Buy Small, Save money!

Those that want plants in there home may buy big plants. However I enjoy "the grow".  I think it is more satisfying to get a small one a watch it grow. It's just an added bonus that the small one are cheaper.  Usually under $5, where the big ones can $20+.   I would like people to comment about this. It would be interesting to see how many  people buy big or small. And why. Is it just to save money or do they enjoy watching them grow.   

It Like's Me, It Doesn't Like Me- Is There A Type Of Plant That Just Won't Grow For You? Or One That Just Luvs You?

I have had a lot of plants, and there is a few that just won't grow for me.  It is part of the fun (killing plants), that excitement of wondering if your new plant will make it.

 The main one that just hates me is the Cat Palm, I think I have murdered a good dozen of them.   They are so pretty and I just can't accept that they will not grow for me.   It started with me buying a small bunch at Walmart many moons ago. I would say there was a cluster of five and they were about 7 inches tall.  When I buy plants I go through the stock to pick the healthy looking plants.   Starting of healthy, that bunch lasted a few months before the roots rotted and it died.   I thought I had over watered even though I followed the watering recommendations on the label.


Figuring it was my error I got a new bunch and they lasted a few months less then the first.  This cycle repeated itself almost every year.   My Husbands mother had four great big Cat Palms, I asked her how she watered and cared for hers.  Sharing my experiences with her to see if she knew where I went wrong. But I did every thing she did.    The next time she transplanted hers she gave me one, it was like 2 feet tall.  I had high hopes for not killing it, since it was much bigger then any of the other ones I killed.

I babied that thing, it was doing so good. Had new growth and was looking great.  Suddenly it turned brown and died.  once it started it took it two maybe three days to die on me.  There wasn't any bugs or anything in the soil that would of killed it so I am baffled.   So I have finally come to a place where I have given up on them. I seen some at Home Depot and passed them by because I couldn't bring myself to go through that again.


Cat Palms are permanently on my "Kill List"

The Importants Of Closing Your Bag Of Soil

once again I opened my bag of soil to find Gnats everywhere.  It was my fault this time, after the last plant I potted I did not close it well because I thought I would be using it again real soon.  Then it rained.  However now I have learned not to assume and close it.  At least it wasn't much soil I wasted and the yard will enjoy my mess up.   

You want to keep it as air tight as you can, I usually put the main bag in another bag so it's double layers of protection.   Roll and tape the main bag as tightly as you can, but those bags can have small holes. Either from being moved around at the store or you, or they are made that way.  That is why I suggest the second bag.     I would like to get a trash can with a lid to store my soil in but I just haven't got around to it.  For all I know that wouldn't work the way I think.

If you find your bag of soil has Gnats, please please don't use it on any indoor plants. You will regret it.    You will always want to inspect your soil before using to prevent a gnat infestation in your house because when one plant has the they all will get them.  I have been through this. Sometimes the gnats may be in a plant you just bought so water new plants outside and watch real close to see if any fly out before you put it next to any other plants.  I try to re-pot all new plants asap.