I've written before about my complete lack of gardening skills. Seriously, people, I am not called Tree for my talents in the garden.
Anyhoo, back when I was setting up my business, I was investigating good luck charms for my office. One book advocated blue flowering plants for luck. So Chili and I headed down to the nursery to see what we could find.
The only blue flowering plants they had were African Violets.
Yep, only the most difficult thing to grow after orchids.
What a good idea. Someone with black thumbs growing African Violets.
Well, I've found the secret to beautiful African Violets and I'm going to share it with you.
Now, the trick is to observe the plant closely. Does it have any withered, brown, limp leaves?
If it does, then WATER THE PLANT.
If the leaves appear to be plump, green and otherwise healthy, DON'T WATER THE PLANT.
Now, I realise that this is complex and might take a while to get used to, but you don't want to miss any of the steps.
However, if you follow my process carefully, I promise you results like this. I shit you not.
My house is filled with desert plants, mostly succulents -- you know, the kind of plants that like to be noticed every couple of months and (maybe) thrown a little water. Including the African violets. I've drowned more than a few or those (and dehydrated many other species) and I finally realized that we'd all get along better if I just stuck to plants that *liked* to be treated erratically.
I think I shall get myself some African Violets. :-)
Granted, you may never see this reply as this entry is about 2 1/2 weeks old, but let me share with you the secret of the orchid:
Neglect.
Yes. They thrive on neglect. Just set 'em near a window and withhold water for a few days. Then just give them a tiny sip.
Orchids would be excellent prisoners.
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That's wonderful! I have the same problem with plants, but I seem to be doing okay with my African Violet. The secret I was told: it's okay to let them get a little desert-like. Don't over-water them, but the soil doesn't have to stay moist all the time.