I’m moving the plants inside and I’m quite sure they’ve doubled in size and number and yes, remember I’m a plant hoarder. Oh my gosh, look at this crowded space on the east side of the house! You can hardly walk through.
The biggest fern had to go in the piano room along with 2 ceiling high succulents. Many of the cacti are moving in here from the garage eventually because if I forget to water them in there, they’ll be fine. The fern will need water every day because it is so root bound, it’s nearly hydroponics at work – all roots, no dirt.
Here are some of the seedlings that will move to the basement under the gro-lights just to survive.
This is the table full of plants inside the garage – all of these need to move to the piano room or upstairs or the sewing room.
And there are still a few stragglers in the front entry – sigh.
There was a question about thrift store shirts. I always buy 100% cotton shirts but in all honesty these shirts have been washed and dried so many times, I’m guessing it won’t matter if you used poly/cotton blends. They might ravel more than cotton but if I found a shirt in just exactly the color I was looking for and it was poly/cotton, I’d buy it and mix it in. This isn’t rocket science – if you like the shirt, buy it and cut it up.
Think about me Friday morning – I’m scheduled for a root canal – ugh!
Your succulents cuttings, do you put them in water when you first bring them in from outdoors then pot them in soil later? I have a few that grew to big to put on a table in the garage for the winter.
Carolyn Shenandoah Valley VA
Carolyn – succulent cuttings should be left to dry or scab over before planting in soil. I do not root in water. What do others do to start new succulents? Readers? Please comment.
I had a huge cactus that often produced babies. I would gently pull them off the mother plant and put them directly into soil. I would use chopsticks to remove them, then hold in place as I potted them.
It grew and flowered like a weed.
Thank you. That should be easier.
Carolyn
You win for having the most house plants that winter in.
Don’t envy the root canal but any visit to the dentist is a REAL trip. You will be in my thoughts.
About once a week or whenever they need watering soak your ferns in a bucket of water (about 3-4 gallons) with 1/4 cup epsom salt. Put them into another bucket on a brick to drain. You will be amazed at how well they do. Root bound plants are hard to water from the top.
Susan – yes, they are very difficult to water from the top! I’ll give your method a try – thank you!
I forgot to say I also add a 1/2 teaspoon Miracle Grow to the mix. Since it is such a small amount, you can do it every time you water.
I had the purple grasses in big flower pots outside that were very root bound, too. I bought oil pans to set them in and that worked like a dream. They took a lot of water.
Ugh on the root canal. You are a plant t hoarder! Has American Pickers found out about You!😄😄
We are in a space for us/plant space crisis right now too! I still have 2 out in the gazebo to bring in but everything else is in. They do so well outside so my challenge is to try to keep them alive during the winter until they can go back outside so they can flourish again. I made myself toss most of the cuttings that were left over when I trimmed the ends of the plants, dug in a little fresh soil, sprayed for bugs and rinsed them off. Tossing is so hard for me! But there is just no room – and I know there will be more cuttings next spring. I love the east side plant space – perfect.
Sherry – that is exactly what I’m talking about! I keep them just for that abundant growth they show all summer and then I am “punished” for it because I have all those huge plants to winter! Ha! I’m my own worst enemy. But I just love my plants! They’re like pets!
Dearly love succulents. I’ve been through many root canals. My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. May your pain be minimal.
Your plants are so lucky to have you for their “mom.” I have orchids to bring in but I think a few should get thrown out and get a few new ones. I think a couple of my plants have scale. The little fern I think will be pitched. I also have had my share of root canals and my thoughts will be with you. Not my idea of a fun day.
Mary, BE TRUE TO YOUR TEETH AND THEY WILL BE TRUE TO YOU!! A very good friend used to quote that.
Can you believe I used to see a dentist named…Dr. Hurt? I’ve had my share of root canals, too. As a toddler my youngest Grand loved to ask…”Let me see your gold teeth!”
Just think of the healthy air your plants are giving back.
My husband’s grandma had the most beautiful back yard in Sacramento. Her azaleas, begonias and fuchsias were so well tended; about 2 hours a day til she was well into her 80’s. She was very proud of her iris bed, too. Delightful to visit. She wasn’t timid about asking the nursery for “little snips” to take home and root either.
We have a dentist in the area, Dr. Pain…no joke!
I had a root canal two years ago. It was a PIECE OF CAKE.
I had a root canal two years ago. It was a piece of cake. Not one problem. I’m sure you will be fine but will keep you in my prayers just the same.
When my husband was about 10, his mom found a piece of a Christmas cactus in his pocket. It had been there 3 days. He put it in a cup of sand , watered it, and it’s in our bathroom after 57 years and doing great!, I guess sand works!! I hope your root canal goes well. I had one 46 years ago and it was fine. Love your plants!! My husband would keep them healthy, unfortunately, not me. I am not patient enough😏
Diane – 57 years old! I’d love a piece of that plant!! Wow!
Good luck a the dentist. My Dad ( bless his heart) would call the dentist, ” Dr. Yank Em Out”! I hope that make you laugh. Root canals are a breeze!
I found a 4-foot cactus at Wal-Mart, for $10 in their discount corner, back in 1985. When I needed to move to Assisted living (2013), this cactus was almost to the ceiling. I managed to get 5-generations of plants from that mother plant. It’s probably a crispy critter, since nobody cares about them.
My beloved Wayne had a Christmas cactus handed down from his great grandmother. He never did anything special to it, and every Christmas it had 100’s of blooms on it. Wayne was also good at reviving plants that looked dead. His thumb was greener than mine.
Good thing your retired!!! Between the pooches and plants, you’ve got a days work… When will you sew!!! Good luck with the root canal today.
good luck with the root canal today! do you want one more fern? 🙂 I will probably kill it this winter
Libby is sending you a kiss
Good luck with root canal – I know it will go fine!
P.S. There is no such thing as a plant hoarder. It is called a plant collector! 🙂
It’s Friday morning and I know you are in that dental chair. Sending good thoughts, best wishes, and prayers for good medicine, skilled dentist, and a speedy, pain-free recovery!
Mary, donate some plants around the town, starting with the dental office. The friendly folks will embrace the succulents as they will live thru the weekends without water. Warn about TOO MUCH water.
While in the chair, hypnotize yourself!
Go to a quilt shop or better still the GIANT QUILT SHOW.
I always go to theRockies and find the lake way down below! Take binoculars.
Thinking of you,
Lois in Omaha
Oma
Didn’t see any Christmas cactus in your stash, Mary. Maybe I missed them in your pictures. They are beautiful Christmas time bloomers. You have the cold and the dark they need to bloom. Need cold temps and dark days to set their blooms. we have African violets, Christmas cactus, mother-in-law tongue, and a couple of floor plants to tend to — maybe 10 in all. Yes, like children.
Saw your new book on charm squares on the Martingale blog this morning. It looks great–of course I wish listed it and eagerly awaiting it. Also saw. Post about the civil war book.
Good luck on the root canal–done that several times. Our Dentist was Dr. Chew!
I use to try to save all my plants and would bring them into my shop for the winter, but it has become too big a job, so I only save a couple now and just buy new ones in the Spring. My gardenia has become a huge bush that is way too heavy for me to move so it’s going to be left out in the cold winter and won’t survive. It only had one gardenia on it the entire time I’ve had it, so I don’t feel too bad about leaving it out. You certainly have quite a collection of plants. You need a green house!
Hope you survived your root canal in good shape.
REgarding the plants – how about a plant sale????
I am facing moving plants in today as “they” say it will freeze tonight(MInnesota)…..why didn’t I start moving in when you did…..I have the same problem–everything really grew with all the rain this summer….my sunroom always looks like a jungle in the winter…I love plants as you —
Thank you for answering my question!! Hope your root canal went well.
Wow, I wish I had a green thumb!
I just had my first root canal. The root canal itself was easy. it was after that was awful for me. Maybe I am just a big baby….ha ha…..I hope you have a better time of it. I go this week to have a crown put on it. Hope I feel like a queen afterwards…..😋 Take care!