u/caldeesi

Not captured: the velvety iridescence. How am I supposed to do anything else today but stare in awe????

Even more gorgeous in person if you can imagine!

Even more gorgeous in person if you can imagine!

My new favorite. Even more gorgeous in person if you can believe it.

I see many people getting frustrated when it comes to trads. We all say chop and prop but nobody really says what that entails. I’ve had a few comments on subs asking how I keep mine so full and bushy. This is what works for me. Hopefully it helps someone because they are really fun plants and it’s quite easy once you get the hang of it.

These guys need to be chopped and propped OFTEN. You don’t have to chop the whole thing always, just bits and pieces. Leggy? Chop and prop. Yellowing leaves? Chop and prop and maybe hang back on the water or give more light. Or both. Crispy leaves? Chop and prop.

Give whatever areas you want a chop - preferably right above a node. *A node is every single point that a leaf grows from the stem. Tear 1 or two leaves off upwards from your cut point, the cut being the bottom end.

I’ve found some of these super growth points, or elbow nodes, that have nodes or bumps all the way around the joint. These are really good to get beneath the soil, they root really quickly and shoot it multiple stems.

Poke a hole into an empty spot in your soil and place the stem all the way down so that the nodes you just exposed are covered by the soil, those nodes are what will grow roots.

Every chop you make will usually wake up the node beneath the cut breaking it out of dormancy and telling it to grow. The last two pictures are great examples of this. A new little leaf forming after I chopped.

Many trads are also very easy to water prop and you can just cover the cut end with water in a cup or whatever you have. It sprouts roots within 2-3 days. However some don’t care for this, puppy ears and a velvet variety I have didn’t sprout roots.

After you are done placing your stems water the soil well, getting no water or minimal water on the leaves and set it and forget. Do not water on a schedule. Water when the pot feels light. I’ve found these with these plants it’s better to err on the too dry side rather than too wet.

I don’t know much, but this is what has worked for me. Hope it helps someone! You can also water the soil before you put your cuts in so there is less risk of getting the leaves wet.

1. Begonia maculata - hot pink undersides that shine through beautifully.
2. Varigated snow capped begonia - much pinker and less peachy in real life!
3. Callisia repens “Bianca”
4. Tricolor tradescantia

I’ve got more pinkies on the way 💕🫣

That’s a high I’ll be chasing for the rest of my life.

If I wasn’t already an addict, I sure am now. Corms from Green Unicorn.

Hopefully leaves were just dirty and no spider mite-age. Pictures simply do not do justice. Alocasia Scalprum.

I’m in deep. And not trying to get out. Whoever said plant tending is cheaper than therapy is dead wrong.

✨😩

I’m pointing to the water line in the second photo because it’s hard to see. Very diluted reverse osmosis fertilizer water. Aroid mix on the bottom. Sphag moss on top of that and the mix she came in on top of that. There is a hole in the top of the cloche. If anything you see is wrong please let me know! I’d hate to kill her. She’s just little.

I know they don’t like water on their leaves. Accidents happen and life is imperfect 💕 I’m just here for the ride and the plants.

Gotta catch em all!!!

1. Koko Loko - hit by hard water but doesn’t care leaves a little ugly though. 2. Sweet Madamoiselle- her color is softer with the hot weather now. 3. Crazy Love - my favorite scent of all time, clean, fruity, citrus, light and refreshing. 4. Crazy Love - such an underrated rose imho. 5. Gabriel (not oak) fighting spider mites like a little champ this year. 6. Sweet Madamoiselle bush - long story I had to prune her wonky, still gorgeous though. 7. Earth Angel - and isn’t she just? 8. A very blurry Gabriel (not oak)

I wish the camera would pick up the glitter better. How is this real and nature?? Pure magic, tradescantia.

Roses have been dying left and right. My yard has been a war zone. Lots and lots of things dying and looking dreadful, and I finally called it quits on roses. Then this. This little corner.

I have a no spray garden, so if the aphids offend you, I do apologize.

Every other part of the yard is struggling and dying and spider mite-ing. This corner though.

Just so carefree and thriving. Love her against the deep teal.