I need to get something tall for this plant to attach to, so it grows up and not out. I understand the leaves will get bigger and split if I do this. I can't find the tall pieces of bark they used to sell. I think they had moss on them. Anyone have any ideas on what to use that is atttractive for it to climb onto? THANKS
Kell, That is beautiful!
I have a pothos ivy growing up a 7-1/2 foot copper obelisk. I bought it at Gardener's Supply.
http://www.gardeners.com/SiteMap/offers/Copper_Obelisks.htm
I also have a 6 foot wrought iron obelisk with a giant pothos or a monstera-like ivy growing up it in the greenhouse. I think I bought it from Jackson & Perkins. I opted for the metal obelisks because I couldn't find a plant pole that was long enough. The obelisk also gives you a wider look. See the enclosed thread. Use a heavy clay or ceramic pot or the whole lot will eventually tip over. Oh, what a mess! Wet potting soil everywhere.
BettyDee
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/490839/
I don't think an obelisk is going to be the solution for this. Monsteras want to attached to something like a wall, tree, etc (something substantial and solid).
Kell, it's hard to find this kind of stuff. I found this at Black Jungle Terrarium Supply Co. You would have to buy several pieces and attach them somehow from the back (doens't seem like it would be too difficult, though).
http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BJTS&Product_Code=CC-L&Category_Code=WFWH
If the link doesn't come through, it's basically a woody 'cork curl' sold in their longest length (13"-18"). Also, a local nursery by my office sells the bark logs or whatever they're called. I have to run by there on my lunch today and I'll check and see if they have them still. I think they would be perfect. I'll let you know.
Carter.
I have this problem too. The florist I asked said "Oh yeah, totem plants. How old is your plant?" When I said it was about to turn 32, she laughed and said that was about the last time she saw those poles for sale! I have a tree to cut down in my yard this year, and I was thinking of skinning it and saving the bark for my plant. Think that would work? Or would it need to dry or cure first?
What if you got a piece of rough lumber and wrapped sheet moss around it and attached it with some kind of netting(like the kind Christmas trees come wrapped in)? The philodendrons grow up trees down here, they attach to the bark and will also attach to brick/stucco houses and palm trees.
Cala, I think that would probably work great. They just want something to sturdy to attach to. It may take them a little bit to attach, but once they do, they take off (at the light speed of a turtle, but that's fast for them! lol)! My regular monstera has very happily attached itself to my brick house.
How 'bout chicken wire,rolled into a form,stuffed with moss
put a pole in the middle for stability
cc, I have my variegated monstera growing on a regular moss pole similar to what you are talking about. I am probably going to try to switch it over to grow on something a little bigger. It's done fine on the moss pole, it's just outgrown it rather quickly.
....or....take a pole (2x4 or tree trunk or...) and fix the spagnum to it with chicken wire...pull the moss out so it kinda covers the wire....or tie it on with galvanized wire (chicken wire may rust too soon). I have also thought about really scruffing up a pole or 2x4 making criss cross all over the place...so that there is a surface for the roots to cling too...and you water the surface and it stays damp..
My experience with Monstera is that if you use part of your house or any structure...it will be taken over.
Aloha
If I were to put this outside on my stucco, my husband would not only kill the plant but me also. LOL
Though, I have a couple of these plants, I may try one outside just for fun!!
OK thanks, I will try to cover a tall redwood board with moss. I am not sure how I will attach it though. I have never seen sheet moss. An ideas where I can find it. Here we only have small bales of moss but it is on pieces.
I've never seen sheet moss, but if you use regular moss, you can maybe attach it with something like bird netting (netting used to keep birds off of trees). The netting will hold the moss on, but has holes big enough for the monstera to get through to 'grab' the moss. I just thought of that yesterday when I saw the bird netting at a nursery I stopped by. Have not idea how expensive it is, though. Anything of the like would work, though, I'd think.
Kell I was checking EBay out and they have one with the starting price of $50.00. So you do have a very nice plant.
Great idea, Carter...better than chicken wire. It might just climb up the Redwood, Kell....they climb up some pretty smooth trees, here.
Carol
I've ended up just staking mine, but allowing them to grow up something would look much nicer.
Kell, that plant is gorgeous!
Does it actually get any type of nourishment from what it grows onto, or does it just grow 'up' better? I am thinking if there is nothing given by what it climbs up, you could just wind rope around a 2x4, it would look nice and be plenty porous enough to climb.
Wow, Kell. I love this plant. Now I've got to find one. LOL
This message was edited Mar 20, 2005 1:12 PM
Kell,
I found a garden center that has the fern bark totems that were very common back in the 70's. I use them for my monsteras and they work famously. Let me know if you want me to pick one up for you!! They are bulky, but, light weight so shipping should not be too bad.
Mel
Those are down right gorgeous ... I agree Ada, need to find one. Beautiful Kell!
Oh Mel. You are too nice to me. Are they tall ones?
Hi Chele! So good to see you and a great idea!
Hey Mel, how about a totem plant pole co-op?
I hear you on the co-op for totems! I hunted for YEARS before I found them. Finally, found them in a garden center that has been around for 40 years and it is possible that the totems are that old. I'll run by there this week and see what is left. The ones I bought are 4' tall. They also come in 1' and 2'. I would just have to figure how to ship them.
I repotted one of my monsteras over the weekend and the totem had been in the pot for 2 years. I was amazed to find that the totem had not rotted at all.
Kell, what goes around comes around! You share with everyone here and , thus, deserve the same kindness in return!!!
Mel
Gee thanks Mel. Let me know how much I owe you. If you can, buy me 2 of the 4 ft ones. I can paypal the $$. You are too nice!! You and Susie both have the real nice gene!
Kell that is a great looking plant! You will have to take a picture of it later this summer for us.
They are still small. In 6 inch pots. I am waiting to pot it up till I get the stake. I am going to plant one outside and one inside. I can't wait till the leaves get big and serrated.
Mel-
Just out of curiosity - how expensive are these four foot totems you found? I'm yet another who has been trying to find a suitable support for these plants and the only things I've found that are large enough are much too expensive. If you've found something affordable I may go out and look some more.
Thanks.
Here's another source for plant poles, they have several sizes so check for other entries on their website:
Gardening Supply Warehouse
http://www.gardeningsupplywarehouse.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=146&osCsid=b150bf408384cd5cb6c118cdaf4474a6
Gardening Supply Warehouse listed in GardenWatchdog
http://davesgarden.com/gwd/c/3548/
Or Buy directly from Mosser Lee
Poles
https://www.secureserver.com/mosserlee/products/totempole.html
Order Form
https://www.secureserver.com/mosserlee/orderonline.html
As I recall, the fern wood totems are around 5-6.00. I have not gotten down to the garden center to check to see if they have any left. I hope to be able to check it out this week.
Mel
