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Can anyone identify this plant?

westy83

By Westy83

Staffordshire, United Kingdom Gb

I have recently started a new job and this plant is in my office. Unfortunately I don't know what it is and neither do my colleagues, although my guess is a rubber plant of some type.

Does anyone know what it is, so that I can look up caring details? Thanks.



Dsc00050

Answers

 

Hello, Westy
Your plant is a Monstera delicosa, or just Monstera.
Water it well and feed it during the summer but give it less water in winter. It prefers bright, indirect light. An office is probably a better place for it than the home as it can eventually grow pretty large. Whilst it is not likely to flower or fruit in your office I have seen it growing outside in Madera and people picking the fruits to eat. Enjoy your plant.

13 Feb, 2009

 

Thank you.

13 Feb, 2009

 

Hi there, as previously advised, the latin name for this is Monstera delicosa but the common name is the Swiss Cheese Plant (due to the holes in the adult leaves).
I must say that specimen looks a bit poorly. I suggest potting it up in a bigger pot with some multi-purpose compost and use a 6ft moss-stick to support it and secure with soft-ties or use foam padding to prevent laceration of the stems. You will find the aerial roots grow around the moss stick and it will appreciate an occasional watering down the moss-stick too.
Water when the top inch or so of compost has dried out and feed every couple of months with baby bio or similar. Don't overwater, do place in a bright spot out of direct sun as it will probably scorch the leaves. They can get very large, in their natural habitat they grow up trees and I have seen them in Mauritius 30 or 40 metres tall! Dont worry though, I don't think you'll have that problem!!

13 Feb, 2009

 

Thanks for all the advice, I'll be going out on Monday to get a bigger plant pot and compost. If you think that plant looks poorly, you should see the other ones in the office!!! They are all in a pretty sorry state, but I'm hoping with a bit of tlc they will start to pick up.

13 Feb, 2009

 

That long stem is so lanky I would be inclined to air layer it. Full information of method is available on http://www.powen.freeserve.co.uk/advanced/Propagation/Airlayering.htm

13 Feb, 2009

 

It's a Swiss Cheese plant but it does not produce cheese! My mum had one of these once - it wa huge and went all round the living room, they have aerial roots and don't really like alot of water, they draw moisture from the air with the aerial roots I believe. If overwatered the leaves turn a funny yellow colour. The leaves can get dusty and need to be cleaned so that the plant gets optimal light to the leaves and stays healthy. Looks like it needs a bigger pot and a but of support with a bigger cane/moss stick, tied in gently. These are lovely plants - every office should have plants.

13 Feb, 2009

 

Go for it, Westy and good luck with the other plants, too! Apparently, plants in the office both improve air quality and improve the way the 'residents' feel, reducing sick leave - quite a bit of research available from that nice Mr Google if the boss complains! I was involved in a project in my last-but-one employment - no figures, but the plants *did* make a difference.

14 Feb, 2009

 

Over here it is most commonly known as the split-leaf philodendron. I've never heard Swiss cheese plant but I like that name better. LOL

15 Feb, 2009

 

That looks like a Fruit Salad Plant - Monstera deliciosa

The fruit on it tastes like tropical fruit salad (if you use your imagination).

see: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/119775/monsterosa-deliciosa.pdf

25 Feb, 2009

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