10 Things Plant Experts Do That You Probably Don't

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

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[@bubblephobiaoftheshire]

What really accelerated my plant growth was using aquarium water. I have a large tub with about 5 turtles, and when I do a water change I use their water to water my plants about once a week. You can also use fish water which would be just as good. I also keep my tropical plants near this tub so they can benefit from the humidity.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Sounds great 👍

[@theDoryLama]

The basic concept of aquaponics. The turtles are proving your plants with nutrient rich water.

[@CourtneySchwartz]

Specifically Nitrogen-rich.

[@marklawrence8488]

Not only is it nutrient rich but we also regularly buffer the water PH for aquatic pets which is also beneficial compared to (usually very) alkaline water straight out the tap.

[@DavidRodriguez-gl5pn]

Nitrates in the poop

[@Baurax]

Summary: 1) 0:19 Change soil at least once a year plus repot to a bigger pot. 2) 1:24 Only water plants when neeed (less is usually more as overwatering leads to rotting roots). 3) 2:35 Try to know the needs of each of your plants individually (sun exposure, soil moisture, nutrience, ...). - Use Google Lens to reasearch your plants! 4) 3:33 Check for pests. (also check for pests as you buying the plant, e.g. spider mites webbings) 5) 4:51 Leave your plants to do their thing - don't fuss with them too often! (moving them over home constantly, overwatering, fertilizing too often, ...) 6) 5:55 Avoid putting plants into direct sunlight. (especially tropical plants will get sun burn rather quickly) 7) 7:04 Prune your plants to remove damaged leaves/party and to get rid of molds and pests. (but not too much and not to regularly) 8) 8:15 Bonus Tip: Turn kitchen scraps into fertilizers! (water your plant with COOLED cooking water used for pasta/rice/vegetables/eggs) Thank you for the lovely video! There were a few things that I did not know before. :)

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you and thanks for chaptering 😁

[@icantthinkofagoodname1838]

I would add to number 1 that if you don't want to pot up to a bigger pot, then with some plants like ficus you can prune the root ball and top by 1/3, rinse the old dirt out of the roots and then repot it back in the old pot with new dirt.

[@ashleymichaelkaritis]

I also disagree with the "repot annually." For example, a peace lily loves to be tightly snug in its space. I'm very conservative about repotting those guys and do so once I see quite a bit of roots out the bottom. I believe this is the case for the ZZ plant as well. Basically, it's providing just enough care to sustain the plant and the right conditions to cultivate just enough "fight," as competition in plants is what makes them grow (think of competing plants in a crowded tropical forest floor).

[@Greenrocketqueen]

That’s actually really interesting. Is that something to apply universally to root bound preferring plants?

[@CatLover-23]

@@SheffieldMadePlants Awesome info on the Kitchen Water Scraps for Plants.... Interesting. Thanks.

[@alatielinara]

My mom use banana water for plants and it works amazing. She puts banana peel in a pot and pours hot water, leaves it so sit and that's all. Her water lily growed x5 in a year

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Very good 👍

[@Metalfuck]

How long does she leave it to sit?

[@Jeweloffaith129]

I’ve heard bananas are good for plants- going to try this version! Thank you 😊

[@samanthaecotothermia7896]

Something else that nobody told me about keeping plants (and ended up causing some of mine to rot) is that putting a plant in a pot that is too big can actually cause more harm than good. Put your plant into a pot that is just a couple of inches bigger than the one it is currently in, you can put it in a massive pot once your plant reaches that size.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Absolutely and interesting you’ve mentioned that. Just finished filming something on this topic that’ll be out in a couple of weeks!

[@murraythebaker]

I was bad at that when I first got into plants

[@WanderingMiqo]

How so?

[@murraythebaker]

@@WanderingMiqo the plants aren’t big enough to use up the water and they are prone to rot

[@cheryllwaldrop9732]

That's a hard one to get your head around. The planet is not too big, but this pot is? But, I suppose they have a lot more competition for water and resources in the wild.

[@sunsh__ine]

I really like that you relate human experiences with plants. Like getting a haircut, salting food, sun protection. It all made it very understandable! Thank you so much for this awesome video and great tips

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Super, glad you liked it 😁

[@spa-peggymeatballs4861]

Agree. My brain loves this type of comparison.

[@staceyrose5821]

Me too! So relatable and funny too! Very engaging.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@staceyrose5821 thank you 😊

[@staceyrose5821]

@@SheffieldMadePlants your very welcome! My great pleasure!

[@Lela-plants]

I’ve a water meter at work but started doing the wood chopstick thing at home. I stick the chopstick into the soil all the way to the bottom and bring it out. If there’s soil stuck to it, I leave it another few days to a week. My plants have improved dramatically. 100% agree that overwatering is a huge detriment.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

A solid method for testing moisture 👍

[@vickykent353]

Having just recently gotten back into house plants, I figured out early on that I was definitely prone to over watering. To correct that issue and take any guesswork out of the equation, I bought a water meter. It also shows ph and if it needs fertilizer. Now I have my eye on a light meter!!

[@brenfays3255]

I use both the stick and the water meter, each confirms the accuracy of the other.

[@RidgelessJack]

I’ve kept houseplants and gardened for over 25 years. Your channel is the only one on KZbin that I watch because I always learn something new from your videos. I always recommend your channel to anyone that asks me about how to care for plants. Something that I wanted to tell you, which you may already know, is that not all succulents should receive direct sunlight because it’s too intense and will burn them. The ones that grow in tropical and subtropical rainforests, such as Christmas and fishbone cacti, grow under the canopy of trees, where they receive filtered light. When grown indoors, these types of succulents should be placed in bright, filtered light.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@gloriaa3652]

Love that your plant videos are very “get down to business” and teach us useful facts straight up.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you very much 😊

[@stargazer1238]

All excellent points! I would like to add and share that old aquarium water or rainwater is very beneficial and that I always let tap water sit 24 hours before using. Also, many plants will grow rapidly with good humidity. Self regulated humidifiers are great and bringing the humidity up at night and than letting fall in the day as well as having a fan for circulation is a great way to help your plants in their growth. I generally keep my houseplants that require or like higher humidity together and regulate the humidity around them. As you pointed out, knowing what your houseplant is crucial in their care and growth, Succulents are going to have much different requirements than Peperomia.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Absolutely all solid points. You must have very happy plants? I’ve not invested in a humidifier yet but I don’t have many calatheas

[@stargazer1238]

@@SheffieldMadePlants My houseplants grow like weeds! I was not always great and in the beginning I lost a lot of plants but I did not give up and after 40 years I learned a lot! Anyone can grow awesome plants and I love when people share with others good plant information because having and growing plants is completely rewarding and fun! A humidifier is worth it! I would get one that keeps it at the humidity level you want and not one that just runs. Cheers! Great video!

[@KeliaTaylor]

How do you guys feel about adding banana to water? .... I'm assuming that it's adding potassium, ie nutrients, to premote health and growth? What about work castings?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@KeliaTaylor adding banana peel to the compost will add some potassium. I’m not sure how much would leach into the water though. Worm castings is one of the best things to add to soil

[@FrogsForBreakfast]

Every time I take cuttings I say I'm going to cover them with plastic to keep the humidity up but half the time I skip it anyway and I ALWAYS regret it lol. Since it's only temporary for cuttings (and seedlings too), a clear plastic bag or container is fine but it's easy to accidentally make it too humid which will encourage fungi that kill the little plants. It needs to be humid, not wet. It can take practice and a watchful eye to get right. If I did more propagating I would invest in a humidifier or automated mister. It makes things much easier especially when there's more than 1 pot involved.

[@susanhemme8465]

LOVE your no nonsense, to the point advice...and your dry humor! LOL

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks very much 😁

[@myinnermagpie]

Yes, thank you. So nice to hear info without lots of asides.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@myinnermagpie Thanks, that's the aim!

[@shontaledillard4299]

Im a beginner gardner..... 2years in. The water meter just saved my life! Thank you!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great to hear!

[@theodorathompson2034]

I’ve been using the water from boiling veg to gain nutrients for myself, in sauces, gravy etc. now I’ll be happy to share with my plants.

[@devilsreject320]

The water from boiling vegetables / eggs fantastic idea. 👍

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks, it’s really worth doing

[@firemelon7296]

You're such a kind plant parent. Thank you for the tips.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nice comment, thank you 😊

[@haywardgarner4850]

The used water idea is brilliant. I enjoyed all,of your practical tips. Some verified what I practice. Some explained some of my struggles. Thanks!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks 🙏

[@Soken50]

As an amateur Bonsaï artist I was told to do the opposite of pretty much every step (we obviously do pest control too) : Shallow pot, water daily, prune heavily at least once a year, rotate and fertilize regularly, more sun=more growth (which might be good or bad depending on which phase your bonsaï is in) and my plants are doing fantastically.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Never got into bonsai 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Squintis]

It all depends on what your trying to get out of the plant. Extra water, more Sun, frequent pruning promotes bushing more. I guess the shallow pot is for the same effect, grow wide inside of down or up. You can get plants to bushel by just pinching stem buds too. And if you cut leaves in half it promotes root growth.

[@inugami-d5355]

It depends on the plant and the stage of growth. Repotting should not be yearly as top and bottom of the tree should not be pruned in the same year. If a bonsai is in a high draining soil like akadama, then it may need daily watering (and maybe even spritzing) but if it is in growth and in the ground or being grown out before styling then youd want to water less. Really though its species and even varient dependant !

[@Lela-plants]

Rotating/turning a plant promotes even growth. I think he meant moving it from room to room with different lighting and humidity levels

[@zshadows]

Isn't Bonsai the art of tactically stressing and restricting your plant so that it miniaturizes? I suspect its requirements are very different.

[@sneakybandanas]

I thought I had heard all the classic tips but you've managed to teach me a few new things! You have a new subscriber from the US as of today, I'm looking forward to learning a lot from your videos 😄

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Awesome, thank you!

[@catherinedesilets8960]

Great tips! On my 3rd year as a indoor jungle plant mom & I’ve finally figured out how to not kill everything I bought lol.. it takes trial & error

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I know right, we learn best from our mistakes I guess

[@amytrumbull156]

That’s great! I’ve been a successful plant mom and my apartment has them in every corner and all are doing well except for the overly needy fern that needed more humidity than I could accommodate although she did well for over a year before starting to look really sad. I used a plant app on my phone for a while when I first bought many plants that I’d never cared for before and it was really helpful. I now have two monsteras that are doing really well ☺️

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

​@@amytrumbull156 good job!

[@MarisaAndChew]

Sometimes when I get a new plant it's over watered but not rotted yet or is creeping out the bottom but not root bound yet. In these situations I take my preferred soil and I lift the plant from the nursery pot, add my soil to the bottom and then place the plant right back in on top. They seem to love this and it helps to dry them out without doing a full repot. Another thing I'll do if I accidentally over water is I'll place a microfiber cloth under the pot. It will suck out the extra moisture rather quickly and has saved my plants when I've been too heavy handed! Also works great if you've got fast draining soil to just put along the edge of the saucer, sucks up all the extra without having to lift the pot and drip everywhere!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Really great tips, thanks!

[@jefftucker9225]

I usually repot as soon as I get them, I leave whatever soil is on them and use a slightly larger pot and add 1 part potting mix to 3 parts perlite, if they are wet already I don't water until they dry out, not sure if this is correct but so far all the plants I have done it on seem to be growing fine

[@morebirdsandroses]

You can also use the absorbent "free news" handouts under an overwatered pot to suck the excess out. Just found and subscribed to you, this is the best clear really helpful info.

[@voltronhamburger9517]

You have me absolutely shook by the last tip about reusing boil water. Im terrible at fertilizer ratios and have really hard tap water, so I've been buying gallons of water for my plants.... this is a game changer! Thank you!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Cool glad you found it useful thanks

[@gardeninggoddess]

I use salt on my veggies when cooking them

[@seanceknowles2911]

I’m so glad that me changing the soil was a good move. I’m a new plant parent, but I do as much research as I can. Also learning right off the beginning about pests and leaving. Alone till necessary.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Good stuff 👍

[@leilanigonzalez5444]

reusing food waste is such a luxury that so many plant parents overlook!! you can also use old egg shells as a substitute for sand and other medians to cover the soil in your pots to keep pests out. i usually keep all of the shells and then when i finish a carton i put them in boiling water, dry them out and crush them. also save your banana peels! i’ve found it to be a great source of nutrients for my plants by putting some old peels in a gallon of water for 12 hours and allowing each plant to go through one watering cycle with it before disposing of it if there is any left (usually dump it outside in the grass). we NEVER use fresh tap water. we invested in a cute 2 gallon drink dispenser that we take water from to water them and always have two recycled plastic gallons on hand, one filled with water that’s been sitting and another strictly for repurposed water or banana peel water! we have marimos so it’s always needed for us to have so much extra water ready for the plants to make water changing days simpler with the marimos.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Fantastic Leilani! I love learning new tips and tricks from my viewers, thanks!

[@orionx79]

As sand? that sounds like a large amount of calcium. That would change your ph of the soil to a alkaline soils as well. Not all plants would like that. To much or to little calcium can change the uptake of other nutrients in the area. This is a known effect of to much gypsum in soil.

[@eliassalcedo5229]

I'm from California, do enjoy your sense of humor and the way you educated me about plants.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff 👍

[@Mahhkz]

I use fish tank water. My plants love it! I even used it to heal a damaged patch of grass in my yard.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Ooo that’s interesting.

[@benjif2424]

What really helped me is finding good ways to create false bottoms in pots, usually with some aquarium filter floss (stone and sticks works great as well and many other methods). It allows for more care free watering.

[@christoduplessis8177]

About two years into my houseplant journey, probably have a success rate of plant survival of 65%-75%. I really do very little for them. But over watering is my downfall. Also started to add rocks to the bottom of my pots and yes, works a treat 👌

[@norcimorci]

I am so happy to have found your channel. Loving your videos. So informative and simple to understand. Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Fantastic. Glad you’re enjoying the videos 😁

[@badu95]

I live in India (Delhi) Here the summer is so harsh(day temp upto42 deg Celsius ) We have to find ways to keep r plants healthy n happy Aft so many years I have succeeded to grow all kinds of philodendrons pothos n others decorative plant healthy n happy Leaves of philodendron on moss sticks r just like a fat child n I am proud Now I get plants as gifts too It’s quite a learning experience to watch ur channel n learn in the process Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you 😊

[@yourfavoritejaz5544]

The tip about using water from eggs is amazing. Thank you!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks 😁

[@jorgecanales798]

I only change the soil if I see the soil is holding on to water for too long or if it's plain peat moss or coco coir. Other than that, I'll keep the plant in the potting mix from the nursery it came from for another year until it's rootbound and needs repotting. To add nutrition, I just add some slow release fertilizer every 2 months.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I agree leave it in the soil it came in for a while and then look to change if needed.

[@melanieballard110]

I’ll add a layer of worm castings on top of the soil. Like you said I wait to repot things. I also keep all my nursery pots and use those to repot. I’ll put them down inside of pretty pots.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@melanieballard110 yeah I always keep the nursery pots

[@blinksbill1138]

@@melanieballard110 I have a huge problem with keeping plants in nursery pots. Plastic out in the sun all day? I wouldn’t drink a bottle of water as such, likewise do I want plastic polluting my plant

[@melanieballard110]

@@blinksbill1138 That’s a good point.

[@oksills]

Your opening points were brilliant. I’d been following the same belief system without even realizing it. I would have thought that all my “mothering” needs would have been fulfilled by my 8 children. But… no, I was wayyy over mothering my plants. Thanks , I’m subbing!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😂 like it. Thanks for watching

[@xxmeilaoxx]

I am new to houseplants and addicted to them. This was so informative, thank you!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You bet!

[@llamabeans]

The analogies you used in this video are spectacular!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😂 thanks

[@transcendencetherapeuticto5208]

I have 200 plants and I water them all about twice a month. They are thriving and beautiful and I don’t ever have any issues of losing any of them. I learned from trial and error that I was actually overwatering them so they all get a very good thorough drink two times out of the month And let me tell you it is beneficial, and in most cases overwatering is the number one reason why plants die. It’s better to go without then take the risk of killing it. Plants are very hearty and I wanna drought resistant than most realize. Are used to hate my new plants because I could never keep them alive, I found out that by not watering them they magically became beautiful. So anyone that thinks my plants are hard to keep alive I am the first to tell you that the fact they are not, it’s just we have us need to think that they need watered more than what they do. I wait until they’re fully dried out and then give them a good long drink. I did transfer every single plant I had including orchids to water and I enjoyed the hydroponic lifestyle for a while, but have since went back to soil. Anyone having issues with orchids my number one tip would be to dump the soil that it’s in and put it in a clear glass for at least one week to two weeks changing out the water every week. Giving it freshwater at least every four days and keeping it in a indirect window. From there you can put it back in better soil in a tight container. I keep all my orchids currently in water and they thrive and do wonderfully . They actually do not do well in any soil that they’ve ever been in and they do not bloom, except only in the water I keep them in. I do give them their food two times a year in the water.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for the tips 👍

[@el3ctroshock]

The comparison of adding salt without tasting is genius

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Haha thanks

[@scrummyvision]

agreed, although instead of cooking in the dark, i'd compare to cooking without knowing how to use an ingredient.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@scrummyvision 👌

[@charlottesykes8596]

Brilliant video, loved the delivery and when you said you lived in Sheffield ❤️🙌🌱🙏 my house plants will be thankful I found your video, thanks again

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great! Are you in Sheffield then?

[@charlottesykes8596]

I'm close to Sheffield , happy to support a fellow Yorkshire man x

[@r8chlletters]

Use a moisture meter rather than repeatedly compressing the rootball with your finger…and use worm castings and seaweed extract periodically for micro nutrients.

[@dameanvil]

- [00:19] 🌱 Changing soil: Regularly changing the soil prevents root-bound plants and boosts nutrient levels for healthy growth. - [01:25] 💧 Watering when needed: Only water plants when necessary to prevent overwatering, root rot, and stress. - [02:36] 🌿 Understanding: Research your plants' needs to provide appropriate care, avoiding common mistakes like placing them in unsuitable light conditions. - [03:33] 🐜 Checking for pests: Regularly inspect plants for pests like spider mites to prevent damage and deterioration. - [04:50] 🚫 Fussing: Avoid over-fussing with plants by constant moving, watering, pruning, or fertilizing, as plants prefer stability. - [05:55] ☀ Direct sun: Place plants in indirect sunlight to avoid burning, especially for tropical plants accustomed to dappled sunlight. - [07:05] ✂ Pruning: Prune plants to remove damaged parts, improve air circulation, and encourage stronger growth. - [08:16] 🥦 Bonus tip: Reuse nutrient-rich cooking water from kitchen scraps as a natural fertilizer to boost plant growth without the risk of over-fertilization.

[@FoyeStender]

Well I have just discovered you on KZbin and LOVE your great tips and knowledge! I'm send my friends links to your channel! Love they are short, to the point, but full of great info!! Thank you for being you!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Skykristal]

This is an amazing video and I love how you explained all the different things. I got into plants not too long a go and I'm still quite insecure.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching

[@blinksbill1138]

You’ll get used to it!!! Good work! I started about 2 years ago. They will surprise, annoy, and make you crazy. Then you will learn and get used to it.

[@aleksandrasuecka8595]

Instructive and very helpful. Short and sharp. Thank you very much ! All the best!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you 😊

[@digemsmacks5690]

My old agriculture teacher from high-school would tell us "Plants grow in spite of us, not because of us" -Albert Eamer R.I.P

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I can see that 😅

[@LauranceTanza]

Over the years, I have discovered a way to delay changing pots due to lack of space. I stick a long knife and cut the roots from above and just top dress with rich soil. The cut roots will just be a good food source for the plant over time as it decompose.

[@Sarah-yc2ve]

I find it hard to agree with your point about eggshells/eggs + boiling = calcium rich water. Good on you for conserving water, however, it'll have negligible amounts of accessible calcium. Calcium carbonate in eggshells/seashells/bone requires a chemical reaction (acid) to break down into calcium bicarbonate (available for plants). A physical reaction (boiling water) won't produce the same results, even up to 100 C. A method I've seen: save/wash eggshells, bake them to sterilize, add a vinegar/water mix, and then add to plants.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You sound like you know your science 😁

[@luislandofficial]

Thanks for explaining this

[@luislandofficial]

Thanks for explaining this

[@mamaj6028]

I always research where the plant grows originally. That gives me all the info I need. Great info ! ❤

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikefisher4834]

I have aquarium plants One of my plants is Anubius nana which is pretty much just a miniature peace lily The flowers look identical but they’re way smaller They’re also a low to medium light plant

[@7hoch0]

I think the main difference between the experts and me is that the experts care for their plants.

[@rachaelwelch123]

Lol🤣

[@bunnycrofts8127]

The food scraps as fertilizer is life changing. I knew it could be done, but nobody has explained it past "you can use it." Thanks so much! Do you have a full video on your channel about it? I'm about to check. Lol

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I do indeed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYHJXmt7ed17grc

[@bunnycrofts8127]

@@SheffieldMadePlants watching it now!

[@Beeklydan]

I put stones and gravel on the bottoms of all my pots. I used to struggle with root rot and overwatering. I do this to plants that even need lots of water, as I would rather deal with needing to water every day, than to have root rot. Plus I figure nothing wrong with roots getting more air.

[@harshagangwal6907]

Love your video. Thank you for the tips! I think it's really important to understand one's plants. Every plant is different! Sometimes, even the Internet doesn't give the right answers, but one's understanding of the plant definitely will. It's also important to keep a new plant in a small pot rather than a big pot, like many here mentioned. From my experience, the plants seem to do well when kept as such.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Spot on!

[@SwatejK]

Excellent points shared.. i use the water from my Aquarium which we take out during weekly water changes and always use that to water my plants.. it avoids me to use the harsh chemicals 👍🏼😄

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I’ve heard it works wonders 👍

[@Janpre2001]

I used to water my outdoor plants with the tank water.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@Janpre2001 how did your plants respond?

[@Janpre2001]

The responded pretty well. I don;t have the tank anymore though.

[@RaduRadonys]

Well I don't want to be obnoxious or something, but harsh chemicals are the reason we live sa long nowadays, so they might not be such a bad idea. I mean, chemicals, like any other stuff, can either be good or bad, they're not automatically bad just because they're chemicals.

[@Chris-op7yt]

since changing away from typical box store recommended pine bark potting mixes to coir/peat and perlite, havent had plant rot of pest problems for years.

[@mjhay1830]

So glad I’ve found this informative channel. Learnt a lot already. Thanks.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@orionx79]

You can turn bones into bone meal (i've done it with chicken(the worst to much cartilage) beef and pork bones esp rib bones make easy bonemeal), heat them up to at least 350 for a few hours and they will crumble apart, after making a crock pot recipe with bones take the bones out and again dry them in the oven, they crush even easier and can be done mostly by had though a blender will crush most if you heated them long enough in the oven. Egg shell can be cooked and crush into a powder some people clean them first i dont never had a problem, again cook them to kill any bacteria and the heat makes the calcium frail. easier to powder. Mix either of these powders for calcium. Coffee grinds add nitrogen back into the soil, old grind are almost 7.0 ph but fresh grinds will lower ph. When doing any off these DIY amount is the key. You dont want to overdo any nutrient or even have to much of them. Certain nutrients can cause nutrient block in a plant. Think of it like this your in a room with a table almost wall to wall ceiling to floor full of a variety of food, but in order to get to other foods you gotta eat whats in front of you, If all you have are rolls in front of you, you're gonna be full well before you get to anything healthy in the pile.

[@lori639]

Best information I have heard on plants , and straight to the point. Thank you so very much.😊

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Super, glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@eamonnbarrett7995]

Thanks for this excellently explained and i love that bonus tip

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks Eamonn 👍

[@johnredgwell8805]

Thank you for these very useful tips. I'll remember to save the water from boiling eggs for watering my plants. I already use rice water for my orchid which produces lots of hugs white flowers.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Cheers John 👍

[@walterw8223]

I had more of a survival of the fittest and whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger approach. 1. Do more or less everything wrong the first years. 2. Try to correct the mistakes without knowleadge. 3. Cut your losses and keep the survivors. 4. Eventually start correcting some mistakes. 5. Profit. Nowdays it's pretty easy, I just water my plants in the shower without the pots every second week. It cleans the plants and it is an easy way to avoid overwatering by allowing excess water to drain. Slowly most of my almost dead plants have recovered and have survived for many years now. Maytbe I'll l change the soil and move them to bigger pots, I guess they've earned it :).

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

That's certainly a unique way to do but if it works for you then great 👌

[@josuemanzo1097]

The joke about the hard pruning and new hairstyle really got me. Thanks for the video!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad you liked it 😁

[@susanjohnson5824]

Great advice, just found your channel, you have another new subscriber from the U.S.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff, thanks 👍

[@David_Palka]

Thank you so much for this video. I love house plants, but many times I kill some accidantly. When i watch this video, I see why.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks David 👍

[@Izabela-ek5nh]

Nice and useful tip, but I do that all and I'm not a pro... also water from cooking is usually useless because I add salt when cooking veggies or rice or even eggs, so - but if someone cooks a non-salty stuff it is very good fertilizer for sure :) thanks for making this video :)

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for watching!

[@marinamo6479]

You obviously have a great sense of humor. 😂Comparisons are hilarious. Thanks for video.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks Marina 😁

[@chijaruable]

Omg no, I stressed out my plant to death I think 😩😩😩 I Just got a bird of paradise from an online store like a week ago. Two days after it came, the leaves started curling in, so I thought it was a humidity thing. First thing I do is repot it because I noticed the soil was draining too fast, and maybe it wasn’t holding water. Two days later, didn’t get any better. So I put a transparent bag with some holes over it and misted the inside a couple of times a day. Two days after, the leaves are still curled, and I start to notice the trunk going brown. So I decided to prune the whole thing and also clean out the roots as it had some rooting there. I have successfully grown 20+ plants since I started being a plant parent 3 years ago, with other tropical plants thriving at home, but this BOP broke me 😩❤️‍🩹

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Oh no sorry to hear that. So you didn’t get to the bottom of what the issue was? It’s weird it seems to have given up when you got it home. Maybe it had bugs?

[@letshaveago2201]

I think we all loose a plant along the way, i know i have.

[@erika_7777]

Let me know if you figure it out. Having the same issue with my birds of paradise.

[@VeniseGrr]

I only have 5 plants right now (killed 3 over the past 2 years), this helped! Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks Venise. Keep going, you’ve got this!

[@billiecornielje7170]

You can buy predatory mites for the spider mites. And make your plant harder with the right biostimulants is also a big game changer. I am surprised that nobody does that who like plants

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Predatory mites are very effective but can be expensive so I usually go the hard way.

[@orionx79]

Lady bugs are also sold, Dragon flys around your area are great. Both are highly efficient predatory insects

[@vijaylal8137]

Excellent video. I use banana peel water and boiled egg water. My Apple tree in a barrel was overloaded with big apples due to this concoction. You save lot of money too😁Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff 👍

[@rensm6256]

I ended up like you lol I keep moving and over watering 😩, thank you for the advice

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@ROLCY2024]

Love your presentations on plants. I'm learning a lot.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@lennergardify]

As a user of the devil's lettuce, I like to use the water from my bongs on my plants, the brown tint that bong water gets after not being changed often is mold which boosts the plant. At least it hasn't killed any plants yet, love your channel!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

👍👍👍

[@Koraka_ARandomGuy]

I love the advise with the used cooking water! Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You are so welcome!

[@Chris66121]

I'm not even a huge plant guy but this is a really well made video

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great to hear thanks Ashton!

[@LiliansGardens]

Your plants are good. Oh yes, my peace lily did not die but it only produced one flower at a time. I had split it in three and my daughter got one.. hers would throw out four , five flowers at once then I soon learned one more thing about my peaceLily.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Got a peace lily video coming out soon 👍

[@rad1sh480]

Thank you for sharing. To clarify, adding vegetable water from cooking to your plants - assuming salt is used in the cooking process, is that OK to use on plants? Thank you.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

No don’t use if salt added! I forgot to mention that in the video 😬

[@rad1sh480]

@@SheffieldMadePlants Good to know, thank you.

[@xenosmoke8915]

Mine struggle for the simple reason that my home lacks consistent temperature. Indoor plants are only for people with good windows and doors and modern heating. Plants don’t really care if it’s hot, cold, wet or dry... as long as it’s not constantly changing from one to the other. Despite my troubles I’ve just added my very first Strelitzia to my collection!! I’ve wanted one for so long!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Oh yeah that's a plant I want too

[@lukenorton3120]

On changing soil, if you don't want to upsize your pot, trim the roots roots back. try not to cut back more than 50% do this in spring only. ☺

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nice tip

[@RaduRadonys]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I always cut about 75-80% of the roots when pruning, and do it either in spring, or summer, or early autumn, and never had any plant dying in the last 10 years :) they grow bigger and healthier... However I only have green plants (palm like) not flower ones.

[@lukenorton3120]

@@RaduRadonys yeah, but i just dont want people blaming my root pruning tip for the death of their plants 😂

[@cheryllwaldrop9732]

It never even occurred to me to trim roots! Thank you for bringing this up.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@cheryllwaldrop9732 glad you found it useful, thanks

[@scwheeler24]

And TY glad I found your channel. I ❤ the bonus, I’ll start doing that, no more down the sink. Texas

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Super, glad you like the videos!

[@iknitbecuzmurderisfrownedupon]

Excellent channel. I love your plant tips and humor.😁 I fuss over my plants - mostly by telling them how much I love them and running my fingers through/ over them.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Oh yes i do that

[@chelseaclerke3582]

I love your videos, you're a total pro and you have great, inventive tips and tricks but can we get like an alarm or a warning that flashes on the screen before you are going to show us a close up of bugs and larvae, you're killing me here! 😂

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Shock and awe lol! Thanks for the nice comment Chelsea!

[@autumn1231]

This gentleman sounds like Forrest Gump with a british accent.

[@cindyanderson4306]

Great tips, thank you.

[@Saamniferu]

Over pruning plants is like asking for a little off the top, then they give you a buzz cut.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😂 like it

[@nadanada1852]

Million thanks..am new in this plants thing..am in need of these precious advices

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks Nada, glad you liked the video 😁

[@MeanOldLady]

I also supercharge my potting soil by tossing it back in the compost bin & mixing it with everything else, as a brown element to absorb the green element.

[@Chris-op7yt]

some of the tips are okay but using bark based potting mix is the secret to having return customers. it is the worst media. with regular weak fertilization you would normally have salt build up. you need a potting mix that is impossible to overwater, so you can regularly flush the salts, without the media becoming mush and also a breeding ground of fungus gnats, which always happens in pine bark based media. Use peat and perlite or coir for big pots. Media contains stuff all nutrients and this should be so, as well as being sterile, so as not to introduce pathogens. Use a weak complete fertilizer (such as 20:20:20 +Trace elements) but you will need to separately supplement calcium and magnesium, as these are not in fertilizers and badly needed in potting mix, which contains zero minerals. you can mix in a dash of dolomite when preparing the mix, and occasionally top up with hydroponic CalMag. Monitor ph and if necessary, sometimes throw in a pinch of sulfur or gently use a ph down solution, adjusting slowly towards a generic acceptable ph 6-6.5.

[@lydvincecruz824]

Thanks a lot for all the tips and ticks and off course for your knowledge.Very much appreciated.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@SweetPeachteaX]

Reusing the boiled water sounds like a smart idea. Does it pose any risk of mold or attracting pests like gnats? I live in a very moist area, it's a lot like england, so I worry about mold.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Not really, not more so that regular water anyway.

[@Janpre2001]

@@SheffieldMadePlants I thought too much calcium was bad for plants.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@Janpre2001 too much of anything can be bad but using water with calcium in it is good for your plants.

[@matthewruppert3618]

I love the Bonus tip! Just subscribed. Thanks man

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you 😊

[@melange78]

You forgot the most important things: 1. Filter your water. You don't need a Reverse Osmosis filter but you should get a cheap carbon filter to remove excess chlorine. 2. Get a PH sensor and an EC sensor. You can use PH strips for PH but the EC sensor will last you for years and it is a necessary item if you spend more than 50 euros on plants a year. It will save you money in the long run.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Can’t cover everything in 1 vid. I cover filtered water in an upcoming video

[@orionx79]

You dont need to filter water for ph or chlorine. Light kills chlorine in water just let your tap water sit in a bucket for 24 hours exposed to air and sun. The ph will be around 7.0 after 24 hours in sun and air.

[@dijohns4018]

Love your explanations

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you!

[@MKisFeelinSpicy]

Your video shows succulents here and there, which suggests this advice works them for just as well, but your watering advice isn't cautious enough for them. You suggest essentially watering when the soil is dry, which means that it will be wet more often than not. You also specifically say to avoid "prolonged drought" for your plants, but most succulents WANT a drought period and can rot if you keep watering them every time you notice the soil is dry. Watering them more often might not exactly give them root rot (although it can), but it will at least stretch them out, the same way insufficient light will do. The defining trait of succulents is that they store water inside themselves, so the key is to check how full of water the plant itself is; in most cases, you would check the leaves (which is true of the jade and pickle plants you showed), but some plants store water in their roots or stems, so if you're not sure, look into where your particular succulent stores water. Plump firm storage parts mean your plant has little extra space to store water, which means all additional water you add will contribute to the risk of rot and stretching. If they are softer, wrinkly, bendable, or otherwise seem not full, you could maybe water or you could maybe wait, depending on how full its stores seem to be. When it comes to most succulents, when in doubt, wait it out! (Or as some say, when in doubt, let it drought!)

[@evanl7657]

As a relatively new plant enthusiast I appreciate this! Quick question about direct sunlight.. I have a majesty palm about 4 feet away from a west facing window so it gets about 1-2 hours of direct sunlight around sunset. I’m wondering if the leaves are sun damaged as they’re not as dark and green as when I purchased the plant. I brought in photos to my local nursery and the guy said it wasn't a sun issue, said my plant “needs food” and gave me some liquid fertilizer. I’ve done a couple applications and don’t see much of a difference after a few weeks. My question is how can you tell the difference between sun damaged leaves vs lacking nutrients? And if it is sun damage, is this reversible?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Direct sun at sunset doesn’t sound strong enough to burn it. It would be a fading of the leaves

[@bluefox5331]

I'd add fore more specialised plants, these rules can change. For example succulents: if you water them every time their soil just dried out, they're not gonna be happy. At worst they will rot. As they are plants that evolved in dry areas, they posses water reserves in their stem and/or leaves (and also succumb to rot very easily.. they don't need to be immune to constantly moist soil in their homes). I water my succulents when I, as you said, see they need it- but by then the soil is bone dry for at least days if not weeks. You will see their water storage deplete- leaves thinner, lightly wrinkled, curled inward, soft (but not watery- that's overwatering) to touch depending on the species. Just, remembering that plants are diverse just as animals are and reading up on the specific plants you have will help you a lot compared to treating them all in a generalised manner. You would't feed a tiger and a llama the same stuff, don't water a cactus and a papyrus the same or keep them in the same soil mix.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep I agree it really pays to know what your plant likes and doesn’t like rather than guessing

[@charlotterose41196ch]

I'm from Sheffield aswell! Hopefully see you around one day 🍃 your tips are so helpful! I've lost a love for looking after my plants recently as it's coming to winter and I've seemed to have acquired fungus nats. I will start getting back into it soon because when my plants are happy, I feel happy to.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Gnats unfortunately are a fact of life 😅

[@charlotterose41196ch]

@@SheffieldMadePlants going to try and use some neem oil to fix it. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@charlotterose41196ch neem oil is more for insects that eat the leaves. You need to get rid of the larvae in the soil. Mosquito bits or cinnamon can work

[@charlotterose41196ch]

Ooo, thank you I'll give it a try 🌱

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

I use egg and pasta water for plants and was just random lol. Look at me being an expert!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

👌

[@delladearest2511]

Pasta water, of course!

[@delladearest2511]

But unsalted pasta water

[@translated3249]

I loved the “you’ll end up looking like me”, instant like!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@msrj899]

Changing the soil is difficult and sometimes the plants go to shock. So why not add fertilizers?

[@malindarayallen]

fertilizers don't provide complete nutrition, they just supplement.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

It's always worth change the soil once in a while. I see a boost in my plants after

[@heatherdbcooper]

One reason is that as plants roots grow, they compact the soil in the pot. Overly compact soil can suffocate the roots, prevent drainage, and encourage rot. When drainage isn't good, you don't get good even distribution of water either, so fertilising becomes a bit pointless. Replacing the soil with nice "fluffy" aerated fresh soil addresses this.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@heatherdbcooper summed up perfectly

[@crochetqueen6440]

Totally agree with you. You can tell if a plant is root bound to the extent its not getting moisture as you will start needing to water more frequently. Up pot or change soil if the plant needs it, if it doesn't, don't. Fertilise! People mess with their plants roots way more than they need to, every disturbance shocks your plant. Let it grow *sings Frozen style*

[@scrummyvision]

wow, reusing the cooking water is inspired!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Cheers. It’s a great little hack for sure.

[@carinknopfer4434]

My plants love classical music believe it or not

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

Read The secret Life of plants if you haven't already

[@heatherfriedman1955]

I’m definitely guilty of the fussing thing OK I’m gonna try to stop

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Most of us are guilty of it 😅