A New Arrival (March 21st, 2013)

Plant Announcement

Walked past a small garden shop today. 

Yup, you guess it. I went in and got one. 

What did I get? 

I got a Dracaena 'White Stripe' plant.

This plant has the potential of being a long, thick stemmed plant, but we are a long way from there. She is pretty small. She has long green leaves in a striped pattern, thus the 'White Stripe' name.

There are some things you want to check for when you buy a new plant. First, does it look healthy to you. Are the leaves shiny and not droopy. Leaves that are brown/yellow or has droopy leaves can be a sign of pest in the roots or over-watering/under-watering. When you bring a new plant home, you want to keep it separated from your current collection. This way, you can observe the plant to make sure there are no pests that can potentially infest your other plants. This plant is currently in my kitchen, away from the rest.

You want to check out the plant. this plant is still in it's nursery planter. Personally, I find that plants do not like it there. Always check the bottom for the roots. As you can see this plant's roots are poking out from the drainage hole. This plants wants a bigger pot. Weekend project?? Yup! 

Rubber Plant

Want to know how my Rubber plant is fairing? The nubs are getting so much bigger! Really exciting to see this plant start to grow from more than just 1 point. She will be a much bushier plant.

Calathea

Nice to see the leaves of this plant open up. I would like to see more leaves, so let's hope it fills out.

March 20th - First Day of Spring

It's the first day of Spring! This is the perfect time of the year to think about 'pruning' and 'pinching' back your plants since it is the active time for them to grow. Cutting my rubber plant was the first time I attempted to do any 'Pruning' and I feel bad 'pinching' the new buds on my rubber plant. I guess if I want to do this right, I better put my emotions aside and do what is best for the plant!

I do like seeing the little nubs of life on this barren branch.

In the beginning (March18th, 2013)

Plants...

Yeah, I like them. I have a few in my home.

I water them, change them into bigger pots at times.

Other times, I kind of forget I have plants and I don't water to them to the point that if you breath on them, they would be happy.

At the moment, I am in the 'Green Thumb' mode. I have taken up interest in my plants and wanting them to grow and thrive. I love seeming the transformation. I currently have 5 plants. 2 of them are the offspring of others. 

My Prize plant is my Rubber plant 'Ficus Elastica'. I have had that plant for almost 10 years. She was only about 1 foot tall when I got her at Home Depot. She is now about 5 feet tall. I also have a 'Calathea Rotundifolia', also known as a Praying Plant because it slowly moves during the day as if it get's up to pray. This plant I have had about 5 years. 'Pink Peace Lily' is another that I have. That is a recent addition. Got that while out on my anniversary this year. Another Rubber plant that is from the cuttings of my original plant and a small clipping of a plant I have at work. Not sure of the name of that one yet. 

So I started this blog to document my plants. Yes, they their own blog for me to boast about! YAY....

So here's the deal. About 3 weeks ago, I decided to cut down my rubber plant. I should have taken a picture of it, so you can see, but I didn't. I wasn't sure about doing it cause I never actually pruned, pinched or anything like that. I just watered them and put them in bigger pots from time to time. Then watched them grow. The rubber plant got huge at about 5 feet and was not able to keep up on her own. She leaned against my window. I looked on the internet on ways to cut it and never found anything quite right. I did find a great video of an Overgrown plant that was eventually cut into pieces and ended up looking great! I ended up taking a saw to mine as well. First with 1 of the 5 stems and I planted it right into it's own pot. then about two weeks later, I chopped off the another 3. I left 1 long stem. Still there too. I planted the 3 orphan in their own pot too. 

Took a few weeks, but the steams are now showing signs of life. 

March 18th, 2013

Rubber Plant

Calathea Rotundifolia

Pink Peace Lily

Not sure what kind....