Monstera deliciosa is an evergreen vine that grows in subtropical climates associated with high rainfall. It is a type of flowering plant native to the rainforests of southern Mexico south to Panama.
Monstera has strong and thick aerial roots that grow quickly and spread quickly in the space around it. This rapid growth of the plant can sometimes become a problem for the caretaker.
When the plant is planted outthen its aerial roots tend to grow along the ground to reach nutrients and water. They form a support system for the vines as they grow. It also gives firmness to the plant.
Monstera grows like a climber if it has vertical support. This would mean clinging to tropical trees and walls as it grows. Non-tropical trees cannot support the weight of the plant and tend to grow damaged through.
Some prefer to grow the plant indoors, in a flower pot. This can be very useful for cutting the roots of the plant when it gets too big.
Trimming the roots becomes essential when the plant is kept indoors. He aerial roots Monstera can damage furniture and walls if it comes into contact with it.
Your monstera cutting may not be rooted. There can be several reasons why this happens. The cutting you took from your plant may not have any nodes. Or it could be that the water you placed your cutting in is not suitable for it.
But before getting to the heart of the matter, let’s see how to cut monstera roots.
Contents
How to take a Monstera cutting?
Before we get into how to cut a monstera, you need to know when to cut a monstera. Time is an important factor. Spring and summer are the best time to take a monstera cutting.
These are also the seasons when the monstera is actively growing. On the contrary, avoid procreate In Winter because the plant is dormant and will take root much more slowly.
It also needs less water in the winter, so too much water can increase the risk of rot or mold on the cuttings.
This plant comes from the rainforest, so some summer heat and humidity it will do wonders for him. It is necessary to ensure that it does not receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Bright, indirect light is ideal for this.
There are several options for cutting monstera. You can take several small cuttings of just 1 or 2 gnarled leaves, or you can cut an entire cutting with 4 or 5 leaves and nodes from one vine.
It is important that you cut off a part of the plant that has several leaves or nodes. If you just cut a stem from the plant and put it in water, nothing will happen. Chances are it won’t develop roots if it doesn’t have knots.
The nodes are even more important than the leaves, and they must be present on your cuttings.
The node is easy to find on your monstera when searching. It somewhat resembles a grain of a plant and is located in a petiole intersection. The knot is essential for extending your roots once it has grown.
Pruning the aerial roots is not essential, but can be very useful. If your plant already has several tall plants, you can take a cutting to speed up the process.
Why is my Monstera Cutting not taking root?
There can be a number of reasons why your monstera cutting is not rooting. Recognizing these reasons, you can find a solution that will have your cuttings rooting in no time.
It may be that the cutting you took from your plant has no nodes or leaves and is just a stem. In this case, do not wait for your cutting to take root.
Another reason you can’t see a root from your cutting could be that the water you placed your cutting in wasn’t good for it.
It is important to put it in a clean jar without a lid. Fill it halfway with room temperature filtered water. Using rainwater is an even better option.
Chlorinated water is not good for young plants. If the water you placed your cutting in contains chlorine, it’s a good idea to change the water.
Not regularly changing the water you planted your cutting in could also be a reason for it not growing.
Monstera cuttings can also be placed in the ground for rooting. If you’ve done this and you can’t see the cutting root, you may not be watering the plant regularly.
Sometimes not using filtered or distilled water to irrigate the soil can cause salt to build up in the soil over time, slowing Monstera’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, leading to poor growth.
Sunlight and appropriate temperatures play an important role in rooting your monstera.
Without bright, indirect light and a warm temperature, the cutting may not root. Not having optimal humidity can also delay the rooting of cuttings.
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How long do Monstera cuttings take to root?
The time it takes for monstera cuttings to root is usually between three and five weeks. This is the time after which the first monstera root appears.
The root should be about 1 inch long. So if you see several roots growing this big, know that it’s time to put them in a pot. flower pot to continue the growth process.
How to encourage a Monstera to take root?
To encourage the growth of any plant is to provide it with the most favorable conditions for its growth. The same goes for stimulating a monstera cutting to the root.
In general, temperatures between 23 and 25°C, along with bright, indirect light, preferably from an east-facing windowsill, are best for a monstera to take root.
Temperatures above 75°F promote the growth of pathogens and dry out plant tissue before roots begin to form.
Now let’s come to the medium where you grow your cutting. If you grow your cuttings in water, make sure the water is distilled or filtered. However, tap water may also work well for some.
Water should be changed regularly to ensure good growth of monstera cuttings. Try changing the water once a week or when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. On the other hand, too much water can lead to root rot.
Also, if your monstera cutting is being grown in soil for rooting, make sure the soil drains well. You should water the soil frequently and try to keep it airy. This will encourage root growth when cutting the monstera.
Humidity is another factor whose presence can do wonders for your plant. Optimal humidity levels keep plant cuttings from swelling by maintaining a balance between water uptake and transpiration rate.
Maintaining humidity at 80% can reduce water loss, which can suppress growth and photosynthesis.
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final thoughts
In summary, if your Monstera cutting is not rooting, the first thing to do is find out why. There can be several reasons why you are not rooting. But usually these reasons are easy to find using the internet.
Once you know why your monstera cutting isn’t rooting, you can start researching how to fix the problem. Undoubtedly, the solution to your problem will be simple.
This can include proper care of your monstera. sunlight and the temperatures or the water change or maybe just change position a bit to give your monstera just what it needs to start rooting.