How was it that I, knowledgeable gardener, could not hold her houseplants alive? There, within the mirror’s reflection, my peace lily sagged, my begonia browned, my African violets pouted whereas bugs circled their leaves like vultures. Regardless of residing by a brilliant window in a heat room, my houseplants resented me. I used to be an absent plant mother, by no means dwelling, too busy trimming and tidying extra necessary, outside-world crops to offer my very own youngsters sufficient consideration. And it confirmed.
However I wasn’t going to surrender my day job, or the house backyard I beloved placing in on weekends. “If solely I had a houseplant nanny,” I advised my husband. “Like somebody who is aware of a bit about horticulture to come back by and take care of my indoor crops.” He crinkled his eyebrows. “Aren’t you the plant nanny?”
He was proper. It was a contact absurd to rent somebody to do the very factor I knew how one can do greatest. Then once more, with a job, three youngsters, 4 pets, and a life usually, I had little time to water, keep in mind when I would watered, kill bug eggs with alcohol, determine lighting issues, and on and on. Simply eager about it overwhelmed me. Ten extra issues for me to do. Effectively, perhaps 4, however hey, it felt like ten.
Lastly, after months of anxiety-inducing, half-assed houseplant care, I found out a key piece of the puzzle. I did not want a human plant nanny. I wanted a man-made one. So I began experimenting with tech for houseplant upkeep. To say the least, life modified. For the way in which higher.
After a number of false begins, I found six issues that operate as a sort of houseplant nanny equipment. They now hold my crops not solely alive, however wholesome and comfortable. That, after all, means I am wholesome and comfortable too.
What Did I Simply Purchase?
Picture: Johannes Mann/Getty Pictures
As an example you had been on the grocery retailer, noticed an extremely cool plant, misplaced your thoughts, and paid $50, then introduced it dwelling. Nice, however what now? A plant identification app might help. You merely take a photograph, add it, and the app offers you its botanical and customary names. Why is figuring out so necessary? As a result of if you understand the place your plant grows within the wild, you will know how one can hold it comfortable at dwelling. You may present the fitting gentle, water, soil, and meals. You’re the god of earth and climate in an indoor residing house, so plan accordingly.