Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get a Monstera Thai Constellation for a while now, and I finally took the plunge! These guys are known for being a little finicky, especially when it comes to their soil. So, naturally, I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out the perfect mix. I thought I’d share my experience and what I ended up doing.
First, I read up a lot about what these plants need. I learned that they want a soil that drains really well, but also holds onto some moisture. They like it airy, not too compact. And they prefer a slightly acidic environment.
So, I started gathering my ingredients. Here’s what I got:
- Potting soil: I chose a good quality, basic potting mix as a starting point. Just regular stuff, you know?
- Perlite: This is key for drainage. It’s like those little white rocks that help keep things loose. I grabbed a big bag of it.
- Orchid bark: This stuff is great for aeration. It makes sure that the roots can breathe. Monsteras are kind of like orchids in that way, they don’t want to be suffocated.
- Coco coir: This helps with moisture retention. It’s like a sponge, but it doesn’t get soggy.
- Worm castings: I wanted to add a little something extra for nutrients, you know, a little plant food. Worm castings are like the good stuff, all-natural.
Then came the fun part – mixing it all together! I didn’t really have a strict recipe, I just kind of eyeballed it. I started with a base of potting soil, then added a good amount of perlite, maybe like a 1:1 ratio, or maybe a little less perlite. I mixed that up really well.
Next, I added in the orchid bark. I wanted it to be nice and chunky, so I used maybe half the amount of perlite. Tossed that in and mixed it up again.
Then, I sprinkled in some coco coir. Not too much, just enough to add some moisture-holding power. Mixed, mixed, mixed!
Finally, I added a handful of worm castings for that extra boost. I think of it as giving my Monstera a little treat. Mixed it one last time.
Once the soil was all mixed, I repotted my new Monstera Thai Constellation into its new home. I made sure the pot had drainage holes, of course! I gave it a good watering, letting the excess water drain out.
Fingers Crossed!
It’s been a few weeks now, and my Monstera seems to be pretty happy! It’s putting out new growth, and the leaves look healthy. I’m really hoping this soil mix will keep it thriving for a long time. We’ll see how it goes, but so far, so good! It’s still early days, but I’m optimistic.
