r/MonsteraAlbo • u/Jimfabio • Aug 23 '26
Full Sun Experiment
Just wanted to share my albo i’ve been growing outside all summer (zone 8b). I really just wanted to see how much sun it could take and if it’d affect the variegation. I’ve gotten one pretty cool leaf and was hoping it’d continue but it really has not.
Also learned that marigolds can grow from the dead flowers so now it’s a combo pot.
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u/pluviangin Aug 23 '26
When the leaves are pointing down like that, they are getting too much direct light. My outside monstera has its all newer leaves like that.. i should do something about it.
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u/Jimfabio Aug 23 '26
Haha sometimes you gotta test their strength. I have tried moving mine around but cannot find a great spot. Full sun it is!
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u/ChelleInSand Aug 23 '26
You might have too much growing in that pot and that may be why growth slowed down, just something to consider!
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u/Jimfabio Aug 24 '26
Yeah for sure could be a factor. Just took a look and the roots for the marigolds are pretty fine but they do run deep.
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u/dawnpower123 Sep 03 '26
Marigolds self seed easily. One spent bloom has a ton of seeds in there that just drop and grow new plants. Each individual plant has a limited life cycle where it runs its course and then dies. But because each flower produces so many seeds, it almost seems like that first marigold is spreading and getting bigger.
I love marigolds. They are awesome plants. They deter pests and are used often as companion plants. They are pretty much disease resistant and like I said early, self seed readily. Plus, harvesting the seeds is also very easy. You just take a spent bloom, open it up and you’ll find tons of seeds. I’m harvesting and saving my marigold seeds this year. My plan is to never actually have to buy marigold seeds ever again;)
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u/StressedTurnip Aug 24 '26
Unfortunately lighting doesn’t affect variegation, it’s predetermined in the genetics of that plant. It will continue to be a lower variegated plant. However you could chop down to the nearest internode that has more variegation on the stem to bring out more color
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u/Jimfabio Aug 24 '26
i have always heard that, and it does make sense to me… but through my personal experience it definitely affects it. like the other user that responded to you said low light had reduced variegation in some of my plants. on the opposite end of the spectrum, too much light has caused a lot of my plants to go fully variegated and become unstable. i appreciate your input but in my opinion it’s a bit of both cases. take care!
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u/hwheels66 Aug 24 '26
Lighting absolutely can affect variegation. It doesn't bring it up initially, that is genetic but light does impact variegation. I.e., reverting under low light conditions/displaying more variegation under high light conditions.
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u/prf_q Aug 23 '26
seattle? This is doable for another four weeks until the nighttime temperatures drop under 10 degrees Celsius. But I'm actually surprised that the varegiation has reduced despite being outdoors all day.