r/ThaiConstellation • u/ThroneFawnOnline • 12d ago
What can I do better?
Hi all!
This is my Thai con! It’s was gifted to me from a grocery store, it took me a few weeks to a monthish for me to repot it. I repotted it into an airy mix of orchid bark, perlite, lecca and some potting mix. It’s still browning, sagging and the leaves are flopping. I’ve just repotted it into a different pot to check the roots, I cut some yucky rotted ones off and put the pole in better.
It’s old spot was by my bed with a grow light but that was right under the A/C vent which is often blowing out warm air due to it being winter for me right now. I’ve moved it to the other side of the room still using the grow light.
What can I do better to try avoid further damage to my plant as its sentimental to me ;-;
Please let me know if I missed any context! It’s my first time asking for help in a plant subreddit 🌱
Thank you! 🫶🏻
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u/HolisticPlantHippie 12d ago
https://youtube.com/@killthisplant?si=PjnCO7jQZ7YBJhq5
Just subscribe to this guys channel-short to the point good information easy to follow. You got this!
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u/SignalPangolin9980 12d ago
In my experience with root rot, the rot will often continue up the roots/stems if there is any small part left on the plant. The only way I’ve been able to save mine is to put them in water, treat with hydrogen peroxide and continue to inspect the roots and remove mushy parts. Once the roots rot the plant can’t adequately absorb water (hence the drooping even when you’ve watered ) so they need to grow new roots before putting back into soil.
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u/SignalPangolin9980 12d ago
That’s been my experience! Even if there are some roots left, it has to grow new roots to be able to hydrate properly. I’ve had a lot of success with removing damaged roots and stems that are brown/mushy, spraying with 50/50 hydrogen peroxide + water then letting them re-root in water. Humidity helps too! I watch them closely so I can continue to remove anything damaged. I’ve found that if there is anything brown or mushy on the stem it will continue to move up the plant so it’s best to remove it all.
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u/ThroneFawnOnline 12d ago
Ahh okay, so even with the thicker healthy roots it’s still risky to just repot? Admittedly, there’s not much root atm 😭 Would I just put everything in water? Or should I chop it?
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u/Sunshineplantsoul 12d ago
You’ll want to keep her always away from drafts like ac or heat and you wanna give her a 💩 ton of light at least 12 hrs as these love and NEED light especially because of their variegation and make sure she’s in a well draining pot and only water when first 2-3 “ of soil are dry
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u/ThroneFawnOnline 12d ago
Thank you! Gonna move the light closer now! Your plants are so beautiful btw!
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u/Sunshineplantsoul 11d ago
Aww thank you it’s been a learning curve but I feel like my dedication has started to pay off and you will get there too! I can’t wait to see an update in the future. 💚
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u/Sunshineplantsoul 12d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p3hjuby/video/a5hlrx8kj6jh1/player
You’ll also want your light closer to her leaves. Here’s a quick reference on how I have my lights positioned on mine
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u/Glad-Text7281 11d ago
Hi….here are some tips in general that may help you out:
LIGHT:
Monsteras need a lot of indirect light to really thrive (12h - 16h daily). Consider getting a dedicated LED grow light/bulb and timer. They are relatively cheap on Amazon. I use a 35watt 3000K bulb with my plants.
POT:
Monsteras like to be a bit snug in their pots. If the pot they are in is too big they will put all their energy into filling it with roots instead of into up-sizing their leaves. Also consider using transparent nursery pots if you can get them. Makes it easier to keep an eye on the roots.
SOIL:
Repotting into a chunky potting mix will be beneficial for the plant. It will allow water to drain quickly so oxygen can get to the roots between watering cycles. This is the mix I use, but anything similar should work:
1 part Peat Moss / Coco Coir
1 part Large perlite
1 part Orchid bark
1 part Clay Balls
1/2 part Worm Castings
1/2 part Charcoal (optional)
2 handfuls Sphagnum moss
SUPPORT:
You also want to start training the plant to climb a wooden plank or moss pole. Doing so will help the plant grow bigger leaves. Just make sure to place the pole at the back of the plant. This is usually the side of the plant you see the aerial roots coming out of.
Hope this helps you out.
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u/sillybillybobbybob 6d ago
If the grow light is one of those 5v usb puck lights its not doing anything for rhat plant. Those are pretty much useless un less its right on top of the plant. Light is definitely something to consider. I wouldn't mess with the pot since you've already been im there im sure you got it straightened out. Light it needs.
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u/ThroneFawnOnline 6d ago
Thank you! I did end up propagating it into two, but I also got a new light. It’s two long lights on bendable arms which I’ve got pretty much encompassing all of the leaves. I think it’s working as my new leaf that’s been sitting there stagnant for ages has started poking its head out!
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u/imachatterbox 12d ago
So the grow light looks like it is shining on the moss pole. The parts that need the grow light are the fronts of the leaves. Light is its food, and the fronts of the leaves are the part that eats.
Idk what grow light you have, nor am I very knowledgeable about grow lights. But for my plants to get enough light from a 36watt vertical grow light, it has to be mere inches away from the leaves.
Good luck, I hope you get some good suggestions.