Green Thumb

[Luba]

Do you have one? Tell us about your garden, flowerbox, or plant/plants.

[Vautrin]

No. I hate gardening. Takes up a lot of time; and 3 quarters of the year it does not look nice anyway.

[TKDLady]

I tried a few times and succeeded for a short time but then everything went to sh!t so quite trying.

[Duke]

I'm pretty good with most Tropical Plants but thats about it. I really love the look of Musa, Ficus, Strelitzia, and most Palms.

[Luba]

Originally Posted by Duke

I'm pretty good with most Tropical Plants but thats about it. I really love the look of Musa, Ficus, Strelitzia, and most Palms.

Pretty Good?? That's ALL you say??? You are very, very, very terrific with plants!!!!! I've never seen anyone take such care with plants like you do!

[Duke]

Originally Posted by Luba

Pretty Good?? That's ALL you say??? You are very, very, very terrific with plants!!!!! I've never seen anyone take such care with plants like you do!

I cheat though because I study their needs before purchasing them and understand their habitat enough to nearly mimic it in an indoor environment. I'm not sure if that makes me good with the plants really, just that I understand what they need.

Also, when I first purchase a plant I never repot it. I also let it dry out completely so I can see how it reacts to drought (usually leaves droop or turn dull in color). Essentially, I let the plants tell me when they need watering, I don't just water on some schedule like most people do.

There really is no trick to indoor gardening, anyone can do it if you obey these simple rules:

• over 90% of new houseplants die due to overwatering.
• never re-pot a plant unless it's in an active growing cycle and its roots are clearly poking out the pots drainage holes.
• always try to re-pot in the beginning of the plants active growing cycle (early spring or summer)
• after re-potting, do not feed your plant liquid fertilizer unless your potting soil does not come with nutrients (read the label). Many indoor potting soils come with enough nutrients for a plant to feed from for 3 months or more.
• When re-potting, only increase one pot size. Putting your plant in too large a container will translate into sour soil as the roots cannot pull moisture from the edges of the pot. This sour soil will eventually poison your plant.
• Buy a plant book or go online and study your plants environmental needs.