I was given a Montsera(?) cutting and I don’t really know if this leaf is too wrinkled? It’s a minefield trying to read about and understand if I have over or under watered. I just don’t know what this plant actually wants.
My usual approach is to assume I have over watered if a plant looks unhappy, but I don’t know if these bounce back after a period of under watering, if I hold back on watering more now.
I received the bare cutting in April as two forked stem, each with one leaf. I placed it into water until there were 2 roots about 3 inches long. I then moved it from water to potting mix about 6 weeks ago, maybe more. Initially this was in a glass jar where I could continue to monitor the roots. Once I was happy with the transfer to soil, I switched from the glass jar to the current pot (which is the same size as the jar).
I can now see the beginning of a new leaf uncurling from the other stem not shown in the picture. I can also see a root through one of the drainage holes in the pot. The plant is growing, but the wrinkly leaf is concerning.
To me the soil does not seem overly dry, it isn’t receding from edge of the pot and there is a little moisture below the surface. It is not dry enough, or for long enough, that I would expect the plant to react, however I don’t know how needy the plant is. Perhaps they are thirstier than I thought?
If I wait longer before watering, will the plant be damaged by this or do they recover? As a relatively new cutting to soil, I am wary about how resilient the plant is.
You're fine. You have a special variety of Monstera called Thai Constellation. They are beautiful plants. They are not the most picky about watering (my bananas are much bigger babies if they don't get enough water lol). But they do like LOTS of sunlight. Put it near a window (preferably older glass window without UV coatings). Do you have a cheap UV/soil meter? During the middle of the day, walk around your house and find the spot with the most light according to that meter and put your plant there (add extra light of course).
But don't be afraid to give it more light - it'll love it. Maybe even consider moving it to a back patio or porch in the summer months so it grows faster.
Fun fact - Monstera deliciosa is not just some random latin name. It comes from the large beautiful broad leaves, and the fact that it actually bears a unique DELICIOUS fruit if given optimal conditions. It has a juicy sweet unique tropical flavor which is hard to describe. Although I honestly don't know if your special variegated thai constellation variety bears the same delicious edible fruit (probably still does, albeit smaller or less tasty)
Still that's a fun plant to grow, any houseplant owner would love to have one of those in their collection - be sure to thank whoever gifted you a cutting!
Just my $0.02 as someone growing several Monsteras (hopefully for the fruit some day).
Your transition to soil rooting sounds careful and is a good method. I agree the wrinkly leaf is slightly concerning, but the new unfurling leaf is a good sign.
Variegated varieties require more light than their non -variegated counter parts. More light requires more water but I would always err on the side of caution because bouncing back from under watering is much easier than recovering from root rot for overwatering. You might consider raising the humidity instead of opting into more water in the soil and you can use a pebble tray under the pot filled with water instead of buying a humidifier. Make sure the bottom of the pot is above the water line in the pebbles.
It’s inevitable that this plant will lose it’s oldest leaves as it makes new, but also consider the possibility of pests and carefully inspect all the leaves for signs.
Water when it gets wrinkly, but don’t let the soil stay saturated forever it can get root rot. Have you seen the roots at all and how long have you had the plant? If it was potted when you got it, underdeveloped or immature roots could also contribute to rot
My own Monstera is doing well, and I don’t water it too often. Usually once a week and limited. But I have the feeling that all plants are a little different. It could also lack nourishment.
Correct, they have a variegated Monstera (Thai Constellation specifically). If it were the more rare/prized Albo variety it would be worth hundreds of dollars lol.
I always laugh when I see people with this more common Thai Constellation variety trying to sell them for $200+ because they're totally not worth that. Still they are a beautiful plant which could produce a delicious edible fruit in optimal conditions (usually outdoor growing in a humid Zone 9/10 climate)
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