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Dear Plant Pimp

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Miracle grow in light solution is a good idea. Mix in the small measure per gallon of water, so you end up with a very, very light blue solution.

This plant can be tricky, because it gets fussy with dry or wet conditions. You can expect some loss of foliage initially, no matter what. Your house probably isn't as bright and warm as a greenhouse. If it begins losing a lot of fronds, or the color doesn't improve, determine if the soil seems too wet or too dry.

Best technique is to set a weekly watering schedule. In that week, the plant should go from moist soil to dry. If it dries up before a week, use more water. If it's still wet at the end of the week, use less.


racercutie said:
Thanks - I bought the plant at Costco. Didn't see mites or any other buggers. It was so green and healthy when I bought it too.

We have a skylight as well as a large window above our patio doors so there's definately plenty of light.

Ive been watering it with plain tap water.
Ive been considering that Miracle Grow stuff if that might help it or some other fertilizer.
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what a wonderful thread! :thumbup

(sorry but the title of the thread didn't indicate to me what it was about, so I have stayed out of it until now, when I just needed to know what the hell was keeping this thread going.... afterall, it was about a drug selling pimp or something!)

Very informative indeed.

Unfortunately, we have bought almost all of our plants from Home Depot or OSH. Some of the roses have those white dusty thingies on their leaves. What is the best way fo getting rid of them?


Also, how often does one water a plant, if one doesn't know the specifics?? can watering a plant (like a rose plant, a ficus, etc.) on a daily basis be harmful to them??
 
wiffledaddy said:
There's only so many times you can do it before you burn out. You see that new and beautiful plant, just off the boat from Hawaii waiting for you to pick it out of the line up. You drive it downtown, and put it in someone's office, or someone's home. Before too long, that young, beautiful plant is starting to look run down. It's picking up trash along the way, it's losing its luster, it's being abused...Ah, it was a dirty business; I had to get out.
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Ah, now I see how you came about calling yourself the plant pimp. Culling the young and beautiful out of the lineup and placing them in seemingly good homes and offices for people to enjoy, only to find them abused, depressed, dying, dropping foilage, etc. only after a short period of time, cigarette butts in their little pots. :cry The tragedy of the common flora.
 
wiffledaddy said:
Miracle grow in light solution is a good idea. Mix in the small measure per gallon of water, so you end up with a very, very light blue solution.

This plant can be tricky, because it gets fussy with dry or wet conditions. You can expect some loss of foliage initially, no matter what. Your house probably isn't as bright and warm as a greenhouse. If it begins losing a lot of fronds, or the color doesn't improve, determine if the soil seems too wet or too dry.

Best technique is to set a weekly watering schedule. In that week, the plant should go from moist soil to dry. If it dries up before a week, use more water. If it's still wet at the end of the week, use less.
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Thanks again!
 
ToxxicGirrl said:
Ah, now I see how you came about calling yourself the plant pimp. Culling the young and beautiful out of the lineup and placing them in seemingly good homes and offices for people to enjoy, only to find them abused, depressed, dying, dropping foilage, etc. only after a short period of time, cigarette butts in their little pots. :cry The tragedy of the common flora.
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His pimp had was not strong.

16371_6b99a2e4be_m.jpg
 
The white powdery stuff is likely fungus spores. If only a few leaves are showing this, then cut them off. Wear gloves, and avoid contact with the healthy parts of the plant. If there is a lot of this stuff, you might be in trouble.

Generally speaking, most indoor plants can be put on a 1 week watering cycle. Outdoor plants might need to be watered more frequently depending on your local climate.

I'm not being a smartass -- for once -- but here is the rule: if it's dry, then water it; if it's not dry, then don't water it. The reason most houseplants get into trouble is simply because people don't check to see if the plant is wet or dry. Overwatering kills more houseplants than underwatering, but they both claim lots of plants.

Plant life is very tenacious. Given minimal attention, a plant will survive.



faz said:
what a wonderful thread! :thumbup

Unfortunately, we have bought almost all of our plants from Home Depot or OSH. Some of the roses have those white dusty thingies on their leaves. What is the best way fo getting rid of them?


Also, how often does one water a plant, if one doesn't know the specifics?? can watering a plant (like a rose plant, a ficus, etc.) on a daily basis be harmful to them??
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how long is a sufficient watering using a drip system? This is for exterior plants and a couple of small trees.
 
Dunno. Outdoor watering is complicated because there are so many variables: local climate, soil type, plant type, average wind direction and strength... you get the idea. Your best bet is to get the New Western Garden book, check to see what your zone is, then have a look at the individual plants you want to care for.

Sorry, can't help with that. If you have a houseplant question, though, then lay it on me!

Sharky said:
how long is a sufficient watering using a drip system? This is for exterior plants and a couple of small trees.
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(Since most of us surf from here...) What's a good plant for us cubical dwellers?
 
JackTheTripper said:
(Since most of us surf from here...) What's a good plant for us cubical dwellers?
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I'm curious too. What's a good plant for a place that really only gets flourescent lighting?
 
You've probably seen these guys around most offices, but here are the easiest plants to deal with given minimal light, forced air heating/cooling/ and the standard amounts of neglect.

This is a pothos, a very cheap and easy plant

pothos.jpg


Another easy one, an aglaonema. This variety is the silver queen

aglaonema.jpg


Another ag, the emerald beauty

AgEmeraldBeauty14x.jpg



the ubiquitous spathophyllum, or peace lilly. Its main appeal is the ability to flower in relatively low light.

b_y000479340.jpg


There are more esoteric choices that can live in the boxicle environment, but these are the easiest and safest.
 
Dear PlantPimp,

I have a cat the chews up all my houseplants. Are there plants that taste like poo to a cat but won't harm them? I miss having plants around inside but it's just a waste because as soon as we turn our backs, Desmo(the cat) starts chomping the leaves or whatever he can chew on.
 
Cats need to eat greens, but they shouldn't eat your houseplants. Some of these common houseplants are poisonous or toxic, and can do your cat harm.

Get some kitty grass, which is a mix of sprouted seeds that have nutrients most house cats lack in their diet. Encourage the snacking on this, and discourage the houseplant snacking with a spraygun or -- if you have a cat like mine that understands English -- by telling it to stay the hell away from the houseplants.

Dsc02657.jpg
 
Plant Pimp,
If I may be so bold as to intrude on your thread....
Cats are like bunnies - they like to chew shit, particularly leafy green stuff. The key is to give them some aminal-friendly alternatives so they won't go after your belongings. If that doesn't work, a spray bottle full of water and a firm "BAD KITTY/BUNNY/FAT BASTARD!" will help deter them.
humbly,
fan of plant pimp
 
Plant Pimp,
Someone gave my mother-in-law a baby tomato plant. She wants me to plant it in a pot so she can grow it on her balcony. How big a pot do I need?
 
Whodat: this is an outdoor plant question, but I can help. A tomato needs full sun, and a lot of water.

You should do the container planting in steps. A 1 gallon to 5 gallon to 15 gallon plastic nursery container is your best bet. Ask at a nursery for the containers, they should give them to you or sell very cheaply. If you buy some other stuff, the more likely they are to give the containers. You want to use a good soil mix that retains moisture. Tell them precisely what you are looking to do and ask for the best mix.


Tomatoes not planted in mother earth need to be fed regularly.
 
plantpimp



I'm moving this week into a new home that will be all mine for the 1st time as an adult.


I love "fern" type plants/trees and the ex never let me get any.


What is there along those lines in which I could decorate my new home with that would be able to withstand Sacramento valley climate?
 
You know what would be helpful, is if you could send me pics of the location, and indicate which direction the windows face.

Also, some idea of the temperature range of the room. Sac is hot, I know, so will you use the AC, or is going to be ambient valley heat?

also, honestly, how diligently will you maintain, water, and dust the plants?

I'll give you good advice, but will probably recommend expensive-ish plants. However, they will last a lifetime if properly placed and maintained. If you are not really into the maintenance, we can probably get you set up with something inexpensive that you can replace from time to time.
 
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