Alas, the support rotted out overnight and the whole thing toppled over. The plant part is about 7 feet tall (not including the new leaf). As I grew my Monstera from a tiny twig, the base of the plant is pretty thin compared to the topmost stem (which is a couple of inches across). I either need to place it in a pot so the stem is several inches deeper than now (aka, a 10 gallon pot) or...
...and my heart breaks to even think of this idea. ..
...or cut it and hope it grows back from the base while I make new baby Monsteras.
One possibility is, cut the roots at the bottom, take the soil (or get new soil) and heap up enough on the top so that hopefully the new, thick section starts rooting, and maybe prune the top to make it not fall over? I am not so familiar with Monstera so may be wrong.
I would try both. Trim the root ball back by no more than a third and replant into a larger pot and use a new support. I've rooted Monstera in the past and they tend to do well for me. I can't see any "air"roots along the stem, if there are any you have hit the jackpot, those sections of the stem will root in water very fast. Take a cutting that has at least one node and leaf on the stem and you will have a good chance of rooting another plant.
I trimmed off the air roots a couple of days ago as they had crawled INTO the wall when I wasn't looking. Only left a couple of inches of root behind. One of them was nearly 4 yards long...possibly some got left in the wall.
here they grow outside, and i have had some in the yard that were impossible to kill. they are amazingly resilient plants. in a pot, maybe not so much, but with two alternatives one is bound to work. even if you trimmed the air roots they might grow back.
If you put one of the node section in water, you may see root tip growing as little as three days. Maybe some of the cuttings already have root development but new buds take much longer.
Make enough of a vertical cut in the lovely winding basal stem to pierce the woody outside layer. If you have rooting hormone powder, apply some (if not, it will be fine). Pack a couple of handfuls of wet horticultural moss (the kind used for orchids) around the cut place, and wrap it all with something like plastic wrap, securing with string or twist ties. Roots will grow from the cut, and when they're big enough, cut the original roots away.
You can do it all without moving the plant. This will still mean a top heavy plant, though.
That's a great suggestion from Karima. Air layering is such a gentle way to keep the momentum of a big, mature Monstera. They usually respond so well to it, too. You'll probably start to see roots forming in a few weeks if it's kept warm and humid.
It's amazing how resilient these plants are, even after a fall, they seem determined to grow back stronger!
Any part of that stem will root easily. Just cut a piece with a couple of nodes and lay it in a pot covered buried in about 2" of soil. You don't need any leaves. You could also tie the whole stem to a larger support in a larger pot if you wanted to keep the tall plant. I used a thick piece of bamboo, but you can use a 4 x 4. Old nylon stockings work well.
Most of my Monsteras are in the garden, but one is in a pot. The aerial roots travel far and wide!
I have propagated from my original Monstera, about a dozen times. Her name is Fiona.
Cut the stem into pieces, making sure there are a couple of leaves and some nodes (little bumps) on the stem below the leaves. These will turn into roots. Stick the noded stems in water for a few weeks, until you have a some roots, and pot in tropical dirt, with good drainage. Voilà .
The fruit, by the way, is edible...although you should look into it, as unless it's completely ripe, it'll stick you with needles. And I've read it takes some years before it will fruit for you.
Monstera deliciosa, its scientific name, was given to it for a reason!
Sorry, I haven't eaten it before, or I'd give you more info.
Of the cuttings, the crown cuttings looks the least promising, but perhaps it will surprise me. It's not dry, but it feels unhappy somehow.
The one where I cut the leaves off, is taking off. There are three in here but one of them decided it didn't need the leaf stem. I think that's the one that is shooting.
r ransom wrote: The one where I cut the leaves off, is taking off. There are three in here but one of them decided it didn't need the leaf stem. I think that's the one that is shooting.
If they all survive, are you planning on selling any? My friend's son is very into houseplants and I mentioned you might end up with extras. He was *very* interested. Apparently there's a "small version" of Monstera which he already has, but he would be thrilled to buy the "Monster" version!
![[Logo]](/templates/default/mobile/images/mobile-permies-2015.png)
![[Thumbnail for Monstera-cuttings-crown-and-node.jpg]](/t/362187/a/277284/Monstera-cuttings-crown-and-node.jpg "Filename: Monstera-cuttings-crown-and-node.jpg
Description: Monstera cuttings, crown and node")
![[Thumbnail for Attempt-at-photographing-leaf-size-with-hand-for-scale.jpg]](/t/362187/a/277285/Attempt-at-photographing-leaf-size-with-hand-for-scale.jpg "Filename: Attempt-at-photographing-leaf-size-with-hand-for-scale.jpg
Description: Attempt at photographing leaf size with hand for scale")
![[Thumbnail for Monstera-cuttings-in-soil-shooting.jpg]](/t/362187/a/280655/Monstera-cuttings-in-soil-shooting.jpg "Filename: Monstera-cuttings-in-soil-shooting.jpg
Description: Monstera cuttings in soil shooting")
![[Thumbnail for Monstera-root-growing-back-after-accident.jpg]](/t/362187/a/280656/Monstera-root-growing-back-after-accident.jpg "Filename: Monstera-root-growing-back-after-accident.jpg
Description: Monstera root growing back after accident")
