Hey everyone! I'm curious about the plant care routines of those who have a ton of plants—like over 20 or even 200! I've got about 10 right now, and while I'm figuring out how to care for them by keeping notes on watering, fertilization, and any pest issues, I'm struggling with the thought of managing more. I mainly track how often I water each plant with a notes app, but I can't help but wonder, how do you seasoned plant parents keep up with so many? Do you have a specific routine for watering, or do you rely on instinct? I've heard some people just check the soil moisture by weight or even with chopsticks, but I'm not sure how that works with so many plants. Also, how do you handle pest problems when they arise? I've faced a few gnat issues, and although I've found nematodes to be helpful, I worry about more serious pests like thrips, especially with my alocasias. I'd love any tips on expanding my collection and keeping all my plants happy! Thanks!
3 Answers
Managing about 50 plants, I do a weekly walkthrough to eyeball who needs watering. Some plants are more dramatic, like having to check on my Peace Lily more often when it's thirsty. For checking moisture, I use a chopstick technique or I just feel the weight of the pot. I don’t track each watering; most of them have slow-release fertilizer, so I only need to fertilize every couple of months. When it comes to pests, if I see any issues, I separate the affected plant and treat it separately. The key for me is grouping plants by their needs so I can keep tabs easily!
I feel you! I've got almost 50 plants myself, and I'm still figuring it all out. My biggest challenges are my Fittonia and Calathea—they're like magnets for gnats! I've been using a gnat trap, plus some neem oil treatment. For watering, I used to rely on a plant care app, but now, I mostly check on them regularly and just know when they need water. Sometimes, the leaves droop a bit to let me know they've had enough! I try to group plants with similar needs together; it helps keep me organized. Honestly, most plant parents I know don’t stick to a strict schedule—they just get a feel for what their plants need over time!
Haha, totally! I LOVE following PaigeTailyn too; she really knows her stuff. I'm also convinced nematodes are life savers against gnats!
Honestly, you develop a knack for it over time. Just keep an eye on how they look and adjust your watering routine based on the seasons. For me, I usually check for moisture just by looking at the plants; over time, you start to understand their needs. Sometimes a plant may signal that they want watering by changing how they look, and it helps to know which plants tend to change needing water in different seasons. It’s less about strict schedules and more about intuition.
Definitely! Getting to know your plants takes time. I had a Monstera that needed more water in summer, so it’s all about how you feel them out.
That’s cool! I might start doing a walkthrough, too. But I'm kind of paranoid about pests spreading, so I’m cautious with new plants.