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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2024 10:52:38 GMT -5
Good morning bree!
Okay danny, maybe there are more people who are horrified when being given a plant than I thought!
Bree, rocks in the pot don't really help with drainage, there are better ways. I've used rocks occasionally if the pot is very deep and I need more weight at the bottom, but for drainage, you need to make sure there are adequate holes in the bottom of the pot and you use a drip tray, that's the best way to make sure that your plant doesn't get waterlogged. It depends on what plant you have, of course, but the type of soil makes a difference--for succulents or other plants that don't like a lot of water, you need to add something to the soil to make it more porous (like perlite or one of the fine gravel type products). The kind of pot plays a part too--terracotta pots are porous and dry out much faster, so succulents do better in terracotta. Plants that like a lot of moisture (like ferns or any other plant with feathery foliage) do better in plastic pots. Putting rocks in the bottom of a pot won't help drainage if the potting soil is wrong to start with.
If the holes in the pot are larger and you're worried about dirt running through, you can take a piece of old screen to put on the bottom of the pot--or, what I use, which is the plastic mesh that is sold in craft stores for people to do needlework projects. I cut it to size and put it in the bottom of the pot before putting the potting soil in. The only disadvantage to using a screen like that is that the roots will not grow out of the pot, some people use that as the sign that the plant needs to be repotted and you won't see that if there's a screen. But there are other ways of judging when to repot.
It really does help to research what kind of plant you have to see what conditions it likes--but if you're just browsing the internet, make sure you look at several sources for a consensus, because I find so much wrong information on casual plant sites!
Okay, time to get working.
TO DO:
Call decluttering client 10 minutes on plants Restock water in fridge Delete 10 hard emails
Diane
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Post by bree on Jan 25, 2024 12:12:41 GMT -5
Oh my!!! Diane thanks for that useful information but now I feel like I really don’t like plants! I have no idea what kind of plants they are I’ll try to find out
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Post by ohblondie on Jan 25, 2024 12:24:12 GMT -5
Working from home today Yesterday was drizzly, today is in the 40's.
I cleared off the folding table in DS's old room. It became a catchall. I will vacuum next then move the bed in
But first lunch. I didnt realize it was so late
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Post by danny15 on Jan 25, 2024 12:30:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the excellent plant advice, Diane! In the early 70's I worked in a flower/plant/gift store. I also lived on a farm back then and had a LOT of houseplants. I did enjoy them for the most part. But there was so much work involved (like you wrote ~ the type of soil, type of pots, drainage, repotting) and of course the amount of light and water and humidity/misting. Outside responsibilities included my horses, ponies, huge veggie garden, feed corn field, fruit trees and a couple chestnut trees (really miss fresh roasted chestnuts!). We also looked after Angus cows that a rancher kept on our property. And the dogs and cats going in and out. Even two of the smallest ponies would come into the big kitchen if the door was propped open for air (no A/C there).
Back to the plants ~ I began rehoming them because they were living creatures and it felt unkind to neglect them. And since they didn't bark, meow, neigh or moo when they needed attention the poor green babies were always getting pushed aside. I have pretty much forgotten all I knew about plants. There are no windowsills in the new office and hanging plants might be a problem for the reason you mentioned with water. I do like spider plants (love the babies) so a plant stand may be an option. I would definitely buy from a nursery rather than online. I'll let you know the decision.
Most of our snow is melted except for the little mountains in the grocery parking lot. Isn't it funny how temps would normally feel so bitterly cold in the 20's but those same temps feel warm and welcome when we have been in the single digits or below zero? Today will be a food day ~ chop veggies, make chicken soup, cook some hamburger, portion and freeze for future meals. We also need to finish some fruit so I'll mix that into yogurt and top with granola.
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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2024 12:33:15 GMT -5
Good morning ohblondie!
Bree, oh no, I didn't mean to scare you with all that information--basically, plants can be divided into succulent types (the kind that have thicker, fleshy leaves that hold water) and non-succulent, which have thin leaves. That's all you really need to know for watering/soil purposes. Do you know how to put photos on here? (I don't, but most of you tech-savvy people know how.) If you can do that we can see what kind of plants they are. See, you are another person who takes wonderful care of your animals, and you even took wonderful care of a human child--plant care is so easy compared to those things!
The dog wanted to go out during that last list.
Next:
10 minutes on paper Start dishes soaking Make some copies Delete 10 hard emails
Diane
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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2024 12:36:52 GMT -5
Oh danny, I would have loved to see ponies in the kitchen!
Yes, you are right about plants being a lot of work--but they are still way less work than animals or children! And if you are a "normal" person with just a few plants, instead of someone like me (or you, it sounds like) with LOTS of them...it's even easier!
Diane
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Post by danny15 on Jan 25, 2024 12:39:47 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~ See, you are another person who takes wonderful care of your animals, and you even took wonderful care of a human child--plant care is so easy compared to those things! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One good thing about taking care of plants rather than animals or kids is that plants can't run away from you!
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Post by danny15 on Jan 25, 2024 12:46:27 GMT -5
Oh danny, I would have loved to see ponies in the kitchen!
Yes, you are right about plants being a lot of work--but they are still way less work than animals or children! And if you are a "normal" person with just a few plants, instead of someone like me (or you, it sounds like) with LOTS of them...it's even easier!
Diane
Ponies in the kitchen ~ it was fun! They always knew when I was picking apples or pulling carrots. Of course, I am not exactly normal either so, like you, it was very hard not to keep taking in more and more and more plants. Hmmm, and more animals and more books and more stuffed animals and more toys......... and a hoarder was born!
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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2024 13:17:47 GMT -5
Yep--that's why I say that the hoarder tendency stays with me, even though I am so much better than I used to be. There are always a few things that I just want more and more of. Books of course, but at least they are now coming from the library which means they eventually have to go back! And plants, which are my substitute for more animals--because the fact that the plants will outlive me is not nearly as bad as the fact that animals would outlive me.
Diane
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Post by bree on Jan 25, 2024 14:41:28 GMT -5
Diane your information was great, thanks for it. The division between succulents and thin leaves is very useful!
I think there is an app where you can show your plant and it identifies it.
I feel bad when I neglect plants so I do try to do the basics but one more chore! : )
some unfortunate news. I was on lunch doing some stuff around the house getting colder and colder... my furnace is not working!!! a tech will be coming out later this afternoon. I so hope I do not have an expensive repair.
earlier I was pouring draino stuff down my bathroom drain because when the sink empties it overflows into the tub. gross but a very contained problem between those two areas. i was thinking I'll call a plumber to fix that, put a new faucet in kitchen and a new garbage disposal as mine stopped working a few months ago and I tried to reset it to no avail. a pain with catfood leftovers which then go in my trash and can get stinky fast! but that will be put off if I have a big furnace bill.
I am very distracted by it and very hard to work at all!
I do have a space heater that I can use if the furnace cannot be fixed today.
I know this is a first world problem == a blessing that i have a furnace to fix but I am feeling heavy hearted....
I did do some pick up put away on lunch -- my dining room table is cleaned off, cleaned the litter, wiped the counter tops, recycled and shredded paper. brought back the garbage and recycling bins. emptied the new trash! started a load of laundry. put away christmas placemat, tablecloth and centerpiece from my dining room table.
The basement is not great but it is good enough for furnace repair person. I am sure they have seen worse!
I was supposed to go to a friend's for a little dinner party and she is an excellent vegan cook - but she is sick so she cancelled, so I''ll be home w furnace guy anyway!
I just had a call from a person with a heavy accent who was calling to give me a better deal on my TV...started asking all these questions about my stuff -- a scammer no doubt, she kept saying don't hang up. I did!
I had a zoom earlier that ended up being a good meeting -- during it girlcat knocked down my zoom light! she always involves herself in my zooms. second zoom I had ended early!
ok I have to do this stuff: finish project R spend one hour on project S
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Post by danny15 on Jan 25, 2024 15:04:38 GMT -5
bree having your furnace go out is not a first world problem IMO. That could be a life or death situation with the extremely low temps this winter. Not just for you but for your fur babies also. Maybe working extra hard is why the furnace gave up. Sending prayers that it will be a simple, inexpensive repair and get completed today!
Do you have a garage? We keep out trash in ours so stink stays out there. I haven't had a working garbage disposal in years and don't miss it at all.
Kitchen smells good with all the cooking. I have been sitting for all the prep work.
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Post by ohblondie on Jan 25, 2024 15:09:59 GMT -5
Bree - I feel your pain - this was my day tuesday. We called our friend and $250 and a new switch later....we were in business. I wish we were closer - I would send my friend to your house
Over lunch I ran to pick up my mom's prescription but when I got there the pharmacy was closed for lunch. so I figured while I was out I would go to my mom's and get a picture of the prescription card for my dad. I got to my mom's and realized I forgot my phone. By the time I got back home it was time to run back out and start my trip again!
I am dealing with someone in real life, that is dumber than a box of rocks and no common sense. I have been grumbling about this person all day. And then I go and pull this bonehead move!
I was able to get the carpet in DS's old room vacuumed.
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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2024 16:14:23 GMT -5
Oh no bree, now your furnace is acting up! I hope it's something simple.
I had lunch, a movie break, and took the dog out a second time. The handyman emailed and asked if I had any information on the walk-in tub that has the leaky faucet, so I looked through the limited files I still had from my sister although I was pretty sure I wouldn't find anything. I was right, there was nothing there. I'm still working on a list to send him, only a few actual jobs to do but I have lots of questions which I will tell him beforehand so he has a chance to think about them.
Diane
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Post by mylittlescholar on Jan 25, 2024 16:42:30 GMT -5
good morning everypony!
ponies in the kitchen! y'all are working so hard! wish I could send more than words of encouragement.
DXH was unable to accept breakdowns as a normal part of life (typical with narcissists). It's so nice not to deal with someone who took it all as a personal attack that he must defend with rage. I still have lingering anxiety when things fall apart, though.
DONE: slept in cat care drained wheelie bin and opened to the sun to dry
pulled food for weekend trip made shopping list started task list
NEXT UP: reschedule cleaners reschedule cat sitter fill med minder take meds online check in? get dressed
clean RV
pack art supplies go to bank go to class phone consult
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Post by danny15 on Jan 25, 2024 17:23:30 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~ DXH was unable to accept breakdowns as a normal part of life (typical with narcissists). It's so nice not to deal with someone who took it all as a personal attack that he must defend with rage. I still have lingering anxiety when things fall apart, though. ~~~~~~~~~~
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