Monstera Siltepecana care tips
The Monstera Siltepecana is a beautiful, leafy houseplant that can reach up to 2-feet tall. According to the University of Florida Extension, as it grows taller, its leaves will appear more upright and narrow. The plant comes from tropical areas of Mexico below 5,000 feet in elevation where coastal or montane rainforest conditions are present. A location with indirect sunlight at moderate temperature makes the Monstera Siltepecana an ideal choice for interiors.
This plant’s ideal water requirements consist of standing water in the saucer under the pot after a thorough watering, allowing excess water to drain away several hours after watering. Applying fertilizer once or twice a month when potting soil is dry will likely provide an abundance of nutrients for the monstera Siltepecana.
Plant care concerns for monstera Siltepecana
If proper care isn’t taken, this houseplant is at risk of falling victim to aphids, caterpillars, mealybugs, and scale insects. Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects with long legs on tender growth or under armpit-shaped damaged patches. Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies or moths which feed on leaves and can leave behind greenish castings usually seen in plants left alone too long without pruning.
Mealybugs are oval-shaped bugs covered in a fine white cotton-like powder that can infiltrate tender growth and leave a sticky residue. Scale insects look like thin brownish bumps on the underside of leaves and throughout stems.
How to grow Monstera Siltepecana successfully?
The Monstera Siltepecana is an excellent candidate for growing inside. When providing your Monstera plant with a home, please put it in a windowless room that receives indirect sunlight for 12 hours a day. The humidity level should remain between 55 percent and 65 percent, with average nighttime temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this plant at least 20 inches away from radiators or other heat sources and drafty windows to avoid leaf damage from too much exposure to rapid temperature changes. A loose, well-draining potting mix consisting of sand and bark pieces will provide adequate drainage.
Some Instructions
The Monstera Siltepecana can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, though it shouldn’t be exposed to long periods of exposure to cold air. This plant should be checked regularly for pest problems if grown in a greenhouse or conservatory environment where ants may carry the eggs of pests from place to place. Keep an eye out for white cottony residue on leaves that indicate the early signs of mealybugs before they begin multiplying quickly over time. Caterpillar droppings consist of greenish castings instead of a white or gray coloring left behind by other pests. Aphids are usually accompanied by the presence of ants that feed on plant honeydew.
Where to buy this plant?
Monstera Siltepecana plants are available at local garden centers during their peak growing season. The plant is commonly sold as a small tabletop specimen. Still, it can grow to become an impressive houseplant with proper potting soil and climate conditions for successful growth indoors. Monstera Siltepecana plants can also purchase from specialty nurseries, such as Orchid World Inc, which supplies Florida’s indoor and outdoor tropical flower gardens.
More interesting information.
Light Requirements for plant care
Indirect sunlight is best, as this plant does not tolerate direct sunlight well. Position it near a window that gets no afternoon or morning sun.
Watering Monstera Siltepecana plant
Keep the soil moist but not soggy or wet. Allow it to dry at least one inch down before watering again.
Fertilizer
Feed once a month, during the growing season in spring and summer with a balanced plant food diluted to half rate.
Pruning Monstera Siltepecana plant
This houseplant can grow extremely large, so pruning is necessary every few years after it reaches the desired size. Remove any brown or yellowed foliage by cutting them back to the base of the plant.
Monstera Siltepecana plant Propagation
Propagate the Monstera Siltepecana by taking stem cuttings. Cut short stem lengths with one leaf node, strip off the bottom leaves. Place in a warm, humid environment that mimics tropical rainforest conditions. Keep in bright indirect light and moist with a spray bottle for ten days. Add a small amount of water to the potting mix, but don’t allow the cuttings to sit in standing water. Keep them humid until new growth appears.
Read more: Succulent plant and repotting process of Succulent
Monstera Siltepecana plant transplant
This houseplant prefers being transplanted when it is actively growing in the spring and summer. Use a well-draining potting mix, such as one part peat moss, lime-free horticultural sand, granitic gravel, and perlite. Place the entire plant in an 8- to 10-inch diameter pot, filled with the soil mixture until 1 inch of the topsoil line remains. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
Monstera Siltepecana plant reportting
This houseplant should be repotted every other year into the fresh potting medium that has been pre-moistened with lukewarm water. Allow all excess water to drip from the roots before placing it back into its container. Avoid exposing this plant’s roots to direct sunlight.
Monstera Siltepecana plant fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizing, either an organic or inorganic fertilizer can be used depending on availability. Look for any food containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for the best results when fertilizing this plant. If using an all-purpose fertilizer, apply at half strength with every other watering during the growing season in spring and summer.
How fast does Monstera siltepecana grow?
A Monstera Siltepecana needs time to grow, although it grows quickly. Your Monstera siltepecana may not yet be mature if you don’t see larger leaves or fenestrations. You may have checked too early or expected too much.
