Mama Monstera Lives On

 

Back before the plant industry popped off, Variegated Monstera Albos didn’t cost an arm and a leg. I first purchased a full-plant at only $15 - can you believe?? Back then, this plant wasn’t widely popular. In today’s plant culture, one leaf cutting can cost you about $200 to full plants costing hundreds. Unbeknownst to me, my variegated monstera albo became an investment over the years.

It wasn’t always a fairy tale though, there was a tragedy and tears along the way. My variegated monstera, aka Mama Monstera, name given after producing many offsprings, snapped while I was swapping out moss poles. I was heart-broken. Knowing I had to act fast, I began to chop her into pieces to begin propagating in water.

Fast forward 4 weeks, roots started to grow and mini-albos came to life. The rebirth of mama monstera brought forth a new hashtag #mamamonsteraliveson. So many leaves have popped up since then, I could not be any happier. Do I believe everything happens for a reason? Most definitely.

 

How it started

First photo after getting her

First photo after getting her

Upgrading to a new pot

Upgrading to a new pot

 

The Accident

3 years later - Swipe for the saga

① The accidental rebirth of my mama monstera 🙃 brb while I die inside

② If you’ve been following my stories, you’ve seen my mama monstera - variegated monstera deliciosa of 3+ years, +4 offsprings. She was my head hancho.

③ It was supposed to be normal day of switching out her moss pole so she can grow bigger and more bad ass.

④ As I was switching the moss pole and propping her, that’s when it happened. She broke in half 😭. You hear the snap, my heart break, and right before — dramatic music on the tv started playing (what kind of sick coincidence is that??)

💔 After I recuperated, I cut her up to propagate. Once she roots, I’ll transfer her with the main base so she can grow stronger than ever. I initially propagated her in leca clay balls, but since I’ve never done semi-hydro before I didn’t want to risk it. 🤞🏼all goes well. #mamamonsteraliveson

 

The Rebirth - ROOTS

Time to pot :)

Time to pot :)

 

Now - Growing & Thriving ✨

Mama Monstera

Mama Monstera

Mama Monstera (right) with her kiddos

Mama Monstera (right) with her kiddos

 

Hot Tip:

If you’re in the Chicagoland area, the original nursery that I bought my plant from, Ted’s Greenhouse, is selling rooted variegated monstera albos at a decent price (I think they’re currently at $80-100). You just need to add your name to the waiting list. Get your name on the list!

A lot of variegation with these new leaves 😍

A lot of variegation with these new leaves 😍

 

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