Content
- Monstera aerial roots - is trimming allowed?
- Why do aerial roots grow on the window leaf?
- Truncation allowed only in exceptional cases
- Prevention is better than cutting off - That's the way it works
- Tips
The aerial roots of the Monstera should not be cut off if possible
Monstera aerial roots - is trimming allowed?
In the course of growth Monstera form aerial roots that are gaining in length. If the root cords are distracting, the question arises of a pruning in the room. How to properly handle aerial roots on your window leaf is explained here.
Why do aerial roots grow on the window leaf?
Monstera species thrive in the tropics as evergreen climbers. With increasing size, the earth's roots no longer cover the need for water and nutrients. For this reason, additional aerial roots sprout between the leaf axils after some time. These serve as a conduit and detention agency alike, so they play a key role in growth.
Truncation allowed only in exceptional cases
In view of their function as lifelines, the aerial roots should not be removed. As long as a rootstock thrives plump and vital, weaken the constitution of a monstera when they set the shears here. As an exception to the rule applies when an aerial root wants to anchor behind the baseboards in the ground or moves adjacent house plants to body. Furthermore, clipping is allowed when a root has completely dried and died.
Please use a sharp, alcohol-disinfected knife for the cut. Cut off the affected aerial root directly at the stem axis. Ideally, dab the cut with some rock flour or charcoal ash to regulate the sap flow.
Prevention is better than cutting off - That's the way it works
Extremely long aerial roots signal that the cultivation of a monstera is not regulated. If your window leaf lacks water, nutrients or a trellis aid, it desperately seeks out its roots. To effectively prevent this behavior:
If a window leaf is cared for with the appropriate care, it sees no reason for the growth of unnaturally long aerial roots.
Tips
Do not reach for the scissors on the window panel without first putting on gloves. As arum family, all Monstera species contain a poisonous sap. Sensitive people have to pay for a mere skin contact already with unpleasant irritation.