Monstera Trouble?
Hi Everyone. My big, beautiful monstera suddenly got this discoloration on a couple leaves. It’s still healthy and thriving despite this, new growth coming in and very happy dark green leaves everywhere else. But two of the leaves have this discoloration on them. It’s not on the surface; I can’t brush or clean it off. But it’s not like a brown crinkly spot as if it were needing more water (it’s watered regularly). The whole plant is huge and generally a pretty easy pal to care for. But I’m not sure what to do about this or if I should just leave it alone? #MonsteraMonday #Monstera #MonsteraMob
3ft to light, indirect
18” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 month ago
8
Have you checked the backs of the leaves for pests? That looks like it might be thrip damage. If you see thrips, you should spray off the entire plant - stems, fronts and backs of leaves with a hose, all of it! Wipe everything down it an insecticidal soap and quarantine the plant from your other plants. Treat with insecticidal soap every few days and clean the leaves until you think the problem is gone. You might even have to repot the plant, thrips can live in soil so inspect the plant really well.
I agree with @Bplants that it looks like thrips damage.
If you notice black spots or white or black bugs on the undersides, that's what it is.
I find them really difficult to get rid of, so I end up using Systemic Pesticide. You dump it in the soil and it makes the plan toxic to thrips. It's the only time I'm willing to use a pesticide but it also seems totally necessary when I encounter them.
If you notice black spots or white or black bugs on the undersides, that's what it is.
I find them really difficult to get rid of, so I end up using Systemic Pesticide. You dump it in the soil and it makes the plan toxic to thrips. It's the only time I'm willing to use a pesticide but it also seems totally necessary when I encounter them.
@Bplants - I haven’t seen anything like that, but I’ll look harder to see if I can find them.
The problem is it’s winter here and there’s no way I could hose the plant down. It’s at least 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall. I’d have to haul it outside and hose it in the yard which would freeze the plant before I could get it dried off and back inside.
Any other way of cleaning it off?
The problem is it’s winter here and there’s no way I could hose the plant down. It’s at least 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall. I’d have to haul it outside and hose it in the yard which would freeze the plant before I could get it dried off and back inside.
Any other way of cleaning it off?
@PlantMompy - this might be the better way for me to go as I can’t hose this big guy off outside in the winter.
I'd recommend cleaning the leaves somehow as well. I use Natria on pests because it doesn't smell bad and won't burn leaves. Sometimes I put my plants in the shower just to make it easier.
One reason I had to use systemic was because I noticed them AFTER bringing my plants in for the winter, so I knew I couldn't easily quarantine.
One reason I had to use systemic was because I noticed them AFTER bringing my plants in for the winter, so I knew I couldn't easily quarantine.
@Bplants u need to use 4t Neem Oil and 2t Castile soap in a gallon of filtered water (or tap that has sat for 15 min) and spray all leaves, front and back stems and flush out soil x2 once. Then repeat all but the flushing of the soil 3x/wk for 6 weeks, if u need to water during this time, use the treatment for ur water. I just went thru a LONG 6 weeks w/3 plants!!! My Peace Lily started it as they went for her bloom so make sure u look out for any pin holes they just and drill down into ur plant. If u don’t have a lighted magnifying glass, invest $9 at Amazon for one. U either see white dots (larvae) or black dots(the actual thrips) but it’s all worth it and not any real cost, only ur time. I had to do my Monstera, Fiddle Fig and Peace Lily (the gang leader). Also at the end, gradually put them back in the sun increasing an hour each day til normal (if u have grow lights it’s more lenient), then she can go back to gen pop and be w friends. Speaking of; check plants that were near her or all of them depending how icky bugs make u feel. It’s a pain but totally worth it!! Good luck and I’m w ya here in spirit!!🪴
Thrips!!! I’d incorporate Systemic Granules into the soil for prevention once you’ve eradicated. I spent months battling these guys over the summer, I’m attaching a at home recipe I was given by a friend that will do the trick if you’re persistent!!
Hoping this helps a bit but truly the systemic granules are gonna help a lot bc it prevents them from laying their eggs into the soil or plant bc once the granules get to the roots, they’ll make the plant taste bad to the pest as well as kill them off!!
Hoping this helps a bit but truly the systemic granules are gonna help a lot bc it prevents them from laying their eggs into the soil or plant bc once the granules get to the roots, they’ll make the plant taste bad to the pest as well as kill them off!!
