Keiki paste offers plant enthusiasts a tool to encourage new growth on Monstera plants. This horticultural product stimulates dormant growth points, helping to achieve a fuller plant appearance or to initiate new propagations. When applied correctly, it can lead to the emergence of new shoots and leaves, enhancing the plant’s overall vigor and aesthetic.
Understanding Keiki Paste and Its Benefits for Monstera
Keiki paste is a plant hormone paste, primarily containing cytokinins. These plant growth substances promote cell division and differentiation in plant roots and shoots. When applied to a plant’s node—a point on the stem where leaves or branches emerge—the paste overrides the natural apical dominance that typically suppresses lateral bud growth. This encourages dormant cells at the node to activate and begin dividing, leading to new growth.
Applying keiki paste to Monstera plants provides several advantages. It encourages branching, helping to fill out leggy or sparse plants for a bushier appearance. For Monstera varieties, this also promotes new leaves from previously inactive areas, contributing to denser foliage. This method is useful for encouraging growth from nodes on older stems that might otherwise remain dormant.
Applying Keiki Paste to Your Monstera
Successful application begins with identifying the appropriate nodes on your Monstera. Nodes appear as faint rings or slight bumps on the stem, often where a leaf or aerial root has emerged or could emerge. Newer growth nodes tend to be more responsive. Before application, ensure the chosen node area is clean and free of dust or debris.
For Monsteras, gently score the node by making a small, superficial scratch or slit on the surface. This minor abrasion helps the plant absorb the paste more effectively. Use a clean applicator, such such as a cotton swab or toothpick, to apply a very small, pea-sized amount of keiki paste directly to the scored node. One application is generally sufficient, and the paste is water-resistant, so it will not wash off with light watering.
Post-Application Care and Expectations
After applying keiki paste, provide optimal growing conditions to support new growth. Ensure your Monstera receives adequate bright, indirect light; direct sunlight can scorch new, tender growth. Maintaining appropriate humidity levels, typically between 60-80%, aids in the healthy development of new shoots. Regular watering when the top few inches of soil are dry is also important to ensure the plant has sufficient moisture.
Results from keiki paste application on Monstera are typically observed within two to three weeks, though sometimes it may take longer. The initial new growth might appear as a small green bump or bud emerging from the treated node. This will gradually develop into a new shoot and eventually a leaf. The rate of growth can vary depending on the plant’s overall health and environmental conditions.
Troubleshooting and Considerations
If no growth appears after several weeks, reassess the plant’s overall health and environmental conditions. Keiki paste works best on healthy, actively growing plants. If the plant is stressed or not receiving adequate light, water, or nutrients, it may lack the energy to produce new growth. Over-application of keiki paste is not recommended, as it can stress the plant if too many nodes are activated simultaneously, potentially leading to weaker growth or multiple small growths from a single node.
Sometimes, new leaves produced might be smaller than the plant’s typical foliage. This can be a temporary effect as the plant expends energy on initiating new growth. It is also important to apply the paste precisely to the node, avoiding other parts of the stem or leaves. While keiki paste is safe for plants, it is not a solution for an unhealthy or struggling plant; such plants should first be nursed back to health before considering its use.