Ep. 142 - So How Are Those Plant Resolutions Coming?
Chill ‘n Chat
It’s truth time. Since we *so bravely* shared our plant goals earlier this year, have we made any progress?
Stephen started using windows, and he finally has some results to report. And Matthew is doing a certain thing a lot more consistently. But do we still have those Mandarin Plants? Let’s just say you can tell we’re getting close to the end of our season! Also, what’s 2+3? Asking for a friend.
Mentioned in this episode:
how are the goals that the Plant Daddies set out in Ep. 135?
Matthew’s newfound routine of consistent fertilizing - what he’s doing, how he’s doing it, and what impact it’s had on his collection - a lot of his approach is based on what he learned when the Plant Daddies chatted with their friend Miles at The Plant Store in Ep. 119
Stephen’s experience using the natural-light of an East-facing windowsill - what’s been happy, what isn’t performing, and how relying on sunny days might not be ideal for all of the plants he’s growing
as Matthew rebuilds his collection, what are the plants that he’s prioritizing, and has he avoided over-collecting so far?
what efficiency approaches is Stephen finding successful for managing a collection that can easily take more time than he’s willing to put in - and how is Matthew taking DIY solutions to simplify care for some of his fussier plants
And lastly,
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Here are some of the plants Matthew mentioned this week
It’s not even been two months since the Plant Daddies discussed Hoya polyneura in Ep. 137, but with the warmer weather and longer days, plus regular fertilizing, Matthew’s has added several new leaf sets, plus two new shoots near the base of the plant!
He’s also getting back into Maidenhair Ferns with the layered planting method he likes for plants that prefer to stay consistently moist - this Adiantum peruvianum has already grown several new fronds, and is increasing in size nicely. This method is also being used for some Paphiopedilum orchids - the only difference is that he drilled a hole in the side of the glass vessel to allow for improved airflow, and to give himself a way to drain off excess water as needed, and flush the substrate periodically. He’s also using his favorite DIY wine bottle planters for some smaller Slipper Orchids.
Those planters are also how he likes to grow up smaller starter plants before they go into conventional pots - like this Aeschynanthus x splendidus that has been slowly growing up for over two years. Its growth had stalled, though, and its flowering had never been terribly impressive, so when Matthew began fertilizing it in March, he noticed a huge difference. Lots of new foliage was followed by the most impressive floral display he’s ever had, by a long shot. This plant is ready to be repotted in a typical pot now that it’s gained some size - which is exactly what happened with this Hoya australis Lisa recently.
After growing up from a small, delicate rooted cutting in a wine bottle planter, Matthew transferred it to a pot with his favorite Hoya substrate, and is giving it dilute fertilizer regularly. It’s begin to grow basal shoots, and gaining size nicely.
And even though it was being sold as an inexpensive flowering annual last year, Matthew loves his windowsill Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharantus roseus. It’s an enthusiastic flowering plant, and gets bloom-boosting fertilizer at nearly every watering to support its beautiful profusion of white blossoms.