Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Too much of a good thing
At the beginning of December, to bring some living color into the house, I bought a single red poinsettia plant. Perfect! That’s all I wanted. And then, for a holiday gift, one of our inlaws sent us a large basket of plants. As a gesture, it was lovely. And it did provide more color. But for me, it was as if someone had left a box of Easter chicks on the front step. Here was something alive, that we — meaning I — would have to take care of.
In the basket were seven individual plants: a Norfolk Island pine, a poinsettia, two cyclamens in full bloom (one white, one deep, pinkish-red), two diminutive lemon cypress, and a white kalanchoe. Looking past the gesture and the beauty, I felt a huge wave of responsibility, a burden that I didn’t want. Especially since several of the plants should be moved into larger pots if they’re to thrive.
But the plant gift parade wasn’t over yet. Shortly after Christmas, a neighbor showed up at the door with a beautiful, large poinsettia in her arms. And just last week, another friend turned up with a Christmas cactus that she bought because she thought I’d like it.
Of course, I’m tickled that people know my love of plants. But here’s the dilemma: I’m not that big on houseplants, and all the spots at our south-facing windows were already occupied before the newbies arrived. In fact, some of the container plants we brought in from the patio last fall
are short on sunlight because there aren’t enough satisfactory spots for them indoors.
There’s also the time factor to consider. I was busy enough before becoming caretaker of nine more plants. In addition to teaching and writing, I’m in the process of experimenting with rooting cuttings of schefflera, and it will soon be time to plant tomato and pepper seeds. (They’ll go under grow lights.)
In addition to window space, and time to water and repot, there’s the time it takes to learn what each plant needs to survive. For instance, here’s a
bit I learned about tending lemon cypress, a shrub/ tree I hadn’t heard of before. (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/cypress/lemon-cypress-care.htm)
“If you decide to start growing lemon cypress trees indoors as houseplants, remember that they do best with cool indoor temperatures. Keep your thermostat in the low 60s F during winter.
“Perhaps the most difficult part of lemon cypress houseplant care is ensuring sufficient light. Select a window that provides good sunlight and turn the container regularly to give each side a turn. The houseplant requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sun.
“Don’t forget water — essential for lemon cypress houseplant care. They won’t forgive you if you don’t give them drenching once a week — you’ll see brown needles appear. Water whenever the soil is dry.”
Did you catch the part about the 6 to 8 hours of direct sun? Are you laughing with me? I think I need a greenhouse at this point! And 66 degrees is as low as I want to drop the thermostat, so the plants will just have to live with that.
Ultimately, giving a plant to a plant lover is not at all the same as, say, giving a book to a bibliophile. Before gifting a plant, it would be a blessing to ask a prospective “giftee,” “Is there a plant that you don’t already have that you’d really like?”
And then your friend or family member — who loves you for asking first — can say, “Oh, wow — yes! I’ve always wanted to try growing [name of plant].” Or, they can say, “If I could, I’d grow everything. But I don’t have the time or space for even one more plant.” And then trust that they’re not just being polite, but are telling you the truth.
Note: Do you have a
“too-many-plants” story? I’d love to hear it!
Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pamelacbaxter@gmail. com, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Share your gardening stories on Facebook at “Chester County Roots.” Pam’s book for children and families, Big Life Lessons from Nature’s Little Secrets, is available on Amazon, along with her companion field journal, Explore Outdoors, at Amazon.com/ author/pamelabaxter.