Newbie cheese plant advice

[JordyStod]

Hi there,

I'm a relative newbie and have had this cheese plant for about 18 months - it was gifted to me basically fully grown in the current pot and soil mix (includes polystyrene chippings).

I've cut it back over the 18 months and now, in a Scottish spring setting, want to check if there's any advice to get it growing back to its former glory?

It's in a south facing bright corner, watered from the top when top two inches dry out, and fairly regularly misted.

Should I repot into bigger pot?
Should I prune bigger leaves to encourage growth?
Should it be placed further back from the window?

Any tips re cheese plant care would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[oneeye]

Hi there,

I'm a relative newbie and have had this cheese plant for about 18 months - it was gifted to me basically fully grown in the current pot and soil mix (includes polystyrene chippings).

I've cut it back over the 18 months and now, in a Scottish spring setting, want to check if there's any advice to get it growing back to its former glory?

It's in a south facing bright corner, watered from the top when top two inches dry out, and fairly regularly misted.

Should I repot into bigger pot?
Should I prune bigger leaves to encourage growth?
Should it be placed further back from the window?

Any tips re cheese plant care would be appreciated

ThanksView attachment 114171

The only way to know is to very gently tip the plant out of the pot on its side and look at the root-to-soil ratio. I lay out a tarp or newspapers and lay the plant on the ground sideways, then very gently tap the pot lose while its on its side, and get a good look at the roots and soil. If you have a lot of roots and little soil then you may need to up-pot into a slightly larger pot. If you have plenty of soil and a small amount of roots, then put the plant back in the pot for another season. If you up-pott into a larger pot, be careful because too large of a pot will raise the water holding capacity and drown the plant on watering day. Keep the container as close to the size it's in now.

 

[JordyStod]

The only way to know is to very gently tip the plant out of the pot on its side and look at the root-to-soil ratio. I lay out a tarp or newspapers and lay the plant on the ground sideways, then very gently tap the pot lose while its on its side, and get a good look at the roots and soil. If you have a lot of roots and little soil then you may need to up-pot into a slightly larger pot. If you have plenty of soil and a small amount of roots, then put the plant back in the pot for another season. If you up-pott into a larger pot, be careful because too large of a pot will raise the water holding capacity and drown the plant on watering day. Keep the container as close to the size it's in now.

Thanks very much!! Will follow your suggestion

 

[cpp gardener]

In that much light it would be hard to overwater if you only do it once a week and it doesn't sit in water for hours. It could go up an inch or two. If you give it a moss pole to cling to it will be happier. If you can put a humidifier right next to it, it will produce more roots to wrap around a moss pole. They like "jungle" conditions with warmth and humidity. Don't trim off any leaves that are green.

 

[JordyStod]

In that much light it would be hard to overwater if you only do it once a week and it doesn't sit in water for hours. It could go up an inch or two. If you give it a moss pole to cling to it will be happier. If you can put a humidifier right next to it, it will produce more roots to wrap around a moss pole. They like "jungle" conditions with warmth and humidity. Don't trim off any leaves that are green.

Awesome, thanks. Great advice.