A
plant is a species that has no locomotion. Caring can be defined as
anticipating needs. Needs are what you want from yourself, others or the world
in general. The indoor plant care priorities will generally come listed with
the plant, or can be looked up on the internet, but what are the elements not
found or generally discussed that need to be taken into consideration?
What are the
plant ‘values’ that you as a care-giver need to take into consideration?
The
most helpful aspect of any indoor plant care guide is the grouping of the
indoor plants and their presentation as a family. Consider the aspects of that
family as you read through the requirements of each family as a set. The amount
of reading is invaluable, if only for the minimum acquisition of general
knowledge. More importantly, the reading across plant varieties within the same
family will serve to hone your instincts when calling for the anticipation of
care and attention to your particular house plant.
How to develop a
gut feeling in indoor plant care
A
gut feeling, is the reaction of a well-prepared mind, so that when it receives
random input – which for the purpose of indoor plant care we can refer to as
any element affecting the plant, you will instinctively know what to do. The
joy in indoor plant care is the satisfaction derived with every successful
result and experiment and the awareness that you are honing your instincts.
Poinsiettas and
out-of-season provocations
An
example here is poinsiettas. Many indoor plant care books will talk of pruning
and darkness and intensity of leaf color, but is there any other way to deal
with poinsiettas? The answer is yes. The answer needs to be qualified and would
need to proceed with: …but it depends on how much total space you have, what
climate you live in, and what effort you wish to make – similar, in fact, to
the considerations to be taken into account with any relationship.
“What if”
thinking
Provocation
is key. The simple question to ask is: “What if?” You will find that this
enquiring and provocative mindset will develop a heightened set of indoor plant
care perception sensors. Plant care instructions and calendar charting designed
for broad application are the norm these days not the exception. Tailoring
plant care to your specific environment, and overcoming potential plant
handicaps, is about being watchful about this environment. “What if” thinking
is about broadening your perception filters to other possibilities.
These
are the general, standard, questions:
-
do
the leaves need cleaning; how?
-
is
watering better if sprayed?
-
is
the sunlight too strong in the afternoons?
-
does
the plant like the soil it is in? does the plant like the colours around it?
-
how
does the addition of used ground coffee help to eliminate slugs?
-
Will
a perimeter of salt, cleverly placed, prevent ants from reaching my plant?
This
is a “what if” question:
-
what
if I use the cooled-down water in which I boiled my pasta or vegetables to water
my plants? (this strengthens some plants and herbs against a cold winter).
Why a “what if”
mindset with indoor plant care can turn slush to lush
A
small Poinsietta plant, if you live in a mild and humid climate - or can
reproduce that state, with some but not total shade and sheltered from wind, is
able to develop into a magnificent large tree from which the Christmas
poinsiettas may be grafted. The project is undoubtedly long-term. The parent
tree will flourish in a large pot in a back yard if the climate is appropriate.
Trees, unattended, will easily reach heights of 10 metres.
Provocation
in indoor plant care is doing something to disturb the tranquility of
complacency. The best decisions are always personal.
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