Monstera Help Please!

Hey all!

My first post! And I would love some advice please!
I am new to indoor plants and have a query regarding my Monstera.
It has been growing healthily over the last 6 weeks (summer here in Tasmania) with once a week watering and light mist daily.
The last fortnight has seen one new growth shoot turn yellow with a dark crunchy brown end.
I've held off on watering, thinking that may be the issue but no change.
Pot has drainage hole and is newly potted into this pot as of 6 weeks ago.
Should I stick it out? Remove the yellow/brown growth? If yes, what's the best way to do so without damaging the rest of the plant?
Thank you for any advice!
I am determined to be more of a green thumb this year!

Is there actually a leaf or shoot in there? It sort of looks like the protective cover, not a leaf.

Thanks for replying Diana_K :) it is the second new growth I've witnessed on this plant and it all looked similar to the eventual development of the biggest leaf with one split.
The curled brown bit (in relation to what I witnessed with the first new leaf) eventually became the tip of the leaf. It eventually unfurled into a leaf.
I'm sorry my descriptions and words may not be correct! I am really not savvy with plants but I do want to learn so any help would be greatly appreciated!! :)

OK, so it was trying to grow a leaf and something happened. The leaf was damaged, tip turned brown, crunchy.

Have you added any fertilizer to the plant/soil/water?
How dry is it getting between watering?
How hot is it?
Is it in a draft, for example, from an air conditioner?

It hasn't been overly hot (about 20-25C) sits on the coffee table near three windows with Venetian blinds (filtered light) was watering every Sunday but have noted overwatering might be the issue so will let it dry out completely. No air con, just partially opened window nearby. Was fertilized with Osmocote Indoor plant fertilizer when I potted it into this pot 6 weeks ago, as per instructions on container.
My mum got this plant for me and has guided me a little but bless her, her last indoor plant was when she was rocking a wicked perm in the early 1980's!! Haha!
Should I remove the dead foliage? :)

Yes, remove dead foliage.

The brown thing is a cataphyll.
http://www.exoticrainforest.com/hastatum-stem-2-petiole-cat.gif
They are always discarded. (Pic is of Philodendron, but Monstera structure is the same, except that there's also a geniculum on the petiole of Monstera.)

The next leaf should emerge from the petiole of the newest leaf.

Very interesting but I have one question. What does " when she was rocking a wicked perm in the early 1980's!!" mean?

LOL!! I think everyone had a perm (in their hair) in the early 80's. I know I did.

yeah, I suppose you're right. >grin<

Ok, so what is a geniculum? I have been growing plants for many years and you are hitting me with a lot of new words I have never heard before. I love the tropicals and Rose's plants look really healthy. I hope she continues with whatever she is doing. Jen

I went into that link you posted up there, and it did not have any part of it called that. geniculum

Wow guys! Thanks for all the replies!

Diana_K: I removed the dead bit and feel refreshed now hehe!
purpleinopp: that image is very helpful, thank you for that! I also have a Peace Lily and a Philodendron Congo so knowing more about the anatomy of the plants is going to be very helpful!
Jnette: haha 80's perm, good old curly set hair style, everything makes a come back eventually - although my mum would shudder to think that such a hair style would be in fashion again!

Geniculum is a joint on the petiole. It gives leaves more ability to turn. I agree, it's an arcane term that usually only comes up when trying to ID plants. Monstera has this (and peace lily,) but Philodendron (in the pic of the link I shared) does not. It's a sure way to differentiate the 2 genera. From the pics at the top of the discussion, I've circled what looks like a geniculum to me. Rose, since you have the plant to inspect in person, are you able to see it clearly? If not, it may be a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (called mini Monstera for common.)

Hi.

Living in Florida, my philodendrons grow to 10 feet or more. I have one to the left of me that is threatening to raise the roof.

I don't think you'd be doing the plant a favor by drying it out. Those aroids like water. I water mine generously with the garden hose every 2 days. My monstera sit in an area that is almost constantly wet. And they LOVE fertilizer. Fertilize weakly, fertilize weekly and keep them out of direct sun. Those are shade plants, very intolerant of direct sun in our latitudes. It is not rare to see them grab a tree trunk and grow to 30 or 40 feet here. There is a variegated monstera not far from there that may be higher than that. I wish I had a cutting of that. At that size, they don't care if they're in full sun, they just grow more. Have fun with your monstera. It doesn't seem to be in any danger. Remember that anything that turns yellow or brown will not green again, so remove it at will and very delicately to avoid causing damage to the healthy tissue.

Sylvain.

Well, Sylvain, where have you been since we've been talking about philodendrons? All of my plants, houseplants that is, are in plastic pots. Which I know are not the best thing for them, but that I think, is the reason we don't water that often. Because of the plastic. The plants would sit in water and the roots would rot. RIGHT???

Living in Florida I believe you probably do have them grow that big. That would be the biggest reason for myself to be envious of your living there. The plants. I would be willing to bet that your climate is also very humid isn't it? Being close to the water?

Why did you guys let them cut down all the trees in the Everglades? So sad.

Sylvain, your plants sound lovely! I wonder if the variegated one might be Epipremnum (Pothos?)

I drove by this morning, and it could very well be an Epipremnum. From a distance, it's hard to tell. I'll go take a picture with a real camera, so I can have a closer look. Anyhow, the fact remains I'd love to have a cutting of that one.

Sylvain.

purpleinopp: you are correct, that area that you circled on my plant is what you would call a geniculum, each stem/leaf has one - this is great, loving learning about the terminology!

Sylvain: This may sound silly, but I do feel like a mean person letting my plants dry out! I have continued misting them and will reassess the watering situation. It is hard, when you read so much information on various websites about the best way to care for a Monstera Deliciosa. It sounds like you have quite the first hand experience with such plants; are your Monstera's indoors at all times? Or do you give them a "day trip" outside every now and then? (As I have read to do that too?!)

The only indoor plants I have are: 1 blooming phalaenopsis orchid and 2 african violets. The rest is outside; some in pots, some in the ground. I'm not a specialist. I just tell you what works for me.

Sylvain.

You know you guys, the difference between your two locations could make a big difference in how you treat the plants too. Are you in a very humid climate? Or dry? Makes a difference Are you both the same?

Jnette: I certainly don't live in tropical conditions, more dry and cool than anything!

Just trying to make a point Rose. Plants inside or outside are a HUGE difference.

OK Sylvain, if you were to take a cutting from it, where would you cut? The only place I could see is the top or end of each branch? Does the one you are so enamored with have more than one stalk? Jeanette

Taking a cutting from a philodendron, one must aim a cut to the main stem, keeping 3 or 4 nodes (and petioles and leaves), about 1/2 inch below the lowest of the cutting's nodes. Remove the bottom 2 petioles and leaves, stick directly into a pot of soil, making sure the 2 bottom nodes are under the soil, water, keep moist, out of direct sunlight and you have a philodendron cutting, I tried rooting hormone and found it useless with philodendrons. My mom used to root the cutting in a vase of water. What a waste of time. Best yet, the point where you cut the stem will set forth a new growing point on the mother plant.

I'll be driving by that philodendron today. I might remember to take a picture of my fave one and post it here. The operative word in that last sentence is: might. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Sylvain.

The sticky at the top of this forum should help folks understand why using potting soil can require letting plants dry more thoroughly so the roots don't rot. If it wilts, that's way too dry.

Absolutely, climate would affect growth rate, water usage...

Your plant looks fine to me, Rose. I wouldn't do anything usual to it, just let it adjust to having been recently repotted.

Hope to see your pic, Sylvain!

OK, my next question is obvious. If the whole plant does not look good, can you cut several cuttings from it? Do you have to have leaves on each node on the cuttings? If I had that, I would not need cuttings would I????

Philodendrons are unbelievably resilient. If the whole plant looks leggy, you can cut in in 4-node sections: 2 nodes in the soil and 2 nodes out of the soil. Keeping only one leaf is best, as it makes less demands on the cutting. If no leaves are present, an axial bud may very well activate and generate new growth. It's important to remember which end of the cutting is down. I use a Sharpie to mark the bottom end. Here is a picture of one where I only had about a 10-inch piece of stem. Notice the new growth in the absence of leaves. The leaves on the soil are ZZ plant leaves I am hoping to root.

And here is a philodendron growing in a 25-inch pot, in complete shade. It will all have to be cut into sections are propagated. The big leaves in the front are 25 inches long.

Sylvain.

Very cool! But IDK what I like more, the Philo plant, or the thermometer behind it! TY for sharing.

Good luck to your cuttings! I've rooted Philo stems that way, but haven't yet had the pleasure of playing with any Monsteras (besides obliqua.) When I put Philo stem cuttings more horizontally, they seem more likely to grow more than 1 new tip @ the same time. The older, woody pieces of stem don't seem to get going as fast as material closer to a tip.

Here's a piece starting 2 new tips.

Oh, I just now noticed the old thermometer on the wall. It's off by a few degrees, showing cooler temperatures than the actual temperature. It was left behind by the previous owner and I have never taken it down.

Sylvain.

OK, I lost my post it seems. LoL, not the first time. Probably got side tracked and forgot to click on send.

I had questions of course. I have a philo just like that one but not nearly as big. The leaves on mine are about 10 inches long. What is the post in that one? And of course, how tall is it? Why does it have to be cut up and propagated? Do you mean if it has gotten too big?

Should I have mine in a larger pot? It is in an 8 inch now.

Sylvain, I noticed you didn't put a post in with that Monstera you have there. When will you be putting one in and what will you use? And how long?

Purple, that is really neat that it started in 2 places. Is that one rooted yet? I suppose, since it probably wouldn't have started growing if it didn't have roots. You know, just reminded me that I heard with climbing roses, if you tie the canes onto something so it is horizontal, you will get a lot more roses blooming along that cane. Wonder if the horizontal has something secret about it, that maybe makes the juices or something work differently. Pretty cool.

Yep, pretty nice thermometer you've got there Sylvain. You couldn't get the picture of the one you like so well?

Well Rose, I have been growing houeplants for 40 or more years and am learning a lot of new things right along with you. Until now, a plant is a plant. Know most of them in general families, etc. Like the African Violets, Holiday Cactus, (since there are so many different holidays in the cactus now) not sure which is which holiday tho. philodendrons, begonias, etc. But these folks get right down to the nitty gritty in words for different parts of the plants. It's fun to know. Have to keep going back and looking. Been a long time since I have been tested like this. jen

That philodendron was given to me by a dear friend of mine, (Giancarlo on DG), who has since passed on to another plane of existence. It started as a little 10-inch cutting 5 years ago in an itty-bitty 4 inch pot. I repotted it, took scrupulous care of it. It has grown up and down the 8-foot long 1x6 board that sits in its 24-inch pot. It has now reached monstrous size and it keeps growing, to my great delight. I guess you could say it's my pride and joy, along with a philodendron giganteum that really earns its name.

Why I plan on propagating it: The HOA is repainting all the villas on my street in about a month. I just know that when we move it to give the painters access to the wall, it will break. I'll try my darnedest to keep it whole, but the odds re slim that I'll prevail. I am thinking of planting 1x1 stakes all around the pot and enclosing it in a net to move it. So, I have decided to cut it up and start a whole slew of them, should it break while I move it. Of course, I will try to move it without breaking it, but I have a plan B if and when the inevitable happens. I dread that day.

That tree hugger still hasn't been photographed, but I have business that will take me near there tomorrow. Maybe I'll remember to bring the came along. None of that cell phone picture taking for me. My memory is like monstera leaves once in a while: full of holes.

Sylvain

Sylvain, good luck with the plant move/painting/propagating!!

Your last sentence cracked me up, TY for the chuckle!