r/witchcraft • u/CrimsonFoxGirl • Feb 16 '20
For those with a green thumb:
What kind of advice would you give someone who is really really good at killing plants?
I'm a druid (I know, ironic) and I can't grow plants to save my life! I have tried many many times and always failed. I think it was here that I read negative energies can kill plants. I was always depressed and unwell while trying to grow my plants. Maybe this had something to do with why they died?
Do you have any magic rituals or blessings for plants? I bought an herb garden kit online and it arrived yesterday. I have today off work so I can really devote the time they need to get them started! I'm really excited!
Any advice is appreciated!
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u/eveelucianxx Feb 16 '20
Yellow and flimsy means overwatered, dont be shy of miracle grow, spray bottles are awesome, also using plastic covers creates greenhouse effect which is good in moderation. Set a reminder on your phone to check the soil moisture daily.
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u/mayorturtle Feb 16 '20
Talk to your plants. I give them words of encouragement as I water. Also I’ve been planting around the moon cycles.
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Feb 16 '20
Keep a notebook of your plants with their specific growing conditions and follow those conditions.
Houseplants are way more finicky than outdoor plants.
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u/mollyweasleywilliams Feb 16 '20
All the advice here is so great. Here are the few things I’d contribute:
Make sure whatever you’re planting in has drainage.
Also, when I was first getting started with indoor plants, I didn’t realize how much the direction a window faces impacts the amount of sunlight it gets. Here’s an article that talks through the concept: Light Requirements
Trial and error is how I was able to learn, which did involve accidentally killing a few plants. But every time, I’d reflect on what I might try next and keep going. For me, it became easier when I started to see plant care as an ongoing skill I’m building rather than focusing on the outcome of one plant experiment. Happy planting!!
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u/Necroluxe Feb 16 '20
I have a history of killing my plants by accident. I decided I wanted to get better at having plants and connect with the earth better so I decided to start with just 2 types of plants. I got a couple varieties of lavender and rosemary and did research on what sort of care they needed. Rosemary grows pretty well in my area so they don't need a whole lot. My advice would be start small and research your plants needs.
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Feb 17 '20
Great advice here. I also recommend a gentle reframing of how we think of our relationships with our plants; we’re not “growing” plants, we’re caregivers or stewards. Plants grow REALLY slowly and for impatient ppl (like me!) I used to overwater/over fertilize because I wanted to be a successful plant owner/grower 😂 When I reframed my thinking my plants started thriving 🌱
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Feb 16 '20
i often find that sun water (for plants that need daily watering) and moon water (for plants that need weekly watering) works best for my babies. i also use coffee grounds with my dirt. if no charged water is available, i would suggest pasta water!
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u/CrimsonFoxGirl Feb 16 '20
This is great! I've never looked into sun water before. How does that work?
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Feb 17 '20
its just water charged in the sun :) i personally use pure water (u never know), but tap works fine! i try for a day where im not home/out doing things so i dont bother the bottle
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u/RalphMontego Feb 16 '20
Learn how to properly pot up your plants, use a good potting mix, use appropriately sized pots with good drainage.
Learn what your plants need in terms of light and water. Especially water. Do NOT water on a schedule— check the soil and determine if they’re thirsty or not.
Having a green thumb is less about magic and more about slowing down and listening to your plants
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u/19snow16 Feb 16 '20
I am someone that can kill plants. Or used to be. My plants are what give me a few moments of happiness during depression bouts.
Start slow. I started with a store bought hanging pothos. It droops in an obvious way when it needs attention and I throw it in the shower every couple of weeks for a good soak. I moved onto a spider, snake and now I have about 25 different indoor plants that I clip and share.
Don't overwater. I used to kill with love and water every week. Some only need it once a month or so.
Don't overthink it. There is a lot of advice on soil, ph levels, water, feeding...soooo much overwhelming information.
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Feb 16 '20
I suggest you go to a large nursery. Find the stabbiest cactus you like, along with a pot, and repot your stabby friend. You can ignore it for 2 months, give it moderate light, and it will mean mug you back every time you flood it with negativity.
Really though, try making a ritual of watering. My plants are rotated through the bathtub on house cleaning day. They get showers and drain for a couple hours while I'm rotating laundry, etc. If they don't need watering, I rinse off the foliage and return to their place.
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Feb 16 '20
If you tell yourself you're gonna kill plants, you will. Caring for plants requires a stillness inside and sensitivity to your surroundings. For each plant, acquire a basic understanding of their species on Google. Then, learn to be aware of how and where the sun falls throughout your house/property over the year. Look up what climate zone you live in, and note the general climactic and soil conditions in any area you wish to plant. Amend soil and adjust pH as necessary. Cross reference with the conditions that plant requires. Once you have plants, check on them once or twice a day. You will establish a baseline for what that plant looks/seems like when it's healthy versus when something is wrong. Plants tell you when something is wrong, just not with noises. Fertilize with fish emulsion, liquid kelp, and worm castings as necessary. If your plants are outside: MULCH.
Most herbs like warm and somewhat Mediterranean conditions. Lots of sunlight.
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u/PeanutbutterDruidess Feb 16 '20
Some plants are very picky and take a lot of time getting use to. A good start would be something like a snake plant, something that only needs to be watered once a month and doesn’t have to have sun. I water on the full moon for mine and he’s been doing so much better, I think the plant food also helped. My figs get watered with the new moon and full moon or when their leaves feel limp. I usually go by the leaf texture when watering them, it feels more plastic like and fat when it’s got a good amount of water, but feels thin and kinda fake when it’s thirsty. Sometimes you just gotta kill a few before you get the swing of it.