Black Thumbs

[Kalima]

In many Pagan circles I feel terribly out of place, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice to offer?

It's not because of a strong difference in my opinions that I feel different, nor because of my attitudes or practices - but because of my black thumbs.

I've had many mundane snippets of advice given to me, and yet I've still managed to kill every potplant I've come into contact with, bar one (and he's none too happy looking, although his life span of a year has been significantly longer than the others).
I'm pretty sure I can't be all THAT terrible - I lovingly tended the Frangipani tree in our backyard, who blossomed earlier than any of the others in this area, and has given us more flowers than any of her brethren.

But I'm death to anything green in a pot. Please, does anyone have any thoughts/advice to offer?

[mol]

Originally posted by Kalima

But I'm death to anything green in a pot. Please, does anyone have any thoughts/advice to offer?

The only advice I can offer is to stick around here. We have a very good moderator for this forum who is very knowledgable in the "Green" ways as well as other folks who regularly answer questions.

So, stick around...another piece of advice. Love them.

[mol]

And welcome to the Community...

[Lynnaea]

I find people usually kill their plants with too much care. Too much water, too much fertilizer, too much sun or shade. It helps to know what the plant likes, some like it dryer than others, most herbs don't like much fertilizer. Try to remember less is sometimes better.

[Kalima]

That makes me feel somewhat better, eaglewolf! :D
It's something of a relief to know that I'm not alone, and I have been studying Astrology since I was eleven or twelve years old, so I guess I can always take refuge in what I can do ;)

Thankyou to you and mol, for your welcomes.
(I don't know if I should mention that I was dragged over here by my working-partner Ari? ;))

[sharon_fitzhugh]

Don't feel too bad - and it's no reflection on whether or not you "belong" in a Pagan community!
I have found that I kill most of my plants w/ kindness (too much water, which causes root rot!)
Right now, I'm trying to raise a crop of Chili's from seed that we bought on the road betwixt Alabama and Cali - the package said they were heavy water drinkers, but I find it's an effort not to drown them weekly!

[Yvonne Belisle]

I am amazed that so many of us have black thumbs when it comes to houseplants! I am amid the number. Yet when it comes to a garden I'm fine. I think the plants in the store quiver in terror when they see me coming.

[Celestite]

I would suggest that you get a cactus or a spider plant and don't water it until it starts drooping. I only water my plants every couple of weeks and they are all fab.

Lots of people go for something tricky when they first start, hardy plants like aspidestra's (aka cast iron plant) are a real winner.

I inherited an aspidestra when my Gran died 13 years ago, she reckoned it was about a 100 years old then and she only watered it once a year. I do water it more often but only once a month or so.

Good Luck, and I'm very envious, would love to get my head around astrology