Green Thumb Status

New Domestic Level Reached: Green Thumb

A little over 10 days ago I received two purple Dianthus plants from my neighbor Kelly. They were pretty and looked like mini carnations so I put them outside on my window sill and sort of forgot about them.

A few days later I was hanging out with my meems (That's "grandma" for those of you who didn't have a grandma with a pet name.) and she took me to her favorite nursery in North Fort Myers. I've never been more excited about plants in my entire life. Something was awakened inside me. I always knew meems to be a Master Gardner and I watched my mom make the transition from hanging-basket-seem-nice to lets-relandscape-the-entire-yard. She does it well! Future Master Gardner, people! It's only natural that I inherit the green thumb. Right?

At least, I hope I do. I develop emotional attachments to almost everything so if these suckers die it's going to be a long night of dramatic, happy ending movies paired with a lot of ice cream and cupcakes for this lady.

I also name everything. So... meet The Twins

It's hard to see the other one- it's tucked behind this lovely and more presentable Dianthus. I dead head these ladies every day, and the next day two to three more blossoms have taken their place. Other than loving and needing full sun and about an inch of water every few days I know nothing about these plants. In fact, I should put them outside right now...


Next we have Ms. Diva!

This is a Purple Waffle Plant. The top of the leaves are purple and the underside is a deep green. I call her Ms. Diva because this is the most fickle and needy plant I have ever seen. Constant water and humidity needed. If the top layer of the soil is dry, give her more. Misting her everyday to keep her humid is a must. Other wise within 48 hours she droops and falls all over the place. A little bit of water and BAM she loves life and has nothing to lose. Hence, Ms Diva! Apparently this is a great indoor plant, as long as it gets lots of indirect sunlight from bright windows.

Next we have the Wax Begonia, which I will just call Begonia because it's fun to say in a Russian Accent. 

This plant gets its name from the look and texture of the leaves. At first... I thought it was fake, until I touched the flower and the petals fell off. Needless to say, this plant has already been really "touchy" If the wind blows the petals lose hope and fall off. It has to stay in temps above 60's which is normally fine in Florida- with the exception of the last few days. I haven't been keeping her outside over night just in case. She loves moist soil but doesn't consume a lot of water. She does best with about 3-4 hours of full sun or 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight (based on what I've read) I've had her a week and I only watered her when I potted her. Like The Twins, I know very little about this plan.

Anyways, this is all very inspiring and I may just turn into the plant lady whose home resembles a jungle. I find myself on google looking for more plants. Eeek! It's a fun hobby. One I desperately needed.

This made it on to my instagram- Day Twelve of my #JanuaryPhotoADay where the word to capture was "Surprise". Here was the picture that went along with it.

Well, here's to starting new hobbies!

-S