Broken Monstera stem can be dangerous for the overall survival of your plant. That is why it is best to have thorough knowledge about all the possible things that might lead to it.
This complete guide has been written to help you with just that. Give it a read to get all the answers that you need.
Why Do I Have a Broken Monstera Stem?
The stems of your Monstera plant might be broken due to a number of reasons, the foremost being windy weather conditions, lower than tolerable temperatures and attacks by pests and bugs. Low lighting and non-supportive stems can also lead to breakage very easily.
In line with this, a split stem will not kill your Monstera, but the plant will just carry on looking droopy and downtrodden until it gets healed. The broken part of the stem also becomes the point of growth for root rot and pests which, in turn, puts your plant at a greater risk.
You can learn more about why you are having these broken stems by reading this section.
– Super Windy Conditions
Monstera plants, when kept outside the house, are exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. When the outside weather gets tough, especially in the case of strong winds, this often leads to a snapping or partial splitting of the stems.
Plants that are kept without any kind of blockage from the wind are exposed the most. Prolonged windy conditions that constantly bend the stem also lead to its eventual breakage.
– Low Temperatures
When the temperatures drop during wintertime, the high water content in Monstera makes it freeze. This creates a substantial temperature difference between the inside and outside conditions of the plant. Such a damaged Monstera is brittle and prone to the immediate snapping of the stem upon the slightest disturbance.
– Pests and Bugs
The most common bugs of indoor plants are sap-sucking parasites that feed off the nutrient-rich phloem passing through the stem of the Monstera deliciosa plant.
If a pest infestation is allowed to carry on for a long time, this eventually causes the plant to become weak and brittle. You will see your damaged Monstera leaves turning yellow and the Monstera bruised stem breaking and splitting.
Here are the most common bugs that are responsible for this.
– Spider Mites
Mites are very common pests that affect Monstera leaf and plant stem. They take away all the food from your plant. One clear cut sign to identify them is spiderweb-like structures wound around the leaves and the stems.
– Mealybugs
If you see the white cotton ball-like bugs and tiny holes in Monstera leaves, then your plant is most definitely suffering from a Mealybugs infestation. Brown spots form all over the leaves and the stems become weak and brittle.
– Low Light
Did you know that low light conditions are also responsible for damaged or bent Monstera stems? This is because when the plant lacks light during growing conditions, it starts moving towards the light source to get as much of it as possible.
The stem of the plant stretches in the process and becomes leggy and weak. It eventually breaks at its weakest point.
The plant that is kept in a far off corner of the room away from the windows is most at risk. The same goes for a plant that is not rotated so that only one side gets light and starts leaning towards it.
– Not Supporting the Stem
Not providing your mature plant with stem support when its leaves grow big enough also causes broken stems. Monstera is known for its large and bulky leaves. They have been known to weigh down the stems, producing a breaking strain. Support is also important for Monstera cuttings during Monstera stem propagation.
Fixing Broken Stems
A broken Monstera deliciosa stem can be fixed and allowed to heal by strengthening and supporting it. You also need to move it away from windy and low light areas and get rid of all the bugs attacking it.
– Strengthen the Stem
A stem that has become broken or brittle first and foremost needs to be strengthened. The simplest method is to tie multiple stems with a rope so that they act as a single trunk. You can also tie organic meshes around weak stems to help them grow and repair themselves.
You also need to incorporate regular feeding in your plant care routine to give strength to the broken stems. Use a well-reviewed liquid fertilizer at least once a month but only after diluting it with filtered water. Your stems do need an excess of essential nutrients
– Support the Broken Stem
The next step to fixing broken stems is to support them by keeping them upright. Insert a moss pole or a strong stick inside the potting mix of the pot near the stem, then tie the stem with a rope to this stick to give it support.
You can use rope, tape or zip ties for this purpose. Just make sure not to tie the stem too tightly so as to suffocate the plant. Tying it too tightly will also lead to scarring and Monstera growing slowly. You can also connect the stem to the support by organic meshwork to improve healing.
– Protect the Plant From Wind
In order to protect your plant and its aerial roots from further damage, make sure it is protected from the strong, windy currents. If you must keep it outdoors, then place it next to a wall or a tree to lessen the impact of the wind. However, in the end, it is just best to move it indoors during windy seasons.
– Get Rid of Pests
If your diseased Monstera stem is occurring as a result of pest infestation or has developed an infestation secondary to getting broken, then you need to debug it.
- Place the pot of the plant under a sink and have water run through the entire plant. The majority of the bugs will be washed off this way.
- Lift the leaves and look near Monstera nodes. This is where the majority of the pests will be hiding. Scrub them off using a cotton roll or a toothbrush.
- Apply a generous dose of insecticidal spray over the plant. You will need to follow a set schedule of spraying once or twice a week for several months to kill all the eggs and larvae of bugs.
- If you are someone who prefers to use natural ingredients on your plant, then a neem spray is the perfect choice for you. Mix one tablespoon in a gallon of water along with one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap. Spray lightly on the leaves once or twice every week to kill all the pests.
– Improve Your Plant’s Lighting
Make sure your Monstera gets plenty of indirect light during the majority of the day. Also, keep rotating the pot so that all sides get illuminated equally. This will save it from developing leggy stems and damaged leaves.
FAQ
In the upcoming section, we bring you the answer to a very important question regarding the broken stems of Monstera that you need to know.
Can You Propagate a Broken Monstera Stem?
Yes, if the broken stem in question has a leaf node in it, then it can be propagated in an appropriate potting soil. This is because a node contains all the growth material that a plant needs for growing a new plant. Without a node, a broken or burnt Monstera stem is quite useless.
How long does a broken Monstera stem take to heal?
A broken Monstera stem can take 2-4 weeks to heal depending on the severity. Avoid overwatering and keep the soil moist.
Can Monstera survive with split stems?
Monstera can survive with split stems, but it’s best to prune the damaged part and provide proper care to prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Congratulations on successfully making it to the end of this guide. All that is left is a little review:
- Your Monstera might suffer from broken stems due to a number of factors. These can be low light, low temperature, strong wind or pests and bugs.
- In order to fix such stems, you need to support them and strengthen them so that they can heal.
- It is important to fix broken stems, otherwise they can get infected by mold.
- Fixing a broken Monstera stem is easier than you think.
In the end, we would like to conclude with the message that while broken stems of your precious Monstera adansonii might look like bad news, they are usually quite easy to fix and treat.
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