What's best practice in this scenario? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 5 months ago by Sunny@slrpnk.net to c/gardening@lemmy.world

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So I've got this Monstera plant thats been with us for a while but recently got attacked by these tiny tiny black insects that keep eating the leaves. I've actively tried to get rid of them as well as screening this plant away from the rest, but the insects seem to always come back. I've just read that it's possible to spray the plant gently with soappy water to help get rid of them, so I've just tried that - hoping to see better results. The uther leaves are more or less OK, but have some damage too. But what do I do with this leaf that's basically half gone? Does one cut of just the leaf part? The whole stem? What's the best thing to do in this scenario?

Appreciate any pointers 💚

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[-] TammyTobacco@lemmy.ml 14 points 5 months ago

You may try spraying it down with neem oil. That kills most kinds of bugs and is natural.

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 2 points 5 months ago

I would replace the soil first, and use a clean pot too. It's just going to be easier to do before you spray everything with neem oil.

[-] IMALlama@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

Agree on replacing the soil. Pull the plant, rinse the roots, fresh soil and clean pot. A number of pests can live in the soil. Even if you get them, their eggs can survive.

[-] Sunny@slrpnk.net 1 points 5 months ago

Noted, thanks!

[-] Shawdow194@kbin.social 10 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I agree with other users saying neem oil. Just be careful, its oily, stinks when sprayed and it is technically a pesticide (even though its natural)

Also yes to other users suggesting cut back to root/above node. All dead/brown stuff is exactly that. Dead. If you really like a certain leaf you can trim brown spots off, but if the cause is underlying like bugs or nutrients that hasn't been fixed it will continue to brown

Good luck! Monstera are tough, she'll be fine soon

[-] Sunny@slrpnk.net 0 points 5 months ago

Thank you 🙌

[-] goldenbug@kbin.social 5 points 5 months ago

Are the insects very tiny (almost like very small grains of soil) and live on the under side of the leaf?

Those are tought mfs and you first need to isolate the plant.

I have a 50% winning record against them. I wash every leaf and the bark with a 'green soap' and water combination and paper towels. Once I even submerged the plant upside down in the same combination.

[-] SpeakinTelnet@programming.dev 4 points 5 months ago

Identifying the culprit would probably be the first step. You'll need to treat it in a specific way if it's something like thrips.

After that your solution could be as simple as getting "good" insects that feeds on them. Those are sold in a packet that you drop in the soil. It can also be a periodic respray or watering with a insecticide infused water.

But first, identify the insects.

[-] The_v@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

Take a picture of the pest and post it on here. However not much will attack a healthy monstera. I would guess the plant is struggling and the pests are attacking it in its weakened state.

How to keep a monstera healthy.

Monstera's tolerate low light situations but do best with several hours a day of direct sunlight. I generally put mine someplace that gets the morning or evening sun.

Watering: over-watering them is really easy to do. In general you should water them to the saturation point and then allow the soil to dry out. I water mine every 2 months in the winter and around once per month in the summer. If a new big leaf is emerging the water usage will triple and they will need a drink sooner.

Fertilizer- monstera's are a big plant that uses lots of fertilizer. I use slow release fertilizer in the soil plus a liquid one twice per year.

Salt buildup- monstera's are very sensitive to salt concentrations in the soil. Leaching the pot yearly is required. Do not water with "softened" water either. They do really well with hard water as long as you leach the pot on a schedule. They like the extra Ca and Mg.

Moving/turning the plant: although recommended for other species monstera's respond poorly to this. The leaves open away from the sunlight then tip up toward the light. Moving the plant stresses them out.

[-] Sunny@slrpnk.net 1 points 5 months ago

Yeah I'll try to indetify the culprit and see what I can find. Any tip on what to do with the leaf in specific?

[-] SirSamuel@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

According to my wife, a person that plants prolifically. The leaf is too damaged to recover, and too small to help maintain the rootstock. Get rid of the insect infestation, then cut back the stem at the node and allow the plant to redirect it's energies into growing a new leaf.