This is a page that focuses on the actual science and method of raising plants, of how they function, and how to keep them alive (when they’re meant to be).
Sections
Growing Guides
Guides on how to care for different plants at home. These are all plants that I grow or have grown – most of these guides are focused mostly on growing plants in Los Angeles. It’s warmer here than many areas, with milder winters (…except this last one), and strange things can happen. Annuals can become perennials. Cacti can live alongside chrysanthemums.
I hope these guides help you to raise your plants to be happy (and tasty, where applicable)!
Specific
General
Water
Plants need water, there’s no question about it. Some need more than others, certainly. Succulents (and cacti) are a natural feature of the area, and they get by on quite little, through some amazing techniques. Others, such as the ginkgo tree (my favorite), will hibernate during winter. This cuts down impressively on the water requirements.
Flushing the Pot
I’ve had a bad habit of watering my plants every 2 to 3 days – when the top layer of dirt was just starting to dry out. I just never followed proper watering techniques – letting some plants dry out a bit more, flushing the soil, and the like.
Light
Plants need sunlight. Some need more, some need less, but photosynthesis needs at lease some sun! If you’re trying to figure out how much light your plants need, or even planning out where the sunlight might be coming from, I hope these articles help you out!
The Sun and its Angles
Plants really enjoy sunlight – some more so than others. When you’re planting a plant outdoors, it’s useful to know what ‘Full Sun’ means on the seed packet, and whether your corner of the balcony or yard is going to get it. Find out where to look up the sun’s angles and how to apply…
Nutrition
Every so often, plants need a multivitamin. They also enjoy probiotics (of a sort) in the soil, which help process nutrients into digestible forms. If you’re container gardening, this is especially important. You have to perform all the functions of replenishing the soil that would normally happen in nature. I’ve learned plenty of hard lessons!
Plants Eat Food, pt 1 – The Big 3
Part 1 of 4. Plants want to gobble up everything they can of 3 key macronutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Here’s what NPK does to plants!
Plants Eat Food, pt2 – Secondary Nutrients
Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Secondary only refers to the quantity, not the importance of the nutrients. These are just as important as NPK!
Plants Eat Food – Trace elements
Trace elements, partially because of just how little the plants metabolize, are a little tricky to keep track of. Generally, if you’re using compost or manure or rotating your plants, these elements will never be in short supply. That being said, it’s nice to know what’s out there and what…
Mindful Foliage 