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Hi. I have this great Monstera Philadendron (the Monster plant). I am curious, it has some aereal roots growing out of the plant about 7-12 inches above the soil line. What is it trying to do?? Will it try to propogate this way or does it need something which it isn't getting?? It is growing like crazy...a new leaf at least once a month...the size of large dinner plates or small serving platters. The whole plant is , hmmm, getting rather large, about 2.5 or 3 feet tall. Twice as big as when I bought it late last autumn. (I got it 50% off because it had a broken leaf!!! HA!) Thanks for any info! ~Muskrat Posts: 71 | From: germany | Registered: Feb 2003
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I'm not sure, but aren't those things looking for water???? They grow from the sides, shoot out and down, 'bout the size of your pinkie in width?
Far as I ever understood that's what they're doing, searching for water, maybe even moisture in the air?????????
Hope some of this helps??
If you wait a bit, Will Creed should be around, he's the house plant guy...... he comes around every so many days!!
Weezie
bbbbbbbbb Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
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Yes, they might be looking for water...they are indeed about pinkey width. It seems it is getting enough water...I error on the wet side usually. We'll see... Posts: 71 | From: germany | Registered: Feb 2003
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Hi Muskrat Your Philodendron is a jungle vine in nature. The aerial roots grow out in an effort to find a spot to anchor the plant in the supporting plants, soil and other natural structures. Once they become attached, they begin to act as any other roots and begin to take in nutrients and water to feed the far ends of the vine. (actually, they absorb moisture from the air, even when they just hang in space!) If you remove the roots (as I've seen many people do), the leaf size will decrease the farther out the stem you go... and the plants vigor will be affected considerable!
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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Bill, What if you have a REALLY OLD ONE< and it has a bazillion of those things, and they are intertwined into a saucer underneath and just all over the place? Cut any off, bury those inside a bigger pot, cut half off??? leave 'em hangin' out still????
Weezie
bbbbbbbbb Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
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You can trim the air roots if they become overwhelming to you, but trim them back rather than cutting them off. If you have the space, you could set a pot of soil behind the planter and lead the roots to it...
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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I have a friend who has a real Monster-Monstera...it is about 30 years old. I am just curious...does such a plant need to be repotted every couple years? How do you do that, when the pot is already so big, not to mention the size of the plant? Their apartment looks like a jungle with these HUGE leaves...theirs are about as big as...hmmm...as a toilet seat cover! ~Muskrat
Posts: 71 | From: germany | Registered: Feb 2003
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