The sun’s starting to make its shining appearance; the weather is beginning to come out of hibernation and summer seems suitably around the corner in time for the end of the school year. And, whilst we may be boiling like potatoes inside our classrooms, you may want to consider taking a trip to your local garden shop and starting a new hobby – plant parenting. As I was cramming for my last exams, my mind was blooming with ideas for new plants to add to my growing collection. Instead of tearing up over my last English paper, I focused on watering my existing little bedroom greenhouse and growing some new plants of my own. In light of this (or lack thereof, considering this past weekend’s weather), I wanted to share some propagation and protection techniques to grow and care for your very own seedlings.
My most long-lasting and successful vegetation have, in fact, been the plants which are the easiest to take care of. Whether you’re just starting out on your parenting journey or have been in the business for a while, keeping plants which require little effort ensures the best results for a long lifespan. I’d recommend species like philodendron or pothos, aloe vera, sansevieria (snake plants) or simply the trusty succulent. Personally, I have three monstera plants, which only need watering weekly and enjoy indirect light, which I’ve had for over two years. Additionally, if you’re wanting to expand your houseplant assembly for aesthetic purposes, these plants love growing big and large, keeping to their photogenic attributes.
Growing your superior bedroom garden can be expensive, and specific garden shops charge at eye-watering rates. Beware of buying expensive, exotic species if new to plant caring to save yourself from a premature demise of your newfound friend. Some affordable nurseries I tend to adopt from are The Palace Gardener (Fulham) or Acre Lane (Brixton), and from havens like Blossoms and Threads or Cornercopia. On Northcote Road (Clapham Junction) a new plant home has just opened this weekend, so pass by for especially reasonable items of your favourite variety, indoor or outside.
There are other methods of obtaining a leafy companion – such as propagation. Over the past few months, I myself have been learning and propagating my collection for some new additions. Propagation is less transactional and requires patience but allows for a uniquely rewarding experience: tracking your own-grown plant.
By definition, plant propagation is the process of growing new plants from a separate source – seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts. Humans specifically utilize asexual propagation to quickly clone plants with tissue and grafting, however this can be applied to horticulture and general cuttings of plants for larger propagated products. I find propagation useful if you want to give a plant present to a friend, share plants with family, or if your plant is getting especially overgrown. Plant propagation techniques vary – division, budding, grafting – however cutting is easiest and presents the least amount of general damage to the main host plant.
Some more specific technique and method for plant cutting:
- It’s best to pick an easier growing plant which has developed roots – the plant will be healthy, and the parent plant will have a smaller chance of being damaged due to established roots.
- Find the part of the plant you’d like to cut and take a cutting from where the stem and leaves are connected to the largest, or main stem. Try to cut diagonally with 2-4 leaves and with substantial length so the plant has the biggest success rate of surviving and can take in water and nutrients more efficiently.
- Place your new cutting in a glass, preferably a long and clear container to track growth easily. Fill the container with water just above the cut stem and change it completely approximately every week.
- Wait for at least a week to be able to see root growth results sprouting – this should be at the bottom of your cutting. Wait until the roots are developed to around 4-6 inches long so you can pot your new plant safely.
- Once your plant is settled in its new abode, keep it in good light until growth is visible. Then you can transfer it to a more appropriate setting (dependent on its species). Make sure its new home is lightly damp during the welcome period as the transition from a glass of water to completely dry dirt can be naturally difficult to adapt to.
- You can lead on to spacing out your watering schedule over time – make sure you have a balance; the plant shouldn’t be drowning too!
Each plant has its peculiar, yet favourite settings, so consider researching your specific species for its preferred conditions such as water intake, soil preference and light intensity, ensuring that it can grow happily and healthily. For instance, plants like philodendron or spider plants grow through vines, so I’d recommend keeping them high and hung in tighter, compact spaces. Humidity-loving greenery fits perfectly in your bathroom, thriving in the moisture and steam.
Plant adoption and caring for my mini conservatory continues to be one of my favourite hobbies and, if this doesn’t convince you enough, the benefits for keeping indoor plants are plentiful. Repotting and keeping indoor plants may decrease your stress levels and response compared to technological tasks. And, if some mindful potting doesn’t take your fancy, they also improve your air quality by freshening and purifying. Yet, if neither of these health benefits appeal to you, maybe purchasing a small cactus could be your first step to greener pastures. Happy planting.
