When I use decorative pots I put a little hole in the top of the nursery pot and put a string through it so I don't have a lot of difficulty getting the nursery pot out of the decorative one.
Thanks for sharing! Like this idea more than what I do, which is put a small piece of broken terracotta or a stone underneath such that the lip is easier to grab
I have hack for when i go on vacation that I haven t herd of from any plant youtubers. I put my plants with their pots in transparents storage boxes and basically create a terrarium. I left them there for 4 months without watering. I had many hoyas there and they loved it.
I use those mesh bags you get with potatoes, apples etc. I cut a piece to put in bottom of pot to manage soil loss through large pot holes. I’ve also used them to make kokedamas. I tie up the soil in the mesh , make a cutting to add plant, then cover with moss. Viola! 🌿
Great idea! I use a similar method using window screen material. Don’t throw out the old window screens you replace, just cut it into 2.5” squares to use in your pots to prevent soil from escaping.
@@eleanoreagly4844 i use coffee filters also! i actually used to have some real tiny mini ones that were meant to go inside the reusable k-cup pods - they were the perfect size!
Interesting tips Summer. Can I add one? I have little light-reflective strips (tinfoil works) on the wall beside some succulents so they catch more ambient light rather than just light from the window.
Or mirrors! My foyer had one small window but 50 plants and strategically placed vintage mirrors from the thrift store to provide enough light! Worked great for years!
My mirror in the hallway reflects bright light from another room, 8 ft. away, overhead lighting, so that my Peace Lillies don't have to be turned. It seems like not so much light because the light is not that much, but they are so happy there. 🎊
Instead of using a soil mesh screen to cover the hole on the bottom of a plant pot, I use tea bags emptied of the tea leaves - 1 tea bag does 2 pots (ref tip #4 at 10:11).
I use shards of terracotta pots to cover the hole. My dogs have broken some of my pots before (so I have to be careful where I put them) and instead of throwing the broken pots in the trash, I keep them for when I need to cover pot drainage.
For the holes on the bottom of pots, I just put several layers of newspaper. It keeps ALL the soil in, lets the water drain, and by the time the paper breaks down, the soil is settled in place and won’t come out.
Tip: When watering, test soil moisture with a bamboo skewer, rather than your finger. Sticking your finger into the soil compacts it. Bamboo skewers are inexpensive and biodegradable. Slide one into the soil of a plant you're not sure about, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then draw the skewer out, and feel it to know how much moisture is in the soil. I have a few skewers tucked away near my plants that I've been using for months. I prefer to not leave them in the soil all the time, but if you forget one, it's not a big deal. Give it a try - see if you like it.
I use a kabob stick or really small wooden dowel to check my plants to see if they need water. I use the same one, sticking it into the bottom of the pot, then pulling it out immediately. It will register how wet or dry it is by what sticks to it and that will show you how low the moisture level is. I wipe the stick off with a napkin with each plant I check, so I get a fair reading. I always feel like I’m checking the oil in my car when I do this, haha. If my plant has trouble drawing up water and drinking (because of compacted soil) I push the stick clear down through the soil in several places and it fixes the issue.
I found a large glass hurricane vessel for candles or other decorative filler at a thrift store and put it upside down as a cloche for some special plants. Worked perfect and sooo much cheaper than buying a cloche.
@@traeannahbrown5699 oh, yeah, mine has a bottom that I use as the top. I’ve used some cling wrap to close other things, but it’s not very nice looking to me. You could always try to find something else that would work as a cover, like a glass plate!
Summer can I tell you that you videos kept me sane through quarantine. I learned so much and gained a deep appreciation for plants. Thank you for such high quality work it is very appreciated. Lots of love. Kalizya
Love you Summer! I use aquarium plastic bio balls (that are meant for filters) to create space between an inside pot and a decorative outer pot. That way there can be a little bit of water in there for extra humidity but the plant isn't sitting in it. I like it better than gravel because there is a lot more space for water and best of all they weigh basically nothing, so if you have a lot of plants up on a shelf for example, you're not adding too much weight.
I use organic cinnamon to seal the cut ends of my propagations. Works like a charm & I believe it is also good for preventing a fungal infection! I also wanted to give a shoutout to Planterina for introducing me to the turkey baster tip. She uses it to carefully water smaller plants & to suck up extra water from the saucers (:
Oh my word I love this channel so much your such a mentor, I have just started my own channel, hoping one day I can be like you, much love from South Africa
I'm in mexico where I use whatever i find under my feet. So to prevent soil falling out of the plants i use old tiles: you beat them into pieces and lay on the bottom of the pot. On top i add a layer of mulch (dried leaves). Not only it holds the soil, also allows better drainage and a natural compost. Thank you for you tips as well
If you don't have mesh, and don't wanna go out and get some, you can take an old terracotta pot and smash it. Put a curved shard over the drainage hole in the pot you are going to be planting in. You can get enough shards to cover the drainage hole in the bottom of many planters from one terracotta pot. Much better than using mesh, imo.
I’ll just add a simple one: when growing plants that need constant moisture like maidenhair ferns and carnivorous plants, I like using extra large pots to keep the soil moist for longer periods, so I don’t have to water them every one or two days. (Conversely, be extra careful about using larger pots for plants that need drying out.)
Carnivorous, like Venus fly traps, like a mesh pot relative to their size and they need distilled or RO water only. They should be potter in long covered sphagnum moss alone and sitting in a saucer of water constantly. They’re bog plants.
Great hacks and tips. I use the tube mesh netting from garlic bulbs to put in the bottom of the pots. Just cut off the metal stopper or pull off with pliers then cut mesh to size. My miniscule deed for the planet.
I've been using holy pantyhose for 20 odd years to tie up plants. Instead of binning it, I cut it into strips. It's stretchy and doesn't restrict movement as plants grow
Thanks for the tips Summer! Another one we might add is to help save time misting, use an automatic and continuous mister. It has honestly saved my fingers from pressing the manual sprayer over and over! Does a great job keeping plants that love humidity happy!
@Summer Rayne Oakes , thanx 4 these tips🪴...Have ❤'d/grown house plants 4 over 50yrs. But one of my ✨️FAVORITE✨️ mottos is "Yr NEVER too old 2 learn something new." Thanx 4 all these GREAT tips🙏
Finally ! A vid of USEFULL plant hacks, kudos to you Summer and Thank You. Down here, the bottom of pots are lined with coconut fiber ... was an idea I had never considered previously. .... down here is Colombia, South America. Hola !
I love those ideas! I have a slight variation on your textile squares to prevent soil loss from pot drainage holes. I use any finer weave textile, and for a dual purpose, and that is in houseplant pots that I put outside in the Summer. The reason being that when I bring my plants back indoors at the end of the season I sometimes find that woodlice, occasionally ants/worms, and centipedes (not altogether!) have made a cosy little nest in the bottom layer of soil (having crawled in through the drainage holes). Though I love these insects (maybe not ants!) I don't want them appearing indoors when they come out for a stroll!
@@beesknees213 I used this a few times but then I realized that it was still holding too much water and I would up using a chop stick to punch right through it from the drainage holes, it works to hold the soil while you are doing the potting or repotting, but not for the long run, to me.
I use disposable plastic cups as plant starter pots, I just put some holes then I'm done, I also put it on mugs, where they fit perfectly and turn it into a hydroponic system.
I've loved learning about IPM from you--it's fascinating to me. Also, panty hose are so useful with plants in general. A lot of gardeners use them to tie up tomatoes and support squash growing on vines.
I LOVE your conservatory videos, and your Amazon sphere tour is how I learned I can go there! I live in Seattle and was super bummed because I thought it wasn't open to the public.
Awesome video 😄 Always excited to learn ways to make this plant habit more streamlined & manageable! I very much appreciate having a “plant nanny” in some of my often forgotten plants 😅 It’s a big terracotta spike with an overturned wine bottle in it. Also! Prop boxes 🙃 They come in many forms. I have a grow tent in my kitchen equipped with fans, heating mat, lights, hygrometer, & timers, but I find just a clear plastic storage bin under a grow light, on a heating mat is much easier to manage & takes up less space 😅
Great tips Summer. It’s always nice to learn some hacks for the hobby. Instead of using a screen to cover large drain holes I use pieces of coffee filters. I can see how the wire screen could be better for some types of plants however.
I cut out pieces of the “net” that contains garlic and such. Also the fine mash of some jewelry bag. I think acrylic materials perform better cause they won’t decay!
Same. Sometimes I'll use the whole filter if I think I'm going to repot sooner than later. I was using newspaper squares but they don't drain as well. Plain cupcake liners also work.
I actually use cinnamon instead when i cut the plant where the flesh is. I am not a fan of terracotta. I use nursery pot and a decorative pot outside. So i can replace nursery pots when they are getting old etc and still have the decorative pot for life. And is easier to repot with nursery pot can squeeze it out.
Great hacks! I've used mosquito bits for a few years now and they work okay but last year I had a major outbreak of fungus gnats, especially in my bedroom. (nothing like laying in bed at night and having gnats flying up your nose!) I found, on Amazon, the Katchy Indoor Insect Trap. I ended up buying several and have them throughout the house running 24/7. It didn't take long to annihilate the adult gnats and the breeding cycle. I rarely see one around the house now. I'm a believer.
Hi Summer! These were some great hacks! I use window screen for the holes in the bottom of my pots, even the ones outside. It works great! Thank you so much for sharing!
When trying to water my plants, I got so tired of trying to remove the nursery pot from the decorative pot, (too tight of a fit) that I quit using my decorative pots altogether. I always repot into terra cotta pots, but then those won’t fit into the decorative pots. I finally had my husband drill a drainage hole in all of my decorative pots so now I can just plant directly into those without having to use or remove a 2nd pot for watering.
amazing tips, what really helped me with Fungus nats its consistent bottom watering, as FG live in the first centimetres of the top soil that will remain relatively dry and they die of.
It would be so helpful to explain how to apply the soap to the plant. I understood how it works but have no clue how to apply to large and small house plants. Thanks.
One of my favorite hacks is: if I’m going away, I fill up a empty soda bottle with water, I quickly turn it upside down into the plant, deep in, as far as I can. The plant soaks up the water it needs until I get bk home.
Here’s a little tip regarding the mesh screens. Go to any big box store and get a roll of fiber glass tape. Perfect mesh and has a sticky side to hold it to the bottom of the pot. Huge roll for $7.00 and lasts forever.
Summer, I am so happy that you are friends with my other favorite teacher(do not worry you were first) suburban homestead! I have been subbed to him for years, But did not realize what the channel was. Then no notification.. I was so happy to see your comments, also a vegan chef I have had the chance of seeing. I would like to see him more also! What I really wanted to say, is I am temporarily staying where my plants do not fit the situation. So I took(barrowed) a couple brand new long led lights (not made for plants) moved my babies to the attic as if the are cannibis! And wow! I thought I was lacking some kinds of the spectrum? Maybe but... They are blooming! I have a stick that was off an outside Walmart plant that grew a orange tipped thorn looking flower . It was green stamen coming out the mouth. And it had a little piece that hung down under that reminded me a tiny bit of the nectar tube on a nasturtium. I do not know names as I did a a child So? I got so excited when you mentioned non plant lights! I got off topic. Sorry this is so long. But I do this at times! Thank you G.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was very helpful and I’m inspired to try some of these techniques. I think I’m going to create some bark wall structures for orchards. They would make great gifts to give to people as well. Take Care!!! ❤️🪴🍄🌿🌱🌾🌞
Great hacks! My favs are the tea strainer, nylon stocking for mounting epiphytes and, especially, the pots submerged in sand. I’m going to use all of them. Also, the cloche idea is great. I created one using a casserole dish for the bottom and a large, glass salad bowl that I bought at IKEA for the top. It works like a charm. Those IKEA bowls are only $3 and they are great for creating cloches.
The last tip reminds me of using an Olla pot. You could also use a larger pot filled with sand and set a terracotta within it. Like use a 4" inside and 8" pot of sand
Another tip for keeping the soil in your pot ( prevents from leaving the hole at the bottom) is a coffee filter. It lets water go through very easily and after a few months the filter naturally disolves....by then the roots of the plants will hold the soil. 🌻
For my office plant, when I would go off on vacation I would fill a plastic water bottle with water and turn it upside down into the soil of the recently watered plant pot. As the soil dries, a bubble is released into the bottle allowing a little water to flow out. It keeps the plant watered for the two week vacation.
I do this too. I started rinsing the sides of some of my pots & trays with the same solution when I found baby gnats eating right off the terra cotta 🤢.
These are really great tips! I really like your content/videos. great stuff! would love to see more of your terrariums. panty hose works, for tying stuff up to wood, or trunks/branches of trees, but so do a lot of other fabrics, and they eventually break down, long after the roots are well taken onto the wood/bark. I use all sorts of fabrics to tie up orchids outside mostly.
Just want to shout out the absolute usefulness of the peppermint Dr. Bronner’s. I have chronic migraine, often with sinus congestion. Washing my face or even hair with this stuff really gives some relief especially in the shower with the hot steam. Other peppermint soap, I find, isn’t “peppery” enough. Relative to the video, I’m curious to try using Castile soap to break up tight soil. Great video of REAL hacks!
I have over 150 house plants and years ago I got a horrible infestation of Aphids and wiping each leaf was out of the question so I ordered some Ladybugs , well the only size they had was 1000 , so a few days later a moving bean bag arrived , I cut it open and 1000 Ladybugs flew out and spread around my house onto all my plants and took care of my Aphid problem beautifully ....BUT 1000 Ladybugs is a LOT lol , they would be all over my windows sunning themself , flying around my house etc until I starting sucking them up with my vacuum and releasing them outside but I could never get rid of them , they would crawl into the cracks around my window frame or anywhere they found and I would think they were gone but as soon as spring came and the sun shining in the windows all of a sudden there would be 100's of Ladybugs on every window , but I never had Aphids again lol .
Summer!! Can you PLEASE make a video going in depth about how to properly install & use hydro spikes?!?! Im a visual learner & can't find any videos! Thank you for all your knowledge!!!
15:40 if you don’t have anything like this, the small cups that fruit cups for kids or adults I guess can be used for the same thing as well! I use a hot glue gun to melt holes into it, a screw can make the holes, a drill etc and they work wonderfully and help to upcycle stuff that’s normally thrown away. I use them for self watering pots as well with a reservoir glass containers I get from old candles (use any type of cooking oil in them for 20 minutes and the wax comes out easily) or containers from the Dollar Tree (they work extremely well for tiny greenhouses, terrariums, decor for a small pot that likes more humidity (add small pebbles to the bottom that allows for a reservoir and keeps the pot above the water, add water and it keeps the area more humid for the plant and allows you to keep the plant out of a cabinet)
Thanks a lot for your nice videos and explanations and botanical garden tours. I enjoy these a lot. Question (probably unclever one): The soap option for soil clumps. Do you use the soil also to water the plants or just for transplanting the clumped plant into new soil and getting rid of the old soil?
Wala po ako masabi kahit po busy kayo ni sander.nandyan pa din po kayo para magbigay Ng pag aalaga SA mga halaman.pagpalain po kayo at palagi po kayong Mag iingat.
Love your house plant hacks. Try looking into teas and natural extracts use in preventing different insects and fungus, molds from harming your plants. Worm casting tea to be sprayed on to leaves, stocks, stems is great against mealy bugs, scale, aifeds. Others like compost tea. Comfrey, take a few leaves and soak in some water after it desolves use it as liquid fertilizer. Adding mint in a tea to repells knit and other flies. Love your work keep it growin on!!!
I use pantyhose to tie plants in the garden. They are especially handy to bundle up conifers for the winter to endure piling snow, or to attach tree saplings to stakes. The pantyhose seem to be very durable and have perfect amount of stretch to let the plant sway in the wind and not leave chafing marks.
Cost cutting tip with heating mats it may be cheaper to buy one for reptiles rather than a horticultural one. I think I use IPM at my home. I have a house lady bird which I raised from an egg, it sorted out the greenfly on my plants.
Amazon sells to Australia mosquito bits. I have no problem buying this product. Love your informative RUclips videos. Lots of LOVE AND Blessings, ANNETTE QUEENSLAND Australia.
I have found that some of my LED lights mess up my circadian rhythm so I always make sure to turn them of a few hours before I go to bed. When I would leave them on layer it always makes it hard to fall asleep
I use a piece of coffee filter instead of the wire mesh to keep the soil in. I tear off a piece and only use enough to cover the hole so one filter does several pots. Lets the water out and is biodegradable if you toss your old dirt in a yard pile later.
Instead of styptic, we use turmeric which is commonly available in our kitchens in India. Due to anti- inflammatory properties, it repels insects and fungus.
Hi Summer, I use ladybug larvae to fight aphids. Because aphids attract ants with their sweet excretions, I also get rid of ants invasion. And finally, in summer, I have the garden decorated with cute grown-up ladybugs that feed birds or go to live in my insects hotel. I highly recommend ladybugs larvae for aphids. Hugs from Italy.
I'm in the UK and I've been using the mesh bags that contain satsumas or onions to cover the drainage hole. I wonder if pantyhose (we call them tights here) would also work - maybe fishnet ones would!
My potting soil screens are from a couple of yards of plastic replacement screen material I bought at my local hardware for couple of dollars. And then I can cut them to size for each pot.
Another tip: Put undiluted liquid fertilizer/ wetting agent/ plant food in sprayer bottles. Measure it once in the beginning how many sprays you need for your usual dose (e.g 3 sprays for 5 mls) for easy mixing with water on watering day then keep it in dark cupboard when not in use. Its a serious time saver for not having to mix and measure from the bottle all the time especially when you have tons of plant to look after. Burnout no more!
The lights and timer combination is amazing. My plants love it and the timer is perfect for when you're traveling or spending days away from home. There are very affordable options on Amazon :)
Hello. Thank you for your detailed videos. I am rescuing an abandoned monstera deliciosa. It is practically bent in different directions and growing out of it's pot. Please, can you suggest best way to correct this without hurting the plant. Thank you very much.😮
When I use decorative pots I put a little hole in the top of the nursery pot and put a string through it so I don't have a lot of difficulty getting the nursery pot out of the decorative one.
GENIUS!!!
Very smart! Thanks for sharing.
I love that idea I'm always having trouble getting the pot out, but no more!! Thank you
that’s so simple but brilliant. all mine are in nursery pots in decorative and it’s a struggle to get some out.
Thanks for sharing! Like this idea more than what I do, which is put a small piece of broken terracotta or a stone underneath such that the lip is easier to grab
I have hack for when i go on vacation that I haven t herd of from any plant youtubers. I put my plants with their pots in transparents storage boxes and basically create a terrarium. I left them there for 4 months without watering. I had many hoyas there and they loved it.
I would need a lot of boxes 😅
I use those mesh bags you get with potatoes, apples etc. I cut a piece to put in bottom of pot to manage soil loss through large pot holes. I’ve also used them to make kokedamas. I tie up the soil in the mesh , make a cutting to add plant, then cover with moss. Viola! 🌿
Great idea! I use a similar method using window screen material. Don’t throw out the old window screens you replace, just cut it into 2.5” squares to use in your pots to prevent soil from escaping.
Great idea! I have saved tons of those trying to figure out ways to use them. 👍🏻
I use a used coffee filter
@@eleanoreagly4844 i use coffee filters also! i actually used to have some real tiny mini ones that were meant to go inside the reusable k-cup pods - they were the perfect size!
@@eleanoreagly4844 I have bad experience w/coffee filters. Some kind of mold, bacteria, or fungus grows out on the filters on the bottom of the pot 😢
Interesting tips Summer. Can I add one? I have little light-reflective strips (tinfoil works) on the wall beside some succulents so they catch more ambient light rather than just light from the window.
Or mirrors! My foyer had one small window but 50 plants and strategically placed vintage mirrors from the thrift store to provide enough light! Worked great for years!
@@blowitoutyourcunt7675 I use mirrors around my house in this way also 👍
Try my bird 🐦
My mirror in the hallway reflects bright light from another room, 8 ft. away, overhead lighting, so that my Peace Lillies don't have to be turned. It seems like not so much light because the light is not that much, but they are so happy there. 🎊
Cool!
Instead of using a soil mesh screen to cover the hole on the bottom of a plant pot, I use tea bags emptied of the tea leaves - 1 tea bag does 2 pots (ref tip #4 at 10:11).
Thanks for sharing ❤️
That's really cool Nova
I use shards of terracotta pots to cover the hole. My dogs have broken some of my pots before (so I have to be careful where I put them) and instead of throwing the broken pots in the trash, I keep them for when I need to cover pot drainage.
@@mercurydude Brill!
I use a coffee filter
For the holes on the bottom of pots, I just put several layers of newspaper. It keeps ALL the soil in, lets the water drain, and by the time the paper breaks down, the soil is settled in place and won’t come out.
Tip: When watering, test soil moisture with a bamboo skewer, rather than your finger. Sticking your finger into the soil compacts it. Bamboo skewers are inexpensive and biodegradable. Slide one into the soil of a plant you're not sure about, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then draw the skewer out, and feel it to know how much moisture is in the soil. I have a few skewers tucked away near my plants that I've been using for months. I prefer to not leave them in the soil all the time, but if you forget one, it's not a big deal.
Give it a try - see if you like it.
Thank you for the tip. I am going to try it out.
Great tip!
i use disposable chopsticks!
love this, thank you!
I use a kabob stick or really small wooden dowel to check my plants to see if they need water. I use the same one, sticking it into the bottom of the pot, then pulling it out immediately. It will register how wet or dry it is by what sticks to it and that will show you how low the moisture level is. I wipe the stick off with a napkin with each plant I check, so I get a fair reading. I always feel like I’m checking the oil in my car when I do this, haha. If my plant has trouble drawing up water and drinking (because of compacted soil) I push the stick clear down through the soil in several places and it fixes the issue.
I found a large glass hurricane vessel for candles or other decorative filler at a thrift store and put it upside down as a cloche for some special plants. Worked perfect and sooo much cheaper than buying a cloche.
@Lauren Dao I was thinking of that I saw some in goodwill the other day. Do you leave the top open or seal it somehow?
@@traeannahbrown5699 I use it upside down so it’s closed. 🙂
@@laurendao4467 ohh the vases I saw had open top and bottom hurricanes lamp cover
@@traeannahbrown5699 oh, yeah, mine has a bottom that I use as the top. I’ve used some cling wrap to close other things, but it’s not very nice looking to me. You could always try to find something else that would work as a cover, like a glass plate!
@@traeannahbrown5699 saran wrap on one end... problem solved
Summer can I tell you that you videos kept me sane through quarantine. I learned so much and gained a deep appreciation for plants. Thank you for such high quality work it is very appreciated.
Lots of love. Kalizya
Love you Summer! I use aquarium plastic bio balls (that are meant for filters) to create space between an inside pot and a decorative outer pot. That way there can be a little bit of water in there for extra humidity but the plant isn't sitting in it. I like it better than gravel because there is a lot more space for water and best of all they weigh basically nothing, so if you have a lot of plants up on a shelf for example, you're not adding too much weight.
Why not LECA? Should be much cheaper
Nice list of hacks! For fungus gnats a 1/4" to 1/2" layer of sand of top of the soil usually stop them also.
Thanks! I’m going to try this in my classroom. I have about 30 plants and inevitably I get gnats.
Going to try this
I use organic cinnamon to seal the cut ends of my propagations. Works like a charm & I believe it is also good for preventing a fungal infection! I also wanted to give a shoutout to Planterina for introducing me to the turkey baster tip. She uses it to carefully water smaller plants & to suck up extra water from the saucers (:
Omg that saucer/baster tip is really good.
I tend to use organic turmeric for the same purpose. It works very well for me. Good to know that cinnamon does the same. I will give it a try.
Oh my word I love this channel so much your such a mentor, I have just started my own channel, hoping one day I can be like you, much love from South Africa
I'm in mexico where I use whatever i find under my feet. So to prevent soil falling out of the plants i use old tiles: you beat them into pieces and lay on the bottom of the pot. On top i add a layer of mulch (dried leaves). Not only it holds the soil, also allows better drainage and a natural compost. Thank you for you tips as well
If you don't have mesh, and don't wanna go out and get some, you can take an old terracotta pot and smash it. Put a curved shard over the drainage hole in the pot you are going to be planting in. You can get enough shards to cover the drainage hole in the bottom of many planters from one terracotta pot. Much better than using mesh, imo.
I’ll just add a simple one: when growing plants that need constant moisture like maidenhair ferns and carnivorous plants, I like using extra large pots to keep the soil moist for longer periods, so I don’t have to water them every one or two days. (Conversely, be extra careful about using larger pots for plants that need drying out.)
Great tip, thank u!
My maidenhairs do very well in self watering pots
Using an oversized pot can stunt foliage growth, you may be better off using a soil mix heavier in peat moss to retain moisture 😊
Carnivorous, like Venus fly traps, like a mesh pot relative to their size and they need distilled or RO water only. They should be potter in long covered sphagnum moss alone and sitting in a saucer of water constantly. They’re bog plants.
I gave the wick watering pots a try with my carnivores and so far I’m loving it. Everyone seems happy.
Great hacks and tips. I use the tube mesh netting from garlic bulbs to put in the bottom of the pots. Just cut off the metal stopper or pull off with pliers then cut mesh to size. My miniscule deed for the planet.
I was going to comment that too 🙏🏽💚🌎
Hi Summer, I don’t comment regularly but really appreciate your ideas and enjoy the videos. ❤️😊
I love using my Pinguicula or butterwort carnivorous plant for fungus gnats instead of sticky traps. It’s amazing how many they’ll get!
I’m using Venus Flytraps 😂
Excellent advice, thanks.
I have now purchased venus fly traps and looks like it's working
I think I’ll adopt this hack! Great idea!
CornSTARCH works wonders as a styptic powder! I use it on everything. Now I have to experiment with cuttings!
I've been using holy pantyhose for 20 odd years to tie up plants. Instead of binning it, I cut it into strips. It's stretchy and doesn't restrict movement as plants grow
Thanks for the tips Summer! Another one we might add is to help save time misting, use an automatic and continuous mister. It has honestly saved my fingers from pressing the manual sprayer over and over! Does a great job keeping plants that love humidity happy!
@Summer Rayne Oakes , thanx 4 these tips🪴...Have ❤'d/grown house plants 4 over 50yrs. But one of my ✨️FAVORITE✨️ mottos is "Yr NEVER too old 2 learn something new." Thanx 4 all these GREAT tips🙏
Finally ! A vid of USEFULL plant hacks, kudos to you Summer and Thank You.
Down here, the bottom of pots are lined with coconut fiber ... was an idea I had never considered previously.
.... down here is Colombia, South America. Hola !
You make me more fall in love with plants .Yours tips are helpful. Most importantly I love your nussery tour ❤
Tisha
I love those ideas! I have a slight variation on your textile squares to prevent soil loss from pot drainage holes. I use any finer weave textile, and for a dual purpose, and that is in houseplant pots that I put outside in the Summer. The reason being that when I bring my plants back indoors at the end of the season I sometimes find that woodlice, occasionally ants/worms, and centipedes (not altogether!) have made a cosy little nest in the bottom layer of soil (having crawled in through the drainage holes). Though I love these insects (maybe not ants!) I don't want them appearing indoors when they come out for a stroll!
I use coffee filters over my drainage holes. I can get 8 "covers" out of one filter.
I buy a roll of screendoor replacement screen. Lasts me years making hole covers. Some hardware stores will sell it by the foot.
I saw a video where the guy uses strips of that mesh material bag which contains the heads of garlic. Great idea!!
@@beesknees213 I used this a few times but then I realized that it was still holding too much water and I would up using a chop stick to punch right through it from the drainage holes, it works to hold the soil while you are doing the potting or repotting, but not for the long run, to me.
@@kyrad6543 I have some screen. I just used some when I made a terrarium. I l will keep that in mind.
I like how she says "I don't have that many plants here in the FLOCK house... yet!" :)
I use disposable plastic cups as plant starter pots, I just put some holes then I'm done, I also put it on mugs, where they fit perfectly and turn it into a hydroponic system.
I've loved learning about IPM from you--it's fascinating to me. Also, panty hose are so useful with plants in general. A lot of gardeners use them to tie up tomatoes and support squash growing on vines.
Thank you Summer! Great tips. I will watch it again with pen and paper. I love the pantyhose idea and the sand one. Great tips! Thanks again.
I LOVE your conservatory videos, and your Amazon sphere tour is how I learned I can go there! I live in Seattle and was super bummed because I thought it wasn't open to the public.
Awesome video 😄 Always excited to learn ways to make this plant habit more streamlined & manageable! I very much appreciate having a “plant nanny” in some of my often forgotten plants 😅 It’s a big terracotta spike with an overturned wine bottle in it.
Also! Prop boxes 🙃 They come in many forms. I have a grow tent in my kitchen equipped with fans, heating mat, lights, hygrometer, & timers, but I find just a clear plastic storage bin under a grow light, on a heating mat is much easier to manage & takes up less space 😅
Ria look at my bird
Great tips Summer. It’s always nice to learn some hacks for the hobby.
Instead of using a screen to cover large drain holes I use pieces of coffee filters. I can see how the wire screen could be better for some types of plants however.
Sherry
I cut out pieces of the “net” that contains garlic and such. Also the fine mash of some jewelry bag. I think acrylic materials perform better cause they won’t decay!
I use cotton gauze, the kind you’ll find in the first aid box!
Same. Sometimes I'll use the whole filter if I think I'm going to repot sooner than later. I was using newspaper squares but they don't drain as well. Plain cupcake liners also work.
I have all plant lights plugged into smart plugs and they're all scheduled. Makes it a lot easier to keep up.
I actually use cinnamon instead when i cut the plant where the flesh is. I am not a fan of terracotta. I use nursery pot and a decorative pot outside. So i can replace nursery pots when they are getting old etc and still have the decorative pot for life. And is easier to repot with nursery pot can squeeze it out.
I’m not a fan of terracotta either. Mine was growing mold underneath!
J'ai réellement apprécié cette vidéo ! Toutes ces trucs et astuces judicieux pour nos plantes! Merci pour ce partage.
Great hacks! I've used mosquito bits for a few years now and they work okay but last year I had a major outbreak of fungus gnats, especially in my bedroom. (nothing like laying in bed at night and having gnats flying up your nose!) I found, on Amazon, the Katchy Indoor Insect Trap. I ended up buying several and have them throughout the house running 24/7. It didn't take long to annihilate the adult gnats and the breeding cycle. I rarely see one around the house now. I'm a believer.
Hi Summer! These were some great hacks! I use window screen for the holes in the bottom of my pots, even the ones outside. It works great! Thank you so much for sharing!
After watching your videos I'm always inspired to just give my plants a little extra love. 🥰
When trying to water my plants, I got so tired of trying to remove the nursery pot from the decorative pot, (too tight of a fit) that I quit using my decorative pots altogether. I always repot into terra cotta pots, but then those won’t fit into the decorative pots. I finally had my husband drill a drainage hole in all of my decorative pots so now I can just plant directly into those without having to use or remove a 2nd pot for watering.
Love this video and the plants 🪴 😍 So pretty
amazing tips, what really helped me with Fungus nats its consistent bottom watering, as FG live in the first centimetres of the top soil that will remain relatively dry and they die of.
It would be so helpful to explain how to apply the soap to the plant. I understood how it works but have no clue how to apply to large and small house plants. Thanks.
One of my favorite hacks is: if I’m going away, I fill up a empty soda bottle with water, I quickly turn it upside down into the plant, deep in, as far as I can. The plant soaks up the water it needs until I get bk home.
Here’s a little tip regarding the mesh screens. Go to any big box store and get a roll of fiber glass tape. Perfect mesh and has a sticky side to hold it to the bottom of the pot. Huge roll for $7.00 and lasts forever.
Summer, I am so happy that you are friends with my other favorite teacher(do not worry you were first) suburban homestead! I have been subbed to him for years, But did not realize what the channel was. Then no notification.. I was so happy to see your comments, also a vegan chef I have had the chance of seeing. I would like to see him more also!
What I really wanted to say, is I am temporarily staying where my plants do not fit the situation. So I took(barrowed) a couple brand new long led lights (not made for plants) moved my babies to the attic as if the are cannibis! And wow! I thought I was lacking some kinds of the spectrum? Maybe but... They are blooming! I have a stick that was off an outside Walmart plant that grew a orange tipped thorn looking flower . It was green stamen coming out the mouth. And it had a little piece that hung down under that reminded me a tiny bit of the nectar tube on a nasturtium. I do not know names as I did a a child So?
I got so excited when you mentioned non plant lights! I got off topic. Sorry this is so long. But I do this at times!
Thank you G.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was very helpful and I’m inspired to try some of these techniques. I think I’m going to create some bark wall structures for orchards. They would make great gifts to give to people as well. Take Care!!! ❤️🪴🍄🌿🌱🌾🌞
Killer gift idea
Great hacks! My favs are the tea strainer, nylon stocking for mounting epiphytes and, especially, the pots submerged in sand. I’m going to use all of them. Also, the cloche idea is great. I created one using a casserole dish for the bottom and a large, glass salad
bowl that I bought at IKEA for the top. It works like a charm. Those IKEA bowls are only $3 and they are great for creating cloches.
The last tip reminds me of using an Olla pot. You could also use a larger pot filled with sand and set a terracotta within it. Like use a 4" inside and 8" pot of sand
Another tip for keeping the soil in your pot ( prevents from leaving the hole at the bottom) is a coffee filter. It lets water go through very easily and after a few months the filter naturally disolves....by then the roots of the plants will hold the soil. 🌻
that’s what i do too 🙂
I use tea bag (without the tea) or the net-pouch when I purchase garlic from supermarket for my pots drainage hole screen
Adding a little neem seed meal to my potting mix when I'm concerned about fungus gnats has worked well for me.
that yellow top tho 😍 (also i love your channel. very grounding approach and accessible methods).
I like to use the mesh from onion or potato bags as screen in the bottom of pots :) Functional, free, recycling
I have really learned so much from all your videos
For my office plant, when I would go off on vacation I would fill a plastic water bottle with water and turn it upside down into the soil of the recently watered plant pot. As the soil dries, a bubble is released into the bottle allowing a little water to flow out. It keeps the plant watered for the two week vacation.
For fungus gnats, small amount hydrogen peroxide in watering can works for me. I do only twice a month. Can hear the mix working by putting ear to pot
Wow
I do this too. I started rinsing the sides of some of my pots & trays with the same solution when I found baby gnats eating right off the terra cotta 🤢.
How much peroxide vs how much water please.
@@lisaharvey4740 I've seen up to a 1:4 ratio, but I usually do about a teaspoon or two per liter of water and it's effective.
@@lisaharvey4740 A small amount, maybe less than an ounce in my watering can
These are really great tips! I really like your content/videos. great stuff! would love to see more of your terrariums. panty hose works, for tying stuff up to wood, or trunks/branches of trees, but so do a lot of other fabrics, and they eventually break down, long after the roots are well taken onto the wood/bark. I use all sorts of fabrics to tie up orchids outside mostly.
I recycled the screens from the windows when they got replaced and use them on my pots. I use vinegar to rid off fungus nats.
Good idea!
I use screens and cut them down to size too. Or, I use my husband’s mesh tape he uses for taping seams in sheetrock. Both are very handy.
Just want to shout out the absolute usefulness of the peppermint Dr. Bronner’s. I have chronic migraine, often with sinus congestion. Washing my face or even hair with this stuff really gives some relief especially in the shower with the hot steam. Other peppermint soap, I find, isn’t “peppery” enough.
Relative to the video, I’m curious to try using Castile soap to break up tight soil. Great video of REAL hacks!
I have over 150 house plants and years ago I got a horrible infestation of Aphids and wiping each leaf was out of the question so I ordered some Ladybugs , well the only size they had was 1000 , so a few days later a moving bean bag arrived , I cut it open and 1000 Ladybugs flew out and spread around my house onto all my plants and took care of my Aphid problem beautifully ....BUT 1000 Ladybugs is a LOT lol , they would be all over my windows sunning themself , flying around my house etc until I starting sucking them up with my vacuum and releasing them outside but I could never get rid of them , they would crawl into the cracks around my window frame or anywhere they found and I would think they were gone but as soon as spring came and the sun shining in the windows all of a sudden there would be 100's of Ladybugs on every window , but I never had Aphids again lol .
Old pieces of window screen work great to keep potting medium in the pot.
I Love your kitchen at Finger Lakes!
Summer!! Can you PLEASE make a video going in depth about how to properly install & use hydro spikes?!?! Im a visual learner & can't find any videos! Thank you for all your knowledge!!!
Thanks for sharing!!! I just ordered Mosquito Bits for fungus gnats. I don't have many and I'd like to keep it that way!
15:40 if you don’t have anything like this, the small cups that fruit cups for kids or adults I guess can be used for the same thing as well! I use a hot glue gun to melt holes into it, a screw can make the holes, a drill etc and they work wonderfully and help to upcycle stuff that’s normally thrown away. I use them for self watering pots as well with a reservoir glass containers I get from old candles (use any type of cooking oil in them for 20 minutes and the wax comes out easily) or containers from the Dollar Tree (they work extremely well for tiny greenhouses, terrariums, decor for a small pot that likes more humidity (add small pebbles to the bottom that allows for a reservoir and keeps the pot above the water, add water and it keeps the area more humid for the plant and allows you to keep the plant out of a cabinet)
Thanks a lot for your nice videos and explanations and botanical garden tours. I enjoy these a lot.
Question (probably unclever one): The soap option for soil clumps. Do you use the soil also to water the plants or just for transplanting the clumped plant into new soil and getting rid of the old soil?
Wala po ako masabi kahit po busy kayo ni sander.nandyan pa din po kayo para magbigay Ng pag aalaga SA mga halaman.pagpalain po kayo at palagi po kayong Mag iingat.
Love your house plant hacks. Try looking into teas and natural extracts use in preventing different insects and fungus, molds from harming your plants. Worm casting tea to be sprayed on to leaves, stocks, stems is great against mealy bugs, scale, aifeds. Others like compost tea. Comfrey, take a few leaves and soak in some water after it desolves use it as liquid fertilizer. Adding mint in a tea to repells knit and other flies. Love your work keep it growin on!!!
Summer, you are my inspiration and biggest role model. You just do it ALL and make it look good while doing so. How do you do it??
Fun Fact: Yarrow Leaves are also a styptic! I always have dried yarrow around just in case for any cuts
I use pantyhose to tie plants in the garden. They are especially handy to bundle up conifers for the winter to endure piling snow, or to attach tree saplings to stakes. The pantyhose seem to be very durable and have perfect amount of stretch to let the plant sway in the wind and not leave chafing marks.
😂
@@BirdBath1 No need to throw away pantyhose with a few holes😁
@@juusoblomqvist363 look at my birds
Cost cutting tip with heating mats it may be cheaper to buy one for reptiles rather than a horticultural one. I think I use IPM at my home. I have a house lady bird which I raised from an egg, it sorted out the greenfly on my plants.
Wet the potting medium with WARM water and be nice to your hands too! Took me years to do this small favor for myself!
Amazon sells to Australia mosquito bits. I have no problem buying this product. Love your informative RUclips videos. Lots of LOVE AND Blessings, ANNETTE QUEENSLAND Australia.
So many great tips in the video and in the comments. Subscribing
I have found that some of my LED lights mess up my circadian rhythm so I always make sure to turn them of a few hours before I go to bed. When I would leave them on layer it always makes it hard to fall asleep
I use a piece of coffee filter instead of the wire mesh to keep the soil in. I tear off a piece and only use enough to cover the hole so one filter does several pots. Lets the water out and is biodegradable if you toss your old dirt in a yard pile later.
House plant trick #1: when repotting, soak the emptied pot in vinegar and scrub like a madman💚
Why?
@@CH-vm6cq to get rid of hard water stains and it sterilizes the pot
been using my mom's old stockings to tie orchids since the 90's. A trick I picked up from my mom and aunts.
How do you tie up the orchids with the stockings?
I cut thin strips hirizontally.
Yes, loving the tips. Thanks
Where is the mug and tea strainer from? It looks incredibly comfortable to hold and use
Instead of styptic, we use turmeric which is commonly available in our kitchens in India. Due to anti- inflammatory properties, it repels insects and fungus.
God morning Summer it's been a while but great hacks!❤️🥰🙏🏼
You could easily do an outer pot of sand with an insert pot to easily water those dome like plants….
Hi edagdwg God bless you thanks for sharing ways to take care of your plants a fan linda j. Peace
Thank you Ms. Summer, those are some great tips☃️❄️💚🙃
Hi Summer, I use ladybug larvae to fight aphids. Because aphids attract ants with their sweet excretions, I also get rid of ants invasion. And finally, in summer, I have the garden decorated with cute grown-up ladybugs that feed birds or go to live in my insects hotel. I highly recommend ladybugs larvae for aphids. Hugs from Italy.
I'm in the UK and I've been using the mesh bags that contain satsumas or onions to cover the drainage hole. I wonder if pantyhose (we call them tights here) would also work - maybe fishnet ones would!
This is another best gardening experience sharing, thank you so much for sharing 👍👍👍!
thank you for all the tips ...most helpful!
My potting soil screens are from a couple of yards of plastic replacement screen material I bought at my local hardware for couple of dollars. And then I can cut them to size for each pot.
Nice vid
Wish you addressed the humidifier I saw in the background🤗
Another tip:
Put undiluted liquid fertilizer/ wetting agent/ plant food in sprayer bottles. Measure it once in the beginning how many sprays you need for your usual dose (e.g 3 sprays for 5 mls) for easy mixing with water on watering day then keep it in dark cupboard when not in use. Its a serious time saver for not having to mix and measure from the bottle all the time especially when you have tons of plant to look after. Burnout no more!
Another good way to gage your soil moisture is by a Moisture Meter, game changer! YOur plants will love you for it and no more over watering.
⭐️💜🙏🌿🍵Thanks again for great content. Can I take one of your plant master classes
from Toronto Canada ? 🇨🇦
Jamaica 🇯🇲 here
The lights and timer combination is amazing. My plants love it and the timer is perfect for when you're traveling or spending days away from home. There are very affordable options on Amazon :)
Hello. Thank you for your detailed videos.
I am rescuing an abandoned monstera deliciosa. It is practically bent in different directions and growing out of it's pot. Please, can you suggest best way to correct this without hurting the plant.
Thank you very much.😮
I use old black and brown pantyhose everywhere in my garden. Even my husband didn’t know I was using them until he “caught me in the act”🤣👍
Great ideas, thanks.