The exotic Monstera species are not only beautiful to look at, but also bear tasty fruit. This is at least true for the popular Monstera deliciosa – better known as delicious window leaf. These instructions get to the heart of the conditions under which the evergreen climbing plant blooms and bears fruit.
How do you get a Monstera fruit to ripen?
Monstera deliciosa, also known as window leaf, bears tasty fruits that resemble pineapple bananas. For a Monstera to bloom, a constant location, regular watering and spraying, fertilization, clean foliage and active aerial roots are important. The ripening time is about 12 months.
Change of location slows down flowering
To get your Monstera ready to bloom, please choose the optimal location with foresight. It is not enough that it is in a sunny to partially shaded, warm location. Once the window leaf has acclimatized to its place, it wants to stay there for the rest of its life. If the exotic ornamental plant is forced to change location, you will look in vain for the cream-yellow spadix flowers and the resulting fruits.
Care tips for a flowering window leaf
In their natural distribution areas, Monstera bloom for the first time at the age of 3 to 5 years under ideal conditions. In indoor cultivation, on the other hand, a window leaf takes 10 years or more until it decides to bloom for the first time, which brings you the coveted fruits. On the way there, the following care has a beneficial effect:
- Water the acidic substrate promptly as soon as the surface has dried
- Spray the leaves and aerial roots regularly
- Wipe dusty leaves with a damp cloth
- Use primarily rainwater or decalcified tap water
- Fertilize liquidly every 2 weeks from April to September
- Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks from October to March
Please do not cut off any active, he althy aerial roots. These play an important role in the supply of water and nutrients. It takes a lot of energy for your window leaf to bloom and bear fruit in the Central European climate. Therefore, only remove the drawn leaves in the lower part of the plant. With every leaf that photosynthesizes, you get a little closer to the first flower and fruit.
Tip
Once the gardening masterpiece has succeeded in causing a Monstera to bloom and bear fruit, a long waiting period begins. It takes up to 12 months for a window leaf fruit to be ripe for consumption. Only when the green peel can be easily removed does the creamy white flesh fulfill what the name pineapple banana promises.
