Question
QUESTION: I repotted my split leaf which was extremely root bound.  Now the split leaf seems to be doing well on one side but not on the other.  I'm concerned that I didn't set it deep enough in the new soil.  How deep can I plant it?  And how long will does it usually take to recover from the shock?

ANSWER: Sheila,

What size pot was it in before the repotting and what size pot did you move it to? How often do you water? What zone do you live in or what city are you in or near? How often do you fertilize? Is it in a pot with a drain hole and good drainage? How much light does it get form what direction? Do you turn it regularly? It should actually be no deeper in the soil than it was before, the roots will go down deeper. If you plant it deeper it will smother it. If it is in too large a pot it shocks it worse. If you answer my questions I will give you my best advice.

Darlene
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Darlene,

Unfortunately I know now that I went to a new pot too much larger than needed.  It was in an 8 inch pot and I went to a 12 inch pot.  The stems and leaves were propped up in  the old smaller pot that didn't allow for any relaxing.  Once in the new pot, there is more potting soil around the plant and thus the heavy stems and leaves tended to lie down and the leaves have also seemed wilted.  The new pot has multi drain holes on the bottom with a full layer of stones for drainage before the soil.  We live in NH and this is an indoor plant.  It has not been very warm thus far this summer.  The split leaf sits in a bright room between two windows that get sun in the afternoon from the west.  So the split leaf gets a lot of bright indirect light but is not in the direct westerly sun.  I have not fertilized it since repotting it.  It's been almost 2 weeks and the top soil has still felt moist.  It is just starting to dry out.  What I did do this weekend was to add some support fencing around the inside outer edge of the pot.  This gave the stems support.  It actually looks quite a bit better but I'm not sure if that is just do to the stems not drooping down so far.  At this point without repotting again, please advise how to help this wonderful plant through the shock period.  Should I fertilize?  Should it be allowed to dry out before watering or should I keep it moist?  Up until the repotting, it was virtually carefree.  Always looked great and I watered when it felt dry. I searched to purchase a new split leaf but didn't find one as great as this one.  Now I am determined to nurse it back to the awesome plant it has been while giving it room to grow to be even more spectacular.  Thanks in advance for your advice.

Sheila

Answer
Sheila,

A split leaf philodendron or Monstera deliciosa is a vine and the large leaves do tend to droop, it is natural. As it grows it needs some kind of support post. A trelllis or a small tree trunk in the pot to climb up would be suitable. I would wait about 3 more weeks then begin fertilizing it at least once a month. During the summer water it when the top inch of soil becomes dry, there will still be moisture lower in the pot. During the winter let the top 3 inches dry out before watering. You can determine this by inserting a bamboo skewer or using a water meter available at many garden centers. Your lighting sounds fine. Below is a website about your plant that you may find interesting:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/mons_del.cfm

Good luck!
Darlene