Inspiration

Inspiration is elusive these days.  I have a few posts started, but they are technical and boring.  I don't even want to read them.  We have a couple big events coming up and then hopefully I'll be able to get my hands in the dirt again.  Please let me know if you have any questions this spring.  Hopefully our frost free date has passed - hopefully :)  So get out there and get planting!

And Another One Bites the Dust

I had a maiden hair fern for a few years.  It always limped along.  It would start doing really well - seemingly out of no where and then, just as randomly, would start dying off.  Finally, I felt like I was doing well keeping it moist and it was again in a dying off cycle.  

So, I tossed it.  And I realize that I may have had some responsibility in the dying off.  I don't know how well you can tell, but it was pretty much living in mud.  

The number 1 killer of houseplants - OVERWATERING.  Yes, I do it too.  I just wanted my fern to do well.  I wanted it to finally grow big and beautiful, and I overwatered.  Some might say I over-loved :)

The best method for figuring out if your plants need water is to lift up the pot.  Potting soils these days are made of a lot of peat - which gets really light when it is dry.  Granted, wet soil is always going to be heavier, but I think the peat makes it even more pronounced.  So, pick your pot up when you know it has been nice and watered and feel how heavy it is.  Then, before you water again, pick it up and see how heavy it is.  If it still has some heft, wait a day or two and repeat the process.  It is amazing how long you can go sometimes without watering.  When I was working in the greenhouse, I did this with all of our gallon perennials, every day.  Even in a hot greenhouse, they could go several days in a row without being watered.

I know not every pot can be picked up, but once you start getting to know the watering cycles of the rest of your plants, you will start getting a feel for the big guys too.  If you see a little wilt, give it some water.  Most plants - now most, some will act like you are really trying to kill them - can handle some wilt.

Next post - Common Myths about houseplants.

It's amazing how I cant think of anything to write and then I get started and it just keeps rolling.

It never ends :)

I had to make a few adjustments, but I think it was all for the best.  The nice cactus planting I did, well the cats - that angelic twosome - really enjoyed digging in it.  The cactus was on the verge of tipping over and I constantly had sand on the floor.  I actually think I like the redo better

I also took apart the former pony tail palm planting.  It still had the hole in the middle - again thank you to the two sweethearts who reside in our apartment.

I think they look better in their smaller pots.  Speaker of smaller pots.  I've had a cute tea pot I bought awhile ago.  I finally found a use for it.

Last but not least, the ficus I finally trimmed up is doing so well!!  It has leaves and buds and looks happy.  So, I covered its feet and gave it a happy toad.  

Soon it will look like there is grass growing.  Yeah - grass :)  Some day I will have a garden, some day...  

Next on the list - I have some seeds to plant.  I'm going to see what I can grow inside.  I just have to figure out a way to do that and not let the empty looking pot attract kitty paws and angry looks from the hubby.