Viewing post #2065416 by Afrojazz

Gina1960 said:@Afrojazz you didn't offend me in any way! And I am only an expert on MY plants. Because I learn all I can about them before I commit myself to them. But I think what I know translates well to the circumstances of others sometimes. Not all the time. But sometimes.

Many people have different ways of doing the same thing. But, It just seems to me, that from what I see just on THIS garden site (and I am a member of more than one site) about Monstera and Variegated Monstera specifically, more people come here asking for help with these plants than you can count. Why?

And most people are asking the same question or saying the same thing, having the same problem: I'm trying to root it in water and its rotting.

The answer, to me, is don't root in water.

These variegated monstera are indeed 'special', because the greed of people to profit from them has made these 'special'. 10 years ago, I got mine for $10 each, adult plants in big pots. I have since propagated them many times. I have never sold any, even though I could and could make a huge profit. But I grow for me, not for money.

For the price that people are paying for a small cutting, often without adequate roots, you should get 10 full grown plants!

I have seen photographs of overseas growing operations that are mass producing these plants and wholesaling them out. The buyers then chop them up and sell each little piece at auction for huge money. Its just not right, to me.

Then if someone has problems with the cutting they get, and lose their (often expensive) investment, its really just awful!

I appreciate your advice and I couldn't agree more on the business side, it seems rare to me that plants cost big money but I have seen some sellers mad expensive... which leaves us who love plants in difficult place because of those things happening, none of us seem to be able to get this plant these days and hence we get cuttings. I was fortunate as the seller is extremely helpful, reasonably priced and kind, and has reached out to me to help me... but I can imagine many people may not be lucky. I just wanted it to be my new adventure, something to try and care for.
And yes we don't know all of it, it takes time, but we hear friends talk and advice and then we follow hoping for best . Only some of us join garden forums to learn details, only some of us care about the details. Some of us just buy plant and watch it, some want to do more with it. I probably didn't read enough about monstera to know that water isn't best but I did read a lot and many said water works, it's easy to care for plant once grows etc. Ah well, I keep hopes and see.