Monstera Acacoyaguensis Care InfographicMonstera acacoyaguensis is an attractive and charming houseplant. If you wish to grow this in your home or garden, then you have come to the right article. In this detailed guide, our gardening experts list out the care mechanism along with tips to tackle some common issues of the plant.
Wait no longer and read all that there is to grow a healthy and thriving plant.
Contents
What Is a Monstera Acacoyaguensis Split?
Monstera acacoyaguensis split is a rare tropical plant known for its large foliage and beautiful glossy green leaves. Native to Guatemala and Mexico this climbing plant is easy to grow and is often an attractive centerpiece in all kinds of spaces. Thus,
Monstera Acacoyaguensis Care
Caring for the monstera acacoyaguensis is easy and does not require much everyday attention. You can see vibrant foliage by just giving the plant the tropical environment it seeks and deserves. Here are the finer points on plant care.
– Water Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis prefers to thrive in soil that is just slightly moist, hence water the plant only when you notice the topsoil go completely dry. The best way to judge if your plant requires water is to do a simple finger test by inserting it two inches into the soil. If the soil is moist to touch, refrain from adding in more water.
In general, the plant requires watering once a week. Do bear in mind, overwatering as well as underwatering can make the plant wilt and die, therefore maintain a proper watering schedule to keep the plant alive and kicking.
– Light Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis requires bright yet indirect light to thrive. This makes it a perfect plant to be grown indoors. Direct sunlight can harm the plant causing sunburn on the leaves.
If you do not have enough bright light indoors use a grow lamp or overhead light. Move the plant near an east or west-facing window where it can receive the maximum light through the day. Monstera acacoyaguensis grow well when they receive at least ten hours of light per day.
– Soil Requirements
The plant will require consistently moist soil that is rich in nutrients. Use a potting mix of peat moss, sand, and perlite in equal proportions. This will ensure the soil is well-draining and not clogged, retaining excess water. Maintain the PH level slightly acidic between 6 to 6.5.
During dry summers increase the humidity in the soil by adding some moss at the base of the plant. While doing so, ensure you do not cover the roots as it may reduce air around them.
– Temperature Requirements
The plant requires warm temperatures around it. The ideal range of monstera acacoyaguensis is between 65 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and chilly winds. If indoors, place the plant away from air conditioners or room heaters.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis are not heavy feeders. Thus limit the use of fertilizer to the growing season between spring and summer, it is recommedned to use a diluted water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the season and add it to the topsoil.
Abstain using fertilizer in the winter months when the plant is dormant. Excess minerals may set in fertilizer burn and can kill the plant.
– Repotting Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis has a moderately paced growth rate. Thus, repotting once in two or three years should do.
Repotting is essential as it prevents root-bound and gives the plant more soil to spread and thrive. It is beneficial to the overall health of the plant when you repot to a slightly larger new pot after some time. Spring months are the ideal time to consider repotting. Scroll down to our repotting section to understand the entire process.
– Pruning Requirements
Pruning the plant helps to keep the plant in shape. It promotes growth and gives new blooms. Snip away gently all dead and decayed stems and leaves, additionallt this will also keep the spread of pests and diseases at bay.
– Humidity Requirements
As a tropical plant, monstera acacoyaguensis prefer a humid environment. Maintain humidity around the plant by misting the leaves, since misting comes with another advantage of keeping the plant dust-free and pests at bay. If you are growing your plant indoors, increase humidity by misting it several times a week or by using a humidifier in the room.
– Tackling Pests
Mealybugs and spider mites are the most common pests that you will spot on the monstera acacoyaguensis. They thrive in clusters between nodes, undersides of leaves and on stems, leaving behind white flakes. Prevent pest infestation by keeping the plant dust free and regularly spraying an organic soapy insecticide.
– Toxicity
The plant is toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Due to its calcium oxalate content, consuming any part of the plant can cause swelling and burning sensation on lips and mouth. Thus keep the plant away from young children and pets.
Propagate
One of the easiest ways to propagate the plant is by using cuttings from the mother plant and rooting them in soil, water or sphagnum moss. Propagation can be done any time of the year, however, for quick and best results, propagate in summer or fall.
You can also propagate through seeds, though this process is slower in comparison to using stem cuttings. Here are the details on the propagation process.
– Stem Cuttings
- Pick a healthy stem from where you will be taking a cutting
- With the help of a sterile and sharp pruner snip away a vine from the plant at a leaf node.
- Set this in a container of water, directly in soil or in sphagnum moss. If you have placed it in water, ensure you change the water daily.
- Place this container with the wine in bright yet indirect light.
- The vine will require to be in a temperature between 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit to begin rooting. In case of low temperatures, place the container over a heating pad to provide it with the required warmth.
- In two weeks the first roots will begin to appear. Wait for a few more weeks for the dense roots before you transplant them into the soil.
– Seeds
- Collect seeds from flower pods and rinse them clean.
- Sow them in a shallow tray filled with potting mix or soil. Keep it lightly moistened.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap to retain humidity. This will help the seeds to germinate faster.
- Choose a warm spot under bright yet indirect light and leave the tray undisturbed.
- You need to occasionally mist the soil.
- In a couple of weeks, the seeds will begin to germinate.
- Remove the plastic wrap once germination occurs.
- It will be a month or so more to see the seedlings grow into juvenile plants.
Common Problems
Having understood the care and propagation procedure, let us take a look at the problems you may encounter while growing the plant. We explain in the below section each of the issues, their occurrence and how you can tackle them easily.
– Leaves Turning Yellow
If you spot your monstera acacoyaguensis leaves turning yellow, then it could be because of exposure to excessive light.
Keep in mind that too much light can cause the chlorophyll to break down thereby resulting in yellowed and wilted leaves. Therefore it is best to move the plant to a spot with bright yet partial or indirect sunlight.
– Leaves Turning Brown
Two probable causes can turn leaves of the monstera acacoyaguensis brown, moreover, exposure to too much heat is one of them. If the plant is under direct sun heat, near a heater or even a television, move them away to ensure the foliage remains lush green.
Overwatering is another of the causes, although when moisture pools up at the roots and leaves, the plant will be unable to cope thereby turning the leaves brown. Scale back on the watering and monitor your schedule. Water only when the topsoil is dry to touch.
– Limp and Wilting Plant
Another outcome of excess moisture in the plant is wilting of the plant. Monstera acacoyaguensis cannot thrive if the soil is soggy or water pools at the base.
Scale back on the watering immediately, note that you should check the potting mix, if it is too heavy or compacted, poke tiny holes on the surface to allow for air circulation thereby drying the soil faster.
– Root Rot
Root rot is yet again an outcome of overwatering. Bacterial and fungal growth in the moist roots causes them to turn black and rot. Under this condition, the plant will bear a wilted appearance, yellowed leaves, a foul smell and mushy stems, since the health of the plant gets affected drastically.
Prevent root rot by ensuring your soil is just slightly moist and not soggy. If you suspect root rot, gently pull out the plant from the soil. Inspect for darkened sections of the root and snip them away with a sterile garden pruner. Replant in fresh potting mix or soil.
– Pest Infestations
Pests most commonly appear in the warm months of later summer and early fall. Catching them early is important to restrict their spread and growth.
Look for signs of webbing on the plant. Spray an organic and soapy insecticide to get rid of the pests. You can alternatively use organic applicants such as neem oil to repel the menace from the plant.
– Curling Leaves
Being a tropical plant, monstera acacoyaguensis requires an environment that is high in humidity. Low humidity causes heat stress resulting in the curling of leaves.
Mist the leaves regularly if the weather is hot and dry. If you are growing the plant indoors, use a humidifier to kick in some moisture in the air. You can alternatively place a container with pebbles and water below the plant that will bring in the moisture required for the plant.
Repotting
As discussed in the care section, repotting monstera acacoyaguensis is essential to keep it growing healthy. If you are wondering when and how you can achieve this, read on below for all the details.
- Unlike many of its counterparts, it does not require repotting frequently, so schedule them once every two or three years.
- Choose spring to early summer months to do repotting as this will give the plant enough warmth before fall to establish itself well in the new soil.
- Pick a pot or container just two sizes bigger. This will reduce the risk of overwatering the soil as well as prevent the roots from going dry soon. Ensure the pot has good drainage holes.
- Insert a wooden stake gently into the center of the pot and slowly lift the plant in its entirety.
- Shake the excess soil at the roots, loosening the mesh of growth slowly and gently.
- This is the time to inspect for root rot or decaying root sections. Snip them away with sterile garden pruners.
- Place the plant in the new pot and fill in the space with moist potting soil. Water lightly.
- Repotting prevents roots from getting cramped up together and will help in the growth of new and lush green foliage of the plant.
5 Quick Tips
- Always isolate plants infected with pests and diseases immediately to prevent spread to other areas of your garden.
- Providing a greenhouse for the plant will give it some stability of light and heat, as a result too many fluctuations cause stress and hamper its growth.
- Remove accumulated water in trays and saucers below the pot as it can make the lower levels of soil and the roots soggy.
- To make your potting soil airy add some bark, chips or pumice. Additionally, it will also help in keeping the soil well-drained.
- And finally, to fulfill the nutrition requirements of the monstera acacoyaguensis opt for slow-release fertilizer formula, especially if it is potted.
FAQ
How do I know when to repot my Monstera Acacoyaguensis?
Check the roots for signs of overcrowding or if they start to come out of the drainage holes. Repotting every 1-2 years is recommended.
What is a good companion plant for Monstera Acacoyaguensis?
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (aka Selloum) or Calathea makoyana are great companion plants for Monstera Acacoyaguensis.
What are some of the unique features of the monstera acacoyaguensis plant?
Monstera acacoyaguensis is a favorite among hobbyists, interior designers and gardeners. Here is what makes it unique:
- Monstera acacoyaguensis leaves are large and glossy and can grow to a length of six feet.
- Each of the leaves is unique with distinctive holes and patterns that resemble a work of art. The plant is popularly known as the Swiss cheese plant because of this.
- Younger plants grow upright and straight.
- Monstera acacoyaguensis juvenile leaves are long, smooth and oval. As the plant matures, it develops leaf fenestration.
- The plant grows to a height of twenty feet in its native habitat. When grown indoors and at home, expect it to reach a height of four to six feet.
- Stems are green and vine-like.
- Yellow and small cylindrical flowers are produced throughout the year.
Conclusion
You have now read and understood the process involved in caring, growing and maintaining a healthy monstera acacoyaguensis. Here is a quick summary to recall the details it involves.
- Monstera acacoyaguensis requires lightly moist soil and bright indirect sunlight.
- It is a tropical plant thus high humidity and warm temperatures are essential to keep it healthy.
- The plant grows to great heights with large leaves that come with beautiful fenestrations.
- You can propagate the plant through stem cuttings placed in water, soil or sphagnum moss.
- Most issues of the plant can be tackled by maintaining a watering schedule, providing it with the right tropical environment and keeping pests at bay.
Now that you have read all that there is to know about monstera acacoyaguensis, you can easily include them in your garden spaces. If you are looking for a stress-free plant, then this is the perfect one for you.
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