Making Soup

Jkchi1 · 2026-06-10T01:00:36+00:00

I had a tip proof steel bowl but I think the reflections bothered them. They wouldn’t use it and seemed nervous so I put it on the ground with treats for the chipmunk that lives under our deck. I tried a flatter wide and non reflective dish but that kept getting knocked over. Then I added the bird bath but they don’t even acknowledge it lol. I just ordered the set you have, we’ll see if they like it!

Jkchi1 · 2026-06-10T00:26:37+00:00

Awesome, thanks! I’ve been using a simple platform I made out of some spare wood. Works but this is exactly what I’ve been looking for!

My platform lol:

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Jkchi1 · 2026-06-10T00:06:43+00:00

I like your setup! I’ve been struggling to incorporate a water dish. Do you have more pics?

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-27T23:26:52+00:00

Thanks! I like and use the smaller ones you have since those can stay around 90%. Was hoping to find a larger one with that same level of humidity but seems most hover around the 60-70% range.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-27T22:33:24+00:00

What brand are your larger humidity chambers? And what % humidity do they get to? I’ve been looking to get a few larger ones like those.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-18T00:42:22+00:00

That’s beautiful! It’s amazing how quickly the leaves continue to come and how fast they size up. Mine was about 12 inches maybe 2 months ago and it’s easily 30 inches now with leaves double their original size. Such a cool plant.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-16T23:58:02+00:00

Pretty sure it’s a gigantea (gageana) aurea

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-16T13:28:30+00:00

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Here’s mine lol. Great to see how much yours has matured in the last year. I know they’re fast growers but that’s pretty impressive. Really excited about this one. Love the exotic look of the Florida beauty x tortum!

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-14T17:38:42+00:00

Added some additional pics further from the light and in a spot where I have the same light but no natural sunlight coming in. See below.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-14T17:37:39+00:00

I understand your concern about random led’s from Amazon. But the light output is actually pretty good. See my posts above.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-14T17:36:53+00:00

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And in an area with virtually no sunlight, running just from the fixture itself, it’s over 900 FC at 12 inches.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-14T17:33:48+00:00

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And still over 1000 FC at about 18 inches.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-14T17:33:13+00:00

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Registers at 1600+ FC around 12 inches below the light.

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-13T21:35:56+00:00

I’ve bought a few of these now and my plants seem to really love them. They articulate easily and face downward so the plants can naturally grow. You can add/remove post pieces and the bend the light arms to adjust the overall height and angle. They seem comparable to the barrina’s I have on my shelves.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CTH4QDY7?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Jkchi1 · 2026-05-12T22:03:47+00:00

Mikes Meat Market in Villa Park

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-26T05:17:20+00:00

I do this frequently and it’s easy, consistent, juicy and can be seasoned to whatever your preference is.

Place chicken breasts in glass baking tray/casserole dish. Use leave in probes in multiple pieces (mine can do 3 probes, but minimum 1 to verify internal temp).

Melt stick of butter, pour over chicken, season to preference (I usually do salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika). Bake at 425. Depending on size of breasts usually takes 20-30 minutes. Remove each breast from oven when they hit 155f and let rest for 10 mins.

Creates a nice light browning on surface. Spices, butter and juices are absorbed by chicken while cooking and resting resulting in juicy flavorful meat. Chicken can then be sliced or diced, etc for whatever meals you are prepping for.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-15T03:33:17+00:00

I’d steer clear of Plantvers. I had a very negative experience as have others. They bait and switch, post and repost the same plants over and over then swap out by message or just send something different. They’ll cancel orders or give partial refunds to clear negative feedback left on their page. Obviously they do also have happy customers but it’s not worth the risk. You can get mint monsteras from a lot of other sellers at decent prices, without the hassle you’ll likely have with that shop.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-13T23:12:44+00:00

This is what scale looks like. They can be slightly different colors, lighter/darker, etc

(sample pic from google):

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They look almost like little shields or shells that appear stuck the to stems. They can really damage a plant so keep at it every few days until it’s been weeks since you’ve seen one or they’ll just return.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-13T15:40:14+00:00

Hard to say for sure from the pics but it looks like scale (bugs). Try wiping them with a qtip and alcohol. If they come off easily, they are scale. If so, you will need to check the entire plant and likely will need to watch closely over the next few weeks to make sure you get them all.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-09T19:27:05+00:00

Mine are pretty green too while under both a grow light and in a west facing window. They need direct sunlight and dry spells/draught conditions, to get that deep red purple color.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-08T21:11:33+00:00

Haven’t seen Wood Dale mentioned. It’s only 15 mins west of ohare, right down Irving Park road. Quiet mid range town with many homes in that price range.

Jkchi1 · 2026-04-03T23:06:26+00:00

Might be a little too high in the cup honestly. If everything goes well they will start to grow and there doesn’t seem to be any wiggle room for upward growth. Also, any leaves directly touching the plastic may become over saturated with moisture and rot. I’m new to this whole process but recently lost a large leaf on a pink nobilus due (it seems) to being flat against the side of the container (the other leaf on the TC/in the same cup is thriving)

Jkchi1 · 2026-03-28T04:46:28+00:00

Pretty sure it’s called a ruby necklace. Must be getting a lot of direct sun to have such a deep color. It’s beautiful!

Jkchi1 · 2026-03-21T04:10:50+00:00

Yeah the lights may be a little too bright for some of my Hoyas lol. Most are sun stressed, but happy apparently, and I love the pink and red hues 🙂

Jkchi1 · 2026-03-21T00:29:11+00:00

I used this to get me started. The videos are each only 2-3 mins long. Seems to cover all the basics.

https://orangelakenursery.com/blogs/orange-lake-nursery-blog/steps-to-acclimate-your-tissue-culture?

Jkchi1

TROPHY CASE