@WillC Hi Will, it's amazing that you take the time to respond so thoroughly to all of this messages.
I bought my absolutely beautiful monstera a month ago (picture 1), and it was heavily discounted because it had grown too much, and had possibly been overwatered. Though there is no root rot (i "repotted it" to check without removing most of the soil it came in and just adding a bit of potting soil), there were several brown spots both in the middle and on the edges of leaves and I cut the most damaged ones. I kept some of them to track the changes to the brown spots, which have since dried out (pictures 3, 4 and 5), as they started out soft and flexible.
I water it every 10 days until water drains out and then dry the plate below it, and it gets some light during the day –the room it's in has northwest and southwest facing windows, and because it's winter and days are shorter and way darker I put it right by the balcony door (picture 2). It never receives direct sunlight (in summer that spot does, but I'm planning to move it to the corner next to where the photo was taken from), so there's no risk of burning, but it does get quite a bit of light during the day. I mist it at least once a day, because with the heater the environment gets pretty dry.
Here are the problems I've noticed:
1. I cut the damaged part of some leaves I thought could be salvaged, and now they're yellowing and dying. Is cutting parts of leaves useless? Should I just cut them off completely?
2. It's not growing, but I'm assuming that's because it's winter, but I think it may have developed some new brown spots. I'm willing to cut as many leaves as necessary in order for it to be as healthy and happy as possible, whatever the aesthetic results. Do you think it can be saved? Is it normal for it too look a little sad during winter? Would a growing light help?
3. Is one month enough to change the problems it had before I got it? If not, when should I begin to worry?
4. How often should I mist it? I panic a bit every time I notice the leaves are fully dry.
Thank you so much, again, and have a great day!
(1)
(2)
(3, 4, 5)
Some extra photos, taken at night.
