Plant Mom Update: the First Year

Hi friends! 

If you are to my Plant Mom series, check out: Becoming a Plant Mom and Plant Mom Update first to get the back story on my children. 🌿

Being a plant mom this past year has been an unique challenge. I love seeing them grow and flourish and trying to figure them out.  I have loved the learning curve I've experienced with plants and learning about them. I gave The gang a sponge bath the other day to get the construction dust off of them. They were so happy about it. 

Before I go into the individual updates, I have some sad news. 

Some of our friends, did not make it through the year. Firecracker, Sparkle and Scott's Tots have moved on to better homes in the sky.  

Firecracker and Sparkle were planted in July and to be honest, I have no idea what they were because they never actually bloomed- they were tall, thin, beanstalks that wouldn't stop growing. There was a long weekend in the fall and when I came back, they all fell and I think that did them in. Scott's Tots were doomed from the first day in the office (one plant promptly turned black after their first watering) and then it was just downhill from there. I had a problem regulating their water. They were all struggling and I couldn't see them struggle any longer. 

On to the healthy and happy ones. 

Beeker

When I first inherited Beeker he was in a pot with Bunsen AND Statler and Waldorf. I brought them home to re-pot with mama. We took out the dead leaves and roots, gave them fresh soil and new pots.  I wasn't sure how they would do not being with each other and let me tell you, I am pretty sure they are THRIVING!  

He still is taller than Bunsen (by a hair!) and they love the indirect light they get. I am surprised he likes the change in temperatures- the cold draft from the window and the heat that sometimes works. He has so much more room in this white pot. I love that one leaf on the right side that looks like he is stretching out to reach something like an octopus.  

Bunsen

When I  initially separated the gang, I was hopeful they were all do well and just like Beeker, Bunsen is having the time of his life in his bright yellow pot. Hes still short but I think he's starting to grow taller, like Beeker. 

I love the way all of his leaves go every which way- there is no rhyme or reason with them. Just like Beeker, Bunsen lives the indirect light and the coldness. I did close one of his leaves in my scanner and its a little broken, but overall he's doing great.

To round out the trio, 

Statler and Waldorf

These two I was the most worried about. They were the tinest of the gang; I hoped they would be okay and wouldn't you know it they are doing great too. They are not by Beeker and Bunsen; Statler and Waldorf have the perfect view of the room on the bookshelf. They did not like the construction dust on them but they survived and look great. 

Just like, Beeker, they also have a few leaves that like to reach out like an octopus. They are super tall and really enjoying florescent lighting my office has to provide.

Mixed in with the boys, last but not least,

Lulu

She has had the biggest glow-up I think out of all of my office plants. She started out last February as a little leafling that I received from a friend and LOOK! what she has grown into! She loves the direct sunlight she receives sitting on the window sill and I swear each day she keeps growing. I love seeing the progress of her (and the others too!)

WOAH! Another plant with octopus tentacles. Maybe its something in the air or the florescent lighting that is making them do it. I am so happy to see Lulu and the others thriving. 

You are probably wondering where The Quints and Joy! are...... Well when the pandemic started I was worried that The Qunits would be alone if we closed for an undetermined amount of time. I took them home and well, they seem to be hibernating....still. I don't know what happened to them- was it ride home that traumatized them? The Quints bloomed until I think the summer and then they stopped. I hope they are just hibernating currently and they will re-bloom in their own time. [i hope!]

Joy! is being a great succulent, shes easy to care for and kinda does nothing. I hate to admit this, I haven't watered her in a while, yet she still looks great. 

This adventure has been so much fun. I have sure learned a lot about plants and I love having them in my office, they give it some life and color. 

Bunsen, Beeker, Statler & Waldorf, Lulu and I are currently relocated for a bit while my office gets stripped of the wallpaper and repainted.  The gang gets a lot more attention where we currently are so they are eating it up!  

When I get back into my office, the set up will be a little different and Beeker and Bunsen will not be in indirect sunlight anymore; I am hoping that they will still continue to thrive and Lulu and Statler & Waldorf will be going back to their old spots. I am tempted to keep the boys together because they look great together- see for yourself. 

Thanks for following along on my Plant Mom Journey.

Do you have plants? Let me know in the comments!

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