VIDEO: How to Make Kokedama πͺ΄- Growing Joy with Maria
Join Laura from @gardenanswer as she ventures into the greenhouse and guides us through the repotting process of her young geraniums and a stunningly large Kumquat tree. Along the way, Laura shares valuable plant care advice.
For this task, Laura uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix for her geraniums and Cactus Mix for the Kumquat tree, ensuring an optimal growing environment for her plants. To nourish and promote the growth of her green friends, she mixes inΒ Espoma Organic Flower-tone and Citrus-tone to provide the essential nutrients her plants need to flourish.
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Succulents are controversial plants in the houseplant community. The trouble with succulents is that they’re often described as βimpossible to kill.β This sets up unrealistic expectationsβwhen the inevitable happens and they die, it only reinforces the idea that you’re a failure at plant parenting.Β
This blog is inspired by Episode 190 of the Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed succulent expert Andrea of Justsuccit.com to give you tips for growing happy, healthy succulents inside your home.
One very common misconception is that when a succulent starts stretching or etiolating, meaning growing leggy and elongated, that it’s happy and thriving. Actually, the opposite is trueβstretching is a sign that the desperate succulent is searching for more sunlight!
So why do succulents die? There are three main reasons:
Caring for succulents isn’t extremely complicated, but you do need to get a few key things right.
Before watering, check the soil
When it comes to water, always check the soil moisture first by sticking your finger in the pot. Wait until the soil is completely dry and the plant looks thirsty before watering again. When you do water, give the plant a thorough, deep drink until water drains from the bottom. Then allow the plant to almost fully dry out before repeating.
Place your succulents in direct sunlight
Providing adequate sunlight is critical for succulents to maintain their compact shape and vivid colors. Varieties with more intense colors require more light. Outdoor full sun is ideal, but indoors, you’ll need a bright southern-facing window or grow lights.
Place your succulents in fast-draining soil
Succulents require a fast-draining medium like Espoma Organics Cactus Mix to prevent root rot, but you can create your own by amending regular potting soil with perlite, pumice, or bark. One thingβalways use containers with drainage holes! Without drainage, you’re just asking for trouble.
Feeding your succulents
While succulents don’t need frequent feeding, giving them a nutritional boost during their growing season can be beneficial. Espoma Organic Cactus! provides essential proteins enhanced with kelp extracts, humic acids, and microbes in a balanced form suitable for indoor succulents.
Succulent Propagation
Propagating succulents is fun and helps them multiply. The easiest method for beginners is leaf propagation.
Carefully twist off fresh leaves with the base still attached. Let the end callus over in a dry spot, then look for baby plantlets or roots emerging as a sign of growth. Once the mother leaf shrivels up, plant the baby in your fast-draining soil and water a bit more frequently than mature plants.
Beginner Friendly vs Advanced Succulents
Some succulents are easier to care for than others. Beginner-friendly plants include:
More challenging “advanced” succulents include:
What have you learned? With some specialized care related to water, sunlight, and soil medium, you can absolutely grow succulents indoors. Understand their needs, make adjustments, and you’ll stop killing them in no time. Be mindful and patientβtheir adaptations can teach us important life lessons. Open your heart and let your succulents embrace you!
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Brighten your holidays with the stunning Amaryllis! πΊThis festive plant is a holiday favorite, adding a splash of color to any indoor setting.
Follow along with Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide as he demonstrates how to plant and care for Amaryllis bulbs in containers. Kaleb provides his top tips to help you have amazing blooms over the holidays!
Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix to plant his Amaryllis bulbs, providing them with a nutrient-rich environment for optimal growth. He emphasizes the importance of proper watering and temperature to foster vibrant blooms.
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With its glossy leaves and signature holes, Monstera deliciosa (a.k.a. the Swiss Cheese plant), has become the latest Instagram celebrity. Named after the Latin word βmonstrous,β these plantsβ leaves can grow up to two feet wide! The Monstera is popular among plant parents looking to create an urban jungle in their homes, and despite appearances, arenβt that tricky to care for.
This blog is inspired by Episode 33 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed Scott Cain, owner of @tropicaloco on Instagram, to discuss how to keep your Monstera happy and healthy.
Caring for Your Monstera
Light
Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place your Monstera 1-3 feet away from an east-facing or west-facing window where it will receive bright, indirect light throughout the day. Avoid south-facing windows as they can provide harsh, direct sunlight that will scorch the leaves. If your Monstera sits in direct light, keep a close watch to make sure leaves do not burn.
Water
Monstera is a tropical plant that prefers evenly moist (but not soggy) soil. Allow 1-2 inches of the topsoil to dry out between waterings, checking with your finger to be sure there is no residual moisture. According to Scott, itβs better to under-water these plants than over-water them. For assistance in the perfect balance, use an organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Potting Mix to help retain moisture.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, use a diluted liquid fertilizer to help encourage new growth. Look for options made for tropical foliage plants, such as Espoma Organic Indoor Plant Food!
Cleaning
Over time, Monstera leaves can gather dust that blocks their ability to photosynthesize. Every 1-2 weeks, gently wipe both sides with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove dust. For an occasional, deeper clean, move the plant to a kitchen or bathroom for a gentle shower. Be sure it dries fully before returning to bright light to avoid sunburn.
Support
While not always needed, providing a moss pole or other support structure can help train your Monsteraβs growth vertically. If aerial roots form, gently tuck them into the moss pole or back into the soil to ensure they do not lose nutrients. For the best moss pole, keep it slightly moist.
Fixing Common Monstera Problems
If your Monstera leaves start to change colors or droop, pinpoint the problem with this troubleshooting guide by Scott:
By observing your plantβs needs and making adjustments accordingly, you can get your Monstera back to its healthy, happy self. Patience and attentiveness are always key!
Different Types of Monstera Plants
There are around 50 species in the Monstera genus, though the types youβre most likely to find for sale include:
Monstera deliciosa: The classic swiss cheese plant, known for its big, heart-shaped leaves. In the wild, it can produce edible fruit.
Monstera adansonii: Also referred to as the swiss cheese vine, due to its smaller oval leaves and growth like a vine.
Monstera borsigiana: Sometimes confused with deliciosa, it has flexible leaves without the ruffled part where they attach to the stems.
Monstera obliqua: Very rare as houseplants. It has lacy leaves with lots of holes and thin leaf strands.
Monstera variegata: A Monstera variety with white variegation on the leaves. Variegated Monstera need more light than non-variegated Monstera.
Caring for your Monstera is simple as long as you stay aware of the right growing conditions. Their interesting shapes and detailed leaves make them gorgeous to plant parents and visitors alike.
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Join Laura from Garden Answer as she shares her top tips on how to effectively plant garlic, harvest berries, and care for Dahlias.
Laura trusts Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus when planting her garlic to ensure they have the essential nutrients needed to be successful. Laura uses Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost to help improve her soil to help grow bigger more beautiful plants.Β
Learn more about Garden Answer here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswerΒ
https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer
https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/
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Watch Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes use her expertise to select and plant a mix of bulbs that promise a cycle of blooms from spring to fall. She uses Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to provide her bulbs the nutrients they need to have big beautiful blooms.Β
Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:
Website: flockfingerlakes.com
Instagram β @flockfingerlakes
YouTube βFlock Finger Lakes
Twitter β @flockny
Facebook βFlock Finger Lakes
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Follow along with Summer Rayne Oakes as she demonstrates how to craft a Moss Terrarium.
Summer uses Espoma Organic Orchid Mix, Cactus Mix, and Horticultural Charcoal to create the ideal planting medium for her terrarium.
Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:
Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com
YouTube: @summerrayneoakes
Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadbrooklyn
Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadbrooklyn
Twitter (X): twitter.com/sroakes
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Everyone knows the classic red rose, but how about mocha-colored roses, or even purple? Follow along with Summer from Β Flock Finger Lakes as she uses a variety of Espoma Organic products, like Rose-tone, and Espoma Organic Land & sea Gourmet Compost to transform a once-weedy bed into a beautiful rose patch!
Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:
Website: flockfingerlakes.com
Instagram β @flockfingerlakes
YouTube βFlock Finger Lakes
Twitter β @flockny
Facebook βFlock Finger Lakes
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Join Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes as she delves into the beauty and versatility of the often-overlooked plants: Heaths and Heathers. Discover planting techniques, vibrant bloom periods, and diverse color schemes as Summer shares her expert plant care insights. Understand the optimal soil compositions, watering routines, and lighting conditions to ensure your Heaths and Heathers flourish year-round.
Additionally, Summer uses the Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier to lower the soil pH, fostering more conducive growing conditions for her Heaths and Heathers.
Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:
Website: flockfingerlakes.com
Instagram β @flockfingerlakes
YouTube βFlock Finger Lakes
Twitter β @flockny
Facebook βFlock Finger Lakes
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