Celebrating Harvest, Family And Plants
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
Thanksgiving is traditionally about celebrating harvest and family. Harvesting is done, so my attention turns to tropical houseplants. There is always a last minute rush to get plants that have summered outside back inside before first frost. Nightly newscast weather predictions sparks something I refer to as “The Annual Fall Panic.” It’s first initiated when the last heat wave of the season breaks; intensifies when nightly temperatures reach the low 50s; and panic sets in with the first frost warning.
Since I have a LOT of houseplants, it takes literally weeks to get them all settled back indoors. The first plants moved are carefully transplanted; groomed to remove dead leaves and weeds that have taken root in the pots; and inspected for pests hiding out on leaves or in the soil. By the time fall panic sets in, it’s grab and run. DEFCON 1. All hands on deck! No matter how early this process is started, it always ends the same. Frost threatens to kill my green babies; old favorites, new favorites, plants that have grown so much over the summer, that it’s difficult to find a place to put them.
Somehow, I get swept up in trending plants each year; new varieties, new colors, and exciting patterns. While it’s summer, there’s always room for more plants to place around the yard, front porch, and back patio. Aren’t they pretty?
This year, aroids are all the rage. Large leaf philodendrons, anthuriums, pothos, scindapsus, alocasia, colocasia, and monsteras in every shape, size, and color pattern. People who drive these trends even develop new words to describe old things. For example, a stripper pole now means a plant support wrapped in moss for large leaf climbing plants like monstera to anchor their roots into, so they develop larger, more dramatic leaves.
Some of the most popular plants are going for huge sums of money. So, what is a plant addict who absolutely must have the latest plant craze going to do? Budget is a critical path dependency for most of us, including me. After all, there’s the boring bills like the mortgage, car payment, and food, which doesn’t leave much disposable income. Creative solution? Propagate what you have and share with other like-minded plant people. Either trade what you have for pieces of what you want, or sell divisions of what you have, and put the proceeds towards the new plant that has somehow become a must have. Which brings us to propagation.
Aroids are native to warm, humid, tropical rain forests, climbing up trees, roots in leaf litter on the forest floor. Dividing these plants and growing them successfully means imitating their native environment. Accomplishing that in our dry winter homes isn’t as challenging as it sounds. Using a clean, disinfected cutting tool, cut off a stem leaving at least three nodes on the new plant. Nodes are where the leaf joins the stem, and is the spot where new roots will grow. Take the cuttings, wrap them in moist, but not sopping wet sphagnum moss. Place this clump into a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Air circulation around the entire plant is very important to prevent plant pathogens from attacking the newly cut section. If your plants are growing on a windowsill, put unrooted cuttings in a warm place, out of direct sun, until they have developed roots. If the growing area is dry, either add a humidifier, or place a sandwich baggie over the top of the new stems to increase humidity around each individual plant. Monitor plants for new roots. When roots have developed, plant into a loose, well-drained mixture like bark, ProMix, and perlite. Water with rain water or distilled water, as water must be very clean and chemical free for these plants.
Once your plants have been propagated, share them with family as Christmas presents, or trade with others who have plants that you simply must have in your collection. One of the best ways to ensure that you will continue to have your favorite plant is to propagate it and give it to a friend. If yours dies, you can ask for a piece back.
So, at the start of this season of giving thanks and gifts to loved ones, spread the love of something living. It will bring you, your family and friends, joy; will filter the air in your home; and provide your space with additional oxygen.
Happy Thanksgiving!
