Care Guide Monstera Ginny

WATER MANAGEMENT FOR MONSTERA GINNY-

Monstera plants do enjoy higher moisture levels both in the soil and the surrounding environment, however plants intended for indoor use can be watered less frequent, frequency of watering can depend on the size of the plant, humidity levels and rate of growth. One of the most common mistakes in the care of indoor plants is overwatering, indoor plants are far more tolerant to underwatering than overwatering, Improper watering can result in fungal issues and root rot. It is recommended to monitor your houseplants and water them when they need it, rather than on a schedule. When watering plants the objective is to maintain the soil moist, a moisture meter is a great tool to utilize to reduce the guesswork, We recommend to sample the top soil an inch deep every 3-4 days, if you notice is still moist hold off on watering until it dries further, since most plants water needs may be different this is a good way to determine each individual plant water requirements.
Water Recommendations base on pot size, we suggest to utilize a soil probe initially to determine humidity levels and when to water.
6 inch Pot plants, every 4-7 Days, 10-12 inch Pot plants, every 7-12 days

LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS -

Monstera Ginny can perform well both indoors or outdoors. Indoor if is bright enough to read, is bright enough for the Monstera Ginny. Complete darkness is not recommended, no light means the plant can not photosynthesize and it will affect the health of the plant. If bright indirect light is available then this is the best option for the Monstera Ginny so it can remain vibrant for may years to come.

HUMIDITY -

Monstera originate from the tropics, where humidity is very high, generally the air in our homes is dry, occasionally misting our houseplants is a very simple and effective way to boost humidity, an easy solution to the risk of overwatering your plants. Philodendrons in general enjoy higher humidity levels, Always pay attention to the color and texture of the leaves on your plant. Generally Plants with brown or dry leaf tips will benefit from regular misting to keep the plant happy and thriving, preferably in the mornings to allow the foliage to completely dry out during the day.

PLACEMENT AND TEMPERATURE -

Selecting the right location for your plant indoors or outdoors is very important, micro climates can affect the health of the plant, make sure the plant does not receive air draft from near by AC/Heating vents, or warm air if close to a freezer, the foliage will dehydrate faster than it can hydrate from moisture in the air or in the soil, eventually turning brown and dropping, when plants are properly watered and care for and still display signs of wilting or seem sad it may help to relocate the plant to a different area for brighter indirect light. Please note most tropical plants are from the tropics, proper moisture is required for their health and survival, we highly recommend to bring your tropical plants indoors when temperatures are expected below 45s during winter months or above 90 during summer months, extreme weather can severely damage the plant.

REPOTTING - 

Monstera Ginny can grow exceptionally well in pots for long periods of time, frequent repotting isn’t as necessary compared to other plants. Generally you should repot your plant when it has become excessively rootbound that its roots are overgrown, you may not need to repot for 2-3 years, do maintain a feeding schedule, the longer is kept in its existing pot the more nutrients are needed to maintain the plant happy and healthy. When repotting is due planting between spring and fall is recommended, use a potting mix with good drainage, Cactus or Succulent potting soil or indoor potting soil is recommended as long as the mix can drain freely, the objective is to avoid water log, you may increase the soil’s drainage properties by simply adding sand or perlite into the soil mix, now is a good time to integrate a slow release fertilizer in the soil, apply it base on label instructions, Most general all purpose fertilizer can work well. Select a pot 2-3 inches wider than your current pot, it should have drain holes if all possible, Do not remove all the soil from the root ball, this procedure can severely stress or may damage the plant, you may remove about an inch of the outer layer of soil as this can simulate growth, avoid planting too deep in the new pot, the top of the root ball should be level to the top of the soil in the new pot. In the event the new pot does not have drain holes you must avoid water from accumulating in the bottom of the pot, this will severely damage the plant, one possible solution is to water a fix amount of water, depending on the size of the plant 1 cup of water per gallon of soil may be sufficient once every 4-7 days. Water slowly to allow the soil to absorb the water and moist evenly, the objective is to avoid excess water build up in the bottom section of the pot.

FERTILIZING –

No need to fertilize right away, We fertilize our plants during the production phase with slow release fertilizer which can last an additional 2-3 months supplying residual nutrients to the plant. Once you do decide to fertilize You may use a fertilizer formulated for interior plants, preferably a slow release fertilizer 180 days duration, fertilize during spring or fall base on label instructions.

CLEANING, REGULAR MAINTENANCE - 

Monstera leaves differ in sizes, some varieties which have larger leaf size are easier to clean, others may require more patience due to smaller leaves and more cavities to deal with. Simply add a few drops of dish soap to a cup of water, wet a soft cloth and manually wipe off dust off the leaves, is a simple solution that is inexpensive and works well without damaging the plant.

How to propagate Monstera Ginny

The easiest way to propagate them is by way of cuttings, find a fairly young fast-growing section of stem with 3-4 section of leaves, cut the stem between nodes, you should end up with a new stem containing 3-4 sections of leaves. Make sure to wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap that will release from the stem cut, use a paper towel to dry it. Allow the bud end of the cutting to dry for about an hour so it may callus on the bud end, place the cutting in a glass or ceramic container with with clean water about an 3-4 inches high, add rooting hormone if available, place in bright indirect light, change the water once a week, within a couple months you should see white buds forming near the bottom cut section of the stem, once roots grow 2-3 inches long you may plant your rooted cutting in soil.

How to Prune Monstera Ginny

Monstera Ginny do not need much pruning, regular maintenance may be needed and should be done first If you notice any diseased leaves, be sure to trim those off immediately, using a clean knife or shears. If pruning is desire to promote multiple branch growth it can be made just above any node, right about where a leaf attaches to a stem, This will reduce the size of the plant, promote new growth from the point where the cut was made. Before pruning be sure to identify the areas where cuts will be made, especially if you’re pruning to shape your plant. Try marking the areas you want to cut with colored strings or ribbons before cutting. Keep in mind that if you take more than 10% of the leaves or branches, your tree could experience shock, which could cause it to stop growing and droop for a few weeks, so you may want to prune in stages if you’re planning to make drastic changes.

INSECTS OR DESEASES -

Here’s another plus, Monstera plants are not regularly affected by pests. in the event that scale, mealy bugs, or mites are found to affect the plant, they can be controlled by wiping the infested area with a soapy solution, add a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water and wipe off the affected areas with a soft cloth, It can take several intermittent cleanings to rid the plant of the pests.
Horticultural oils can be sprayed directly onto the insects, A second and third treatment, if using oils, will be necessary. Space out the sprays at 3 week intervals to break up the mealybug life cycle. Both of these treatments together will be very effective.