Things Have CHANGED... 🌱 Houseplant Hacks That Actually Work (+ Things I Was Wrong About)

[@michaelkerley452]

These types of videos are so much fun. I have gone back and read old journals so I get the internal cringe, but it is always fun to see how far you have come in your journey.

[@betsymaltby6788]

We all started somewhere in our plant journey and learn so much along the way. I now know what plants survive in my home environment and which ones to not even bother to bring home. Understanding substrate and nutrient solution was a game changer for me; I never use store bought "potting mix" anymore. Love your content, if I'm not learning something new at least I am getting affirmation on what I am doing correctly. Cheers!

[@sharoncox1734]

I've never understood putting hair, coffee, banana skins, seaweed, veggie water, etc into houseplants. Initially I was just too lazy and had a hunch that those things would "go gross". Now I know more about composting, I know that it takes a lot of heat and microbes to break stuff down into something that plants can access. A plant pot isn't really big enough to have an ecosystem that can break things down quickly enough.

[@deegrows7589]

Such a fun video! It really shows how plant parenthood is an ongoing, learning journey! 💚🙂

[@aplantprocess]

I think there’s something sweet about all the plant “hacks” but yup, I have eliminated most of them because they’re not worth the effort and/or trade offs. It was fun experimenting though 🤷‍♀️ So glad we’re able to join you on your plant journey.

[@lifepathjourney3638]

With the use "Ground Coffee" I found when you spread it out on a plate and allow the Coffee to Dry overnight, it'll work Great, no Mold.

[@loyael]

It can lower the Ph of the soil tho. My Fiddle Leaf Fig hated it, I don't think I will use it again. I do use cinnamon, mostly because fungus gnats hates the smell.

[@chomama1628]

Coffee grounds are best composted before using in a soil mix. It’s good only for plant that like an acid soil.

[@kellyharvey8114]

Just want to pop in and say how much your video's have helped me😀. My green thumb is getting greener.

[@KathyGallagher01]

That was good fun to watch thank you. Was strange to see you so awkward in front of the camera, could almost feel you cringing inside as you were talking. You have come a long way, well done 👏 🌱💚

[@mr.detley8723]

Hi Claire, it was fun watching the video. Reminds me of the weird things I did in the beginning. My first plant, a Dieffenbachia, never recovered from it.😭

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

I've been hearing left and right that pebble trays do nothing, but as long as it's not harmful... Great video!

[@suzannkuhns777]

I love looking back, we have all learned a lot along the way… love watching thank you for all your ideas and guidance.

[@jantaria4393]

Hi. I'm new here and currently kinda where you were back then. I found a pretty plant in my grocery store and while researching its needs, I realized, that plants can be more than just a green thing in my home, that I buy in a mood, but a serious hobby. And I decided to just take a deep breath, dive into it and first and foremost dive deep into plant KZbin. Your channel is one of those that got stuck in my subscriptions. So where ever this journey leads me, thank you for taking the time to share your ever growing knowledge. 🌱 So, now, all this text for one question😅 When you say to mix orchid bark into my soil: are we talking about the bark they sell at the garden center especially for orchids? Because, where I live all of them are already prefertalised for an orchid's needs? Can I still use that? Or should I should I get the huuuge bags of pure bark mulch they sell there, too?

[@whiskybrush3219]

I do use the generic bark mulch. The large orchid bark is nicer, but harder to comme by where I live. So long as it's not dyed or coated in anything it will serve the same purpose.

[@louisedreisig6166]

I happened to watch one of your old videos the other day, and I could definitely see the evolution! But it was still super useful, so don't cringe too much. 😄

[@Carey.S75]

I grow nettles and comfrey in the garden, not just for the pollinators, but also to chop up the leaves, pop them in a lidded bucket of water for a few weeks to make a fertiliser full of nitrogen. One bucket, with each application diluted to 10-15 parts water, lasts me a full growing season. The only problem is the smell 🤢🤮 I also fertilise with cold press liquid seaweed as a pick-me-up for ailing plants. This was a great video, and seeing how far you've come on your YT journey was an interesting watch. Well done 👏👏Wishing you all the best for many more glorious YT years 💚💚

[@goodvideos.113]

I see you leading the content like a TV reporter.

[@gingercaudill4513]

Hi 👋 I found this type of video very interesting! I sooo appreciate your feedback on your own earlier, new plant parent, then and now! I’m a new plant parent so I’m looking forward to seeing more of this kind of variety in your videos! Thanks so very much for sharing this information with me! Very appreciative and helpful! Ginger

[@cecile436]

When I boil vegetables, pasta, rice,... I put salt in the water, I won't put that in my plants.

[@lesiamos]

Salt does not evaporate.

[@kevinwebster7868]

That’s why you don’t use boiled vegetable water if you added salt. If you have an aquarium use that water when you do a water change to water your plants. Fantastic liquid fertiliser.

[@chrizzlybearlol]

@@lesiamos isn’t that basic education? People need to stop sleeping in science classes.

[@sprinkledbeanies760]

😂😂😂 great fun to watch we have all learnt so much I now have my alocasia in closed drainage in Pon they love it something we would never dare do a couple of years ago ❤

[@xKeri129]

i have been experimenting with showering my velvet plants and then putting them in front of a fan to dry quicker. so far it i haven't seen any complaints from my plants; they dry within 15 minutes or 20 mins max. i would love to find a solution, because i just really dont like dusting velvet leaves.. it never feels like it "works". ITS A NEVER ENDING DUSTING STRUGGLE.

[@Ambersoto90]

I tried the boiled vegetable water a couple of times. I didn't get any issue with smell, but it did however make the top layer of soil go moldy 🙄

[@amandapurcell1439]

SILVER SWORD ENVY 🤩

[@mariokanen9820]

So pleasant to look at you. You have such beautiful eyes! 😍

[@cjofloorish]

Love your vids!

[@cherie7100]

Claire! The scandal. I use filtered tap water for my plants. It does take a while to filter the amount I need, but I think it's worth it. I've never tried anything for humidity, but I only have a few plants...as I get more (when I move out) I might. After watching some of your videos I invested in Soil Ninja this year and have only recently repotted all plants. I would hug you for this if I could! (>' -' )> If you add salt then a big no! I feel it would really smell and go mouldy quicker. My plants further into my room get so dusty! Even after dusting I see new dust a day later. Is there a repellent I could use? I have used the Soil Ninja slow release fertiliser, I have added it near the bottom of my plant pots when I repotted all plants. Hoping this helps them. I have never changed the water in water props...I have Echeveria Lola leaves that have been there since January and they have only...well one has started sprouting roots. I had others in test tubes with cling film over the top I never changed and most grew roots and now have pups. Turning plants yes, but mostly only my bigger ones. I got really leggy 'succulent' plants at the beginning, which I beheaded and started over.

[@alannahblades5821]

Hi Claire Love your channel watching from Australia. Just wondering can you use old branches to grow pothos up? Thankyou

[@paoladelvalle8794]

I have a water softener and my plants are fine

[@JanaJankova-x4o]

I have a water softener and a reverse osmosis system which should be removing the sodium and other impurities from the softened water. I believe the water treated that way should be close to rain water. What are your thoughts on that?

[@qixian_haitani]

could you do an update on your white and pink princess? o: that would be soooo awesome

[@estcharlesten]

I was waiting for this 😃

[@shanonporter4041]

I have 15 gallon milk jugs. I always use this when i water. I do notice i have a white buildup on the outside of my pots. Is it calcium? It comes of very easy like snow.

[@LaLaLonna]

I've heard people swear by rice water, I've also seen people use rice water on their own hair and skin too. I haven't tried it but I have been curious.

[@remyhocage9854]

Why don't you mix in Perlite with your soil ? I use a dense composed soil & mix 20 to 40% Perlite to aerate the plant. Oops, you do use it ! Thx.

[@richardr5878]

Like the look back video. Don’t see a problem with calling it Dumb cane. 1 I think the term is still medically valid 2. If you eat it, I’d say that was pretty dumb. 😅

[@allisontuttle8216]

I love your videos! I tried to order soil ninja but I live in the united states and I guess they don’t ship here. Is there anything else you recommend?

[@nicwood1658]

I have a pond, which is course full of nitrogen. I tend to put all my cooking water in my compost pile. I have a problem with the pond water as I don't want to over fertilise... there's not really any way of measuring. Any advice? Thanks Clare

[@Trilling0Fong]

Ummm, don’t use the pond water all the time…?

[@satriatv165]

Watching

[@ixa.m9915]

Hw can u hv so much humidity in win ters without getting mold in ur house?

[@horace6851]

ok no. Eggshells release calcium right away, it's locked in calcite in eggshells and is water soluble (I know not really water, it needs to be a bit acidic but most soils are acidic so we can round it up to water soluble). So eggshells are actually a really good source of calcium, similar to adding some limestone powder. But they will increase pH of the soil so if you want it acidic then be careful with adding calcite. Nitrogen on the other hand does take significant microbial activity to be bioavailable from.... let's say dead tissues. And hair actually takes the longest after bones (and teeth)! If you really want to use natural nitrogen use diluted urine (or maybe don't and just use fertilizer ;) but you could if you wanted, nitrogen in urine is bioavailable right away).

[@lukari8942]

Blend the eggshell into a powder

[@Rebelluver97]

Did you know in some US states (Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arkansas) it’s illegal to collect rainwater? 🤯

[@RedRona7]

What Why

[@gingercaudill4513]

Yes!!? Why!!?

[@briteddy9759]

Google it. I did and found it is not illegal, but some states have restrictions. Reasons vary.

[@sunnymoondog]

❤

[@cinnamonswecker897]

When you cook pasta you’re supposed to add salt until it tastes like the sea. I don’t think that water would be good for your plants. Correct me if I’m wrong.

[@cherie7100]

Not wrong at all. Salt water is a big no! As long as it doesn't have salt in it then it's okay.

[@SuperUsername147]

Not everyone salts water when making pasta. I never do. But yes, salt can cause a lot of damage to plants. That why coco chips need to be soaked before using in substrate because of the high salt concentration in them.

[@usernotfound4128]

Claire I need help!! Can u please let me know if this plant is what the seller is claiming it to be.

[@usernotfound4128]

kzbin.info6ni9iFtigCk?feature=share

[@autumn5852]

This is the problem with KZbin, people are giving tips when they don’t really know what they’re talking about 😢but if you don’t take them seriously and just enjoy the videos then I suppose it’s not a problem and if you take what they say and do further research to see if the tips are any good it can help but it sure makes trying to find out good information a full time job so I think the best advice is learn from experience and use these videos as something to watch when you can’t sleep ☺️ It’l be interesting to see what’s changed in another year 😊

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza909]

🥰🪴💚😊

[@horace6851]

I don't think you were less fun to watch then, the only thing I really appreciate though is that you don't sit that close to the camera anymore. I cannot handle such positioning and I don't know why co many creators think it looks good. Ok, I know why, the closer they are to the camera the thinner their face is but it's just so uncomfortable for me as a viewer.

[@melanieg.9092]

It's usually because people staring out don't have a proper mic so they tend to stay close to their camera or phone because they notice how bad the sound is otherwise

[@horace6851]

@@melanieg.9092 I don't think it's just people starting out, I've seen some big creators sit so close that you can only see their face. It's so so cringy to me.

[@melanieg.9092]

@@horace6851 yeah, that's weird

[@kevinwebster7868]

I have the best plant hack and it works for nearly all plants. This is going to blow your mind. Ready? Are you sure? Here it is…….Leave your plants alone and let them do their thing. Stop fussing over them so much. Give them the basics and watch them go. The more you mess with them the less happy they will be.

[@shaheedahmed7651]

you dont look a day older....may be more confident and self assured

[@ira7630]

You're plant pronounciation wasn't 'soooo bad'

[@lilyofthevalley54]

Oh good grief! Dieffenbachia sp? Has been know as dumb cane 60 years. Don't let "woke"🧐 intimidate and shame traditional things! 🤨 BTW love your videos. 😊🌷

[@you_gullible_fucc]

Gwen, dieffenbachia is the scientifically recognized terminology for the genus. Dumb cane is its common name, and it's named that way because of its uses in slavery and torture. Acknowledging these things and preferring to use the proper nomenclature isn't being "woke". Continue to call it dumb cane if you want, no one's stopping you, but don't perceive being informed about the dark side of things as an offense to traditional things. The traditional way can have issues at times too.

[@kasu9]

Some traditions need to be shamed, especially when they have racist origins. Sorry, not sorry.

[@The_Black_Truth]