too many houseplants - Orchid Board

kvet · #1 08-01-2021, 12:02 PM

This is just a mini whining rant. I'm overwhelmed with too many houseplants. I'm sure it doesn't come close to stacking up to what many of you have, but I don't want this, too many for me. Parental unit was tossing some near-death houseplants last year, which I decided to use to learn about semi hydro, al's gritty mix, and propagation. The cuttings pretty soon turned into a couple dozen plants. They're all in need of repotting, those in semi-hydro are pushing out the hydroton which is now rolling around on the floor. They're not as bad as lego when you step on them, but still hurts. There's a bin of sifted turface in the garage waiting for me to make more 1-1-1 mix. I have a 10 day business trip coming up in september and no one to water the plants when I'm gone.

Neighbor told me to toss them - but I can't do that. She then suggested I leave them outside for someone to take.. but but.. gritty mix and hydroton, will casuals understand these things when they take the free plants?

Yeaaarrrggghhhh!

DirtyCoconuts · #2 08-01-2021, 07:19 PM

So is the issue more too much work or taking too much space. I can offer suggestions for either

Leafmite · #3 08-01-2021, 07:30 PM

It is okay to find homes or toss these plants. I know it is tough but if you have too many plants and the hobby isn't enjoyable because of it, sometimes the best thing to do is to sort though all your plants and decide which you really find rewarding and then either toss or find homes for the others.

A few years ago, I realized that I had so many orchids and other plants that I wasn't enjoying the hobby. I gave away quite a few orchids at the orchid society and then either found homes for or tossed the rest of the houseplants I did not want (A huge bird of paradise was left in the cold of winter as no one wanted the thing).
I now limit the number of orchids to forty and no longer buy new plants (except. recently, my adult offspring and spouse decided that they wanted a Nepanthes so I caved and we now have one of those....)

I still have many plants/orchids but not too many that I find the care bothersome.

DirtyCoconuts · #4 08-02-2021, 01:08 AM

Okay so here are a few thoughts about having a ton of plants

Make vertical arrangements of hanging pots with a big planted pot underneath then you can water the top plant and let the water drip until all are watered.

Get big pots and do group plantings with compatible plants and then you just water the community pot

Put up a Craig’s list, nextdoor, Facebook add for trades.

Put up shelves and enjoy

Ray · #5 08-02-2021, 07:36 AM

I would think a 10-day business trip would be no issue whatsoever. Just water everything heavily before you leave.

Prior to getting into orchids, I had a pretty good number of houseplants, too.

It started with a couple of bromeliads and a Epiphyllum oxypetalum from a yard sale. Then, when I volunteered at what is now the Atlanta Botanical Garden, I would root cuttings. By the time I graduated and was looking to move for my first job, I had over 500 plants in every room of a small, apartment-sized (650 sq. ft. +/-) house. Two yard sales and some donations to the ABG later, I moved with about 2 dozen plants.

kvet · #6 08-02-2021, 10:46 AM

DC: it's too many, too much work, not enjoyment. There's also only one area of my house where plants will grow. I'm super happy with my seven orchids, few diffenbachia, hoya, and pandan.

Ray: that's a lot of plants in a small place

Leafmite · #7 08-02-2021, 10:56 AM

Houseplants are popular right now so it might be easy to get rid of them. I noticed that they have become more expensive and are taking over at some of the places where I usually buy my more 'exotic' houseplants.

Good luck!

realoldbeachbum · #8 08-02-2021, 11:07 AM

Oh Kvet, I feel your pain.

This is what worked for me: Sort the plants into 2 groups: (1) Ones that are healthy AND that you LOVE and (2) The rest.

Pamper the ones that you love and for the rest either give them to the local orchid society, put them in the "free" section of Craig's List, or toss them in the bin. Don't stress over it or think about it too much -- just do it and forget about it.

Now when you must be away, water them well before you leave and GET A FIRM MINDSET that you will not stress over those that do not survive. Toss them out when you return.

Happy growing Kvet!

estación seca · #9 08-02-2021, 12:08 PM

Sounds like the start of a side business.

Dorchid · #10 08-02-2021, 05:25 PM

Get rid of the adult offspring and you’ll have more time, space and money to dedicate to plants!