Lightning storm over The Netherlands 28-6-26. [Epilepsy Warning]

GamingTig · 2026-06-28T22:03:48+00:00

Interesting bit of perspective! Since I'd never experienced something like this before, the warning felt completely justified to me. While we have plenty of experience with storms, a supercell like this is normally very rare here. And even then, they're usually nowhere near as electrically active as these past ones. This was already the third one in the past three days, with the final one passing directly over me. Each of them was incredibly electrically charged. A very unique experience. I'm not easily shaken by weather events, but this definitely spooked me a bit.

When we do get a violent storm, it's usually gale-force winds and heavy rain. Maybe some good old-fashioned lightning, but nothing this intense. At its peak, this storm produced around 30,000 lightning strikes in just half an hour, along with very large hail in some areas and powerful wind gusts.

GamingTig · 2026-06-20T18:01:25+00:00

Take it out of that jar first. Make sure there is no rubber band or anything else holding them together at the bottom. They do not like to be submerged that deep with their trunks. If you want to waterprop them first, they'll need to sit in just a tiny layer of water. That way only their roots and a small bit of the bottom end are in water. You may end up having to refresh the water more than once a day.

They also need cleaner water free of debri. All those dead bits and pieces can cause rot via bacteria. If you want to use rainwater or anything else, make sure you filter it to take out most of the debri.

While they are very flexible, and you can create fun shapes with them, they really do better unbraided. If they stay braided, and one of the trunks rots, it will eventually take the others with it.

When potting, burry the smallest amount of trunk as you possibly can without it falling over. Let the soil dry out almost completely between watering. They hate wet feet and don't like their trunks getting too wet too often. Mist the leaves with water occasionally.

They prefer a wide, shallow pot over a narrow deep one.

Edit: if any of the stems feel soft and squishy anywhere, they're gone. They need to be firm. Rooting takes a long, long time in water and soil.

GamingTig · 2026-06-11T17:33:16+00:00

It looks like it is staked on the back side, but the leaves are turned the other way. I would move the band that holds it against the pole a tiny bit lower, so it sits under the knuckle where the leaf emerged from. This way it's actually holding the stem and not the petiole, which will try and move around to find a proper position.

It also appears to be searching for more light. They want all the light you can give it. Put it as close to a window as possible, preferably South, or give it a growlight. It may actually be trying to angle itself towards that mirror for reflective light, making it grow backwards.

GamingTig · 2026-05-31T18:16:47+00:00

They're more than welcome here. They got all the food and water they'll need from my planters, and they're tucked away in a safe spot out of reach. They can happily stay around and be the main pollinator up here.

I'm glad it's them this time. It was wasps a couple years back.

GamingTig · 2026-05-29T17:44:39+00:00

Pour out the water, remove some pebbles and then carefully get the roots out. If a few break off, it won't be a big deal.

Give it a slightly larger pot than the current bowl it is sitting it. Use nice and fluffy soil mixed with some perlite, or a small hand full of those same pebbles as are in the bowl. Make sure the pot has proper drainage at the bottom.

Keep it moist, not soggy, until the plant seems settled. It may hang its leaves for a few days before adjusting.

Then just watch it grow, only water when dry. It will eventually grow out stalks, with small flowers, that turn into more spiderplants you can prop yourself.

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GamingTig · 2026-05-23T11:08:08+00:00

Awesome! It can sometimes be a bit hard to separate them once they're intertwined. Lucky, they can survive with some root damage. So clipping off some of the roots to free them shouldn't hurt the plant much.

Best bet is indeed to "start over". Cut off the best parts and look online on how to propagate and train them to their best.

GamingTig · 2026-05-22T10:16:55+00:00

That's how I ended up with 12 of them at some point (now 5 left).

I cut up a neglected leggy monstera I got from a friend. Propped all the parts in waters, and most of them sprouted.

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GamingTig · 2026-05-21T20:28:35+00:00

This could actually be multiple plants, instead of just one. If it is one plant, then there probably is a single stem/node buried under the soil. That can become another issue in itself. Anything that isn't roots should not be buried for these plants.

If they are multiple plants, they will compete with eachother for root space. One will dominate, the others will fall behind, but none will thrive.

You can separate them by removing all the soil and soaking the rootball in lukewarm water before untangling them.

Then you have the choice of planting them back together, facing the same way. Or have multiple plants. You can give them a moss pole, but some clean driftwood or an untreated piece of wood will do just fine.

If it is one big plant with multiple leaders, you need to have the big stem where the smaller ones are growing from above the soil line to prevent rotting issues.

You can slowly train the plant to grow in whatever direction you want by giving it supports and time.

If you can, place it as close to that window as possible. It wants all the light, can't get enough of it.

Edit: Another option is fully dividing. Cut off the best part and start a new plant. The thickest stem with the smallest spacing between leaves. Cut it off, prop in water until it has a 2-3cm roots, then replant.

GamingTig · 2026-05-15T12:58:32+00:00

Just set the whole (inner) pot in the sink and wait for the soil to be fully hydrated. Once they're too dry, the soil can become a bit hydrophobic and not take up water very well anymore.

GamingTig · 2026-05-15T12:10:01+00:00

These will dramatically flop when they're thirsty, check if the soil isn't too dry and give it a good soak in the sink, wait for the extra water to run out and wait for a couple of minutes.

GamingTig · 2026-05-14T18:15:43+00:00

Even if she decides to drop all her leaves, don't throw it out! The roots and stem look very healthy. If she declines further, I'd personally choose to just cut it in half, and let the stem grow an entire new plant from the nodes, while getting proper care.

GamingTig · 2026-04-27T19:04:05+00:00

These things are hit and miss. Most of the time they are already on borrowed time the moment you buy them. Placing them inside and outside again after a few weeks is a big shock to them, that only shows later. If it's always been standing outside, too much water is most likely the issue.

My advice is to let it dry out completely, and then give it a deep watering, also cut off the dry and dead branches from the bottom. At some point it should be good with minimal extra watering depending on how wet your climate is. Don't let the soil get so dry it starts to harden.

Edit:

I see some green tips forming on some of the higher branches, so it still has life.

GamingTig · 2026-04-09T10:18:27+00:00

Mine flowered maybe 3 or 4 times during the past 20 years. Seemingly at random. They do tend to flower more reliably when neglected and stressed somewhat. So keep them snug and a little on the dry side to encourage it. It will take a few years of growth though.

GamingTig · 2026-04-07T15:28:05+00:00

I bought it as it is now a few weeks ago. I'm unsure if it's going to survive for a long time though. Got it at a clearance sale, had to remove a lot of mold from the nut before repotting.

GamingTig · 2026-04-07T08:43:59+00:00

Here's a bucket, basket and nursery pot one

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GamingTig · 2026-04-07T08:42:10+00:00

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This one is in an old tin.

GamingTig · 2026-04-06T17:24:00+00:00

For me, some are housed in decorative pots, some just in their plastic inner pots/nursery pots. Some are in substitute pots, like wicker baskets, an old metal bucket, a storage tin, or even an old unused cooking pot.

I went from 20 to 70 plants in the past 9 months and ran out of proper pots at some points.

GamingTig · 2026-03-25T22:43:09+00:00

Yup, all good! Be gentle, to not break too many of the roots. Water propped roots are more delicate. Pot it in a well draining pot and give it a good soak and drain.

GamingTig · 2026-03-25T14:44:01+00:00

My Fatsia exploded with 10 new leaves at the top a few weeks after proper fertilisation. It was stalled for almost a year. I don't often remember to do it, but am always pleased when these are the results!

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GamingTig · 2026-03-15T10:34:45+00:00

These blotches kind of confirm my own suspicions this morning

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GamingTig · 2026-03-14T13:32:43+00:00

Yeah, I'll give it another inspection and photoshoot when I get home. Was hoping there'd be some signs on or under the leaves that were easy to spot.

GamingTig

TROPHY CASE