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If grown as a house plant it can be trained up a moss pole and the aerial roots directed back into the pot or more awkward ones trimmed off near the stem
As the plant grows, pot on gradually and when the pot has reached about 17cm in subsequent years replace only a few cm of loose compost at the top or base of the plant. To do this, take the plant out of the pot and lightly disturb the roots knocking off a proportion of the old compost. Add a hand full or two of fresh compost to the old pot and replace the plant. Top up the plant pot with new compost, tapping the pot to settle it down to the roots. Water as needed. This refreshes the plant without ending up with a houseplant that is difficult to move or assess its water requirements because the pot has got too big to move.
The easiest way to make a new plant is to take a cutting of a side branch just below a leaf node and root it in compost or water. Alternatively, you can ‘layer’ the plant at at leaf node. This means attaching some moss to the plant’s stem so that it is in close contact. Keep the moss damp and over a period of months the plant will make roots at this point. Prune off the new plant and pot up in an open airy mixture.
As the plant grows it will benefit from a larger pot and moss pole, as it usually promotes new fresh growth and larger leaves. Choose a larger pot and try to take account of the plant becoming top heavy as it grows, by choosing a heavy pot but putting it on wheels for easy care. Or choosing a plain pot but heaver pot holder for added stability.
Monstera will enjoy a mixture of potting compost and vermiculite, the stability of larger plants can be increased by using loam in the mix too for added weight.
The fruit can take from 12 to 18 months to ripen. It may be ripened by cutting it when the first scales begin to lift up and it begins to exude a pungent odour. It is wrapped in a paper bag and set aside until the scales begin popping off. The scales are then brushed off or fall away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The flesh, which is similar to pineapple in texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. The ripe fruit can still cause a tingling sensation to the lips and tongue, and sometimes it may spread to other parts of the body.2
These estimates for how long Swiss cheese plant takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 1 days | Min 1 days | Max 1 days (1)
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Fruit salad plant, Ceriman, Monster fruit, Monsterio delicio, Monstereo, Mexican breadfruit, Monstera, Split-leaf philodendron, Locust and wild honey, Windowleaf, Pinanona, Pina anona, Ojul, Huracan, Hojadillo, Harpon, Arpon comun, Caroal, Liane percee, Liane franche, Siguine couleurre, Arum du pays, Arum troud, Ananas japonez, penglai banana
Philodendron pertusum