❀ || Plant Lovers

[Catskitten]

PlantFriends

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i've gotten myself a spring cactus and a porcelain plant not too long ago!!
sadly, i do not have any pictures of them so that i could share but..
they're doing okay so far!! they're both kinda wounded, and i'm
worried that their wounds will get worse in the future. my
spring cactus has the worse wounds. the only thing that i can do
is return it back to the store. sadly, when i got my spring
cactus, i didn't look closely for any wounds. i wish i could
go back but my mom is very busy, so is my dad. is there
any tips on how i can heal a cactus's wounds? i'd appreciate
some help!! ^^

Most species of cacti heal very well from damage and scar over so im sure it will be ok:)
As for other plant you can just watch it and clip anything that dies

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Divider Credit

Little Venus Flytraps

[dibidibidis]

what do you guys think is the most challenging part of plant ownership?

honestly i feel the same way, i always overwater them by mistake. i believe succulents have to be watered once a week, but everywhere i look online it doesn’t give me a proper amount, always says “a good soak.” i also feel like they don’t get enough sunlight because i live in a state where we barely ever experience sunlight. i may have to invest in an artificial sunlight device thingy

Once a week is actually pretty dangerous (especially in the winter), depending on the plant you own.
Most people recommend only soaking/watering once the succulent literally starts to show signs of dehydration (ie. slightly wrinkled leaves) -- underwatering is always safer than overwatering when it comes to succs. <3

[cherubim]

@vogelbiene -
There are tons of guides online to making DIY terrariums, so I suggest taking a look at a few different sources! As long as you have all the materials needed, it shouldn't be too hard to get right.
There are 2-3 main components of a good terrarium; (cactus) soil, perlite/gravel, and activated carbon/charcoal!
Cactus soil is enriched with special nutrients for hardy plants (ie. cacti, succulents), so I always go out of my way to buy it instead of using normal soil.
An inch or so of gravel should be layered at the bottom of your container to ensure proper drainage (so the roots don't rot in water), unless you're using a flowerpot w/ a hole at the bottom. I go the extra step to use perlite, as it's porous/absorbent (and looks quite nice). I also mix some perlite into the soil!
Activated charcoal/carbon helps emoves bacteria that may rot the roots -- it's not 100% necessary (instead of activated charcoal you can add more gravel/perlite to the bottom), but highly suggested. If you're getting activated charcoal, make sure not to get the "flavored" kind -- they're used as beauty products, I believe? You can get pure activated charcoal at most pet supply shops.
Lastly, make sure your plant's roots aren't touching the bottom of the container -- that's where water will pool, and the roots will rot.



thank you so much for this, dibi! I actually have a few of those ingredients lying around from impulse purchases so that's handy. I also may invest in some cactus soil, even though I've never seen it before :0 however I haven't actively sought it out so it was probably under my nose this entire time.

have any of you heard of this app called "viridi"? it's the coolest little app where you take care of your own digital succulents (and they don't die!) and the soundtrack is amazingly calming. just thought I'd share. ♡

also! some questions;


Code: Select all

[b]where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?[/b]

[b]what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why?[/b]

[b]do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants?[/b]

[b]do you talk to your plants/play them music?[/b]

[lesbian]

welcome back vogelbiene, I'll update the front page with you new username :3 dibs has also been added!!
sorry in advance for this really long post omg, i just wasnt expecting so many posts, im glad to see so many!
✿

@lesbian i saw you mentioned something about terrariums! i've been so tempted to create one, but was unsure as to how it would go - and i'd feel so bad if i killed all the plants. i'm already a notorious plant killer
what part of it did you find didn't work?

✿
definitely poor substrate choice and inappropriate containers, I used those fish-bowl style glass bowls but combined with the bad substrate it ended up with really bad airflow and poor drainage. mould is growing in the soil right now and I need to repot the living plants I just haven't got the correct soil at the moment.

but definitely look at the online resources like dibs said it wasn't until I slowed down to look at those that I realised why my terrariums failed all of the containers I used would be much better suited for plants enjoying higher humidity lmao

as a fellow plant killer, i'd highly recommend any app to remind you to water plants, i've found them so useful in the past because im so forgetful!

also! question to everyone; what indoor plants (preferably hardy to frost/cold temps and low care) would you reccomend? i have had a few succulents but i always lose a few once it comes to winter because of the climate here. some come back, but it's like, hmmm.

i've actually been tempted to get a cacti or two for the simple fact they're just so hardy haha

✿
indoor plants usually aren't hardy to frost unfortunately, but there's definitely quite a few who will flourish despite the cold, I would definitely recommend succulents though, as long as they have the correct amount of sun they'll do amazingly - I live in Scotland so the weather is often cold, but my two aloe vera are easily my healthiest and fasted growing plants despite having been kept in some inappropriate soil and me underwatering them when I first got them.

I also have a marimo moss ball which I would highly recommend, they really do take abuse well and you don't even need to worry about watering them since they live in water, they don't like direct light though

unfortunately I mainly keep succulents so I can't advise much beyond them bc I am also a bit of a plant killer too

what do you guys think is the most challenging part of plant ownership?

honestly i feel the same way, i always overwater them by mistake. i believe succulents have to be watered once a week, but everywhere i look online it doesn’t give me a proper amount, always says “a good soak.” i also feel like they don’t get enough sunlight because i live in a state where we barely ever experience sunlight. i may have to invest in an artificial sunlight device thingy

✿
i think its really difficult to gauge succulent watering, because they will have different requirements in differnet climates, but i usually do once a month in winter and twice a month in spring/autumn and then more in summer if it's exceptionally hot. the best way to tell if your plants are getting close to needing watered is to stick your finger into the soil about an inch or two deep and if it's completely bone dry they can be watered. but overall succulents tend to prefer to be underwatered than overwatered! ^v^ (i wrote all of this then noticed that dibs said the same thing omg sorry)

Before...

And after! It looks a bit pitiful right now but everything is still tiny and sprouting :> I'm excited everything is in the ground. I have a few herbs and cacti and whatnot I need to pot though.

✿

ooh that looks really great, of course, it will look even better once things root properly and begin to grow haha but still really exciting! i hope everything comes through quickly! :3

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where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?

Mostly from garden centers (which I assume is a thing outside of the UK, but if not, basically giant stores that sell diy and gardening supplies) but also I have found rescued plants from supermarkets before. My dad has been gardening since before I was born though so. we have a lot of plant supplies haha.

what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why?

So choosing one is quite difficult, I have quite a few in my garden so bear with me lol:

daffodils; these are amongst my favourite for a few reasons, they're beautiful for one and they also signal how near we are to summer, their bright flower heads everywhere just make me smile

honeysuckle; it is such a beautiful flower and has an amazing scent, I could just wrap myself up in it and sleep
lupin; tbh beyond being pretty I don't have a good excuse for this one, its just pretty

bleeding heart; this one is a new addition, be we are growing it from just a tiny little seedling so getting to see and nurture such a small thing to its adult size will be incredible, i also just think it's gorgeous

pitcher plant; I got this last summer, and it's so cute and I honestly thought I'd end up killing it but it just keeps growing and growing and I cannot wait to see how it does this year, I'm nervous about planting it because I don't know how to overwinter it but it's so fascinating and just a great plant


honourable mention to my (indoor) marimo moss ball which I also got last year, it's super adorable and once it gets larger I can't wait to put it into my parents pond, though I'll miss seeing it indoors it'll look awesome out there.

I could keep talking about all of my plants but I'll stop for now

do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants?

I think they each have their charms and are hard to compare, I enjoy working in the garden and landscaping but indoor plants can be properly enjoyed even when it's bucketing it down outside.

do you talk to your plants/play them music?

I do not, I'm sure they listen along to my games though haha

✿

[Pyjaks]

where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?: A local garden center. Also sometimes places like Lowes or Walmart cos they're closer and more convenient

what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why? uhmmmm probably my succulent or chives, they're both so small n cute

do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants? Outdoor! I love being outside

do you talk to your plants/play them music? No :p

[Jodjo]

hello everyone!! aha so this is pretty lame but im pretty new to plants so i just have a few random plants growing from like little kit things at target. i do have a succulent though!! anyway,

I also have a marimo moss ball which I would highly recommend, they really do take abuse well and you don't even need to worry about watering them since they live in water, they don't like direct light though

i looked these little guys up and now i want a ton!! they're actually kinda cute and i feel like they would be a cool thing to show off!! and after seeing them, i was reminded of air plants and now i want those too. oof why are plants so amazing


where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?
target mega oof (actually more than half of my plants aren't from target and i have. 5 yikes)
what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why?
my little succulent!! he is a super aesthetic boy and i got him while doing something really cool :)
do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants?
well i like to keep all plants inside just to regulate them, espcially because mine are all random little baby plants heh
do you talk to your plants/play them music?
no but i want to!!

oof sorry this is kinda long and pretty awkward

[cheesecake.]

Hi, I don't really post here often because I'm a total beginner when it comes to plants ;-;

Once a week is actually pretty dangerous (especially in the winter), depending on the plant you own.
Most people recommend only soaking/watering once the succulent literally starts to show signs of dehydration (ie. slightly wrinkled leaves) -- underwatering is always safer than overwatering when it comes to succs. <3

Oops I didn't know this, but now I feel enlightened and also a tad sorry for my little succulent who must have been urging me to stop watering it when I first got it. I'm pretty certain that I bought a sick plant though because I compared it to others of it kind and they looked a lot more 'alive', but I did stop watering it for a bit and it's fine now c: (oh but my cats knocked it out of its pot so now I have to keep an eye on it)

where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?
A nearby garden centre. My mother also grows plants and she occasionally buys them from the supermarket.
what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why?
I'd have to say my succulent, because it's the only one that I properly own and it's really pretty :3 (I'm sure it's a perle von nuremberg)
do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants?
I guess indoor because it's easier to look after them as it's always raining.
do you talk to your plants/play them music?
I must admit I do sometimes talk to my plant, and I play music in my room so I guess? xD

[FlightFeathers]

Username: FlightFeathers

Favourite plant: Honestly can't decide. I am in love with my young Rebutia at the moment
i love plants

I'm so happy that there is a plant community on CS!
I'm a uni student and have 5 plants in my small dorm room.
I have a:
- Rabbit Foot Ferm
- Silver Nerve Plant
- Rex Begonia
- Rebutia Catci
- Cyclamen

It's a struggle to resist buying more >.<

They are my babies

[mars]

Username: ➳ palla
Nickname{s}: ciel/ciiel, seal, waja
Favourite plant: lilacs !!
i love plants
- - -

I can't believe I didn't discover this thread until now omg. I love plants so much - I'm hoping to start gardening outside again now that the weather is clearing up, but for now I've been keeping indoor plants !! I don't have a very green thumb, but I try my best haha <3

I'm still fairly new to plants and I don't know a whole lot of their scientific names, but right now I have two orchids (one big white one and a small pink and purple striped one), one prickly pear, one teeny round cactus, one lucky bamboo, one japanese sago palm, four potted succulents, and three succulent pieces that I picked up fresh off the floor of the store that I'm trying to experiment with propagation with. I also have many flowering plants in my garden outdoors, like irises, lilacs, hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, forget-me-nots, daisies, crocuses, and some thistle I keep for the goldfinches. I'm hoping to get some tiger lilies and more irises soon :)

- - -

where do you usually buy your plants and supplies?
I get mine from my local lowe's (an american chain) whenever my parents need something for our home there, like light bulbs, pet doors, wood, you name it! tagging along means I get to pick a few plants to bring home with me. I have an interesting habit of rescuing the dying plants on clearance that are in need of some tlc, and while it doesn't always end well, I think my turnover rate is fairly good for someone with a little over a year of potted plant experience. I've only lost four so far out of seventeen <":

what is your favourite plant in your garden/that you own and why?
ooh gosh, this is a tough choice! I think it's between my pink/purple orchid and my purple and yellow irises.

my orchid was my first ever indoor potted plant and it got me through some really rough emotional and physical times during my illness when I was staying away from home at a hospital many hours away. it was small, like me. it was beautiful and delicate, too. getting that orchid lifted my mood so much - I put more time into caring about whether it was getting enough light and the right amount of water than I put into being upset over my family not being able to visit, and it was so calming and anxiety-relieving to look at. it means so much to me !!! it recently started to sprout a new bloom, the first one since I got it, and I'm so excited hhh

on the other hand, my irises belonged to my grandparents. I believe they originated out in new york in an elderly relative/close family friend's garden before being taken by my grandfather after she passed away because they were too pretty to lose, too, and he had always loved her plants. then he brought them out here when my mom first moved out in the 90s as a gift for her! they've been in my garden ever since. I lost my grandfather when I was very young, so in many ways I try to hold onto what little I have left of him - I'm learning to paint like he did, and I'm trying very hard to learn about native wildlife so I can be as knowledgeable as he was about it. taking care of his irises is just something I feel like I owe him for never valuing him as much as I should have until now, and since they haven't been fairing very well lately, it's my duty to save them and keep them healthy so I can pass them down someday, too!

do you prefer indoor or outdoor plants?
I feel like my outdoor plants have a much higher survival rate, but since I don't go outside often with my illnesses, I'd have to say that I prefer indoor plants! it brings a little bit of the outdoors inside near me and cheers me up when I can't go out <:

do you talk to your plants/play them music?
since I keep my plants in my brother's room atm, I tend to be very quiet when I go in to check on them! but sometimes when he's out, I do talk to my precious bbs !! I couldn't shut my mouth when I first noticed my orchid sprouting a new bloom haha

[lesbian]

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@Jodjo

not awkward at all! :3 i really love marimo moss balls, their name is misleading though because they're actually algae not moss! if you do want one, you should go for it, they're reasonably cheap if you get them when they're small!

@cheesecake.

don't worry too much on your succulents behalf! we all make mistakes, i'm glad your plant is doing good now though haha also perle von nürnbergs are super super pretty! i think i'd love one eventually.

@FlightFeathers

welcome! i totally struggle to hold back from buying plants so i probably have so many more than i actually have room for xD

@ ➳ palla

welcome! i love lilac too, my dad has a lilac tree in our garden and it's so pretty when it's in bloom but it attracts so many snails... all of your plants sound beautiful, prickly pears are one of my favourite cacti! also i didnt realise that thistles attracted goldfinches! i think i might have to plant some in that case because i love goldfinches and thistle :3

i also have a soft spot for the more unwell plants haha, i just feel so bad when i see plants on the shelf in shops that are sick!

also thats a really beautiful story behind those irises, definitely hold onto those! <3