I am new to collecting indoor plants. I have found that as I started… | Anything about plants | Planta-fællesskab
happysoxdonkey
I am new to collecting indoor plants. I have found that as I started collecting plants that Peperomia are my favorite and I also really love Calathea plants. So far I’ve avoided ferns because I read they can be more difficult and maybe can get bugs. I try to only get pet friendly plants because my puppy puts everything in his mouth.
I included pictures of my upstairs and stairwell plants. It’s grey outside today so the lighting in the pics isn’t as charming as when it’s sunny. I just assembled the shelf stand today and I love the way it looks.
Since I’m newish to indoor plants I had a few questions. I *think* the plants are looking great. They’ve all been repotted and I mostly follow the app care schedule. Do you think they are looking healthy? If so, is it just luck because it’s been warm and humid and the windows have been open? Do you think I’m doing a pretty good job of taking care of them? I love learning new things and am enjoying being a plant parent and want to make sure I’m doing it right.
BTW The white fusion calathea came with the slight brown marks on the leaf tips. I’ve been careful now to only use filtered water with it.
7 kommentarer
The leafy Angel
I think your plants look good and healthy and looks like you got good drainage pots for them. When it comes to watering I fine the app says to water too soon For some so I got myself a moisture meter, not everyone likes them but I like it to help make sure I’m not overwatering. Also I love peperomia’s too I have 6 kinds ☺️
1 like
happysoxdonkey
Thank you! What is your favorite Peperomia in your collection? I really love my Chinese money plant the most of all my plants.
0 likes
The leafy Angel
That would be my watermelon, haven’t gotten a Chinese money one yet lol
1 like
happysoxdonkey
I have a watermelon that came to me pretty damaged and I’m so excited to see the progress it’s making. It has some damaged leaves but otherwise seems healthy and is springing back to life. They are gorgeous plants.
1 like
Adrian
The plants look great so far!
A few tips I like to give anyone new to Planta:
- the app is best used like a reminder to check if your plants need watering, not a sure fire time to water it every time. I use bamboo/barbecue skewers to test if the soil is dry enough to dry. This is key for cacti/succulents and more succulent-like plants like peperomias. You can stick the skewer all the way into the bottom of the soil in the pot, pull it out, and if the soil sticks to the skewer, wait at least 2 days, then test again. If the skewer comes out dry and clean, with nothing sticking to it, then it should be safe to water. Peperomia obstusifolias (the ones with thicker leaves) like completely drying out between waterings, whereas the caperatas/thinner-leaved varieties like to almost completely to completely dry out. It’s ok to have the thinner-leaved peperomias dry almost completely out before watering, whereas the obtusifolias can be treated more like jades or succulents.
- some plants don’t like getting their leaves wet, like peperomia caperatas, jades, cacti, and lots of succulents. To make it easier to water it while keeping the leaves dry, you can place the pot into a bowl/container, fill the container with water, and let the pot sit in there for 10-20 minutes, then take it out to drain in a sink or dry in a terra cotta saucer.
- what type of soil and pot you use can make or break a plant during a repot. Please avoid using Miracle Grow’s soil. It isn’t well draining, and I’ve had to walk too many folks through how to treat their plant for root rot from repotting their plant in Miracle Grow’s soil too many times to not warn new folks to the app from using their soil. Their additives for soil like perlite or orchid bark is fine, but please try to use anything other than their soil. I swear by Espoma’s soil mixes, and they have a lot of pre-made mixes for a variety of different types of plants. Espoma’s Organic Cactus and Succulent mix is great for jades, cacti, succulents, and your Peperomias. A lot of folks here also swear by FoxFarm’s soil, but that can be a bit pricy, so I stick with Espoma. I get mine at my local plant nurseries.
- In terms of pots, opt for something no more than 1-2 inches wider in diameter than the width of the plant’s root ball. Terra cotta plants are great if you’re worried about overwatering or have plants that need to dry completely out between waterings, like cacti and succulents. Plastic pots are pretty much great for any plant as long as they have a fair amount of drainage holes. Glazed ceramic pots are meant for more tropical, humidity-loving plants that don’t like completely drying out between waterings. Avoid those for plants that need to dry out. Self-watering pots are similar, and better for more tropical plants that don’t wanna completely dry out, but not a good idea for anything from like cacti/succulents. I don’t recommend them for anyone new to houseplants either, cause they make it easy to overwater a plant.
Is there anything in particular you’re looking for some help or advice on out of your collection?
0 likes
happysoxdonkey
This is wonderful advice! Thank you! I had just bought a package of the miracle gro tropical plant blend but I will get something else instead. I will look for espoma!
My plant pots do have a lot of drainage holes so that is very encouraging that they will probably work well.
My rattlesnake plants are to the side of their windows, about a foot away but not directly in front. Do you think that is enough light?
0 likes
Adrian
Rattlesnake calatheas are part-sun, part-shade lovers, so opt for a spot where they can get 4-6 hours of sun a day. If you have it in a window that only gets 2-4 hours of sun, you’re gonna wanna put it closer to the window. I would only put it a foot away from your window if it’s a very bright one (one that gets 6-8+ hours of sun). Hope this helps.
