#plantdiary

2021.03.19

The one sad thing about your plant babies growing big, is the moment they no longer fit in that one fabulous planter.

These baby rubber trees' roots needed some extra space so I finally repotted my Ficus Elastica. After some musical chairs, but with outer pots, he now sits in this tiny basket and I think it looks wonderful on him.

2021.03.16

Ain't she a royalty ♡. My Epipremnum Marble Queen gives me so much joy. I remember reading somewhere one calls it a Snow Queen when leaves grow as white as this.

But a lack of chlorophyll can be troublesome for future healthy growth, so I'm watching her closely. As for now, I will simply admire her beauty.

2020.11.04

Three reasons to buy plant clippings from a small (local) seller I need to write down:

1.      Buying from a small (local) seller is helping and supporting an actual person, rather than another big retail chain. They might need that little extra.

2.      Financially, buying a clipping is less of an investment than buying an adult plant. Still, buying a large plant at a retail chain might be relatively cheaper in size, but then again, see the argument above.

3.      Growing a plant from clipping takes time and love. It is a patient process, but the results are so rewarding. Yes, you might encounter some setbacks and yes, there is always a small risk of losing the plant in the process, but I found out that the adult plants I grew from clippings mean so much more to me, than the full grown store-bought ones. It is that feeling of ‘You and me, we’ve been through so much together. And neither of us gave up on one each other’ but when looking at a plant. That feels fab.

So here I am with some new babies I could not resist: two clippings of a Philodendron Squamiferum. Their hairy petioles make me a little uncomfortable, but their gorgeous leaves make up for any of that.

2021.04.03

I finally gave my philodendron (I am still in doubt about its ID) a good stick to climb up against. This big boy was still leaning on a single bamboo stick I temporarily placed next to him when he was way smaller. But winter hasn’t affected him much. This piece of wood I found on one of my walks came in very handy.

After being dried thoroughly, I used a paintbrush to treat the bottom part with flaxseed oil. Flax oil or linseed oil is known for its natural wood preserving abilities. I plan on treating all future wooden sticks with this oil to prevent them from rotting away too fast.

2021.01.11 

For the past two months I have not been able to put myself to anything houseplant related, even though I know they give me so much energy in return.

While both of my calatheas are shriveling up as the central-heated air indoors is becoming too dry for my humidifier to counteract (R.I.P. calathea roseopicta dottie) the grow lights still lie in the storage shed - mounted in a frame and all. I just.. I water. That is it. I let winter take heavy tolls on my psychological well-being.

However my Monstera Deliciosa is still gleaming as ever; even unfurling an absolutely stunning fenestrated leaf a few weeks ago. I cheer up a little every time I see it. And today that was enough to start writing again.

To anybody who is still with me: Thank you from the bottom of my heart - and may this be a wonderful new year ♡.

23.02.2021

Weather in The Netherlands took a hundred and eighty degree turn. While it is 17°C outside now, only a week ago we had temperatures dropping over 10°C below zero and snow. Lots of it. For Dutch standards.

The landscape outside was beautiful ♡. A clean, white blanket covering everything. For a moment the world looked unblemished. I took pictures with my analog camera on one of my walks. I will post some once lockdown is over and I can bring them to a shop to get them developed.

Until then this plant shelfie with snowy background will have to do.