31 March 2006
When my mom was here, I was focussed on finding a pothos plant. I know they're very common, and there's nothing really exotic about them, but they're one of my favourite houseplants. Because they are so common, though, I had a really difficult time finding one. None of the specialist plant/flower shops can be bothered to carry them, because -- c'mon -- everybody's got one already, duh. I finally picked one up when Rob and I went to B&Q the other day:
Click to enlarge. It's nothing special, but I keep finding myself looking at the same old bits of the flat and thinking, 'Ooh, that looks nice,' and I'm pretty sure it's all down to the pothos. It just seems so homey and full of life, unlike the ubiquitous peace lilies (which I associate with Ikea, which is fine, but not exactly lived-in).
When I lived in La Crosse, I saved a dying pothos from a Walgreens. It was only little, with a few leaves, and its sopping wet soil was crawling with little white flecks. A good repotting and a few months later saw it looking quite healthy and bug-less. So perhaps I just have a soft spot for pothos.
There's another new plant in the flat, in an oft-photographed location:
I bought these African Violets at a heavily discounted price from Waitrose. They were on clearance because some of the flowers had already started to die and dry up, but as you can see, it's still flowering well two weeks later. The container is so cheery, and it's nice to have flowers growing in the flat.
In other plant-related news, I'm growing lettuce on the balcony. Er, well, lettuce is growing on the balcony -- I have about as little to do with it as possible. I sowed (sew) the seeds months and months ago, but the seedlings all died on me. Then I tried planting some other plants in the container, which also promptly died (I blame the container), so I threw the whole lot out on the balcony (which wraps around the corner, so I placed it where I wouldn't have to see it). I happened to look out there about a month ago, and would you believe there are two little lettuce plants growing? They're not really big enough for eating, but they're still impressive, considering how cold and blowy it's been. Bravo, little lettuce plants. I've sprinkled some strawberry seeds in now too, to see if the balcony can work its magic on them. Neglectful gardening, that's my method.
Very glad you FINALLY found a Pothos! And it is a very nice one too. The one you saved when you were in college is doing very nicely in our sunroom. I take care of it as if I were taking care of you. Remember when I used to mist you with the water bottle when you were little? Oh, how you loved that!
posted by momma at March 31, 2006 09:42 PM
Your house looks so cosy, African violets remind me of my great grandmother, who always had masses of them on her window sill. Bravo for neglectful gardening!!
posted by Edwina at March 31, 2006 09:42 PM
Flowers make me happy, particularly elegant violets like those! Happy spring!
posted by Andrea at April 1, 2006 01:33 AM
When momma was in England I assumed the mantle of household “florian” caregiver. In my tenure as such I revived a struggling pothos plant, perhaps your very own. It was so sad and droopy I felt compelled to encourage it by saying "you are a brave pothos plant not a desperate pathos plant." I believe it was because of my gentle, humorous wordplay, constant encouragement and careful watering said pothos has completely revived.
.d
Momma will verify this story.
posted by .d at April 1, 2006 03:46 AM