Plant Mom Update

Hi! I'm here for an update on my babies- my plants. Its been interest the last few months, a total learning curve. Having plants in my office have definitely brought me a lot of joy and not to mention a breath of fresh air. If you didn't read my first post about becoming a plant mom, read it here.

Most of the plants were doing really good in the spots, I originally put them in. I will move Joy! or Scott's Tots to the window sill once in a while when I think they need some more sunshine. The quints made the biggest transition; I moved them to my house when the COVID mess started and while I miss seeing them while I am at work, its nice to see them at home. I think they are getting too used to the house- I am going to break their hearts when I move them back to work. HA! Lets hop right into how everyone is doing:

Bunsen

Bunsen has been living his best life recently. He was looking sad and not his best; Momma helped me to replant him and freshen up his soil and let me tell you, it's like I have a brand new plant on my hands. He looks so healthy and vibrant. He loves his new bright yellow pot and I think it really brightens up my office. Some of his leaves kept turning brown and while I don't exactly know why, I think the new soil is really helping.

Beeker

Beeker was so jealous when Bunsen got new soil and a new pot before him. HA! Beeker just was replanted this weekend and from the looks of it, he is so much happier that he is in a pot by himself. His tall and long leaves are loving the space. He was crowded in a pot with his other two brothers I decided to move the other two out and replant them in their own pot. Say hello to....

Statler & Waldorf

I think Statler and Waldorf are going to be much more happier in their own planter. Beeker, Statler and Waldorf all seemed to perk up once they were replanted in fresh soil. I can't wait to see how they grow. 

Joy!

Joy! has had it rough since I adopted her. I have yet to figure out a proper watering schedule for her and her outer leaves sometimes just turn ugly overnight. Maybe she needs a new spot? Maybe I need to go back to water her with  ice cubes again; Overall Joy! is still a joy to have.

Scott's Tots

Oh Scott's Tots... Just like the cringeworthy episode of The Office this succulent cannot seem to catch a break. Within the first two days, I overwatered it and killed one of the plants in it. Now I haven't killed anyone else (yet) but they all seem to be on life support. These things, against all odds, keep living. They might not look the prettiest but they sure do have some gusto and I like that. If all that I do is keep them alive and sorta healthy, I am happy.

The Quints

They handled the transition from office to home really well. I know Orchids are fragile and moving them was a big risk. This risk totally paid off. The Orchids are blooming really well and I think they like home more than the office. I think it has something to do with all the natural light they get all day long.

Tiger Lilly

Tiger Lily bloomed for a very long time and then one by one her blooms started to wilt and fall off one by one. I am hoping they will rebloom again, she had pretty blooms.

Buttercup

Buttercup bloomed for a longtime and is still blooming. Her bright yellow flowers make me so happy. Buttercup and the others seem to be really hardy which surprised me because I always thought of orchids as fragile.

Snow White

Snow White bloomed also for a long time and her pure white petals really popped against the blue walls in the kitchen. She lots her flowers a few weeks ago and I am so ready for her to bloom again.

Violet

Violet is the strongest orchid out of the five of them. She bloomed back in February and she JUST lost her blooms at the end of June. She kept the most blooms for the longest time. I fell in love with her vibrant and unique color the moment it bloomed.

and last but not least,

Sunshine AKA Quint #4

Quint #4 FINALLY bloomed after a long six months of waiting in anticipation. She had a teeny tiny bud back in February but nothing ever came of that. Once I moved her home, she slowly started to bud again but it looked as if she stopped. I tried talking to her and then decided to turn her to face Buttercup and low and behold, it worked- She started to bloom within a few days. She is a beautiful yellow with a purple stripe on each petal.

Lulu

Lulu is doing great considering I accidently chopped off her vine. I felt terrible but it seems as if she is growing slowly; she loves hanging out with Bunsen and Beeker.  I hope she takes after them!

If having 10 plants wasn't enough, I had some flower seeds from my birthday that I never planted; I planted them last weekend and they are starting to grow already! Meet Sparkle and Firecracker!

Sparkle

Sparkle is starting out slow and steady with 3 little sprouts. I was so excited to see green in the planter! I am so curious to see what is actually going to bloom. There are three different types of seeds in both Sparkle and Firecracker.

Firecracker

Firecracker is quite the overachiever. He already has 9 (!!) sprouts. I thought something was digging in the soil but when I took a closer look, it was little sprouts. Just like Sparkle, I am so curious to see what is going to bloom.

Well, It looks like I am a great plant mom, I kept everyone (mostly) alive and thriving! I love being a plant mom and learning about all the different types of plants I have. I also have a new found appreciation for gardens and plants. I cannot help but notice all the beauty nature has to offer.

I am excited to see how Bunsen, Beeker, Statler & Waldorf do in their new homes; I am excited to see what blooms in Firecracker and Sparkle. Overall I am still hopeful and excited about my plant mom status.

Have you had luck with plants during quarantine?

[[If speaking kindly to plants helps them grow, imagine what speaking kindly to humans can do.]]

-gabrielle