Latest Greenery
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Hi! Curious about using banana peels as fertilizer for plants that seem to be lacking in some nutrients, notably phosphorous and potassium. When I was looking up fertilizer options I saw that bananas could be used and since I have a couple on hand, I was going to reserve the peels to try this. I'm curious though if this actually works and if so, what's the best medium to go about it - fermenting them in water and then spraying that on the plants (a peace lily specifically but potentially others if it's not harmful to them), dehydrating the peels and adding that to the soil before watering, or just burying the peels directly after chopping them up.
Thoughts?-
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Paris Lalicata Hi! The banana peels will act as a slow release fertilizer but it isn't all balanced so it doesn't provide all micro/macro nutrients essential for plants. Therefore, it'll be best to incorporate this along with another fertilizer unless your soil is nutrient rich already. Important thing to keep in mind however is that using organic materials like this in the soil can attract pests. Not always the ones that will eat our plants, but ones that are a nuisance to us. (gnats, ants) I'd say the easiest way to use this is to chop it up and incorporate it into the soil!
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My fern is looking super sad all of a sudden. I noticed some leaves were crunchy so I gave it more water. It also looks a little droopy. I’ve had this fern for a little over a year or maybe just about a year and until now it has been a happy green fern. Please help!-
Paris Lalicata Hi Idalia! If you haven't repotted the plant with fresh soil in a year then it could be a nutrient deficiency. Otherwise it could be due to over watering. I'd recommend removing any dead plant material. Repot the plant if it needs it. Ensure it's getting plenty of light, and you allow about half the soil to dry out between waterings. If the plant is placed in a low light area then I'd allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It should be able to bounce back for you!
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Hi group,
This is my corn plant. I’ve had it since December 1, 2019. It gets lots of indirect bright light because it’s positioned between a south and west window in the corner. I water it about every week and a half but I base it on whether the top inch and a half of soil is dry or not. The air is dry in here with the heat so I try to mist it each week or more if I remember. I also have it on a turntable so that I can rotate the plant so the other side gets equal light. As you can see from the second pic, the moisture meter is at three. This is where it always is and the top soil is dry for about an 1.5” down. Everything you read says this is caused by either overwatering or under watering which is so frustrating for me. Does anyone know the reason for this and how to correct it? Yellow/brown leaf tips also happen on a few of my peace lilies. Thanks a lot! 🙂
2nd pic coming up... -
Hi group,
If anyone could help me identify this cactus I’d appreciate it. It was tipping over in it’s little 6 inch grow pot when I bought it; it seems to only grow horizontally. It looks like there’s little babies growing along each arm - I don’t know what will happen when they get larger but for now it’s unusual and I really love it but would like to know what type of cactus this is.
not sure if I can send more than one pic but I’ll try. Thanks!-
Veejkay - 3 comments
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Veejkay Hi Paris!
Thank you for your reply – this is exactly why I joined a forum like this - to learn more about all the plants out there (and that I can add to my collection 🥰)!
I googled what you said and it’s also called a corn cob cactus (but not really a cactus 😉)!
You gave me so much great info. - Thanks so much! I hope we can talk again! 🌵🍄🌼
And feel free to just call me “V”. 🙂 -
Paris Lalicata Hi Veejkay! This is such a beautiful Euphorbia mammillaris you were able to get your hands on (I'm jealous)! Therefore, the plant is a succulent rather than a cactus, even though they look like them!
The plant was most likely becoming top heavy which caused it to grow more horizontally rather than vertically. However, when you do a little more research they seem to have a more unusual growth pattern once they grow into a larger specimen. Whenever you feel comfortable you can propagate the new offsets growing on the stalks by cutting them with pruners or using a sharp sterile knife. Don't worry, more will always grow on them down the line to keep propagating :)
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My monstera deliciousa has started to brown on the one leaf. Is this from too much sunlight? Too much water?-
Paris Lalicata It could be from too much sunlight if the plant is exposed to direct sun. Otherwise, it could be due to moisture related stress most likely over watering. I'd ensure the plant is only exposure to bright indirect light, and you water when the soil has dried out completely! Any necrotic leaves unfortunately won't be able to bounce back so these can be removed to enhance the appearance
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Can anyone help me identify this type of succulent?! Please and thank you!-
Paris Lalicata Hi Sam! It looks like you have a species of Echeveria that's etiolated a bit which is why it doesn't have that tight, rosette pattern. This is usually caused by the plant no receiving enough light so I'd try to boost this to ensure it has more compact growth in the future :)
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Basic care instructions and tips would be much appreciated!-
Paris Lalicata Hi Justin! From what I can see it looks like you have an Alocasia, however, I'm just having a hard time ID'ing the exact species. It'll be best to give these guys plenty of bright indirect light, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Keep it away from any heaters, or cold drafts and boost humidity only if air in the home is super dry!
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I repotted a 3 or 4 year old jade plant today. I knew I should have put rocks or sand atop the soil because it was top heavy, but I didn't have any on hand and figured I’d pick some up the next time I went to the store.
With the grace of a limp spaghetti noodle on a tight rope, I lifted the freshly-potted jade plant from the ground to go inside. Time slowed and I heard atoms. For as I watched in abject horror, mouth agape like a silly goldfish, the plant leapt from the pot and soared down to the sidewalk. Time began again when leaf shrapnel exploded around my ankles.
All of that is to say: what do I do with the leaves that broke off? I’d say 60% of them broke off the plant. Can I propagate from them (is that even the right verb)? Do I add them to my compost bin? Can I just stuff em in some dirt and see what grows or shrivels up like the Wicked Witch of the East sans ruby slippers? What do I need to do, if anything, to the stems? Like do I need to trim the lil nubbies off? Leave them alone?
Y’all’s help would be appreciated. I am so upset with myself.-
Paris Lalicata Hi Elle! You can most certainly propagate any healthy leaf that dropped from the plant. This can be done by letting the tips callous over, placing them in soil, and following up with the proper care. Or you can even water propagate some of the leaves in a glass jar by keeping the tips just above the water line. Eventually when roots form they'll grow towards and into the water!
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Paris Lalicata Hi Michelle! It looks like your Dracaena is drooping due to moisture related stress. If the soil has dried out then the plant is drooping due to needing more water. If so, aerate the soil with a pencil chopstick in case it got compacted and water the plant. Allow a few days to go by to give the plant some time to perk back up. If the soil is still moist then I would increase the light and allow it to dry out before watering. The plant still looks healthy and should bounce back!
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Hi! I own a boutique fitness studio in Sri Lanka (where it’s ridiculously hot at the moment) and like to keep plants in the workout space to make it more cozy. Purchased this dragon tree plant just last week and it looked beautiful. We kept it indoors - there’s AC and some indirect sunlight and watered it as the top soil got dry. But now over the course of two days, it’s wilted really badly :( the soil is wet so we’ve kept it outside overnight to dry after poking some holes in the soil. Any advice would be so appreciated!!! Thank you!-
Paris Lalicata Hi Nare! It appears the plant could've wilted due to over watering since this plant likes to dry out between. Especially if it's not exposed to bright light and you noticed some yellowing. I'd try to move the plant where it can get as much bright indirect light as possible, and allow the soil to dry out before watering again. After watering the plant should be able to perk back up after a few days and you can remove any plant material that didn't make it!
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I have a large corn plant (Dracaena) that began having yellow spots on the leaves a few months ago. The yellow spreads, eventually turn brown and seem burned. I have repotted thinking it was root rot (no rot). I moved it closer to a window because it has been quite dark during Seattle winters; how it continues to have yellow spots and appear limp. What could be causing the problem? Should I keep it away from my other plants? Any advice would be appreciated! -
Hello! Is anyone familiar with this plant? It’s got a thick, succulent like leaf in the center with the smaller vine like appendages growing out of it. The other leaves are softer. And suggestions on what this might be would be appreciated. Thanks!-
Paris Lalicata Hi Madison! From what I can see this looks like a Rhipsalis pachyptera, which is a type of jungle cactus :)
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I got this Chinese Money plant (Pilea Peperomioides) around 2 months ago and it had/still has these little brown spots on it. Some leaves have fallen off, but there is new growth in the center. Any ideas what this could be?-
Paris Lalicata Hi Hanna! The blemishes on the leaves just look like scarring from either mechanical damage, or water soaked lesions. If it has always been there and never posed a threat to the plant I wouldn't be concerned in any way. Plants get blemishes and scarring just like we do! As long as you continue to give the plant the right care it'll continue to be happy and healthy in your home
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Hi there! I recently got an elephant ear plant a couple of months ago and repotted it a couple of weeks ago to a slightly larger pot. Since then, one of the leaves has turned very yellow and is about to die off. Any help on how to care for the plant would be greatly appreciated! I’m new to the elephant ear but know they can be very sturdy plants when well taken care of! Thanks! :-)-
Paris Lalicata Hi Danielle! Considering this is a newly acquired plant there's a chance it's shedding old leaves as a result of acclimating. Especially if the light levels are considerable lower in its new home from where it used to be. I'd ensure moving forward the plant is receiving plenty of light considering its size, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. As long as you give the plant the proper care, and possibly make some adjustments it should continue to thrive and live happily with you!
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