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My Greener Thumb

I wrote this as January neared its close, reflecting on my 2011 New Year's resolution to introduce live plants to my living quarters and thereby improve the air, as they inhale CO2 and exhale O2. My diligence was happily coming to fruition, I'm happy to report! (Though not without some degree of difficulty at first!, I admit!)
Now, February is underway - with a vengeance! Winter is upon my city! But after I wrote and assembled this, I acquired and am nurturing some more greenery, all doing well, properly named and spoken to regularly! I haven't taken their pictures yet. I didn't realize I hadn't published this, and decided I'd better just take the plunge now, if ever. Even writing about plants turns my writing thumb brown to match my regular brown thumb, it seems! Oh, for some green spray paint!

For example, I must confess that I nearly killed this Spathiphyllum, shown here after being snatched from the dead! No, no, I didn't paint the plant green. My thumb began to turn a bit more "khaki".
I've since named her Claudia and I talk to her sweetly as she favors my kitchen cabinet with her glossy leaves, many of which have raised from fully bent to the floor.
Now many of those have perked back up; glossy new leaves have sprouted and unfolded since her resurrection, too! We are becoming pals.
But I must backtrack a bit and tell how the disaster happened.
Claudia

By the way, I didn't think to - and wouldn't have liked to - take a picture of the poor thing when I happened to raise my eyes from my laptop and Hubs, to cast a glance over and find that my pretty bushy new plant was drooping. It was too painful to immortalize.
You see, I'd brought it home from the grocery store in fine, glossy, perky condition. Now it was worse than an old cut flower after a couple of weeks of pampering and TLC, when it finally has no more to give. I suppose I expected at least as much from this living plant as from countless bouquets of fresh flowers I've bought and cared for, lo, these many years.
Any bunch of lilies would be shamed to have wilted this quickly, thought I! But my pity for the poor thing far outweighed my disgust and despair.
Granted, I was horrified at the pitiable sight it had become. its limp leaves drooped all the way down to the surface on which the plant rested, pathetically still in its tacky plastic pot with matted roots crowded into it and icky shiny foil wrapped around it, -no doubt a marketing trick to make it look worth the $15 price tag!
But here in my den it now looked like sad carrot tops lying limp after being pulled from the ground; a fish out of water - and I'd watered the thing, too! Oh Yes! I'd FED it too! I must have drowned the poor thing!
Now, though, I gasped! After all, it was here to provide more oxygen, not to wither from temperament after a day or two! This was to have been a mutually beneficial relationship! So what was this chlorophyll betrayal all about? Or was it vice-versa? The possibility took shape.
Older hardy plant friends

Even on a constant diet of neglect, some "old plant friends" have survived in one kitchen windowsill, sustaining their lives under the most sparse conditions for many a year. One was in this house when I moved into it twenty-five years ago, in fact. Let's see. That was 25 years ago! It's been a case of survival of the fittest, because that one, nearest in the picture, was one of many withering on a stand when I moved in. The others there on the sill have nearly as long histories, though perhaps with more propitious starts in life here.
I had them all trained to expect very little if they intended to survive; they would need to use all their best wiles to remain succulent or air-plant-sustained, - whatever it took to withstand long periods of denial followed by drenching deluges! I was aware that this treatment was not optimum but was the situation demanded by our own schedule when we were away for long intervals and no one to tend them. I trained them - or they learned to - survive the extremes which were their lot. And they've shown their mettle, as this photo shows - though it's after they received my recent efforts at better horticultural care.

Mind you, I come from a mother who could stick half a dead leaf in some dirt and it would sprout and grow.
My dad could plant endless feilds of alfalfa and other beneficial crops and they would flourish.
I won't say I have always consistently had either a brown or a green thumb. I've co-authored some impressive gardens and nourished some house plants successfully.
But plants are so DEMANDING, and I haven't always had time or inclination to meet their demands. They are like pets who never purr or lick one's face, but must be tended and coddled just the same.
But I decided to read the cursive "instructions" on the inserted label in the pot. Instinctively I had placed the plastic pot into another pot in which I figured excess water could drain so the roots wouldn't be standing in it. What I was to learn was that even water below not touching the pot would produce too much humidity for this plant I had watered a bit daily and obviously it was drowning. The instructions were to soak the soil and allow it to drain fully - elsewhere and then no more water till the soil feels dry. And, touching the soil, I discovered it to hard and tight. I reasoned that its roots were surely much too crowded into a pot much smaller than needed. So I vowed to get some potting soil and a more commodious pot for repotting it.
In fact, there were some clay pots on the patio - unkempt, of course, from lengthy exposure to weather and falling leaves. So I scrubbed one, along with its saucer and set out to Home Depot for getting some potting soil. I'd also scrubbed the "old friends's" pots in order to also surprise and repot them!
Indeed I was feeling quite committed to my New Year's Resolution now!
Dallas had been having quite cold weather but that afternoon the Fates were with me. It seemed a bit milder so, with my plants, clean pots and bag of potting soil, I braved it to do the deeds.
Repotting duty

Stay tuned for a bit more about more plants and our Winter Wonderland in progress!
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Comments
Hahahaha! And now my comment is out of order. LOL. At least you know it is in response to your comment that you edited - and posted twice, by the way. Technology has its minor irritations and/or amusements.
Okay. Eat your spinach and be happy. ;) Who am I to judge? hahaha. I may be observant, but I also make plenty of my own mistakes.
I hesitated to tell you this because I think maybe I seem to be critical when I'm not trying to be, but I think it might be something you would want to know if perhaps you have not noticed. Or then again, perhaps you had some reason for it. So. . .the first thing I noticed is that your name is misspelled on the ivy leaf in the intro graphic.
Having said that, I enjoyed this hub. Your watering method sounds much like my own! That's why I think ivy or a cactus plant should suit me well. haha. Although, the hydrangeas seemed to do well with a moderate to thorough drenching. I sat them on saucers or plates until they drained and then waited for the soil to dry. I just have no idea what tainted the soil. I'm thinking my son tried to 'feed' it some coke. I seem to recall him asking and telling him no, but. . .It isn't all the way brown yet, so we shall see if its survival instinct comes through.
Great artist, great writer, wonderful commentator. I have read your works and most of the time I find no words to describe how good your hubs are.
Nice hub. Makes me think I could write about plants. I love gardening, pressing flowers, making flower arrangements and taking photos of my flower arrangements.
Perhaps my love of humor conceals my garden. Wrote a piece called "the letter" and "America the beautiful" that reveal my serious side, but, I suspect, that which we conceal, concealed mostly to ourselves.
I think writing is your garden. As I read from there row on row, there revealed, the garden that you grow. I love gardens, they tell so much about gardeners.
Hey there Nell. What a great hub. I am a green eater. I can't go without my greens. There is no way. I love the pictures. That is cool that your parents could grow that good. It was very important in those days. I enjoyed the read. Thanks and best wishes.
Once again a delightful read....I seem to kill off plants im not sure if its because I water them too much or completely forget to water at all... !!
I like plants and occacsionaly buy a reduced wilting plant in the supermarket..you know the sort ''reduced for quick sale'' OR ''Past its sell by date''.
About 3 months ago our local Focus store had a shelf of strange looking plants REDUCED ( my favourite word ) they had a sort of pale lilac flower at the top and had been marked down to just £1 from £8 well,I couldnt resist,I picked the best one and decided that at that price if it died in a few weeks I had given it a good chance and had pleasure from trying to resusitate it...Im happy to say its thriving !! The bathroom window sill seems to be its haven.
Naming ones houseplants is a joyous thing Nellieanna! I enjoyed your story so much that it makes me desire adding more to my indoor jungle. Although naming them may prove to be a daunting task, as the number is quite large. Your poem "Brown Thumb" from 1967 is outstanding. Thank you very much for sharing another interesting bit of your life with us. Up and awesome.
K9
Such an enjoyable hub, Nellieanna :) Oh! The trials and tribulations that go along with having these guests live in your home! You are doing a wonderful job!!! I cannot wait to read more about your New Year's Resolution progress! You do realize that Spring will be here shortly, and you will rejoice in all of your hard work :) They will THRIVE under your care! Carry on, Dear Lady, carry on!!!
I have always enjoyed flowers and plants. I have a huge cactus that begs me for water once a month, if I over feed her she surely will dry up, less water required for the cactus for sure. The other 3 potted plants I feed regularly and are hearty as long as I give them lots of TLC and sunshine.
I know of many people who have green thumbs I have great respect for them. I guess now Nellieanna with the weather you've had the past week, one must be careful of the frost not to kill the plants?
I am so happy to read that you call them by name and you talk to them, that has been a proven medicinal thing to do for plants, they also keep you company, just like your stuffed animals, he he he.
Thank you for sharing your green thumb with us, I could just see you tending to them and what a lovely picture you added of yourself looking spiffy in jeans and earmuffs, lol that tells me that the winter chill is in the air even in TEXAS.
Nellieanna, I can't tell you how many House Plants I have killed with Love...they used to shrivel up when they saw me coming with the watering can and plant food...Now I've learned Neglect is always best! Lovely Poem and pictures. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to following you. I'd be honored if you join me as well.
My parents both have amazing green thumbs, their vege garden has kept myself and my family in fresh produce for many years. Alas, I haven't been blessed with such traits but I do have some indoor plants. I think they do well because our home has lots of natural light and I only buy the hardiest plants available LOL.
Anyway, Nellieanna, enjoy your plants as even if they don't survive, looking after them is actually good therapy. Not that you need that of course!
'Tis a wonder to me I have any Butt left, there were so many out there that seemed to want a bit of it... or to hit it.. kick it...
I owe my entire survival to sheer speed and quick thinking.
ooh, it might just be a type of rhythmic poem or lyrical idk, but its probably something. the way the first 2 lines of each stanza rhyme and the last line of each stanza rhyme with each other. i kno they have one where rhyme a, b, a, b and then cc i forgot wat thats called. shakespeare used that style a lot. ah i miss school sometimes, if only for the english and writing classes.
Alas and Alack you have come across something else I can't do, indoor plants and I are things best kept apart for the safety of the poor plant.
I did grow some bean sprouts on wet blotting paper as a school project but I dreaded long school vacations when volunteers were required to take care of the school’s flora and fauna for the duration.
I have vague memories of being put in charge of the tomatoes, being grown from seed, and they were doing well until we went on a family trip of about a week or so. My father assured me that as long as they had access to enough water they would be fine. So I left them on a well soaked towel, one of my mother’s finest fluffy Egyptian Cotton ones, in the bath with an extra splash of potash and liquid tomato food, just for good measure.
They survived, perhaps too well because when we arrived home the stupid things had shot up about three feet and fallen over. I had to start all over with new seeds Etc. Oh yes and try and come up with a good excuse as to why the plants I took back to school were four inches shorter than they were at the start of the vacation !
i loved the little poem, and the writing style of it, what is that called? i shall try to write a poem like that.
Oh, Nellieanna, this is another of your wonderful hub and a joy to read. Thank you so much for your delightful stories. I love plants but wouldn't know one of their name, It just doesn't clicke with me.
nellieanna, you have inspired me. I am guilty of the same neglect of my houseplants. they need proper repotting and i should get to know them better. What a wonderful article! My green thumb has faded, I need to get some circulation to it again. I suppose left over bottled water and some morning chat just isn't enough. Voted you up! Namaste.
Oh we love our plants and when one doesn't make it, it's like losing a pet, it can be disheartening, especially when we've showered it with so much tender loving care. I believe they do respond to our good intentions!
Hi Nellieanna, I am looking forward to reading more of your winter wonderland updates. I can certainly relate to your experience. Claudia looks quite healthy now though and I am sure she is grateful to have you as her friend!
Hi, I love your tale of your pot plants, in fact you have taught me something too! I have had a plant on my kitchen window ledge since 2003 and it seems to have had a life of it's own, but since putting inside another pot with a bit more compost, it seems to have wilted somewhat, now I know why! so thank you so much for your information and investigation! lol and I also love your photo's, take care nell
Oh forgot to say, belated Happy Birthday!
Plants should be beating a path to get to your door Nellieanna. But if they are moving, dont let them in. That will be the triffids.
Nellieanna,
My Mother is one of the green thumbed, her garden in England is a work of art and she has now reached the point where she can no longer enter things in the village flower show after winning so many times.
An honest lady to her core, her only vice is to visit stately homes, tour gardens, and take little cuttings back in her handbag...
Fun hub.
C
If we look after the plants, they'll look after us.
Yes ma'am! Very delightful! Thank you Nellieanna!
Great stuff. Yes...plants need lots of love. As does every creature in possession of physical animation...and I suppose some inanimate life forms do also, apparently. Thanks.
Came over from sligobay's hub and would like to wish a Happy birthday to a wonderful lady. "Happy Birthday Nellieanna"
I think your green thumb extends beyond the growing of plants.The caring and nurturing of friendship that sligobay pay tribute to have touch many here at hubpages including mines and I thank you.
I knew I was going to be in for another treat with your hub on plants. I was smiling and chuckling at your experiences and the admiring the creative way which you mix the photos, poetry, and graphics; very pretty to look at.
You know, I am going to do what you are doing, commit to filling our house with plants this year, we have some half dead ones, and its not very visually pleasant. Problem is neither Phil, (my mate) or I have a green thumb, wish I could acquire one! We however, have a back garden where Phil brought ferns and little plants here and there from Mt Hood years ago before I moved in, and he does not do anything to the garden, lets the plants grow wild, as there are water fountains and sprinklers. In the summer it looks like an enchanted forest with a mixture of plants, flowers and foliage, and ferns are the height of a small tree.Seems plants do better when we let nature take care of them.LOL!
Voted up! Very pretty hub and a good focus for me this year as far as creating a prettier space in our home is concerned.
I love it, gave me a huge smile. I too almost let one of my plants die. Funny how I said let it... bad brown thumb... I love plants and am now attentive to mine over the winter. So glad the ground hog did not see his shawdow. I have a huge hanging plant that longs to go back outside. Thank you for the delightful read and I love the picture at the end! Your beautiful! :) Katie
Hi, Nellieanna...I enjoyed reading about your experiences with houseplants. How lovely to not only talk to your plants, but to name them as well! Perhaps my own efforts at sustaining life and encouraging growth in plants will fare better if I name my plants....Ah! Wouldn't I love to have the proverbial green thumb?
I especially loved your phrase, "I had them all trained to expect very little if they intended to survive...." That is the environment in which my current houseplants live (or die).
Enjoyed this one so much! JAYE
Lovely piece. The only thing I grow now are marigolds. They are hardy enough to withstand my neglect!
This story was delightful from the ground-up,Nellieanna.;)
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