How to choose the best tutor for the monstera and when to put it on?


The monstera is a type of plant that grows coiling around tree trunks; that is, it is a climber or vine. On top of that, it tends to reach impressive heights if given the opportunity, and if not, what it does is grow as a pendant, or as a creeper. For this reason, when it is cultivated there will come a time when we have to ask ourselves when to put a tutor to the monstera.

And it is that, unless we can let it grow on its own, we will have no choice but to control and guide its growth a little.

Why will the monstera need a guardian?

Image – Flickr / Dinesh Valke

La monstera It is a plant that, as its name suggests, can become “monstrous”. It is estimated that there are about 60 described species, and although there are some smaller than others, most reach 20 meters in height. then of course, Assuming that there is no house that measures so much, and that it would not be practical to have stems and leaves of a single plant growing throughout the house, putting a stake on it will be very useful to be able to guide her.

In addition, if what interests us is growing it outdoors, either in the garden or on a patio, we will also have to help it climb, since it does not have tendrils with which it can grab anywhere.

How to choose the best tutor for the plant?

Although we can find many types of stakes for plants for sale, it is important that the most suitable one for the monstera is chosen well. To do this, we will have to take into account a couple of things:

  • plant size: the taller and bigger it is, the heavier it will be, so the guardian will have to be tall and robust.
  • The depth of the pot: the length of the stake must be the sum of the height of the pot plus that of the plant, as a minimum.
  • And in the event that it is in the garden, the type of land: if it is a sandy soil, very light, we will choose a very robust one. But it may also be necessary to make a deep hole, introduce the stake and pour a concrete base. On the contrary, if it is clayey soil, for example, there will be no need to put any base on it, although I do recommend adding enough water to soften it. This will make it easier to enter.

Starting from this, You have to know that there are steel, plastic or wood stakes, which are usually thin and therefore light; and those more robust that are covered with coconut fiber. Well, the former will be ideal for varieties that have relatively small leaves, such as monstera adansonii or the Monster obliqued; On the other hand, if our plant has large leaves, like the Monstera deliciousWe will opt for the latter.

When do you have to put one on the monstera?

It will depend a lot on how we want it to grow, and how interested we are in it being that way. I explain: I for example have one monstera adansonii indoors, on a narrow and tall piece of furniture, and since I like its stems to hang down, I have no intention of putting a stake on it. What’s more, if it ever touches the ground, I’ll trim those stems.

Furthermore, I have one Monstera delicious in the patio, that as it gains height I will put onebecause I am not interested in it growing by crawling on the ground, or trying to climb on other plants.

Now, how do you know that the time has come to put a tutor? Well, this is quite subjective, at least when the monstera is still young. When she gets bigger and bigger and occupies more and more space, the need for her to have one is almost urgent, unless, as she said, it can be pruned.

But if we don’t want to prune it, then We will have no choice but to place a tutor as soon as we see that it begins to grow somewhat inclinedsince that will be the unequivocal sign that it cannot support its own weight.

How should a tutor be put on the monstera?

Image – Flickr / FarOutFlora

Very carefully. Although the monstera is a resistant plant, we have to try not to damage the roots too much. And how can you do that without removing it from the pot or the ground? The answer is simple: you can’t. Here you have to use your imagination remember what the root loaf was like when we planted it where it is now and what size it was, and from there introduce the stake at a certain distance (about five centimeters) of said root ball.

If it is in a pot, it is best to place the stake between the earthen bread and the edge of the container. If the stake is thick, it is advisable to insert it in the center of it if we are transplanting it, before putting it in the pot, since having the root ball in sight will make it easier for us to place the stake without damaging it.

So, we hope that this information will be useful for you to make your monstera grow as you want.


How to choose the best tutor for the monstera and when to put it on?

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