Both the pole and the stem of your Monstera should be wrapped in the tie. Position the knot as closely as possible to the internode (the part of the stem between nodes). As a result, the tie won’t obstruct any aerial roots or growth sites.
Should you keep your moss pole moist?
Aerial roots will cling to the moss pole if it is kept moist. They will eventually enlarge into the pole and develop into typical roots that can take up nutrients and water. Your Monstera will be able to grow more quickly and produce leaves that are more mature with this extra supply.
If you’re using a moss or coco support, soak it first so it gets moist the first time before insertion. The pole should then be sprayed with water every few days to maintain a light moisture level. The water should be held in place by the absorbent moss or coco fiber. By clicking the image or link, you can check the price on Amazon.
For my monstera, do I need to soak a moss pole?
Moss poles not only offer a solid base for the plant but also moisture to the plants.
The plants’ aerial roots will cling to the moss pole and receive water and nutrients from it.
Your plants will be able to take in and release water for their biological activities if your moss pole is consistently damp.
But it is advisable not to constantly moisten the moss pole if plants that dislike excessive humidity are developing in your garden.
Even some plants appreciate extremely low humidity levels. Fungal illnesses can also be caused by excessive dampness.
In general, using a moss pole composed of peat moss is advised so that it can also supply micronutrients to your plant.
How do I get my Monstera to start climbing?
One of the benefits of growing Monstera deliciosa inside for fans is its capacity to develop into a substantial cornerstone for a jungle-themed home. However, that expansion also creates some issues because a Monstera can quickly outgrow its allotted space. Large Monsteras typically grow outward, unlike other common houseplants with an upward, tree-like growth pattern (such the fiddle-leaf fig or rubber plant). Because of this, many people prefer their Monstera deliciosa to climb rather than trail.
How can I encourage Monstera deliciosa to climb? You can encourage your Monstera deliciosa to grow upright by providing a support system, such as a moss pole, coco coir pole, or trellis. This teaches the plant to follow its innate tendency to climb, which may result in a healthier plant with more leaves.
The good news is that Monsteras are designed for ascent. You can get this plant off the ground and out of the way if the correct circumstances and some encouragement are there. I’ll go through some specifics regarding how and why Monsteras are frequently observed climbing on moss poles throughout this article and provide you with advice on teaching this plant to climb.
Soak the Sphagnum Moss
Pre-soaking the sphagnum moss is the first step in making the moss pole since it will stimulate the aerial roots of your plant to develop in the direction of the pole.
Put on your rubber gloves and immerse all of the sphagnum moss you intend to use in the water in the large bowl. Let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. You might need to add more water to the bowl if the sphagnum moss uses up all the water before the recommended 15-20 minutes have passed because it will expand as it absorbs the water.
Attach the Moss to the Support Pole
After pre-soaking the sphagnum moss, it is time to secure it to the pole, wooden dowel, or PVC pipe that will serve as the moss pole’s main support. Take this step outside if you don’t mind getting a little messy because of it!
As you take the moss from the dish, first squeeze out any extra water. Slowly attach sphagnum moss layers to the pole with the string or fishing line. One long piece of string works best for this rather than several shorter ones. As this portion of the pole will be buried in the ground, leave the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the pole exposed.
Put as much string as is necessary to hold the moss in place. You need to cover the pole with enough moss so that it can support aerial roots.
Secure Your Climbing Plant to the Moss Pole
It’s time to put your moss pole in the plant’s container once you’ve completed creating it. Be careful not to disturb the existing roots as you insert the pole’s base into the container. If your plant has aerial roots already, you should fasten those roots to the pole. You can affix your plant to the moss with extra string or fishing wire.
A moss pole lasts for how long?
A moss pole has a lifespan of four to six years. This is as a result of the sturdy materials used in its construction. Coconut coir’s fibrous structure can withstand a lot of use for a very long time.
For instance, animals like cats can easily climb a moss pole and, using their claws, tear the thread or net holding the fibers to the pole or dislodge the fibers.
If the plant they are supporting grows overwhelmingly too heavy for the pole to support, this is another reason why a moss pole could appear to bend or break.
The wooden stakes that hold them together at their joint will be where the pole breaks if it needs to.
The majority of moss poles should be drenched or maintained damp so that the plant may absorb water. This may shorten the pole’s lifespan by one or two years.
Is a stake necessary for Monsteras?
Your Monstera plant will require assistance if you want it to grow higher. The most typical supports are a hardwood slab, a pole covered in jute, or a stake covered in moss. Monstera plants do not, however, have to be grown absolutely erect on a pole or stake.
They can be cultivated as vining plants instead and put in planters or hanging baskets where their lovely vines can hang over the sides. Any office is made more cheerful by Monsteras that are trailing while showcasing their spectacular foliage on top of bookcases, filing cabinets, or room dividers.
It is up to you whether you stake your Monstera or let it grow as a trailing vine; the plant will happily accept either approach.
What can I do about my leggy monstera?
Like all plants, a Monstera deliciosa can become sparse and lanky from a lack of sunshine. The issue itself is simple to identify, but how can you put a stop to it? How do you mend a Monstera that is “leggy” and what does that mean?
When a Monstera doesn’t receive enough light, it becomes leggy and becomes elongated and sparse. Once a leggy Monstera has been identified, it can be treated by cutting back the leggy growth and making sure the plant continues to receive enough sunshine going ahead.
It can be frightening whenever your plant starts to appear less than healthy. Leggy, fortunately, is a simple problem to resolve. So don’t be afraid! Continue reading to learn what the issue is, how to resolve it, what kind of light a Monstera requires, and how to accommodate Monsteras in low-light conditions.
What purpose does a moss pole serve?
An epiphyte is a type of plant that develops on the surface of another plant, frequently a tree, and gets its nutrients and hydration from the surrounding air, water, rain, or accumulated detritus. Many of these plants are vines that climb the tree branches up into the canopy of the jungle. By providing a surface that is simple for the plant to attach to and a medium that includes micronutrients, a moss pole serves to simulate a plant’s natural growing environment.
Root connection is made possible by moss poles, which strengthens the plant (and makes for a more attractive growth habit). When lengthy vines have fully attached to the support, keeping your moss pole damp will give them access to another supply of water because the moss is absorbent.
Many people inquire about how they might encourage the growth of larger leaves and the desired fenestrations in their Monstera and other aroid plant species (the natural splits and windows that occur in Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii at maturity). Climbing aroids like Monstera can be found in the wild growing up massive tree trunks. The plant becomes stronger and can sustain more weight as a result of its adventitious roots’ ability to cling to the tree as it climbs. It also receives more light as it gets closer to the jungle canopy, which supports the growth of bigger leaves.
Large leaves will start to develop after the plant adheres to the support with its adventitious roots because moss poles mimic this growth pattern. As long as your plant makes contact with the moist moss pole at each node.
How to Use a Moss Pole
- Determine the height of your moss pole. For your plant to have enough of room to climb, the moss pole needs to be taller than its tallest vine.
- Start by soaking your moss pole in water until it is completely soaked after you have constructed or purchased it. Your plant will cling to the pole easier thanks to the dampness.
- Place the moss pole as close to the center of the pot and the base of the plant as you can by inserting the wood end into the dirt. When setting up the moss pole, be extra careful not to harm your plants’ main roots!
- Start wrapping the pole in the plant’s vines. working your way around the pole, securing with twine. As adventitious roots will form at each node of the plant (where the leaves meet the stem), pay close attention to each one and make sure it has good contact with the moss pole.
- Voila! Observe your plants grow.
ensuring that Raphidophora tetrasperma’s nodes make contact with the support using twine
Moss Pole Maintenance Tips
- To make sure your plants’ adventitious roots receive water, it is beneficial to spray your moss pole frequently or to pour water down the pole when watering. The majority of aroids will enjoy the increased humidity!
- You can cut the rope as your plant firmly attaches to the moss pole. To continue training your plants’ growth, keep adding to the pole.
- You may either allow your plant to vine back down the moss pole to fill out growth when it has outgrown your moss pole, or you can extend it by binding a new one to the old one and repeating the process.
- When your plant outgrows its pot, replace it in a new container with the same moss pole.
- When removing a moss pole, exercise extreme caution to avoid injuring the plant’s adventitious roots, which could lead to problems with its health.
Where to Get a Moss Pole
In terms of plant care, moss poles are still somewhat of a niche item, but more and more nurseries are beginning to stock them! Our shops produce moss poles in lengths of 2′ and 3′, and our online store ships 2′ moss poles!
We advise using a strong bamboo stick or other rot-resistant stake, as well as a lot of sphagnum moss, if you want to attempt creating your own moss pole.
Alternatives to Moss Poles
Using moss poles is by no means the only option for plant support! For instance, using pushpins or nails, you can teach a vining plant to climb a wall. If a plant requires a little more support but isn’t a climber, a large piece of wood for larger plants can serve as a useful support and maintain the plant upright.
Thinner, lighter vines like hoyas, which have creeping vines that naturally wrap around supports like these as they grow, are excellent uses for bamboo stakes and ladders as supports. A small metal rod can support and maintain the upright development of smaller anthuriums that need little training.
With a moss pole to climb, Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’ will generate more foliage.
We believe that by providing some assistance to your plants, you will be able to ensure their success for years to come.
What causes my Monstera to topple over?
Due mostly to its spectacular leaves, the Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) is a common houseplant. Although they are simple to care for, these fellas do have one drawback: if they feel neglected, they have a tendency to pout, which may cause your Monstera leaves to droop. Don’t panic too much. They can quickly be persuaded to recover with a little loving attention.
The most frequent cause of drooping monstera leaves is dehydration. They prefer their soil to always be just moist enough. Other contributing factors include overwatering, poor lighting, issues with fertilizer, pests, or transplant stress. The most crucial step in restoring your plant to health is figuring out what the issue is.
Does Monstera pruning promote growth?
Pruning is a crucial component of any plant care regimen. Pruning gets rid of leaves that no longer help the plant but are still consuming its resources. As a result, the healthy leaves and new growth can be supported with more energy! You may manage a plant’s size and shape via pruning. Therefore, remember to prune your monstera!
Additionally, pruning can help your plant grow and allow you to manage where it produces new leaves (and in the case of some plants, branches).
Because your monstera occasionally needs a little additional assistance getting rid of dead or dying leaves, pruning is especially crucial.
However, pruning is primarily a useful method for managing a monstera’s size. This plant grows really big! If you live in an apartment with 8-foot ceilings, this is crucial because monsteras can grow up to 30 feet outdoors and 10 feet indoors.
Are deep pots to Monstera’s liking?
It would also be preferable if you avoided planting your Monstera in a pot that is too tiny. Following are some indicators that your Monstera is ready for a new pot:
- The plant topples over or is unstable.
- The leaves are thirsty and drooping.
- The soil no longer retains water or dries up too rapidly.
- You can see roots sticking out of the pot’s bottom.
Living in a pot that is too small can cause root crowding, stunted growth, and underwatering, especially when Monstera is young. Find a bigger pot now!
A seasoned Monstera accepts a little pot-boundness. Keeping your Monstera in the same-sized pot will stop it from growing as quickly once it reaches a large size and you don’t want it to become any bigger.
It will still require attention to prevent becoming very pot-bound. Every year in the early spring, you can trim the roots and top-dress your Monstera with new soil.
How to choose the perfect pot size
When repotting, select a pot with a diameter that is 2 inches (5 cm) greater than the existing size. This is just enough to allow the roots to spread and flourish, but not too much that a too-large pot will cause the soil to get soggy.
Does the height of the pot matter?
The ratio of height to depth is generally not dramatically different between pots. When it comes to the pot’s depth, monsteras are not very choosy.
Make sure the pot for your Monstera has enough depth to prevent a stake or moss pole from tipping over.