I use those mesh bags you get with potatoes, apples etc. I cut a piece to put in bottom of pot to manage soil loss through large pot holes. I’ve also used them to make kokedamas. I tie up the soil in the mesh , make a cutting to add plant, then cover with moss. Viola! 🌿
Great idea! I use a similar method using window screen material. Don’t throw out the old window screens you replace, just cut it into 2.5” squares to use in your pots to prevent soil from escaping.
@@eleanoreagly4844 i use coffee filters also! i actually used to have some real tiny mini ones that were meant to go inside the reusable k-cup pods - they were the perfect size!
When I use decorative pots I put a little hole in the top of the nursery pot and put a string through it so I don't have a lot of difficulty getting the nursery pot out of the decorative one.
Thanks for sharing! Like this idea more than what I do, which is put a small piece of broken terracotta or a stone underneath such that the lip is easier to grab
For the holes on the bottom of pots, I just put several layers of newspaper. It keeps ALL the soil in, lets the water drain, and by the time the paper breaks down, the soil is settled in place and won’t come out.
I'm in mexico where I use whatever i find under my feet. So to prevent soil falling out of the plants i use old tiles: you beat them into pieces and lay on the bottom of the pot. On top i add a layer of mulch (dried leaves). Not only it holds the soil, also allows better drainage and a natural compost. Thank you for you tips as well
I've been using holy pantyhose for 20 odd years to tie up plants. Instead of binning it, I cut it into strips. It's stretchy and doesn't restrict movement as plants grow
It would be so helpful to explain how to apply the soap to the plant. I understood how it works but have no clue how to apply to large and small house plants. Thanks.
Great hacks and tips. I use the tube mesh netting from garlic bulbs to put in the bottom of the pots. Just cut off the metal stopper or pull off with pliers then cut mesh to size. My miniscule deed for the planet.
I love those ideas! I have a slight variation on your textile squares to prevent soil loss from pot drainage holes. I use any finer weave textile, and for a dual purpose, and that is in houseplant pots that I put outside in the Summer. The reason being that when I bring my plants back indoors at the end of the season I sometimes find that woodlice, occasionally ants/worms, and centipedes (not altogether!) have made a cosy little nest in the bottom layer of soil (having crawled in through the drainage holes). Though I love these insects (maybe not ants!) I don't want them appearing indoors when they come out for a stroll!
@@beesknees213 I used this a few times but then I realized that it was still holding too much water and I would up using a chop stick to punch right through it from the drainage holes, it works to hold the soil while you are doing the potting or repotting, but not for the long run, to me.
For my office plant, when I would go off on vacation I would fill a plastic water bottle with water and turn it upside down into the soil of the recently watered plant pot. As the soil dries, a bubble is released into the bottle allowing a little water to flow out. It keeps the plant watered for the two week vacation.
I've loved learning about IPM from you--it's fascinating to me. Also, panty hose are so useful with plants in general. A lot of gardeners use them to tie up tomatoes and support squash growing on vines.
amazing tips, what really helped me with Fungus nats its consistent bottom watering, as FG live in the first centimetres of the top soil that will remain relatively dry and they die of.
One of my favorite hacks is: if I’m going away, I fill up a empty soda bottle with water, I quickly turn it upside down into the plant, deep in, as far as I can. The plant soaks up the water it needs until I get bk home.
When trying to water my plants, I got so tired of trying to remove the nursery pot from the decorative pot, (too tight of a fit) that I quit using my decorative pots altogether. I always repot into terra cotta pots, but then those won’t fit into the decorative pots. I finally had my husband drill a drainage hole in all of my decorative pots so now I can just plant directly into those without having to use or remove a 2nd pot for watering.
I do this too. I started rinsing the sides of some of my pots & trays with the same solution when I found baby gnats eating right off the terra cotta 🤢.
Great hacks! My favs are the tea strainer, nylon stocking for mounting epiphytes and, especially, the pots submerged in sand. I’m going to use all of them. Also, the cloche idea is great. I created one using a casserole dish for the bottom and a large, glass salad bowl that I bought at IKEA for the top. It works like a charm. Those IKEA bowls are only $3 and they are great for creating cloches.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was very helpful and I’m inspired to try some of these techniques. I think I’m going to create some bark wall structures for orchards. They would make great gifts to give to people as well. Take Care!!! ❤️🪴🍄🌿🌱🌾🌞
Thanks a lot for your nice videos and explanations and botanical garden tours. I enjoy these a lot. Question (probably unclever one): The soap option for soil clumps. Do you use the soil also to water the plants or just for transplanting the clumped plant into new soil and getting rid of the old soil?
I use a piece of coffee filter instead of the wire mesh to keep the soil in. I tear off a piece and only use enough to cover the hole so one filter does several pots. Lets the water out and is biodegradable if you toss your old dirt in a yard pile later.
Another tip: Put undiluted liquid fertilizer/ wetting agent/ plant food in sprayer bottles. Measure it once in the beginning how many sprays you need for your usual dose (e.g 3 sprays for 5 mls) for easy mixing with water on watering day then keep it in dark cupboard when not in use. Its a serious time saver for not having to mix and measure from the bottle all the time especially when you have tons of plant to look after. Burnout no more!
I've heard of using banana skins for a supplemental feeding. One is drying the skins by shredding the skins down and leaving to dry then cutting into say 1/2" clippings, adding coconut coir, placing in a mesh bag and watering over to add nutrients. I've also heard you can use fresh banana skins, soak in water overnight and just use the water as you water your plants. Question: which gives better nutrition. Does it actually work. And, do you recommend?
Did you know that Yarrow (achilliea millifolium) has styptic properties? Sometimes called woundwart, it's scientific name alludes to the story that Achilles' soldiers used the plant to bind each others wounds.
I recently had a bag of African Violet soil that had fungus gnats in it. It was freezing outside so I put it out there. Had the idea because we have parrots and we freeze their food before storing to prevent pantry moths. Kills adults and larvae. I’m planning on stocking up on soil while I can easily freeze the larger bags outside.
These r great & I'm pretty good @ picking them up in ur videos but having them laid out helps me find the 1's I've missed. Thank u 4 sharing! But PLEASE TELL US, cuz I'm so curious about how that pot bound Hoya Albovatta??, that u used the peppermint Castille soap on, is doing now. 💗
Great ideas, thank you! I’d like to add one: I use a large clear container, the ones you buy mixed greens or spinach for salad, I make about 3 small holes on the lid and use it to propagate cuttings (I like to use perlite). I don’t have a heat mat, but I set the container on top of my wifi thing near the window (no direct sunlight) and voila, a mini greenhouse with exceptional results!!!
Hello, I purchased a Selloum Philodendron plant a week ago. One of the smallest new leaf turned to mush. I am now noticing the mature leafs have wet spots that are tearing. I have not watered the plant & the soil is dry from the top & will need watering soon. Does this mean it is dying & what can I do to stop this? Love you videos, your knowledge amazing! Thank you!
Great tips, for the under shelf lights how do I know if it’s suitable for plants? I know you said you don’t have to get grow lights specifically so was wondering how to know
As long as you're not trying to get a plant to flower or fruit, cheap shop light LEDs work fine. I've purchased 48" LED shop lights at Menards and keep my houseplants happy in limited lights. They were about $15. Try to find the highest Kelvin rating you can. I even spray painted the outside of one with a copper look for my dining room- works great. If you're trying to add heat, it's better to go with fluorescent.
Mosquito bits, hmm , I think these are not available in the Netherlands either. Not only Australia. Does anyone know of an alternative? So often when I watch plantcare videos a product is mentioned and it doesn't exist elsewhere. Any entrepeneurs? Lots of holes to fill.
OH I didn't notice this was a new video! I really like videos like these, these hacks make life in the garden so much easier. Thanks for sharing!! Keep them hacks coming! :D
I have a zz plant propagation question if somebody could answer. I have a ZZ plant stem that I put in a Suntory Whiskey bottle with water. I forgot about it and the roots are 5 inches long now and has tubers. Now it’s stuck in the bottle and it won’t come out in the neck. I was wondering if it can stay like that or break the bottle to take it out? It looks good and healthy.
@@MariaMartinez-ks6qq Agree! Just break the bottle. Wrap it in a towel or something so the glass doesn't shatter everywhere. Break the neck with a mallet.
Just say’n …… credit cards don’t give anything back, the merchant you shop does as if prices include this -- um no but will in future of their products.
I have hack for when i go on vacation that I haven t herd of from any plant youtubers. I put my plants with their pots in transparents storage boxes and basically create a terrarium. I left them there for 4 months without watering. I had many hoyas there and they loved it.
Interesting tips Summer. Can I add one? I have little light-reflective strips (tinfoil works) on the wall beside some succulents so they catch more ambient light rather than just light from the window.
Or mirrors! My foyer had one small window but 50 plants and strategically placed vintage mirrors from the thrift store to provide enough light! Worked great for years!
My mirror in the hallway reflects bright light from another room, 8 ft. away, overhead lighting, so that my Peace Lillies don't have to be turned. It seems like not so much light because the light is not that much, but they are so happy there. 🎊
Instead of using a soil mesh screen to cover the hole on the bottom of a plant pot, I use tea bags emptied of the tea leaves - 1 tea bag does 2 pots (ref tip #4 at 10:11).
I use shards of terracotta pots to cover the hole. My dogs have broken some of my pots before (so I have to be careful where I put them) and instead of throwing the broken pots in the trash, I keep them for when I need to cover pot drainage.
I actually use cinnamon instead when i cut the plant where the flesh is. I am not a fan of terracotta. I use nursery pot and a decorative pot outside. So i can replace nursery pots when they are getting old etc and still have the decorative pot for life. And is easier to repot with nursery pot can squeeze it out.
I found a large glass hurricane vessel for candles or other decorative filler at a thrift store and put it upside down as a cloche for some special plants. Worked perfect and sooo much cheaper than buying a cloche.
@@traeannahbrown5699 oh, yeah, mine has a bottom that I use as the top. I’ve used some cling wrap to close other things, but it’s not very nice looking to me. You could always try to find something else that would work as a cover, like a glass plate!
Oh my word I love this channel so much your such a mentor, I have just started my own channel, hoping one day I can be like you, much love from South Africa
Tip: When watering, test soil moisture with a bamboo skewer, rather than your finger. Sticking your finger into the soil compacts it. Bamboo skewers are inexpensive and biodegradable. Slide one into the soil of a plant you're not sure about, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then draw the skewer out, and feel it to know how much moisture is in the soil. I have a few skewers tucked away near my plants that I've been using for months. I prefer to not leave them in the soil all the time, but if you forget one, it's not a big deal. Give it a try - see if you like it.
I use a kabob stick or really small wooden dowel to check my plants to see if they need water. I use the same one, sticking it into the bottom of the pot, then pulling it out immediately. It will register how wet or dry it is by what sticks to it and that will show you how low the moisture level is. I wipe the stick off with a napkin with each plant I check, so I get a fair reading. I always feel like I’m checking the oil in my car when I do this, haha. If my plant has trouble drawing up water and drinking (because of compacted soil) I push the stick clear down through the soil in several places and it fixes the issue.
I’ll just add a simple one: when growing plants that need constant moisture like maidenhair ferns and carnivorous plants, I like using extra large pots to keep the soil moist for longer periods, so I don’t have to water them every one or two days. (Conversely, be extra careful about using larger pots for plants that need drying out.)
Carnivorous, like Venus fly traps, like a mesh pot relative to their size and they need distilled or RO water only. They should be potter in long covered sphagnum moss alone and sitting in a saucer of water constantly. They’re bog plants.
Love you Summer! I use aquarium plastic bio balls (that are meant for filters) to create space between an inside pot and a decorative outer pot. That way there can be a little bit of water in there for extra humidity but the plant isn't sitting in it. I like it better than gravel because there is a lot more space for water and best of all they weigh basically nothing, so if you have a lot of plants up on a shelf for example, you're not adding too much weight.
I use organic cinnamon to seal the cut ends of my propagations. Works like a charm & I believe it is also good for preventing a fungal infection! I also wanted to give a shoutout to Planterina for introducing me to the turkey baster tip. She uses it to carefully water smaller plants & to suck up extra water from the saucers (:
Cost cutting tip with heating mats it may be cheaper to buy one for reptiles rather than a horticultural one. I think I use IPM at my home. I have a house lady bird which I raised from an egg, it sorted out the greenfly on my plants.
I have found that some of my LED lights mess up my circadian rhythm so I always make sure to turn them of a few hours before I go to bed. When I would leave them on layer it always makes it hard to fall asleep
Summer can I tell you that you videos kept me sane through quarantine. I learned so much and gained a deep appreciation for plants. Thank you for such high quality work it is very appreciated. Lots of love. Kalizya
I use disposable plastic cups as plant starter pots, I just put some holes then I'm done, I also put it on mugs, where they fit perfectly and turn it into a hydroponic system.
Instead of styptic, we use turmeric which is commonly available in our kitchens in India. Due to anti- inflammatory properties, it repels insects and fungus.
Using panty hose is actually an old. Old hack.... Back from when ppl actually wore panty hose and they'd run. Lol. They're great for any staking up you need to do. From tropicals to tomato plants and everything in between!
Thanks for the tips Summer! Another one we might add is to help save time misting, use an automatic and continuous mister. It has honestly saved my fingers from pressing the manual sprayer over and over! Does a great job keeping plants that love humidity happy!
I have over 150 house plants and years ago I got a horrible infestation of Aphids and wiping each leaf was out of the question so I ordered some Ladybugs , well the only size they had was 1000 , so a few days later a moving bean bag arrived , I cut it open and 1000 Ladybugs flew out and spread around my house onto all my plants and took care of my Aphid problem beautifully ....BUT 1000 Ladybugs is a LOT lol , they would be all over my windows sunning themself , flying around my house etc until I starting sucking them up with my vacuum and releasing them outside but I could never get rid of them , they would crawl into the cracks around my window frame or anywhere they found and I would think they were gone but as soon as spring came and the sun shining in the windows all of a sudden there would be 100's of Ladybugs on every window , but I never had Aphids again lol .
I'm in the UK and I've been using the mesh bags that contain satsumas or onions to cover the drainage hole. I wonder if pantyhose (we call them tights here) would also work - maybe fishnet ones would!
Summer, I am so happy that you are friends with my other favorite teacher(do not worry you were first) suburban homestead! I have been subbed to him for years, But did not realize what the channel was. Then no notification.. I was so happy to see your comments, also a vegan chef I have had the chance of seeing. I would like to see him more also! What I really wanted to say, is I am temporarily staying where my plants do not fit the situation. So I took(barrowed) a couple brand new long led lights (not made for plants) moved my babies to the attic as if the are cannibis! And wow! I thought I was lacking some kinds of the spectrum? Maybe but... They are blooming! I have a stick that was off an outside Walmart plant that grew a orange tipped thorn looking flower . It was green stamen coming out the mouth. And it had a little piece that hung down under that reminded me a tiny bit of the nectar tube on a nasturtium. I do not know names as I did a a child So? I got so excited when you mentioned non plant lights! I got off topic. Sorry this is so long. But I do this at times! Thank you G.
Awesome video 😄 Always excited to learn ways to make this plant habit more streamlined & manageable! I very much appreciate having a “plant nanny” in some of my often forgotten plants 😅 It’s a big terracotta spike with an overturned wine bottle in it. Also! Prop boxes 🙃 They come in many forms. I have a grow tent in my kitchen equipped with fans, heating mat, lights, hygrometer, & timers, but I find just a clear plastic storage bin under a grow light, on a heating mat is much easier to manage & takes up less space 😅
Finally ! A vid of USEFULL plant hacks, kudos to you Summer and Thank You. Down here, the bottom of pots are lined with coconut fiber ... was an idea I had never considered previously. .... down here is Colombia, South America. Hola !
I'm curious about Aspiration. How can you confirm they plant x trees after you do y? There's many organizations like this and they end up with empty promises, making the consumer feel like they're doing something good but nothing comes of it. It's a pleasant idea, but I'd only join if there's a way to prove they're really contributing to tree restoration
If you don't have mesh, and don't wanna go out and get some, you can take an old terracotta pot and smash it. Put a curved shard over the drainage hole in the pot you are going to be planting in. You can get enough shards to cover the drainage hole in the bottom of many planters from one terracotta pot. Much better than using mesh, imo.
Wala po ako masabi kahit po busy kayo ni sander.nandyan pa din po kayo para magbigay Ng pag aalaga SA mga halaman.pagpalain po kayo at palagi po kayong Mag iingat.
I use those mesh bags you get with potatoes, apples etc. I cut a piece to put in bottom of pot to manage soil loss through large pot holes. I’ve also used them to make kokedamas. I tie up the soil in the mesh , make a cutting to add plant, then cover with moss. Viola! 🌿
Great idea! I use a similar method using window screen material. Don’t throw out the old window screens you replace, just cut it into 2.5” squares to use in your pots to prevent soil from escaping.
Great idea! I have saved tons of those trying to figure out ways to use them. 👍🏻
I use a used coffee filter
@@eleanoreagly4844 i use coffee filters also! i actually used to have some real tiny mini ones that were meant to go inside the reusable k-cup pods - they were the perfect size!
@@eleanoreagly4844 I have bad experience w/coffee filters. Some kind of mold, bacteria, or fungus grows out on the filters on the bottom of the pot 😢
When I use decorative pots I put a little hole in the top of the nursery pot and put a string through it so I don't have a lot of difficulty getting the nursery pot out of the decorative one.
GENIUS!!!
Very smart! Thanks for sharing.
I love that idea I'm always having trouble getting the pot out, but no more!! Thank you
that’s so simple but brilliant. all mine are in nursery pots in decorative and it’s a struggle to get some out.
Thanks for sharing! Like this idea more than what I do, which is put a small piece of broken terracotta or a stone underneath such that the lip is easier to grab
For the holes on the bottom of pots, I just put several layers of newspaper. It keeps ALL the soil in, lets the water drain, and by the time the paper breaks down, the soil is settled in place and won’t come out.
I'm in mexico where I use whatever i find under my feet. So to prevent soil falling out of the plants i use old tiles: you beat them into pieces and lay on the bottom of the pot. On top i add a layer of mulch (dried leaves). Not only it holds the soil, also allows better drainage and a natural compost. Thank you for you tips as well
I've been using holy pantyhose for 20 odd years to tie up plants. Instead of binning it, I cut it into strips. It's stretchy and doesn't restrict movement as plants grow
Hi Summer, I don’t comment regularly but really appreciate your ideas and enjoy the videos. ❤️😊
It would be so helpful to explain how to apply the soap to the plant. I understood how it works but have no clue how to apply to large and small house plants. Thanks.
Great hacks and tips. I use the tube mesh netting from garlic bulbs to put in the bottom of the pots. Just cut off the metal stopper or pull off with pliers then cut mesh to size. My miniscule deed for the planet.
I was going to comment that too 🙏🏽💚🌎
I love those ideas! I have a slight variation on your textile squares to prevent soil loss from pot drainage holes. I use any finer weave textile, and for a dual purpose, and that is in houseplant pots that I put outside in the Summer. The reason being that when I bring my plants back indoors at the end of the season I sometimes find that woodlice, occasionally ants/worms, and centipedes (not altogether!) have made a cosy little nest in the bottom layer of soil (having crawled in through the drainage holes). Though I love these insects (maybe not ants!) I don't want them appearing indoors when they come out for a stroll!
I use coffee filters over my drainage holes. I can get 8 "covers" out of one filter.
I buy a roll of screendoor replacement screen. Lasts me years making hole covers. Some hardware stores will sell it by the foot.
I saw a video where the guy uses strips of that mesh material bag which contains the heads of garlic. Great idea!!
@@beesknees213 I used this a few times but then I realized that it was still holding too much water and I would up using a chop stick to punch right through it from the drainage holes, it works to hold the soil while you are doing the potting or repotting, but not for the long run, to me.
@@kyrad6543 I have some screen. I just used some when I made a terrarium. I l will keep that in mind.
For my office plant, when I would go off on vacation I would fill a plastic water bottle with water and turn it upside down into the soil of the recently watered plant pot. As the soil dries, a bubble is released into the bottle allowing a little water to flow out. It keeps the plant watered for the two week vacation.
I've loved learning about IPM from you--it's fascinating to me. Also, panty hose are so useful with plants in general. A lot of gardeners use them to tie up tomatoes and support squash growing on vines.
Thank you Summer! Great tips. I will watch it again with pen and paper. I love the pantyhose idea and the sand one. Great tips! Thanks again.
I have all plant lights plugged into smart plugs and they're all scheduled. Makes it a lot easier to keep up.
amazing tips, what really helped me with Fungus nats its consistent bottom watering, as FG live in the first centimetres of the top soil that will remain relatively dry and they die of.
One of my favorite hacks is: if I’m going away, I fill up a empty soda bottle with water, I quickly turn it upside down into the plant, deep in, as far as I can. The plant soaks up the water it needs until I get bk home.
J'ai réellement apprécié cette vidéo ! Toutes ces trucs et astuces judicieux pour nos plantes! Merci pour ce partage.
When trying to water my plants, I got so tired of trying to remove the nursery pot from the decorative pot, (too tight of a fit) that I quit using my decorative pots altogether. I always repot into terra cotta pots, but then those won’t fit into the decorative pots. I finally had my husband drill a drainage hole in all of my decorative pots so now I can just plant directly into those without having to use or remove a 2nd pot for watering.
For fungus gnats, small amount hydrogen peroxide in watering can works for me. I do only twice a month. Can hear the mix working by putting ear to pot
Wow
I do this too. I started rinsing the sides of some of my pots & trays with the same solution when I found baby gnats eating right off the terra cotta 🤢.
How much peroxide vs how much water please.
@@lisaharvey4740 I've seen up to a 1:4 ratio, but I usually do about a teaspoon or two per liter of water and it's effective.
@@lisaharvey4740 A small amount, maybe less than an ounce in my watering can
Great hacks! My favs are the tea strainer, nylon stocking for mounting epiphytes and, especially, the pots submerged in sand. I’m going to use all of them. Also, the cloche idea is great. I created one using a casserole dish for the bottom and a large, glass salad
bowl that I bought at IKEA for the top. It works like a charm. Those IKEA bowls are only $3 and they are great for creating cloches.
I like to use the mesh from onion or potato bags as screen in the bottom of pots :) Functional, free, recycling
Another good way to gage your soil moisture is by a Moisture Meter, game changer! YOur plants will love you for it and no more over watering.
Old pieces of window screen work great to keep potting medium in the pot.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was very helpful and I’m inspired to try some of these techniques. I think I’m going to create some bark wall structures for orchards. They would make great gifts to give to people as well. Take Care!!! ❤️🪴🍄🌿🌱🌾🌞
Killer gift idea
Fun Fact: Yarrow Leaves are also a styptic! I always have dried yarrow around just in case for any cuts
Thanks a lot for your nice videos and explanations and botanical garden tours. I enjoy these a lot.
Question (probably unclever one): The soap option for soil clumps. Do you use the soil also to water the plants or just for transplanting the clumped plant into new soil and getting rid of the old soil?
I use a piece of coffee filter instead of the wire mesh to keep the soil in. I tear off a piece and only use enough to cover the hole so one filter does several pots. Lets the water out and is biodegradable if you toss your old dirt in a yard pile later.
Wet the potting medium with WARM water and be nice to your hands too! Took me years to do this small favor for myself!
I use gip-rock tape cut into squares in lieu of mesh over drainage holes.
Another tip:
Put undiluted liquid fertilizer/ wetting agent/ plant food in sprayer bottles. Measure it once in the beginning how many sprays you need for your usual dose (e.g 3 sprays for 5 mls) for easy mixing with water on watering day then keep it in dark cupboard when not in use. Its a serious time saver for not having to mix and measure from the bottle all the time especially when you have tons of plant to look after. Burnout no more!
God morning Summer it's been a while but great hacks!❤️🥰🙏🏼
I've heard of using banana skins for a supplemental feeding. One is drying the skins by shredding the skins down and leaving to dry then cutting into say 1/2" clippings, adding coconut coir, placing in a mesh bag and watering over to add nutrients. I've also heard you can use fresh banana skins, soak in water overnight and just use the water as you water your plants. Question: which gives better nutrition. Does it actually work. And, do you recommend?
This is another best gardening experience sharing, thank you so much for sharing 👍👍👍!
I use a fork to stir the potting soil while adding water.
Nice vid
Wish you addressed the humidifier I saw in the background🤗
With soaking the pot, would this be a one off thing or do you mean as part of your watering you would soak your potter?
also and i forgot about this, putting rocks on top of your plant soils also keeps fungus knats away,
thank you for all the tips ...most helpful!
You can also use pantyhose strips as wicks for wick watering
Summer, that's a cool tea strainer. Do you remember where you got it? I like how the strainer is ceramic too.
You look so much like Swedens crown princess Viktoria when show was young🥰
Did you know that Yarrow (achilliea millifolium) has styptic properties? Sometimes called woundwart, it's scientific name alludes to the story that Achilles' soldiers used the plant to bind each others wounds.
Love you Summer. 😘
I recently had a bag of African Violet soil that had fungus gnats in it.
It was freezing outside so I put it out there. Had the idea because we have parrots and we freeze their food before storing to prevent pantry moths. Kills adults and larvae. I’m planning on stocking up on soil while I can easily freeze the larger bags outside.
Please make a video on Aqua globe. Are they useful to water the plant or not?
Hi summer I live in belguim hack Fungus Gnats for control use in plant pinguicula carnivorous plant great video's love your video's
I use loofah as mesh
Great stuff
Thank you 😊
These r great & I'm pretty good @ picking them up in ur videos but having them laid out helps me find the 1's I've missed. Thank u 4 sharing! But PLEASE TELL US, cuz I'm so curious about how that pot bound Hoya Albovatta??, that u used the peppermint Castille soap on, is doing now. 💗
So helpful love it!
Lori
I use old black and brown pantyhose everywhere in my garden. Even my husband didn’t know I was using them until he “caught me in the act”🤣👍
Great ideas, thank you!
I’d like to add one: I use a large clear container, the ones you buy mixed greens or spinach for salad, I make about 3 small holes on the lid and use it to propagate cuttings (I like to use perlite). I don’t have a heat mat, but I set the container on top of my wifi thing near the window (no direct sunlight) and voila, a mini greenhouse with exceptional results!!!
Hello, I purchased a Selloum Philodendron plant a week ago. One of the smallest new leaf turned to mush. I am now noticing the mature leafs have wet spots that are tearing. I have not watered the plant & the soil is dry from the top & will need watering soon. Does this mean it is dying & what can I do to stop this? Love you videos, your knowledge amazing! Thank you!
Great tips, for the under shelf lights how do I know if it’s suitable for plants? I know you said you don’t have to get grow lights specifically so was wondering how to know
As long as you're not trying to get a plant to flower or fruit, cheap shop light LEDs work fine. I've purchased 48" LED shop lights at Menards and keep my houseplants happy in limited lights. They were about $15. Try to find the highest Kelvin rating you can. I even spray painted the outside of one with a copper look for my dining room- works great. If you're trying to add heat, it's better to go with fluorescent.
Mosquito bits, hmm , I think these are not available in the Netherlands either. Not only Australia. Does anyone know of an alternative?
So often when I watch plantcare videos a product is mentioned and it doesn't exist elsewhere. Any entrepeneurs? Lots of holes to fill.
I have some carnivorous plants that are just great for fungus gnats!
OH I didn't notice this was a new video! I really like videos like these, these hacks make life in the garden so much easier. Thanks for sharing!! Keep them hacks coming! :D
May I ask for you planning on moving at all to your up start home?
brilliant hacks
I used my colleague (she didnt want it anymore... :) ) panty hose to do my diy staghorn mount project and its GREAT! :)
Could you do video about rattlesnake plants if you have those in your collection.
Is there something similar to mosquito bits in spain? tyyy
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I use pipe screens for the bottom of my planters! They're cheap, small, and I... always have them. 😅
I have a zz plant propagation question if somebody could answer. I have a ZZ plant stem that I put in a Suntory Whiskey bottle with water. I forgot about it and the roots are 5 inches long now and has tubers. Now it’s stuck in the bottle and it won’t come out in the neck. I was wondering if it can stay like that or break the bottle to take it out? It looks good and healthy.
You’ll have to bite the bullet and break that bottle because the neck will constrict the growth and new stems will be unable to pop up.
@@MariaMartinez-ks6qq Agree! Just break the bottle. Wrap it in a towel or something so the glass doesn't shatter everywhere. Break the neck with a mallet.
💚💚💚
Just say’n …… credit cards don’t give anything back, the merchant you shop does as if prices include this -- um no but will in future of their products.
I have hack for when i go on vacation that I haven t herd of from any plant youtubers. I put my plants with their pots in transparents storage boxes and basically create a terrarium. I left them there for 4 months without watering. I had many hoyas there and they loved it.
Interesting tips Summer. Can I add one? I have little light-reflective strips (tinfoil works) on the wall beside some succulents so they catch more ambient light rather than just light from the window.
Or mirrors! My foyer had one small window but 50 plants and strategically placed vintage mirrors from the thrift store to provide enough light! Worked great for years!
@@blowitoutyourcunt7675 I use mirrors around my house in this way also 👍
Try my bird 🐦
My mirror in the hallway reflects bright light from another room, 8 ft. away, overhead lighting, so that my Peace Lillies don't have to be turned. It seems like not so much light because the light is not that much, but they are so happy there. 🎊
Cool!
Instead of using a soil mesh screen to cover the hole on the bottom of a plant pot, I use tea bags emptied of the tea leaves - 1 tea bag does 2 pots (ref tip #4 at 10:11).
Thanks for sharing ❤️
That's really cool Nova
I use shards of terracotta pots to cover the hole. My dogs have broken some of my pots before (so I have to be careful where I put them) and instead of throwing the broken pots in the trash, I keep them for when I need to cover pot drainage.
@@mercurydude Brill!
I use a coffee filter
Nice list of hacks! For fungus gnats a 1/4" to 1/2" layer of sand of top of the soil usually stop them also.
Thanks! I’m going to try this in my classroom. I have about 30 plants and inevitably I get gnats.
Going to try this
I actually use cinnamon instead when i cut the plant where the flesh is. I am not a fan of terracotta. I use nursery pot and a decorative pot outside. So i can replace nursery pots when they are getting old etc and still have the decorative pot for life. And is easier to repot with nursery pot can squeeze it out.
I’m not a fan of terracotta either. Mine was growing mold underneath!
I found a large glass hurricane vessel for candles or other decorative filler at a thrift store and put it upside down as a cloche for some special plants. Worked perfect and sooo much cheaper than buying a cloche.
@Lauren Dao I was thinking of that I saw some in goodwill the other day. Do you leave the top open or seal it somehow?
@@traeannahbrown5699 I use it upside down so it’s closed. 🙂
@@laurendao4467 ohh the vases I saw had open top and bottom hurricanes lamp cover
@@traeannahbrown5699 oh, yeah, mine has a bottom that I use as the top. I’ve used some cling wrap to close other things, but it’s not very nice looking to me. You could always try to find something else that would work as a cover, like a glass plate!
@@traeannahbrown5699 saran wrap on one end... problem solved
Oh my word I love this channel so much your such a mentor, I have just started my own channel, hoping one day I can be like you, much love from South Africa
Tip: When watering, test soil moisture with a bamboo skewer, rather than your finger. Sticking your finger into the soil compacts it. Bamboo skewers are inexpensive and biodegradable. Slide one into the soil of a plant you're not sure about, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then draw the skewer out, and feel it to know how much moisture is in the soil. I have a few skewers tucked away near my plants that I've been using for months. I prefer to not leave them in the soil all the time, but if you forget one, it's not a big deal.
Give it a try - see if you like it.
Thank you for the tip. I am going to try it out.
Great tip!
i use disposable chopsticks!
love this, thank you!
I use a kabob stick or really small wooden dowel to check my plants to see if they need water. I use the same one, sticking it into the bottom of the pot, then pulling it out immediately. It will register how wet or dry it is by what sticks to it and that will show you how low the moisture level is. I wipe the stick off with a napkin with each plant I check, so I get a fair reading. I always feel like I’m checking the oil in my car when I do this, haha. If my plant has trouble drawing up water and drinking (because of compacted soil) I push the stick clear down through the soil in several places and it fixes the issue.
I’ll just add a simple one: when growing plants that need constant moisture like maidenhair ferns and carnivorous plants, I like using extra large pots to keep the soil moist for longer periods, so I don’t have to water them every one or two days. (Conversely, be extra careful about using larger pots for plants that need drying out.)
Great tip, thank u!
My maidenhairs do very well in self watering pots
Using an oversized pot can stunt foliage growth, you may be better off using a soil mix heavier in peat moss to retain moisture 😊
Carnivorous, like Venus fly traps, like a mesh pot relative to their size and they need distilled or RO water only. They should be potter in long covered sphagnum moss alone and sitting in a saucer of water constantly. They’re bog plants.
I gave the wick watering pots a try with my carnivores and so far I’m loving it. Everyone seems happy.
Love you Summer! I use aquarium plastic bio balls (that are meant for filters) to create space between an inside pot and a decorative outer pot. That way there can be a little bit of water in there for extra humidity but the plant isn't sitting in it. I like it better than gravel because there is a lot more space for water and best of all they weigh basically nothing, so if you have a lot of plants up on a shelf for example, you're not adding too much weight.
Why not LECA? Should be much cheaper
House plant trick #1: when repotting, soak the emptied pot in vinegar and scrub like a madman💚
Why?
@@CH-vm6cq to get rid of hard water stains and it sterilizes the pot
I use organic cinnamon to seal the cut ends of my propagations. Works like a charm & I believe it is also good for preventing a fungal infection! I also wanted to give a shoutout to Planterina for introducing me to the turkey baster tip. She uses it to carefully water smaller plants & to suck up extra water from the saucers (:
Omg that saucer/baster tip is really good.
I tend to use organic turmeric for the same purpose. It works very well for me. Good to know that cinnamon does the same. I will give it a try.
CornSTARCH works wonders as a styptic powder! I use it on everything. Now I have to experiment with cuttings!
You could easily do an outer pot of sand with an insert pot to easily water those dome like plants….
I love using my Pinguicula or butterwort carnivorous plant for fungus gnats instead of sticky traps. It’s amazing how many they’ll get!
I’m using Venus Flytraps 😂
Excellent advice, thanks.
I have now purchased venus fly traps and looks like it's working
I think I’ll adopt this hack! Great idea!
Cost cutting tip with heating mats it may be cheaper to buy one for reptiles rather than a horticultural one. I think I use IPM at my home. I have a house lady bird which I raised from an egg, it sorted out the greenfly on my plants.
I have found that some of my LED lights mess up my circadian rhythm so I always make sure to turn them of a few hours before I go to bed. When I would leave them on layer it always makes it hard to fall asleep
Summer can I tell you that you videos kept me sane through quarantine. I learned so much and gained a deep appreciation for plants. Thank you for such high quality work it is very appreciated.
Lots of love. Kalizya
I like how she says "I don't have that many plants here in the FLOCK house... yet!" :)
I use disposable plastic cups as plant starter pots, I just put some holes then I'm done, I also put it on mugs, where they fit perfectly and turn it into a hydroponic system.
I Love your kitchen at Finger Lakes!
Instead of styptic, we use turmeric which is commonly available in our kitchens in India. Due to anti- inflammatory properties, it repels insects and fungus.
Using panty hose is actually an old. Old hack.... Back from when ppl actually wore panty hose and they'd run. Lol. They're great for any staking up you need to do. From tropicals to tomato plants and everything in between!
Thanks for the tips Summer! Another one we might add is to help save time misting, use an automatic and continuous mister. It has honestly saved my fingers from pressing the manual sprayer over and over! Does a great job keeping plants that love humidity happy!
I have over 150 house plants and years ago I got a horrible infestation of Aphids and wiping each leaf was out of the question so I ordered some Ladybugs , well the only size they had was 1000 , so a few days later a moving bean bag arrived , I cut it open and 1000 Ladybugs flew out and spread around my house onto all my plants and took care of my Aphid problem beautifully ....BUT 1000 Ladybugs is a LOT lol , they would be all over my windows sunning themself , flying around my house etc until I starting sucking them up with my vacuum and releasing them outside but I could never get rid of them , they would crawl into the cracks around my window frame or anywhere they found and I would think they were gone but as soon as spring came and the sun shining in the windows all of a sudden there would be 100's of Ladybugs on every window , but I never had Aphids again lol .
I'm in the UK and I've been using the mesh bags that contain satsumas or onions to cover the drainage hole. I wonder if pantyhose (we call them tights here) would also work - maybe fishnet ones would!
Summer, I am so happy that you are friends with my other favorite teacher(do not worry you were first) suburban homestead! I have been subbed to him for years, But did not realize what the channel was. Then no notification.. I was so happy to see your comments, also a vegan chef I have had the chance of seeing. I would like to see him more also!
What I really wanted to say, is I am temporarily staying where my plants do not fit the situation. So I took(barrowed) a couple brand new long led lights (not made for plants) moved my babies to the attic as if the are cannibis! And wow! I thought I was lacking some kinds of the spectrum? Maybe but... They are blooming! I have a stick that was off an outside Walmart plant that grew a orange tipped thorn looking flower . It was green stamen coming out the mouth. And it had a little piece that hung down under that reminded me a tiny bit of the nectar tube on a nasturtium. I do not know names as I did a a child So?
I got so excited when you mentioned non plant lights! I got off topic. Sorry this is so long. But I do this at times!
Thank you G.
I use tea bag (without the tea) or the net-pouch when I purchase garlic from supermarket for my pots drainage hole screen
You make me more fall in love with plants .Yours tips are helpful. Most importantly I love your nussery tour ❤
Tisha
Awesome video 😄 Always excited to learn ways to make this plant habit more streamlined & manageable! I very much appreciate having a “plant nanny” in some of my often forgotten plants 😅 It’s a big terracotta spike with an overturned wine bottle in it.
Also! Prop boxes 🙃 They come in many forms. I have a grow tent in my kitchen equipped with fans, heating mat, lights, hygrometer, & timers, but I find just a clear plastic storage bin under a grow light, on a heating mat is much easier to manage & takes up less space 😅
Ria look at my bird
Adding a little neem seed meal to my potting mix when I'm concerned about fungus gnats has worked well for me.
Finally ! A vid of USEFULL plant hacks, kudos to you Summer and Thank You.
Down here, the bottom of pots are lined with coconut fiber ... was an idea I had never considered previously.
.... down here is Colombia, South America. Hola !
I'm curious about Aspiration. How can you confirm they plant x trees after you do y? There's many organizations like this and they end up with empty promises, making the consumer feel like they're doing something good but nothing comes of it. It's a pleasant idea, but I'd only join if there's a way to prove they're really contributing to tree restoration
If you don't have mesh, and don't wanna go out and get some, you can take an old terracotta pot and smash it. Put a curved shard over the drainage hole in the pot you are going to be planting in. You can get enough shards to cover the drainage hole in the bottom of many planters from one terracotta pot. Much better than using mesh, imo.
Wala po ako masabi kahit po busy kayo ni sander.nandyan pa din po kayo para magbigay Ng pag aalaga SA mga halaman.pagpalain po kayo at palagi po kayong Mag iingat.