Items Every Plant Enthusiast Should Have On Standby
Home jungles are always a work in progress - your beloved plants may be flourishing today, and succumbing to pests the next. There’s always something that needs to be attended to, be it a root-bound plant or a thirsty one. But that’s what makes the journey so interesting.
Indeed, plant parenthood can be extremely fulfilling with the right know-how and tools to keep your garden healthy and happy. Check out these useful items below - you never know when they’ll come to your plants’ rescue on a bad day.
1. Pots, pots, pots
Having spare planters and pots in varying sizes is always a good idea - they will come in handy whenever you need to repot a root-bound alocasia, or when your begonia propagations are ready to be planted. And there’s no need to purchase new ones - remember those plastic nursery pots your new plants came in when you first got them? Give them a good rinse and keep them aside - they’re bound to be of use again.
2. Potting mix
While you can always order your supplies online or head over to physical stores to get them, there will be days when you’ll need some there and then. Keep a bag or two at home for emergency use, such as when you need to repot a new plant, or when your propagated cutting in water is ready to be transferred. On a side note, did you know that the dense clay mix or peat sold with nursery plants isn’t ideal for indoor use? They tend to get waterlogged, and that’s a common reason for root rot.
3. Clean containers
Speaking of propagation, it’s always helpful to have a couple of clean bottles or narrow containers that are ready to house your freshly-clipped cuttings. Again, there’s no need to splurge - upcycled glass bottles from your cold brews or even bird’s nest drinks will do perfectly well as vessels.
4. Rooting powder
This is probably one of those things you didn’t know you needed. Rooting hormones help increase the chances of successful rooting for your stem cuttings, and a little goes a long way. And on the unfortunate occasion that you’ve discovered root rot, clean up the plant and place it in a container with clean water and a sprinkle of rooting powder - signs of new growth should appear in a few weeks.
5. Props
Just like us, plants need a little support from time to time too. Be it moss or coir poles for your bigger plants, or simply wooden takeout chopsticks for smaller varieties, you’ll want to have some of these props stocked up to keep leggy plants upright when the need arises. And if you’re all about letting them live their best lives, climbers like philodendrons and monsteras do best when poled - just be sure you have space for them when they increase in size!
6. Gardening tools
Tools are of no use if they aren’t the right size for the job. For example, you won’t be able to use a regular-sized rake or spade to work with mini succulents. If possible, try getting everyday tools in a range of sizes to suit the needs of your indoor jungle - most nurseries or specialty shops will have them, and smaller sets are usually inexpensive.
7. Pest control products
Unfortunately, having to deal with pests is part and parcel of plant parenthood. Make your job easier by stocking up on pest-control essentials such as neem oil, miticide, and insecticidal soap - these basic items will get you through most infestations. And of course, check your garden regularly - prevention is always better than cure.
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