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Help! Broken monstera leaf midrib

HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
in Problem solving


Hey

Would appreciate some help please guys.

I bought this beautiful monster only a few days ago only to discover two of the leaves bent in half with a split in the centre of the midrib as per pics 



I have also noticed black spots on three of the leaves!

What's caused this & can i fix it.

Thanks





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Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Simply remove the damaged leaves as the disjointed ends will probably go brown anyway .Large leaved tropicals like these are often smashed and broken in habitat ; they soon recover .
    Brown/black marks on foliage are most likely because of direct sunlight ; even short term exposure at the nursery/garden centre you purchased it from can cause damage .

    You'll soon need a much larger pot than that ; Monstera's are greedy plants and require nutrients during their growth period . Ease off the watering during Winter slightly (just damp) . Further reduction of light during the shorter days will lead to very much weakened growth (etiolation) .
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    PS  Forgot to mention , apart from the minor damage it looks very healthy!!!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You can't fix the split leaf.  Just leave it be till the leaf is past it and needs cutting off.  That could be months.  As the plant grows and matures the leaves will grow larger and more will have the holes that give it its common name - Swiss cheese plant.

    I suspect those splodges just result from having been a bit cold or maybe hungry.   I do think that pot looks way too small so I would pot it up a size now and give its roots some extra room for growth and then again in spring.   After that, it should be OK for a while.

    Keep that mossy pole misted so it's not bone dry as the aerial roots will get moisture from there.  The whole plant needs to be misted regularly as they like moist air as well as plent of light and no direct sun.

    See here for more info from the RHS - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/11192/i-Monstera-deliciosa-i-(F)/Details 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    Paul B3 said:
    Simply remove the damaged leaves as the disjointed ends will probably go brown anyway .Large leaved tropicals like these are often smashed and broken in habitat ; they soon recover .
    Brown/black marks on foliage are most likely because of direct sunlight ; even short term exposure at the nursery/garden centre you purchased it from can cause damage .

    You'll soon need a much larger pot than that ; Monstera's are greedy plants and require nutrients during their growth period . Ease off the watering during Winter slightly (just damp) . Further reduction of light during the shorter days will lead to very much weakened growth (etiolation) .
    omg I just typed up a long reply & lost it! lol

    Hi Paul, thanks for your message! 

    I've literally had her for a day - was praying there would be another solution as can't being myself to chop her down already :( lol 

    Ahhh is that what the marks are? She was indoors when I purchased & I didn't even notice the slits or the marks when I purchased. Going to give her some TLC as the garden centre clearly didn't!

    Yep, had a look at the bottom of the pot earlier & the poor roots are already growing through the drainage holes like wildfire so will head out first thing for some soil & a larger pot so she can breathe.

    I've not watered her as yet as she's still pretty moist but will defo hold back on the watering for a while.

    I've recently learnt that misting is bad for them also?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Take a look at Obelixx's good advice too ! :)
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    Obelixx said:
    You can't fix the split leaf.  Just leave it be till the leaf is past it and needs cutting off.  That could be months.  As the plant grows and matures the leaves will grow larger and more will have the holes that give it its common name - Swiss cheese plant.

    I suspect those splodges just result from having been a bit cold or maybe hungry.   I do think that pot looks way too small so I would pot it up a size now and give its roots some extra room for growth and then again in spring.   After that, it should be OK for a while.

    Keep that mossy pole misted so it's not bone dry as the aerial roots will get moisture from there.  The whole plant needs to be misted regularly as they like moist air as well as plent of light and no direct sun.

    See here for more info from the RHS - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/11192/i-Monstera-deliciosa-i-(F)/Details 
    Thanks Obelixx!

    I def agree with the pot, didn't realise how bad it was until i looked underneath.
    Will the marks disappear or will they stay? I've noticed one black spot on another two separate leafs - will it spread?

    Thanks for the advice on the pole! I read earlier that the misting can cause pests? I'm going to invest in a humidifier - would this suffice? 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I misted mine for years and it was fine.  Grew so big I donated it to the office where it had room to grow.   When you do water it, dunk the whole pot in water and wait for air bubbles to stop forming then let it drain completely.   Better than giving too small a  drink and guarantees it's never waterlogged.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    Oh wow thanks for the advice!

    I'm.pretty excited about this little monster, they're absolutely beautiful. 

    I've just noticed one of the damaged leaves is the main one :(
    Will I chop down the marked leaves?
    Sorry for the novice questions, this is my first monstera so wanna get it right :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    As I said earlier - leave it till it gets passed it unless you think it looks too dreadful already.  If you treat it well and give it the conditions it needs, there should be no further problems with leaf discoloration apart from the normal aging process.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • HurricaneLettosHurricaneLettos Posts: 15
    Thanks!

    I was worried the black marks were due to root rot.
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