how to care for your plants when you are low on energy

[@amymarshall1829]

I think another rabbit hole is propagating. It seems like a good idea, until you have a jillion tiny plants that you are dealing with on top of your adult collection. Years ago, I leaned pretty hard into African violets and streptocarpus. I propagated many by leaves, which usually resulted in multiple plants per propagation. I didn't want to get into selling them because I didn't have time to deal with the demands of selling, shipping, etc. So I quickly became overrun, overwhelmed, and then burned out. My plants were no longer a joy, they were a burden. If you don't feel like dealing with the props, then don't. You don't have to do it just because "everyone else is." You do you and what works best for your life.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh yes, I agree a lot! Propagating has definitely got me into trouble (with myself) before. I do sell some of my hoya propagations, and I rarely now propagate to have more than one plant for myself. But yes, it can get out of hand with violets pretty fast! Been there xD I also feel rescuing a plant is another rabbit hole and starting over something that is 95% gone. Another thing I don't really do anymore.

[@janwillard6708]

I’ve had a huge plant collection since the mid 1970’s. I have several plants (BOP, ficus Benjamina, Majesty palm) that I’ve had for 30-45 years. My care over the years has fluctuated depending on what’s going on in my life kids, jobs, etc. But in 2006 I was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and for the last 10+ years I’ve had VERY limited energy. My plants have learned to adapt to very limited care. And some have died. But the majority are fine, not growing a lot but surviving, along with me. I agree, don’t beat yourself up, do what you can, when you can. Enjoy your videos Miro and sense of humor 🪴❤️

[@kcgrows]

Miro, this is one of your best episodes! People really shy away from talking about the emotional part of being plant caretakers, and I really appreciate you taking the plunge into an important subject for many of us. Thank you so much for all of the tips, I will have to try to remember them after spending 8 hours straight dealing with my collection.

[@betsybegonia]

I'm so glad that you made a video about this topic. So many people experience this and feeling low is also such a *lonely* feeling. It always seems like you're the only one to ever have those feelings.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes. I mean, there is definitely more here - like, plants are not therapy etc but I feel it would all be too much in one go xD

[@shellym79]

I tend to pick my favorites & most expensive plants to water and even then only when they look like they might die if I don't. I recently bought some show release fertilizer just to see if that cuts some time and effort. Now I need the energy to add it to the soil...😊 Oh and when I noticed spider mites in my cabinet at a particular difficult time, I put the ones with webbing outside in the cold to die then closed the cabinet door and didn't look again for a week. I've been slowly treating the plants I want to save and moving them out of the cabinet one by one. It's been weeks but I'm doing my best and that's ok.

[@leahgoddard9749]

💚Best planty video ever on youtube!!! You need to become an online plant counselor (If that is a thing, if not there should be.) You are amazing Miro. Thank you 💚

[@BasiePlants]

Hahaha I am not sure if there is something like that but I think we should definitely normalize talking about all these struggles with plants :)

[@stacieforesi5431]

When I “ just can’t” do something because of the low energy… the energy can be so low that I think I am okay with watching them all die…. I fill the bath with 2+ inches of water and then do not let myself think about it and just fill it as full of plants as I can… I mean CRAM them in with whatever looks the worst…. Then just walk away… it seems to be enough water to give them all a good bottom watering and yet not too much to make them rot… I can go back in a day or so when I feel a little better… all the water is gone and I just put them back.

[@margimorris7360]

Love a direct, honest person that sees it and tells it like it is 🌸🐝

[@sheilacasper2030]

I find that starting a task is the hardest part. Once I have started and done one then I just move on to another and another and before I know it, the task is done. Its magic!

[@BasiePlants]

Yes! But sometimes for me, it is hard to start a task and then I start one, move to another, and another and then I just can't stop until I completely exhaust myself :S Not a great thing for sure :D

[@sheilacasper2030]

@@BasiePlants i relate to that but mostly with cleaning the house.

[@BasiePlants]

@@sheilacasper2030 Definitely that too xD For me it kind of all merges - I start with plant chores and the next thing you know I am vacuuming the walls 😂

[@cwbyjnkies]

Thank you for this. “Better help” will be contacted. My moments of depression and anxiety are treated by being in the company of nature. However, the questioning of my worth when I can’t achieve my laundry list of crap that needs to be done is mind and body crippling. Now I will fix a cuppa and listen to the rest of the video.

[@BasiePlants]

I think a lot of us think of our plants as treatment for depression and anxiety but I feel that sometimes they can make things worse. It really depends from person to person and situation to situation. But I know when I was struggling in 2020, they did not help at all. And even sometimes now I feel "crippling" anxiety when the chores pile up :) We all go through it and I think it deserves more conversation :)

[@cwbyjnkies]

Recently, a young lady posted on Reddit she has to go into rehab for drug dependence; thinking about caring for her 40 orchids and hoya no longer brought her pleasure and downright terrified her should they die of neglect (some of them were in that stage). She was offering to give them away. Of course she received a bazillion offers. I offered to care for them if she happened to be passing through Tampa, Florida. I further stated with the pictures of rare orchids she posted, perhaps if I could care for them, the knowledge of having her friends when she got out of rehab would be the healing balm. Come to find out she lived in Captiva (which was wiped out by hurricane Ian and only 2 hours away) which had exacerbated her feelings of hopelessness because all her childhood places…gone! She had a family bring them to me after packing them all up every so gently along with 3 pages of instructions lol! She came 3 months later and picked up her beloved orchids, hoya along with a rotundiflora I found at a show (one she had been wanting), and of course I gave her some clippings of other Florida flora she didn’t have. She is 28 going on a much older soul and reported to me she is now part of the effort to rebuild Sanibel/Captiva to the native flora untouched island of its former reputation. I pray she stays sober-fentanyl, OxyContin, and d-amphetamine is a real abuse here.

[@jelenamitrovic9039]

I am very grateful for this video Miro, this is great advice. I was especially moved when you talked about dealing with plants we inherited from someone we loved, as it is something I really struggled with. Still do, actually. ❤

[@BasiePlants]

❤️We should have recorded that untangling. 😂 When we do the next one in 3 years 🤣

[@jelenamitrovic9039]

@@BasiePlants Yes, it seems like we do one every three years :D

[@marnieclifford8604]

Im just getting into plants, and have 14 and a half, some are in water, some are cuttings in water. I believe that counts as being subscribed to Miro. 😊

[@nancyzepp7247]

This video is awesome! Thank you.

[@Howle250]

Attachment OMG! It’s so true never thought I would do that! Had to talk to myself and sat stop this isn’t good lol! Video was very insightful not just for plants but everyday life❤

[@BasiePlants]

Oh yeah! I do get attached a lot and I tent to spiral with that. I actually told people to stop getting plants for me. My mom got me heliconia 4 years ago and thrips killed it and I was so sad about it! And I know some people who have plants from people that are no longer around and it just made me feel so sad thinking how much sadder it is then and I was like... nah, we are not doing that here 😂 It is a nice gesture, but knowing myself and how quickly I can spiral when it comes to guilt, best not to get attached in the first place.

[@rareplaid]

I have about 50 plants. The thing that helps me, is I have a plant app to help me keep track of when I watered, etc. I don’t water if the plant doesn’t need it , but I can skip or snooze the chore and it just helps keep me focused. Really appreciated this video, Miro! 🪴

[@BasiePlants]

That's a great advice! What is the name of the app? :)

[@rareplaid]

@@BasiePlants “ Planta “- it’s great!

[@barbarasparkes1916]

I loved this video! I often guilt myself when I plan on doing plant chores then get sidetracked and don’t get around to it. Plants are my distressing time not to create more stress in my life! You provided ways to get chores done without the guilt😊

[@hoedown175]

You said the quiet part out loud with saying you don’t have to like your plants all of the time. Thanks for keeping it real. 🥰🥰 also, I see someone is a Caroline fan 😉

[@BasiePlants]

Hahaha :D Well, as I reply to this, I am completely soaked because I took my plants outside to treat them for mites, and of course, we had the most sudden & biggest downpour ever. So I do not love my plants or the skies at the moment. Cursing everything 😂 Yes! I said it many times and I will say it again - Caroline is great. She would totally hate the absolute state of madness that my plant collection is though. 😂

[@sricharita9265]

Listening to you talk in the background when I do my planty chores is therapeutic.

[@lindsayanne3076]

I'm overwhelmed! One week in the hospital and I think my plants were happy I wasn't hovering.

[@plantpants3746]

I was out of town for one weekend, then worked the following weekend. Long story short, i am paying the price this weekend! Between pests, potting up propagations and watering it is never ending.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh yes! I feel you. That is something else I wish I had time to talk about - the aftermath of the low energy moments or just sometimes us being away from our plants. I used to fear to leave them for more than 3 days because I know all hell somehow breaks lose. But these days I am more like... that needed to happen and who knows why that is good XD (No one knows, no one knows)

[@knightplants9556]

Would love to see a plant tour video from you!!

[@BasiePlants]

It will come. :) Hopefully by the end of summer :)

[@PD-jamp]

Thanks for this video. I enjoy my plants but i have about 80 and right now my attention and energy is on something more important. But i do tend to be unkind to myself when i neglect them. I think this video will help.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes :) Sometimes it is easy to get lost in it and really feels like you failed when you can’t take care of the plants even though the reason we get them is the exact opposite :) I hope it does help :)

[@ninapit]

I really liked these last two videos where you talk about the psychology of houseplant growing. Not spoken about enough.

[@BasiePlants]

I agree :) It's nice always so relaxing :D But it is worth it imo :)

[@charissecarrigan2945]

Here I've been waiting for spring and all the new wonderful growth. BAM! Suddenly my plant chores seem to double. In the past couple of weeks, I've been contacting family and friends...asking (maybe secretly begging) them if they might like a new plant or two. Yesterday, I told my son he better not go and buy ANY new plants for the house he's moving into before coming to my house, and picking a few. I even promised him my monstera deliciosa, just because I'm tired of pruning her back and restaking her. (Yes, he's going to take her) But my arthritic knees are getting worse, and some of the plant chores I used to "love" are becoming more and more difficult to do. I can't take plants outdoors to water or wash down. If I'm treating for spidermite...and I want to go outside, I have to be able to load that plant onto my walker...and then take it out and back in again. And of course, those are plants that I've had for so long, and were potted in beautiful ceramic glazed pots. Yes! These past couple of weeks, I've grown a bit weary over something as simple as dusting and washing off leaves, never mind watering and fertilizing. I appreciate your videos and encouragement sooooooooooooooo MUCH!

[@Livinglifetruthfully]

Resonate with all of these tips and appreciate you so much. I have started doing the section method and I LOVE IT! So great to just work on one cabinet at a time. I have started to really look forward to your videos.

[@stacey8073]

Great video! I am a section person as well. When I don’t have it in me to do much (yay depression!) I tell myself I’ll just do a few plants that really need it in a certain section. One I start watering along a shelf sometimes I will just keep going and feel a little better. Sometimes nope that’s all I’m doing. I’m learning that buying the plant will not always make me happier. I joke that because I feel dead inside some days that I buy all the plants to make it look alive in here, but I’m now trying to be more selective of what I bring home because I’m now starting to purge plants that don’t bring me joy anymore. So I’m trying to break that cycle that I quickly got myself into because it was causing me anxiety.

[@Summer_Lily66]

Love your videos, your realism and genuine persona. All the best from Canada ❤

[@jukeboxgirl244]

This is a topic, which is not often talked about but very very important. Taking care of our plants in busy times is overwhelming and the guilt sits right on your shoulder, when you decide to do other things instead of plant chores...I can relate to that 100% And it's fine. I think, and that is only my opinion, that our plants know us very well. They can wait.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes, I agree that this topic definitely deserves more space. We don't discuss it nearly as much as pests & other plant issues but it all goes hand in hand, in my opinion. And is part of being a plant parent. Or I guess, just a human on the planet lmao XD

[@stephanielopez8799]

Honestly the taking care of some plants at a time helps a lot. For me I tackle rooms in my house or sections of rooms and dedicating 10-20 mins helps instead of hours

[@BasiePlants]

Yeah, I was definitely someone who'd take care of all the plants in a day and have dedicated plant day in a week, but I just find that is not really working out for me. Instead I just do a bit of plant chores every day :)

[@shaniquacattenhead822]

😮😅😂Not Miro knowing my thoughts over the weekend and I’m just seeing this video.. you seem to always come with the right video I need to watch because overwhelmed feeling is real. Two plants right now is in Hoya heaven talking about me while finally getting that drink they wanted and deserved… ❤

[@dejanaaranicki3601]

Almost losing monstera you gave me is still traumatic... This honest story and advices are super helpful even for us with 10 plants (one probably dead). This was so reassuring, thank you. 💙

[@BasiePlants]

HAHAHA one probably dead 😂 Sorry, but that is hilarious.

[@dejanaaranicki3601]

@@BasiePlants I get it 😂

[@aveuch]

So relatable. Thank you 💕

[@CorpseBride64]

Omg, you crack me up! LoL This video is so sensible & humorous. On Friday nights I always think, "I will get ahead of the weekend and do a few things." Then the hours roll by and each plant makes more work, and yeah, you guys get it. This is solid advice, now to put it into practice. *I seem to remember going out on Friday nights, once, long ago. 🙃

[@BasiePlants]

Hahaha getting out on Friday night was never my favorite activity anyways :D But I do relate a lot to - oh I am getting ahead of things this weekend and then I just... can't. :) but that is okay :) Sometimes I don't plan to and I do get ahead.

[@ericapack7506]

I just got into housr plants for about a year now and unfortunately I have a pretty obsessive personality so my collection grew quickly and so did my knowledge (I am also obsessive about learning thjngs....). Now I've gotten so busy with work and with normal family life, I get a bit overwhelmed. I've already started timing myself so I only do plant chores for a specific time. I think this video came at just the right time. I think selective is the word of the day for me. Selective with plant chores, sections, and honestly selective with what I add to my collection. I keep telling myself, hoya are not pokemon and I dont have to catch them all. Thank you for the great honest chat.

[@BasiePlants]

Such a great comment! Yes, yes, yes to everything! I also get obsessive - I mean, let's face it, I did not get to 300 hoyas by being casual about it and let's not even get into how deep I will go into publications to find stuff out xD So yes, selective! :)

[@MiL4dy]

I have ADHD and suffer from low energy, starting tasks and get easily overwhelmed and can’t prioritize. All I see is massive amount of tasks that are all number one priority. I’m trying to learn to just physically stop myself when I notice I’m spiraling and just sit down. Sort of ground myself again and slow down. Then I take a good look of everything around me and name 3-5 things that I like, are pretty, give me joy or I’m proud of. I’m just forcing myself to see things positively 😂 At first it felt stupid, but now that I’ve been consistent with it, I’ve been able to stop spiraling. Also, getting my perspective right has been helpful. After all, they are _just_ plants. They might die, they might look like shit, and that’s okay. At least when one of them dies, I have more space and one less pot to worry about 🤷‍♀️ For a long time I tried everything when a plant was struggling and would beat myself if it didn’t survive. Now I just think “if it dies, it dies”. If I’m struggling because of a plant, the plant isn’t worth it. Excellent video Miro and such an important topic! Honestly, this haven’t been talked about enough, so thank you for it!

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you for sharing your experience. One of my best friends has ADHD, and I learned a lot from him about it. Much more challenging than most people usually think. But yes, I find that I can spiral pretty easily too and I have couple of times since recording this video. I find that you are right - it is important to catch yourself and realize you are doing it and stop. In the past I would sometimes catch myself doing it and think, that's actually good, let's make most ouf it, but then, of course, the next day you feel awful. And I completely agree, even though I did not say it - they are just plants :) I don't bother that much with rescuing anymore either. Most are on DNR here. I see one I really like struggling and I try to help but I don't go to extreme lengths like before and save plants from leafless nodes/ wet sticks. Not for me anymore :D And I got rid of very dramatic plants that need rescuing all the time *cough* calatheas *cough* begonias xD

[@MiL4dy]

@@BasiePlants yeah, the false feeling of energy is the worst. I get easily hyper focused and before I notice I’ve been doing every plant chore I set my eyes on, made an absolute mess of my living room and haven’t even had any breaks. Usually when I snap out of my tunnel vision, I’ve used up all my energy and still have to clean 🥲 It a journey to learn to limit yourself when you are doing something you like. But, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and recharging is necessary for everyone. I’ve also gotten rid of the plants that are too dramatic. Alocasias and a few philodendrons. I usually give a one chance for a plant to bounce back and if it doesn’t, it bounces straight to the bin 😂 If I know someone might like to try to salvage it, I offer it to them, but if not, byeee 💁‍♀️

[@judyemmerson4142]

Thank you for this video. Sometimes we forget our priorities.

[@BasiePlants]

Definitely! (and prioritize wrong things)

[@LindaEnfield]

Thank you Miro and well timed. I had major surgery a few weeks ago and have been slacking on the plant care as I can’t lift anything too heavy so watering is with a 1 litre watering can, so 30 minutes watering plants followed by at least 30 minutes recovery. I’m hoping they’ll understand and try not to die on me while I recover.

[@couturehelvetica1261]

Great tips - thank you! 🌿

[@livingthedream923]

Thanks for this video. It was full of things I needed to hear. Self watering pots save me a lot of time and stress. I keep most of my smaller plants in them. I also found a water filter on Amazon for my garden hose (inline water filter, meant for campers and RVs) so I don’t have to feel guilty about watering them outside with a hose. I really appreciated your advice and honesty.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh I never feel guilty anymore for giving them tap water. We are past that :D My tap water is very hard, but hey, they could have it worse outside! We just had hail recently sooooo I feel they should thank me the hardest thing for them was a bit of extra calcium in the water 😂

[@lucyogutu-lumuli7253]

A lot of sound advise in this video that really resonated with me. Thank you for the candid talk, it felt like a therapy session (in a very good way).

[@BasiePlants]

I am so happy to hear this! That was the goal. :) I mean, not the therapy part, but hey, I'll take it! :D

[@thorstenberninger]

Best episode I’ve seen so far on your channel. ❤

[@PetraEmmy]

Absolutely FANTASTIC video Miro 👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you Petra

[@bugsandbrushes]

Was listening to you while watering my plants after I've been putting it off for a bit too long. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the this, you're the kind voice we all need sometimes. :)

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad you got to water your plants :) I actually should do that too xD But definitely NOT listen to myself 😂

[@bugsandbrushes]

@@BasiePlants there is a lot of "should",going around anyways. No harm in missing one. Hope you're having an awesometacular day, with or without watering ✌️

[@heatheru3089]

This was so perfect for me today. I do love my plants, but I need to remember to take care of me, ❤too.

[@BasiePlants]

Exactly! :) And then of course, you can take care of them better :)

[@AngelaBernard-or9dg]

Great as usual. My age just plain limits me. I do use self watering pots but they can also be made by using two containers of different sizes. When necessary use two plastic cups that fit inside one another with space for the water below and can even use cotton thick string for the wick. Maybe even put the two cups into another pot so they can't be knocked over easily. My collection just keeps growing but I am limited on window space. I am always on the look out for items that I can hang things from (an old coat rack). I even am hanging some from of my weaving looms. Anyway you were full of great advice. It is a holiday weekend here in USA and I am off to my son's summer cottage.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes, self-watering pots (and all the related hacks) are a game changer! I regret not using them from the get-go. I hope you have a great day at the summer cottage :)

[@OlanaMissura]

That was a wonderful message, Miro, thank you so much for making this video! All of those tips are helpful for planty things, but just as much for all the other life things we all have to deal with. Thank you!

[@BasiePlants]

You're welcome :) I agree! A lot of these are not just plant related xD Especially with the planning and trying not to spiral :)

[@diannklotzbier7447]

Miro! I so appreciate this video! The subject hit home. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you for watching

[@deborahmcsweeney3349]

Sometimes I have to just push through and do my plant chores, but I always feel better afterwards! Plants just do that! But I don't have as many as you do!!! Lol under 100 plants here!!! Thanks for being honest!!

[@BasiePlants]

Haha :D Well, even though it is under 100 plants that is still a lot and a major chore! I tend to take them in batches of 50 :D or less xD (when I water) Even less when I repot. :)

[@pamgustaveson3735]

Forgot. A friend just told me about her 30 minute rule which is one you mentioned. Pick a task and after spending 30 minutes on it, quit. Its amazing what one can do in 30 minutes. Cheers. Pam😊

[@BasiePlants]

Yes! :) Limiting yourself with time is really great. I think sometime when we do a task it doesn't feel like you did much but if you translate to time, it is easier to comprehend. Kind of like - "Wow, I only repotted 10 plants, that is nothing!" VS "Wow, I was repotting for a whole hour there!" :D

[@charissecarrigan2945]

Something else I've chosen to do...is NOT buy any further plants for THREE months. I feel like I just want a rest and to recuperate without any of my current plants suffering. But I am still convinced I'm going to purge more plants by gifting to friends and family. I'll know when I'm down to the "few" I'm willing to deal with on a daily basis. 🙃

[@MelissaWalker82]

So important to talk about and well spoken.

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you

[@amandacountryman8024]

I can't thank you enough for this video! I've been in a pretty bad slump for about 6 months and feel horrible about how I've been tending to my Hoyas. All of which have aphids. They didn't get here today, and they will be fine until tomorrow. Thanks, Miro! I appreciate this more than you know! ❤️❤️❤️

[@KathyGallagher01]

This particular video has been extremely useful to me as I’m going through the low energy phase you are talking about. I’m going to watch this again no doubt when needed. People tell you not to feel guilty when you watch KZbin videos while they are sitting surrounded with spectacular looking plants LOL not so sure that helps or makes one feel even worse 😉. I am going to thank you though what you said is very true and we do have to stop feeling so guilty, even better step away from the situation to get your thoughts together. Once again thank you 🙏🏽💚✌️🪴

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad it was useful

[@christinak9587]

I really needed to hear/see this video. I was ready to sell my Hoya collection two days ago because I'm just so exhausted and overwhelmed. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Some days I love all my plants and some days I couldn't care less. Thank you for bringing all of this up.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh yeah, I thought about selling a lot of my hoyas many times :) it comes and goes. I try to sit on those thoughts for few days and I always find that they go away pretty quickly :) Same with plant love - some days I love them all and I love to open my tents and look at all of them and some days I am pretty grateful I have the tents so I don't need to see them 24/7 :D

[@luminafilm306]

I actually have only 10 Hoyas! (Not counting props) And I have been subscribeb to you since I had only two 😆 I am super picky with which plants I aquire and I went straight for the rare section after my first two. I have limited space and limited time, so sometimes I even grow a full plant from a cutting, and then give it away. Growing a full plant from a small cutting is what I find the most enjoyable, so thats what I do. This was a great video! (As always) So thank you. ❤

[@BasiePlants]

Wow! I only got you when you had two hoyas?! :D Well I am glad to hear your hoya collection grew :) And I think itis great to be selecitve with which plants you get - something I am trying to implement more but I have an occasional slip 😅

[@michaelkerley452]

I really needed this today. You have made me laugh and smile. I have been dealing with a spider mite outbreak in my aroids and am very close to a massive cull with a sledge hammer! Had a meeting with a surgeon this week and almost took everything green outside with the trash. Thank you 😊

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad then the video has come at a right time for you

[@lynnep6514]

Thank you Miro! You gave us so many great tips! I have very low energy due to a chronic illness. Pacing is everything! I have almost all my hoya in self watering pots now. I hung wire baskets on my wire wall grids. Now those hoya all have self watering pots. 💚

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad you found something that works well for you! :) It sounds like a pretty good solution!

[@planttherapy1860]

I appreciate hearing this advice!

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad to hear that! :)

[@planttherapy1860]

@BasiePlants I also love your hoya summer camp series! I am trying your suggestions for coco peat, perlite, coco chips and bark. I think I realized that perlite may have been too much for one of my latifolias.

[@asthecrowflyshomestead675]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you.

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad to hear that

[@Vannessabezzant]

Love this video! I totally agree about hanging plants getting neglected oooppps :/ lol I'm always hanging them up cz it looks so cute but then immediately after regretting it lololololol

[@suvivirtanen8242]

Thank you for the tips, I will definetly try to be more selective and limit myself to avoid getting exhausted.

[@BasiePlants]

I think that is a great idea :) Also, less likely to get burn out with plants.

[@jaana51]

Thank you soo much! ❤

[@janicew740]

Thank you Miro! A kind message from a kind voice. Also, thank you for reminding me that my 100 plants is not a small amount.

[@BasiePlants]

Not small amount at all! Hahaha :D I think anything over 40 plants is no longer considered small. :D

[@TinaNottinghamLass]

Just thank you for this video ❤

[@BasiePlants]

I hope it was helpful

[@1ebonystar]

I ❤your channel content & you. Hello from New Jersey, USA

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad you do! Greetins from Serbia :)

[@karenb136]

Super good advice Miro! I downsized my collection to an amount that gave me more time to enjoy caring for the ones I kept. (And gave me some room in my small apartment) I’m loving the ones I kept even more now and am not overwhelmed anymore. If I buy one now I’m very selective and only get one I’ve wanted for some time. Not just watching a plant video and thinking I need one of every kind being talked about 😁 I hope you have a good week Miro. Awesome hair. 🌱💚🌱

[@BasiePlants]

Yes, I think it is very hard to resist when you see someone show a beautiful plant you don't have. Or when we see it on IG, Pinterest etc. But I really try to be very selective and to think what I can gift, trade, sell in order to get some other plant in. I used to definitely want to have as many hoyas as possible but now I think limiting myself is the best approach and having them around until they bloom and then just picking favorites :)

[@vixistixi]

Thank you for this! When I spiral I feel like I deserve all the bad things that come my way like plant deaths-which in turn makes me feel even worse. I’ll try your pointers in future, seems like good tips! Xx

[@BasiePlants]

You definitely don't deserve none of the bad things! But I do understand, as someone who gets very harsh towards himself with words. I hope the video helps a bit

[@123astbury]

I'm going to say it, "it's just a plant!" There are many plants I absolutely love, but do I love them more than my mental wellbeing? No. I have hundreds of plants, so when my energy is low, I set myself a task. One day, the task was to remove one yellow leaf that was mocking me every time I passed it. I pulled that sucker off and gave myself a high 5, job well done! Don't beat yourself up. Do what you can when you can.

[@BasiePlants]

I definitely agree! however, I see a lot of time that people do give themselves a hard time for not taking care of their plants well. And I think it's probably a more complex issue :) For example, you can't take care of your plants well and suddenly you feel very negative about yourself and like you can't do anything right. What I also wanted to discuss - and perhaps this is a topic for a future video - is how I too frequently see people say getting more plants is a 'fix' for depression and a way to be happy, but I actually disagree. But again, topic for some other time. I completely agree with you - if I have low energy, I will do just one thing and the plant better be happy about it xD

[@123astbury]

@@BasiePlants 💕 This was a great video.

[@Plantlexia]

THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@BasiePlants]

[@mwoods4608]

I added vermiculite to my plants and it has helped with having to water so frequently!

[@BasiePlants]

Great tip! :) When I lay off the perlite it helps as well xD

[@herrenfam]

This is a great topic! I have transferred most of my Hoyas to self-watering pots, which give me a big grace period for watering, but I have times in which I can’t water at all. My family helped me, but it was still too much work (and some got overwatered) So for my birthday last year, I received a battery-powered 2gallon sprayer. No more pumping, and the water flows really fast so I can water most of my plants in about 15 minutes. Also, I thought your point about stopping in the middle of watering when you are super tired. I was raised by farmers to never stop a chore until it’s 100% done. Which isn’t the most practical thing to do nowadays. But I’ve been working on changing it. I look forward to next week’s video!

[@BasiePlants]

Oh I am totally all about not stopping the chore until it is 100% done but my issue is, the chores are sometimes way too unrealistic - and not clearly definied. So for example, I will say I need to water all 300 hoyas and all my aroids and then somehow I will include in there showering the plants, cleaning the cabintes, tents and moping the floors and push myself to do all of it and that is no longer watering :D But I definitely try to stop now and kinda of say it is okay to do half of what I envisioned :) That sprayer sounds awesome! I saw some battery powered ones, and I was thinking about it xD Do you have to charge it often?

[@herrenfam]

@@BasiePlants I’m glad you’re working on not doing quite so much all at once! I absolutely agree when you said that if you push yourself to get everything done, you end up making yourself exhausted for the next day or two. I’m absolutely like that! My therapist urged me to create a journal. In it, I have an ongoing plant chore list, and every day I devote 30 minutes to working on any task from that list. I also separately write down what I did that day because my brain always tricks me into thinking I am lazy and get nothing done. For me, seeing it in writing makes it “real.” As for the battery powered watering can, it’s the greatest invention since sliced bread lol I charge it about once every 3 watering sessions. It takes about 3 hours to charge it back up. It’s fairly powerful because I can still water hanging plants.

[@Aquamarine.Aubrey]

Hi Miro! I love this video so much! Always learn a lot from you! I usually root in Fluval/ perlite mix. But sometimes I have trouble when I switch the rooted cutting to its permanent substrate (either pon or soil). I don't know why this happens to me.

[@BasiePlants]

Usually this will happen because of the change in conditions - I never rooted in fluval, but I try to keep similar conditions when I repot; mix that will retain similar amount of moisture and that will have similar amount of air.

[@od.vandeveer]

Great topic. I dont think you have to ph balance in pon, only in leca, i never do and the plants do fine. And if you dont get to fertilize enough use slow release fertilizer like osmocote. That lasts a long time so you only need to do it a couple of times per year.

[@curlsbynat9763]

I love carnivorous plants. You can incorporate them with the plants. I have 2 pings that attract fungus gnats, and my plethora of venus flytraps that captures other bugs.

[@katiewilliams9273]

From most expensive to least expensive 😊

[@BasiePlants]

Hahaha :D It depends :) A lot of my inexpensive plants get better care than the more expensive ones (and more love xD)

[@_hazplants]

Hi Miro! I think, selfwatering pots are overpriced, in a way. Of course, such pots were specially designed for their purpose, they work well and you get some more free time, but, to me, they all look ugly and wrong in their proportions. In this case, for a self-watering pot you need only an inner plant pot with an edge that sits on the top edge of the outer planter. There then remains a small reservoir at the bottom of the pot, which one brings into capillary connection with the substrate via microfiber fabric cut into strips. By now I put these microfiber strips in every plant pot, even if I cultivate the plant differently at first. If necessary, they can also be inserted into the substrate from below. Personally, the missing water level indicator does not bother me so much with this variant, since they were very susceptible with me anyway, so I removed them. Knowing that the reservoir saves me from the impending disaster is enough for me. The method scales up a lot (since ultimately everything is just a modified DWC). But, because of the long residence time of the nutrient solution in the reservoir, it is true (for professional and DIY solutions) that the plant can shift the ion spectrum into a toxic range over time. Then the nutrient solution must be checked and replaced at an early stage. However, this duration can be maximized with an ion exchange resin such as "Lewatit HD 50". Lewatit also eliminates the need to control the pH, without which a DWC would otherwise not work for so long. My largest Hoya (nearly 4 meters of royal blueblood) gets its reservoir topped off only two or three times a year and still grows and blooms. It couldn't be any simpler.

[@BasiePlants]

The self-watering pots I use are only 3 euros :) For comparission, a cover pot of the same size would be 2 euros and I could never find cover pots of the right proportions here where you could actually have a reservoir at the bottom that could hold water for more than 4-5 days. I used to do the microfiber thing several years ago, for aroids (and some hoyas) and it worked well, but because we only have 2-3 brands of cover pots, it was really hard to find something that would be suitable for self-watering. All the reservoirs would be empty in less than a week. :/ I don't mind the proportions of these Santino self-watering pots I use, they look fairly comparable to the regular pots (just slightly taller), they are not so wide and stumpy like most of the Lechuza ones and certainly nowhere near that expensive. They don't have an indicator sadly (I assume that is why they are only 3 euros) but they do have a small window (or you can buy clear ones) and see the level inside :) So far they have been working out for me well, but I definitely couldn not go without watering for more than 3 weeks still. I am impressed to hear you only water that tall hoya 2-3 times a year. How big is the reservoir? Oh another thing I dislike about these - they are not matte. I really dislike shiny pots xD And another thing that was an issue here - finding nursery pots that go well with cover pots. Absolutely maddening. Nothing fits well and they either stick out or the cover pot is far too large. You can only buy soft plastic nursery pots here, the kind that local greenhouses use when they produce perrenials en masse - they are really only meant to be used for a season since they tend to fall apart by themselves. On the bright side, they are super cheap. You can get 100 for 1 euro. But I would definitely prefer more durable ones...

[@_hazplants]

@@BasiePlants I've measured it for us. The reservoir holds just under 4 liters. The planter has 30cm diameter, the matching terracotta pot 31cm. This results visually in a nicely extended upward line of the planter. The Hoya itself is in a much smaller 17cm orchid pot with a volume of 2.4 liters. This configuration was never intended to be the final solution, but it worked so well with coarse-grained Kanuma that I didn't change anything for the time being. Fortunately, I don't have any other such huge Hoyas. The fact that there are no matching clear plastic pots really bugs me, too. With terracotta I have hardly any problems to find a suitable combination. I already had the crazy idea to thermally deep-draw a thin plexiglass plate into the terracotta pot. But because of the insane effort I could just hold back. 😂 Miro, maybe it's time to take the specific Hoya claims gained from years of experience and turn them into a product. I know with a fairly high degree of certainty that I'm not the only one who would gratefully accept something like that from your pen. In case a mailforward in Germany is of any help for you, I can check the prices to serbia. As far as I remember its 18€ for 2kg and 30€ for 5kg tracked.

[@bigB442]

If my plants would stress me like you discribed, i would get Eis of them …. It is not worth 😊 you are much more Important!

[@atociekawe9136]

Hello 👋👋🤗❤

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

💚

[@jardin.defuego]

🙏🏻💝🌿

[@simonesiebert7571]

I just buy new plants to motivate me :)

[@BasiePlants]

Hahaha :D Maybe that is what I am unconciously doing with all the hoyas xD

[@melanieklarofficial]

Hundreds of plants

[@debbibowen]

Accepting help is hard. I try to remember that helping people makes me feel good, and I should allow that to others. It helps.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes :) It makes me very happy to be able to help someone out so I try to remember that when someone tries to help me out - it actually may make them happy to do so :)

[@lisacampbell9257]

Omg! I am just now going through this! I don't even know how many African violets I have just yeeted.

[@BasiePlants]

Ugh, same :D But those little buggers are so addictive XD The issue is, they grow so fast and I find them IRRESISTIBLE when they are small, especially the miniatures. But even miniatures don't stay miniatures xD

[@leslieshaw8594]

I would like to take some time to thank... you Miro! Thank you for this content, We just bought and moved into our first house. I discovered that I may have a few more than 300, as previously thought. Again, thank you for this, I feel so very validated. 🥰🪴💚