PLANT DEBATES PART 2 | My opinion on controversial topics in the plant community

[@Rayxster]

I'm all for wet sticks, but the price they're going for is beyond insane, especially because it is SUCH a gamble. I'd rather pay a buck more and get a cutting with a whole leaf and some roots. When I start selling my Albos(I'm setting up some mother plants right now) I will NOT sell cuttings and wet sticks for more than I'd be willing to pay for one myself. Everybody deserves as Albo, they're so much fun and should not be reserved for the elite.

[@martinanemcokova917]

omg I bough a nice cutting of monstera albo with a big leaf for 55 dollars in Europe. it rooted within 2 months and the first leaf was fenestrated. guys the prices in the US are too much. please make a video about it.

[@Weirder_the_better]

Omgggggg I love how you just threw in that amazing mention about the houseplant mixture and then moved on like it wasn’t a big deal. WHAT!? That is awesome and so exciting!!

[@robynlemley6651]

The question about loosening the roots.. I'm all for loosening it. I've lost numerous plants due to not doing that. Its like the plant don't realize there's more room in the pot or something. When they're dead and you remove it, it's still in a root ball, even when it has been months.

[@TheLexiButt]

in reference to wet sticks- something i’m currently working on is opening an online shop for more uncommon plants! plants where you may be lucky to find them at your local greenhouse, and others where you may have to purchase online! for example, some plants that are more difficult for me to get in my area- ANY scindapsus, “string of” plants, monstera of sorts- and plants that you’d have to buy online like specific philodendron/anthurium/alocasia. I’m slowly growing my collection so I can propagate these plants and sell them for lower prices than what is available on etsy/ebay/etc. I am so excited to get my plants growing so I am able to offer this by next summer hopefully!!! I don’t like the price gouging- it makes your dream plants seem unattainable when they TOTALLY ARE AND SHOULD BE.

[@crochet4life331]

Please provide a link when you open it

[@kima8670]

Yes please!

[@aerabus8339]

I’d definitely be down to check this shop out when it opens! 😊

[@makenseyhallin8662]

Love that comment at the end- everybody supports the plant community as a great place but when you see it through the BST pages you’ll see a lot of sneakiness/I’m better than you attitude. The community isn’t as private anymore it’s becoming extremely saturated so the idea that the plant community is always perfect is going out the window, and a lot of unaware people are falling victim to it! Maybe a video on how to acknowledge good buyers and when to choose to buy a rare plant from someone

[@ShaineFrolicswithfoliage]

I'm just here to say that I've been feeling really blehhh lately, but whenever I come to watch your videos, you always completely change my mood! You just exude positivity and your whole vibe is just everything the world is missing in 2020. Thank you so much for being a content creator and for being you!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Awww😭😭 that is the best thing to hear!!! Thank you so much ❤️

[@esperanzagarces3856]

Awesome reference video. I gave up for lent plant purchases this year so i get an opportunity to watch my current plant babies grow. I just need to focus on how to prevent gnats from coming into my apartment as we are getting warmer weather and i get to open my windows. Love ya Becca!!!!

[@lynnsteiner1580]

*Excellent video, thanks. Foliage 100% East window Usually wait a couple of weeks to repot Loosen roots upon repotting Both trailing & vining but prefer trailing

[@randommoonphase8602]

I just found your channel recently through Harli G and I'm loving both your channel's. ❤

[@LukeAntunes]

Agree about wet sticks. It’s so hard to hear you say negative people infiltrating the plant community. Such a bummer! Hopefully with people like yourself exuding positivity, the negativity will stay at bay. Thank you for sharing Becca!!

[@sallyalwayswins]

I feel you on the soil thing. The only soil I feel comfortable using out of the bag is the Victorian Atlanta’s soil. I’m so glad they have different mixes for aroids, tropical, succulents, etc.

[@plantdustwoman]

Lololol as a aunt of 5 I laughed out loud at that comment 😂😂😂🖤 loved this video!!!! Got me through my morning work! 👍🏼👍🏼✨

[@sherryporsch9349]

Lol Aunt giving back the kid! 😂 I’m not team, “Wet Stick” I’ll wait until Costa comes out with a Albo. Prices are crazy, that’s great for you if you can afford it, but a bunch of us can’t, or won’t pay the prices today. 😃

[@Yoruzena]

Costa Farms is coming out with Thai constellations, not albos :) they're both variegated monsteras but not the same kind

[@sherryporsch9349]

Angela Y yes I know their different, already have a Thai, but thanks for info. I heard they were coming out with more just the Thai?

[@Yoruzena]

@@sherryporsch9349 If they are coming out with albo, it's just speculation or gossip spreading around the community. Costa Farms hasn't confirmed anything about an albo unlike the Thai.

[@nicolegallegos1257]

I use a spray bottle with water to 'scare' my cats away from my plants. They still nibble so I do have all nontoxic and my one pothos (it was my late moms plant) I keep away to not tempt them lol.

[@HelloJungleRoom]

Yesss Becca, preach! I love that last message you shared. No wet stick should go for more than $50. It’s gotten crazy

[@NoName-fk4fw]

I love these videos, very informational and you are the sweetest!! ♥️♥️

[@lisapettit7334]

SO funny! I JUST watched your first plant debate video yesterday and then this one pops up! Great timing. I am also an Auntie to ferns and Calatheas (although, I am having a bit of luck with them in terrariums)...death in a pot!

[@thehattersmadness1957]

OMG! That cactus soil!! I ordered it the day I watched your video. I tweeked it a tiny bit with some worm castings and a bit of old potting soil I was trying to use up but, girl that stuff is the BEST! I hope they bump up production because it will now be sold out like everything else. Haha! TFS. Now I feel like repotting all my Aroid’s !❤️✌🏻🌿🌱🍃

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

That’s so awesome!!! I’m really glad to hear you love their soil 😍 I do too, it’s the best!

[@victoriaberngard588]

I am trying soilless growing (LECA/lechuza pon/seramis) and, I have to admit, it is going pretty well

[@NerdyKathi]

I can't say I'm passionate about it, but I use coco coir stakes, and my experience has been that I don't need to keep it wet. My monstera (plain old green) is growing like crazy, in winter, and whilst it appreciates something to climb, I think it's growing so well because I've put the aerial roots back in the soil. I also like the fact that coco coir is more sustainable.

[@JustGeenuh]

I honestly was oblivious about all of these debates! 😅 so educational!

[@marimel4552]

I have a few plant friends all of us are noobs so I really appreciate insights like these! 💚🌿

[@mollyhuber932]

So awesome seeing you in the dress after watching the video on your other channel!! Also appreciate your note at the end -- so true! Love you and your videos keep the convos going!!! 😍

[@puttingdownroots4457]

I can't fathom paying hundreds of dollars for any plant... I don't trust myself enough not to kill them! But I do wish the plant community was more accessible, I root cuttings to give away to friends often to spread the plant love without people having to spend a ton of money!

[@WeirdonikaMetalchick]

I love these! Make more parts to this series 🤭🤓 And I have a question to all of you 🙈 What do you recommend instead of neem oil as pest prevention/treatment? 🙈 I can't stand the smell... It makes me gag and I get headaches... No matter how little I use 😅😂

[@katherine3389]

Something that works really well for pest prevention is to add some hydrogen peroxide to the water you water your plants with. I also hate the smell of neem oil

[@WeirdonikaMetalchick]

@@katherine3389 happy to see some else that has some strong feelings about neem oil 🙈😂 I know that you can water plants with that. But what about spraying your foliage? 🙈

[@notsurewhatisgoingon]

I use rubbing alcohol/water/dish soap. It works GREAT and hasn't damaged my plants at all.

[@CazSantiago]

I too don't like the smell of neem oil. You can add peppermint essential oil to your mixture to counter it. I add 10 drops per quart of mixture. Et voila!

[@kima8670]

@@WeirdonikaMetalchick Harli G did a video about using peroxide and she sprayed the foliage.

[@OrianaFunkhouser]

How the heck do you keep moss poles moist?? I spray everyday and have been for over a month and nothing seems to be attaching

[@michelea2326]

I'm an auntie to alllll the frens and ivy AT THE NURSERIES!!! 😆🌿

[@plantyplonts959]

Love these videos!! I didn't even realize Jute poles were even a thing. might do this tag ....

[@Blake_YT33]

Love this video! Thank you for sharing and great idea for the tag video! Hope your besties take you up on it, love to hear their thoughts as well!

[@notsurewhatisgoingon]

I can't wait until your video about price gouging, I have so many opinions about this and I'm here for it. 😂

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

😂

[@plantsinner5072]

ooooooo.totally agree with the buy big or buy small. I would never buy small string of pearls. Go big or go home! haha. i've tried it twice and gave up so now I have a 6 inch long one and it's doing great. I use EIGHT too (for some reason I was look for SEVEN! 😂). I gave up on trying the other way. I was stressed out and had dreams of bugs in every plant! 🥺 EIGHT is great. 😂 NO wet sticks! i just couldn't.

[@randommoonphase8602]

I got a wet stick monstera in a $15 mystery cutting box from etsy (it came with 10 cuttings) it's been 2 months and it finally has a leaf sprouting, I'm so excited!

[@twistysunshine]

Betsy Begonia has a video on training cats to leave plants alone!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Ooooh!!!

[@savannawhite104]

Have you ever planted two different varieties of the “same plant” in the same pot? For example: I have one ficus elastica burgundy cutting and one ficus elastica tineke cutting that i want to plant together. So far I havnt found any videos on it. 🌱 love the video btw

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

You can definitely do that!!

[@hilroyygal]

Can you do a video on your anthurium clarunervium/ collecting pollen/ planting them when u have seeds :) Love your channel!

[@gabrielpatten6939]

For loosening houseplant roots, I recently heard you can soak the bare roots in warm water and they'll relax. Have yet to try it

[@notsurewhatisgoingon]

Yep, I've done that a number of times with great success. Especially for plants that are seriously root bound they tend to be kind of dehydrated since the roots overfilled the pot and prevented the ability to get properly hydrated. I've soaked large plants like my monster and a huge P. Hope for up to 24 hours and they REALLY perked up. I untangle what I can while removing as much soil as possible, place vertical cuts on 3 sides, and when I replant I use mycorrhizal fungi and water with fish fertilizer. It works so well I've not even had a single leaf drop and no stress with a big jump in growth.

[@MsChristinaLS]

I would LOVE to know if anyone has grown a full, healthy and thriving plant from a wet stick

[@HeartShapedLeaves]

YUP💯❤️

[@KaylaBowen]

Yup!

[@Sophie-gv8pj]

I have a wet stick propogation from my philodendron brasil and in about 5 months all it has done is put out a few roots and a tiny deformed leaf smh

[@marywave]

I grew a Monstera Deliciosa (non variegated) from a wet stock that had three nodes. Two years later It is massive and the leaves are huge and have secondary holes!

[@Alext357911]

For moss poles I use pvc pipes with holes drilled into it. I cap the bottom that goes into the plant before putting it into the pot, and cover it with sphagnum like a normal pole. Then when I need to water the plant I just pour the water down the tub and the sphagnum gets watered too!!

[@Alext357911]

Tube**

[@ThePlantKing]

I really you this video and You are so kind to let other youtubers use these same questions, I definitely would love to use them in a future video.

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

☺️❤️

[@elianabriones9365]

I think I began collecting in the wrong year..lol this is my second year and If i sell something for the prices that goes now ...I'm the worst person in the world and if I sell it for less everybody wants to be my friend. Is a doble moral in this community! I feel! Anyways good vid!😍

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Agh yeah I totally understand that thought :(

[@dubindie]

"When there's a demand, there will be a supply." Queen of economics!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Lololol

[@TheJungleUpstairs]

I think you’re finally convincing me to get a moss pole 😬

[@maryannbrown9217]

I have found several plants with spider mites and am going to buy eight to try to get rid of them as none of the homemade remedies are working 😪

[@TheLexiButt]

I have had success with dish soap and water! but applying it religiously every day sometimes twice a day until I feel they’re gone!

[@maryannbrown9217]

@@TheLexiButt Thanks so much, I will try this method

[@juliezackrison3255]

You can train your cat to leave your plants alone with a water spray bottle. A quick squirt when they get too close works great!

[@carayj]

I found it interesting you havent "found" a potting soil mix that your plants cant or wont survive in. I have been growing plants for 20ys have never has issues with my plants living in store brought soil.🌿☘🍀 West facing windows is the best for plants that need bright light

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

I have used potting mixes straight off the shelves, my plants just aren’t very happy in them! I usually make amendments to store bought soil by adding pumice and orchid bark.

[@Lisa222aries]

There are some plants that are "easy" to grow that I just can't keep alive. I have a 'three strikes you're out' rule, so if I fail 3 times, I'm done. I bought a gorgeous, huge jade plant, almost killed it, managed to propagate it, got about 8 little jade plants from it and planted them together. Within days it began to dye once again. I also fail at aloe. I'm basically a bad succulent mom and need to become a great succulent aunt.

[@crochet4life331]

Maybe you should water less cause in my experience succulent and cacti thrive on neglect just leave them in a well lit corner forget about them and you do remember they exist just water it but be careful not to over water or just water once every three weeks

[@Lisa222aries]

ThatsWhatSheSaid I just lost a cactus yesterday to mush. Definitely overwatering it. But I only water it when it registers bone dry on the water meter. 😭

[@crochet4life331]

@@Lisa222aries oh you use a moisture meter I was thinking buying one soon but If you water from the top than maybe try seeing if the soil sticks to you fingers when you touch it cause if it does it's not fully dry and if the plants in a plastic plant just pull the whole body if soil out (gently) to see if the soil is saturated also with succulent and cacti water them literally never and If you tend to helicopter parent your pants then water on a schedule

[@Lisa222aries]

@@crochet4life331 Yes, I have a moisture meter and I'm a ridiculous helicopter plant mom. I have about 200 plants and I poke them almost daily to see how wet the soil is. I just don't trust myself because in the past I killed every plant I owned.

[@crochet4life331]

@@Lisa222aries oh r.i.p to your past plants I only have four and the turmoil of not having something plant related to do everyday is killing me

[@tune_smith]

Do you have a link to the pesticide you use?

[@tessadubois3679]

Becca, Nicole, and Adam should start a plant podcast.

[@RLAnkrum]

Great advice. I appreciate the knowledge & sharing experiences!

[@leafyfeatherz6975]

My chickens LOVE my euphorbias. I finally had to move them because the chickens were causing so much damage. Oddly, it doesn't hurt my chickens at all.

[@caitttiemarchi]

what was the pesticide for spider mites she referred to?? I can't seem to find it!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

It’s called Eight 😆

[@caitttiemarchi]

@@BeccaDeLaPlants thank u thank u!! 😊😊

[@jessalinnguyen1504]

Yayyy! I’ve been waiting for another plant debates vid!!

[@cameroncox4268]

Girl im so excited for ur soil mix!!!

[@aimeehodgin6359]

:) Great video!! Thanx! Happy Weekend!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

❤️❤️❤️

[@petecilione4166]

Good advice.

[@justinkunheeyi]

I’ve killed so many burros tails...BUT one time I bought one last one and said you’re gonna die anyways an I ignored it. Lord behold I have a long and healthy burros tail!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

They love to be ignored!! Haha

[@annemartineparent6769]

Hey Becca! Always nice to see a new video from you. I don’t find the “join” button; could it be because I’m in Canada?

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Oooh that could definitely be why. :(

[@stardoll1995]

Loved all the topics you brought up! 😄

[@jennkort3133]

I’m so excited for your soil mix!!

[@HerebutNot]

Eaaaaast windows are the fricken best!

[@octaviaschulte6419]

Another great vid! Lots of common sense here!

[@Kand1210]

I feel like the answer to most of these questions is "it depends." ...it really does though...🤣

[@crochet4life331]

Tru

[@feralphantom]

My cat eats anything with thin sharp leaves like palms for example. Anything with thick waxy leaves he doesn't bother lol. Thankfully I can't keep palms alive anyway.

[@dantem.ginsey4608]

I feel like people should first wait for wet sticks to grow to see that they succeed in the process. Especially when charging so much money

[@sprinkleddonuts3502]

Wow! Well done I watch you wen I’m feeling happy!

[@samai90]

what is your opinion on people propagating plants that are still under patent? do you think they are ethical or stealing from both Breeders & Growers that paid for the patents?

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Oooh definitely a no no! I think this is something that is not discussed a ton in the houseplant world, I’m keen to do some research and learn more!!

[@samai90]

@@BeccaDeLaPlants yes, i think it should be discuss more. I hope you can spread the word around :)

[@jonnaseppanen9388]

Pyrethrin might be the only pestiside that works to spidermites.

[@TheCompletelyCrazyMe]

Can I just say if I like a plant and cannot keep it alive I’m okay with that, fresh flowers last 10 days and I would still choose to buy a plant over it even if it is just for a period.

[@notsurewhatisgoingon]

I'd never buy a wet stick but I can't imagine paying hundreds of dollars on a wet stick that the seller couldn't even be bothered to root first. But I guess they run the risk of not making much money if they don't root.

[@mswaterlilly1]

Do you think those outrageous prices will go down over a year or so as the market gets flooded with these species???

[@adrian4314]

My cat doesn't really eat my plants just knocks them over. The only time she ate them is when I first started collecting plants but I would tell her to stop and she kinda learned to not eat them I guess

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

That’s good!! Definitely heard of them knocking things over 😂

[@alissasousa5370]

Do you guys like hydroponics?

[@mrssabre2946]

I don't understand the wet sticks at all

[@reyhosein2533]

I've met ppl from the plant community in my country, few are actually nice, majority are a money hungry bunch who lie so much to the consumer that I'm suprised their noses dont grow......I'm just being real.

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

:((( sad that it’s going that way

[@justiceg1789]

Lol you can tell you are moving...you background is so bare🤣🤣🤣

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Hahaha!

[@chicmommaplants9692]

🌿🌿🌿💕

[@victoriaberngard588]

who else is struggling to keep moss poles wet for more than 2 hours? ✋

[@aninaclaes]

You can put a wet towel on the top of the pole and it will soak the water!

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

😂

[@rikkeluveplants4530]

I don't have peace liy because my dog likes to smell and lick them with a happy tail :D

[@GAD_2024]

🌵💚

[@Nettietwixt]

This might seem like a nasty comment but none of these seem very controversial or even debates, just your choices on common experiences and trying to remind people to be sensible. I wish there were more plant KZbinrs with horticultural training as I think half the questions would get answered from a place of knowledge which really seems to be lacking in the houseplant community. It seems like the same ideas go around and around without anyone taking the time to really learn and pass on information with some basis in deeper knowledge or experience. I think the debate with moss poles should really be around the environmental impact of the use of moss not really which you prefer stylistically or for growing purposes. I've been trying to minimise my use of moss for years but this was something that began quite a long time ago with the move away from using peat based compost.

[@TatianaDelarosa247]

Putting a comment like that with those strong words you must be the one gonna starts giving the knowledge then come on with it don’t judge if you ain’t gonna put your best foot forward and do the right thing by giving what you judging about k k and that’s my opinion k

[@BeccaDeLaPlants]

Hey that’s really great feedback and I do appreciate that. I don’t see it as a nasty comment at all, there are definitely youtubers who take on the approach you’re hoping for - maybe try out houseplant journal if you haven’t already. Even (or especially) as hobbyists it’s important that we consider the environmental impacts of collecting as well as what is happening on a deeper level with our plants, I totally recognize that. This video wasn’t for that but I appreciate your comment because it reminds me that there is a need to sprinkle in fact-based knowledge as well as experience-based knowledge. This will definitely inform my content moving forward!

[@elJefe-Dislyte]

I’m glad for your last comment. I feel like with all these debates, you and I think very much alike - especially with elitism and shady people. I’ve seen a few of those already and I just eye roll so hard and hit that unfollow button.

[@Honey_1312]

Goddddd the elitists in the plant community are so gross. I was so discouraged when I first got into plants until I found people who weren’t so gross lol.