sun mid-day (mornign or late day sun ok). Never fertilize a newly transplanted or potted plant. Later when it begins growing new leaves you can start some light fertilization but not now. Soil should never be soggy. It should be slightly moist (but have a lot of air space in it, as I mentioned above). Later when it is rooted in you can let it dry between watering.
Ethan Z
Original Author
3 years ago
Woodnative,

Thanks for the detailed response. So far it seems to be just the one leaf. I am keeping an eye on one of the other leaves, which appears to have some faint bands of less-than-dark-green coloring (see photo). It has not rapidly turned yellow, though, so I think it may be okay.

I do wonder about the potting mix, since I have it in standard house plant mix cut with about 25% succulent mix. Would it cause undue stress to the plant to try and amend the soil with orchid mix or one of the other materials you mentioned only a week after potting? Should I just leave it be and see if it stabilizes? As for the yellow leaf, is it okay to cut it off, or is it better to simply let "nature" take its course?
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New monstera deliciosa parent. Help!

Comments (2)

woodnative

Ethan Z
Original Author

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New monstera deliciosa parent. Help!

Comments (2)

woodnative

Ethan ZOriginal Author

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Ethan Z
Original Author