Monstera experiment: water vs. perlite
Oh yeah, they were ready to go!
It was a bit of an experiment having one set in pearlite and one in just water. Here’s what I noticed between them:
• They both did start in water, one in the glass pasta jar (A), and one in an opaque jug (B). I noticed within the first two weeks that plant B’s roots were far longer than plant A’s! I think this was to do with being in a dark jug? In the wild, a monstera will dip its nodes and air roots in to dark puddles for extra water, so I’m wondering if this was a good mimic for nature.
That’s when I decided to try pearlite for glass jar A.
• Once the glass jar had pearlite in it, plant A took off. I kept the waterline at about three inches in to the jar, this way the plant really was using the pearlite to grow downward and create really established, healthy roots
• B steadily grew, round and round and round the bottom of the jug, eventually growing the establishing roots from those original spirals
• At the point of repotting, they’ve been establishing for 6+ months now. Seems potentially like too long, but I knew these guys were going in to a BIG pot at some point so wanted to give them a fighting chance. The leaves they were establishing from were very mature from my old plant, Bastard, (called because he was a Big Bastard)
• I think patience is key with plants like this, never pot before the roots are branching off from the initial one.
For me, I’m proud I’m at the potting stage! Need to make another order with Off You Prop on Etsy, as 20L of soil wasn’t enough to fill Fernie’s whole pot!!?!
Can’t wait to keep him growing well 🪴💚
#PropToPot #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #RootPorn #Nallon #MonsteraMob #PlantCorner #PLANTMAFIA #PlantPhotoClub
It was a bit of an experiment having one set in pearlite and one in just water. Here’s what I noticed between them:
• They both did start in water, one in the glass pasta jar (A), and one in an opaque jug (B). I noticed within the first two weeks that plant B’s roots were far longer than plant A’s! I think this was to do with being in a dark jug? In the wild, a monstera will dip its nodes and air roots in to dark puddles for extra water, so I’m wondering if this was a good mimic for nature.
That’s when I decided to try pearlite for glass jar A.
• Once the glass jar had pearlite in it, plant A took off. I kept the waterline at about three inches in to the jar, this way the plant really was using the pearlite to grow downward and create really established, healthy roots
• B steadily grew, round and round and round the bottom of the jug, eventually growing the establishing roots from those original spirals
• At the point of repotting, they’ve been establishing for 6+ months now. Seems potentially like too long, but I knew these guys were going in to a BIG pot at some point so wanted to give them a fighting chance. The leaves they were establishing from were very mature from my old plant, Bastard, (called because he was a Big Bastard)
• I think patience is key with plants like this, never pot before the roots are branching off from the initial one.
For me, I’m proud I’m at the potting stage! Need to make another order with Off You Prop on Etsy, as 20L of soil wasn’t enough to fill Fernie’s whole pot!!?!
Can’t wait to keep him growing well 🪴💚
#PropToPot #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #RootPorn #Nallon #MonsteraMob #PlantCorner #PLANTMAFIA #PlantPhotoClub
3ft to light, direct
13” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 years ago
29
Thanks for sharing @Nallon, some nice learnings and great tips for me in future. Literally sending your post to myself so I can find it much easier later!! #GregFeedback Wish we could save posts on here!!
@Nallon this is awesome. Thanks taking the time to share!! 💚😎
Have you read / follow @houseplantjournal??Reading this reminded me of his observations ☺️ his stuff is “an engineer’s approach on houseplant care” I love it! Anyway well done and keep sharing 💚💚💚👏
Have you read / follow @houseplantjournal??Reading this reminded me of his observations ☺️ his stuff is “an engineer’s approach on houseplant care” I love it! Anyway well done and keep sharing 💚💚💚👏
@motherofplants he sounds like my kinda man, I will follow now! Thank you! This has been a long time coming but I’m happy to finally have them potted up! 🪴
