Inspired by AmyBoz - new hobby

**dcompton** · 03-02-2010, 03:14 PM

I've been thinking about the recent thread "Is there something you've always wanted." I posted there that I had houseplants in the past and two or three now, but never had the indoor jungle I wanted. And why not?

So I am going to remedy that. Well, maybe not jungle and certainly not jungle immediately, but I've decided I am going to enjoy houseplants again. Here's the plan.

I assessed my space. I have a bar opening into the kitchen right above the sink dishwasher, and by the stove. That will be a good place for humidity loving plants. I have one good west window for the sun loving ones; I found a shelf at Amazon that will be perfect to go in front of it. I'll order that this weekend so it will arrive on a day I'm off work next week.

I called the nursery where I got really nice and different houseplants about 15 years so. They still have them, so tomorrow since I'm off I'm going to make an outing and see what they have - maybe get a starter plant or two. I'll also go by the library - it's on the way - and check out some houseplant books.

I'm excited about this. So thanks, Amy. Sometimes we just need someone to ask us the obvious questions. (PS. Please PM me your address so I can send you the bills since you started this.)

Oh, as to another thread I started - I did a reality check. No hermit crabs. I'm getting worse at cleaning up my own habitat - why do I want to take on cleaning someone else's? But watering plants is within even my unambitious housework aspirations!

**NikoSan999** · 03-02-2010, 03:33 PM

Great idea! A good hobby and something quiet and peaceful to enjoy. I could do a jungle...I could live in Oprylands gardens..or Disneys.

**craftypam** · 03-02-2010, 04:20 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE houseplants. I am really good refraining from buying them in the summer there is a lady that sells them for $1.50 and they are so big. Only one problem; I would love more varieties. I love jade and she sells them really big. I kill them every time. I finally have figured out the problem; not I have to work on fixing it. I'm so afraid of overwatering them; now I'm underwatering them.

Go for it and have fun.

**Palooka** · 03-02-2010, 04:20 PM

I used to love my houseplants, but unfortunately so did my cats.

They destroyed them.

Have fun with your new hobby.

Sure you don't want hermit crabs.

**mauimagic** · 03-02-2010, 04:57 PM

What a wonderful idea!! Cannot wait to hear the results and see the pictures!! You and Amy are great inspirations to us all!!

**dcompton** · 03-02-2010, 06:13 PM

Guess I'll have to drop by the No Spend challenge and confess. I couldn't stand it and abruptly dropped everything and made this afternoon Donna's Day Out. I seldom go out just for fun stuff - it's always boring errands.

I went to two nearby library branches and got a pile of books. The nursery had fewer house plants than I remember, but it may be the season too. They are also more expensive relative to other options than they were long ago. But their plants were beautiful and healthy.

I opted for getting the most green for my buck to start with - a baby schefflera and a pot of gorgeously lush English ivy, not the best for indoors but I'll try it again. It may be ok in the window. Everyone says they have to have cool temps, but the stuff grows like a weed outdoors here and it gets above 100 in the summer. Obviously someone's not telling the ivy something.

They are supposed to be getting in some maidenfair fern better for indoors than what they have now. That's one I've always coveted so it's on my list. I might well have a challenge. I'm to check back in about three weeks.

I might as well just take the line about no spending on hobbies out of my signature. Ah well, it lasted two months. That's really good for me! I'll have to look for cheap ways to get plants during the summer.

**Russ** · 03-02-2010, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by NikoSan999

Great idea! A good hobby and something quiet and peaceful to enjoy. I could do a jungle...I could live in Oprylands gardens..or Disneys.

Back up plan besides my place?

**ladytoysdream** · 03-02-2010, 06:57 PM

I have found house plants at garage sales.
My 4 flowering plants I picked up at a dollar store last spring.
I got them through the summer, and now they made it through the winter. Will put them back out on the deck this spring.
One of my houseplants a neighbor gave to me.
I like cheap plants...can you tell ?

I have seen ads on craiglist by people looking for plants. And also when people move , they put up ads and usually give plants away.

**dcompton** · 03-02-2010, 07:36 PM

After my first gotta-have-it-today splurge, I will probably just keep the nursery in my back pocket for things like the maidenhair fern that aren't as common, or an occasional plant I might like to try but would like some expert advice about, like I got about the fern today. They told me to wait for the better variety - I appreciated that.

Garage sales don't fit my work schedule, which is probably a good thing overall!

**frugalfranny** · 03-03-2010, 12:17 AM

Good luck on your 'greenery' voyage, dc. Keep us posted and take pics.

I want another bird's nest fern and have been looking for awhile. If the price is right - the plant looks horrible. If the plant looks fantastic --the price doesn't!

I can send you a mighty bamboo........I have one touching my ceiling and the pot is already on the floor....my beanstalk plant.

**dcompton** · 03-03-2010, 01:50 AM

Hadn't thought of bamboo as a house plant, though I see the little ones in ridiculous or ugly pots for exotic prices in the stores. How much sun do they need?