Any Geekzone houseplant enthusiasts?

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#2690158 9-Apr-2021 18:21

neb:
Eva888: My pride and joy is a Bromeliad which I’ve had for many years. It’s been neglected by not repotting, but it’s so big I’m scared it will break off at the main stem if it do so I just water it from above.

Outgrown bromeliads like that work best outdoors where they can spread. We've got a whole bank covered in them, perfect location, under a weeping cherry tree where they get shade from direct sun in summer but enough sun in winter. If you want some inspiration for this and are in Orkland, go to Eden Garden...

It never crossed my mind that it would grow in the garden as it’s lived inside all its life. I might take off one of the pups and try it. We live in a high wind zone that likely wouldn’t affect it at all.

neb

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#2690162 9-Apr-2021 18:37

Eva888: It never crossed my mind that it would grow in the garden as it’s lived inside all its life. I might take off one of the pups and try it. We live in a high wind zone that likely wouldn’t affect it at all.

Hmm, not sure how well they'd do if exposed directly, they're epiphytes so their natural habitat is in (semi-)shade under trees, but if you avoid direct sun and wind they should be fine. They'll also survive in a fair bit of direct sun, but in the height of summer the leaf tips may go brown. In general though, chuck them at the ground somewhere and the most you'll ever have to do is fill the tank every few weeks during long rainless spells.

rogercruse

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#2691218 12-Apr-2021 10:00

We had our household processions moved into storage for six months while we evacated our Auckland home and before we moved into our new home in Northland.

My wife left me in charge of the removal people as the packed and cleared each room. These people are so quick that some items not meant to be stored soon disappeared.

And when we finally reunited with these processions we discovered one box with a large Aspidistra that was still alive.

We gave it some water and within a few weeks it started to grow again.

No wonder that this plant is often called the 'cast-iron plant' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspidistra

Fred99

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#2691270 12-Apr-2021 10:59

My latest house-fungus plant exercise. There was nothing to see yesterday, I swear these 'shrooms have grown 10mm in the last hour.
This a plastic bag full of sawdust with oyster mushroom spores, bought at a local market. Not a thing of great beauty, but hopefully we'll be eating these in a few days. They seem to be doing okay on a bench in the laundry. I've got a 1 litre garden pressure sprayer sitting next to them, give them a misting of water when I go past. Would be nice if I could grow shitake, but I don't think I've got the patience.

Fred99

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#2691309 12-Apr-2021 11:15

A bit prettier, still an oyster theme. I've got no idea what these little plants are - found in bargain bin at garden shop, the pots are about 80mm high, they seem to be doing okay but need daily watering.

MadEngineer

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#2691790 12-Apr-2021 22:51

That’s an incredibly fascinating photo

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jarledb

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#2691807 13-Apr-2021 01:17

networkn:

I love plants, but I have killer instincts when it comes to keeping them alive. My wife is no better. Hence we don't have houseplants.

A little tip: Try a Peace Lily. They can survive without much water and as long as you don't overwater them they will be alright. If you want an easy way to tell when to water them, leave them alone until they droop and then water them. That way you don't risk overwatering.

Ours have survived being left alone (in a cold spot) for 2 months.

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ojo

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#2691900 13-Apr-2021 09:34

Fred99:

A bit prettier, still an oyster theme. I've got no idea what these little plants are - found in bargain bin at garden shop, the pots are about 80mm high, they seem to be doing okay but need daily watering.

I'm no expert but would guess Callisia Repens for #1, and Hypoestes for #3. I don't recognise the middle one

Fred99

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#2692903 14-Apr-2021 20:46

A couple of days later the mushroom crop is looking very promising (and less frightening):

1101

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#2693085 15-Apr-2021 10:35

My Venus Fly Trap is sadly nearly dead , only thrived in the height of summer .

My previous one lasted a year .
Any hints on how to keep these things alive ?

tdgeek

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#2693089 15-Apr-2021 10:42

1101:

My Venus Fly Trap is sadly nearly dead , only thrived in the height of summer .

My previous one lasted a year .
Any hints on how to keep these things alive ?

Maybe this, the opposite of usual garden care

The flytrap requires nutrient-free soil that provides good drainage and aeration. Use a standard soil mixture of 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite. Never use potting soil, compost or fertilizer. These ingredients will kill your plant.

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geoffwnz

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#2693273 15-Apr-2021 14:21

Reminder for those suggesting the Peace Lily, if you have cats, probably want to avoid anything Lily based as they are, for the most part, highly toxic for cats, and some species for dogs also.

As for house plants, I have custody of an orchid that a friend kept saying she'd killed and was going to throw out. It's survived over watering and kittens removing it from the pot.

I mostly stick to outside plants that require minimal care. Things like rhubarb and tomatoes that are basically weeds and other than providing water during summer, they keep themselves alive and provide tasty results.

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ozka

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#2693902 16-Apr-2021 16:36

I don't claim to be an enthusiast, but just recently got hold of this.

Does anyone know at what rate they grow? Also, do they really prefer rainwater?

neb

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#2693928 16-Apr-2021 18:12

ozka: I don't claim to be an enthusiast, but just recently got hold of this.

Does anyone know at what rate they grow? Also, do they really prefer rainwater?

See the post a few messages back. Unfortunately they mostly die rather than grow, but if you can keep it alive it'll be in the sane pot pretty much forever, they don't grow much.

tehgerbil

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#2693933 16-Apr-2021 18:22

1101:

My Venus Fly Trap is sadly nearly dead , only thrived in the height of summer .

My previous one lasted a year .
Any hints on how to keep these things alive ?

They love being wet and a LOT sunlight. I also catch a fly or two every few weeks to supplement their diet.

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