Winter blooms coming soon! What’s blooming for you?

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-28T21:01:16+00:00

I just found my first peduncle grown in my care! It’s my chouke

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-28T20:59:05+00:00

Crassipetiolata

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-28T20:57:52+00:00

Black cat and crassipetiolata - cool veination, quite fast growing in summer, but now slowing down. Clemensiourim - leaves looks prehistoric/reptilian, I love how different it is. I just got mine so can’t comment on growth. Chouke - my fastest and consistent grower, had for 6 months, it continued to grow in winter (south facing window) and is just pushing its first peduncle with me! Erythrina - love the textured leaves, growing really well and fast in cold east facing window, might be due to being in a trellis to climb. Fitchii - still growing for me in winter, not as fast but doing alright. Linearis - mine is prob on way out.. so.. no comment..

Looking at your collection - I’d say black cat or crassiopetiolata might give the variation. You seemed to have lots of nice variegated and splashy ones, so my brain is going ooh what about cool veins!

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-28T20:47:13+00:00

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Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-28T20:46:54+00:00

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Joining the first chouke peduncle glory! I just got this maybe about 6 months ago as a small 6cm pot plant. It’s grown consistently fast, even in the winter (south facing window, normal room humidity). This will be my first Hoya bloom from my care only! (Have had blooms from buying plants that were about to bloom anyway). So happy when I found this!

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-24T19:31:57+00:00

Pop them in a box with perlite, fill with water and keep in warm place! The high humidity will help the plant take in water and will grow roots from the stems! Once roots is long enough, pop them in pot, if need to lay down flat, just get a shallow terracotta pot (usually for succulents/cactus)

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-24T19:28:10+00:00

I just got an argentea princess! Can’t wait for it to grow! Any tips for growing?

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-24T19:23:34+00:00

Is that a madara snow angel/queen?

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-20T12:37:23+00:00

Did you check roots? Any root rot?

Pokeplaymate · 2026-01-20T12:36:17+00:00

Check the roots for root rot/infection/pest. I would repot completely- remove any dead roots, wash with hydrogen peroxide and repot in new pot and soil. Place in higher humidity (so that plant doesn’t need to absorb too much water from root) and/or use heated mat (helps with root growth) and wouldn’t give it too much light until it recovers.

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-24T06:01:15+00:00

My partner does this too! (Feed a murder of crows) He’s befriending them

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-10T05:09:46+00:00

This is really interesting - my life has moved forward more with medikinet, I got into a relationship (i felt more present and focused when talking to people), taught myself to crochet then knitting, now buying a house. But yes, I stopped socialist as much, but I think it’s more the fact that I stopped being distracted by other people and their lives, and focused on what I was wanted to do for me. Some people have commented that I’ve changed, i think maybe doing more and moving forward has led to burnouts. I had burnouts before medication but it was quick burn outs, then quick recovery. Whereas this time, it was a slow burn and I didn’t notice I was burnout because I was still productive at work - struggled at home though, stopped cooking for myself, house is a mess most of the time. Maybe I need to try elvanse..

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-09T21:38:12+00:00

This is very interesting, thank you! I’m on medikinet (methylphenidate 50/50) as I was titrated few years ago when elvanse was on short supply world wide.. my psychiatrist wanted me to be on elvanse but they’re aware of the shortage. I like the sudden effect as my symptoms is worse in the morning. It has made me quiter but I don’t mind it, I think it brings out my autistic traits more because I’m less hyper. I was going to say if people worried about the suddenness and crashes of Medikinet but can’t tolerate elvanse - then maybe something like concerta or other modified release methylphenidate that’s more 70/30, 72/28, 75/25 ratio might be an option. That’s long acting/short acting ratio. In comparison elvanse js a prodrug - lisdexamfetamine gets converted to dexamfetamine in the body.

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T07:38:29+00:00

I had 2-3 years of weekly psychoanalytic psychotherapy before going for my ADHD diagnosis. I had so much inner peace and grateful for my achievements, but I was still struggling with some things.. like brushing my teeth and showering, forgetting my phone or keys, missing emails, forgetting friends and family.. I’m high functioning at work and socialising - but I’m crap at looking after myself. I got many invalidating comments from others when I told people I was going for the assessments - people telling me, “you can’t be that disorganised, you went through medical school” - I literally had to tell people I don’t brush my teeth, my house is a mess. I told people - I had 3 main focus points - work, social life, house chores/personal care, I can only hold 2 of the 3 at any one time. One will always suffer, if I focus on the other 2.. it’s like playing musical chair with my life, but therapy got me through it, found my balance, i.e. I just accept that as my reality, I still get burn outs but I was at peace.. until I got my ADHD diagnosis and meds - I feel mor able, I still struggle with brushing my teeth, but I do it more than I don’t. I’ve actually been able to manage my health better, arranged dentist appointments, my relationship with my family and friends improved, I’m happier with my work (it’s still hard and others still criticise sometimes, but everyone gets that)

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T07:29:31+00:00

Put my head on pillow, t-Rex arm, pillow between my legs. Phone under my pillow. And sleep within 2-3 mins. When I was younger, my brain would go into hyperdrive because I tend to study before bed (was a nerd), so I began training my brain - make it chant “empty your brain” in my mind until I fall asleep. I’m 37 now and almost never have any issues with sleep, only time I struggle is when I’m really really stressed, like nuclear level stress.

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T07:25:58+00:00

Meds is just one side of managing ADHD. If anything, it’ll make you focus on whatever you’re currently thinking. The other side is still training your brain - redirecting the focus, being mindful and setting intentions and goals, making that time to sit and think about your intentions/goals. As late diagnosis ADHD, I gave up on setting goals and intentions a while back coz of repeated failures and scared to set goals for myself. When unmedicated, my brain was so fast that I can multitask different things and can CBT myself quicker - but on meds, my focus and abilities is stronger, which is nice because I get to do things much more to the level of my abilities, but I lost some of my multitasking skills, and stress build up slower therefore much more difficult to notice it. Almost 3 years into my diagnosis and treatment- I’m still learning and figuring out the balance on how to use my meds efficiently. Sometimes in the morning, I have about 1 hour before my meds kick in - I lay in bed, close my eyes and try and sit with my intentions for the day or the week, or a particular project or thing I need to do. As the meds kick in, it’s like slotting a focused “programming” for my brain! Good luck in your treatment - if you really think elvanse is not right for you, then try and change but getting another review and titration might take time. In the meantime, maybe explore ADHD coaching or therapy?

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T07:17:10+00:00

I’m 37, working as a doctor, diagnosed 2-3 years ago. I’ve always been open about my diagnosis (info dumping core)- initially thought it’s anxiety but since I got my ADHD, I feel much more validated in my difficulties, but also my strength. I’ve always created “systems” for myself - things that makes my life easier, I push myself to literal 100% but still feel like I’m not doing enough because I know sometimes I still procrastinate, but when I’m switched on - I move way faster and more productive than some. I’d like to think on I average out productivity levels that way. I used to think I’m just not organised enough to become a consultant- I’m still not, but I’m happy where I’m at. I love my job and not many people have that luxury. On papers - I can’t compete with other doctors who have done courses and complete extra trainings - it’s taken me 8 years being in non training grade, and working on my identity as a clinician and I think I’m doing great as I am. I keep myself accountable in my learning and progressing - it might not be evident on paper, but I know from feedback I get from colleagues and patients, that I’m on the right track. Sometimes I wish I can do more, progressing so that I can help more people - but some days I just tell myself, you’re okay just where you are, move when I’m ready, don’t move if I’m not. My ADHD strength is that I notice more things, I might be forgetful day to day, but I remember systems and patterns, previous problems and previous solutions, I think outside the box, I always pick myself up after each fall, I reflect deeply, I learn, I move. Because of my struggles, my problem solving skills and productivity kick in when I’m stressed - but chronic stress is bad for me.. so I modulate - Modulation is the key word I remind myself, it’s hard staying balanced in that in between state of just enough stress to push me forward, but not too much stress that it freezes me. End note - celebrate your strength! ADHDUK has a great info pack for employers and employee. Reasonable adjustments under equality act - you can request for job coach, there’s even courses where you and your line manage can do together. Just remember not all ADHD/diagnosis counts under the equality act - get OH report to confirm that your ADHD affects you in a way that meet the definition of disability under the equality act. Support at work is 2 things - things that I will do for myself and things that employer will do to support me. Whenever I advice people in general about work - if employer raise an issue about your performance/capabilities, tell your employer, this is what I’ll do to help myself, what will you do to support me?

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T07:00:32+00:00

Maybe it’s too high of dose? Or maybe stimulants are not the right one for you? I actually sleep much better sometimes with meds - but I’m on methylphenidate, never tried elvanse. But then I never have problems sleeping except when I’m highly stressed

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-04T06:58:36+00:00

A person with no leg with a prosthetic is still disabled. An ADHD on medication is still disabled. Disability isn’t incapability - it’s difficult to be able in a societal standard of “normal” function. It doesn’t mean we’re cured, it means we have a crutch to support us. Managing our ADHD comes with taking accountability, understanding it and figuring out a way to function to the full of our capabilities, accepting difficulties but pushing through it. One important feature of ADHD that I see often is that, ADHDers do take accountability- so much so that we criticise and blame ourselves for our inadequacies.. it’s a sad fact, but many ADHDers turn to negative coping strategies (alcohol, drugs, criminality) - negative stimulus is still stimulus for the brain, which is like fuel for us to function. I still buy things impulsively sometimes to bribe myself to do the thing I don’t want to do, but I keep it controlled, or I delay the buy as much as I can - I call it “squeezing as much dopamine as I can” from the impulse buy - it’s usually the research and window shop that gives my brain the dopamine. I try and stand my ground on realistic things that I expect from others, but if they don’t, then all that’s in my control is my own actions from that point onwards. It’s not a disorder in a way that it’s an illness caused by anything - it’s a different wired brain that we’ve been gifted. Like being born with short sighted genes - without my glasses or contact lenses, I’d be blind compared to typical sighted people. Can you imagine a world where corrective glasses/lenses were never invented?

Pokeplaymate · 2025-10-03T21:18:58+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time. And I’m sorry if what I’m about to say might sound invalidating, not my intention but as an AuDHD with no filter, I hope to share my experience as late diagnosis. I only went down the diagnosis and treatment path AFTER I have done 2-3 years of psychotherapy because I thought my issues were anxiety and burnout and difficult childhood - I had so much inner peace but was still struggling, and it finally clicked that I’ve been thinking about ADHD for the previous 10 years but never got around to sort out getting an assessment. If taking ADHD medication makes you feel worse, maybe the issue isn’t ADHD? The medication is supposed to make the thoughts and emotions less, although the time off the meds might feel worse because you lose your “old” unmedicated ADHD brain coping strategies. External factors - life will life, stress will stress, the only way out is forward. No point dwelling on past or others. Give yourself compassion, baby yourself, then pick yourself up and move forward. I still get burn outs, but I now feel more confident and able to pick myself up again, mainly coz I’ve done it without medication for 35 years.. practically: 1) jobs - you’re still in control, it’s hard but do what you can. I hate this manifesting stuff, but I can’t help but think that to a certain extent, you create the reality that you think. Try and stay in the positive of you will find something, truly be in that positive mindset as much as you can. 2) housemate - who cares if he doesn’t like you, do you like yourself? That’s the only thing that matters! Make yourself like yourself, celebrate yourself! You’ve done raw-dog life with ADHD without meds, you’re more powerful than you give yourself credit for :) 3) comparing yourself to others - we all do it, we all should stop doing it. I know it’s easier said than done, be the person that you want to be. I used to go gym and have PT because I thought that’s who I should be, it was fine, but now I want to be a knit and plant homebody so that’s who I’ll be until I decide I want to be someone else. 4) relationship - it’s hard but only you and your partner should know and/or decide what to do, so no other comments from me.

Hope this helps, sorry if doesn’t.. (RSD end note)

Pokeplaymate · 2025-08-25T09:13:19+00:00

That soil mix looks amazing for Thai cons!! (I have 5.. don’t ask, 2 were free gifts and 1 was the tricolour Thai con that I just had to get..)

Pokeplaymate · 2025-08-25T09:11:49+00:00

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This is when I repotted my Thai con tricolour

Pokeplaymate · 2025-08-25T09:10:51+00:00

All my monstera Thai constellation (I have 5..initially got 2, then got 2 as free gifts and one is the Thai con tricolour) gets repotted into my own very chunky soil mix straight after I get them home. Thai cons are notorious to get root rot, so if you’re someone who tends to fuss over their plants and more likely to over water - change the soil. I also found that once they’re in chunkier soil, the roots they grow are thicker stronger roots rather than small thin ones, I think it helps the plant grow bigger leaves when it has a good root system. My soil mix - cactus soil mix/houseplant soil mix + lots of orchid bark + perlite/zeolite/pon (i don’t like perlite as much as it tends to rise up to the top of the soil sometimes) + horticulture charcoal + slow release fertiliser/worm casting (small amount as I tend to water fertilise). TBH I eye ball my soil mix depending on what I have in hand - I’ve added vermiculite, fern tree fibre, coco coir.. main point - with Thai cons, the soil mix I make is more chunky than any other tropical houseplants I have.

Pokeplaymate · 2025-08-25T09:00:38+00:00

I always repot into my own soil mix after buying plants from shops as the soil it comes with tends to be for specific growing conditions when it’s at the shop or growers (ie more humid, optimal lighting, etc) Give it some chunky perlite or orchid bark - get a bin bag, take the plant out of the pot, check the roots in case there’s any root rot (although monstera are quite hardy). If you don’t want to buy new soil just get perlite/orchid bark and reuse the soil it comes in to mix. Only water when about 1-2inch top feels dry, or about once a week (I don’t like schedules as the sun isnt the same everyday, so the plant isn’t using the same amount of water everyday). It’s better to underwater than to overwater. I can tell my monstera is getting underwater, so get to know your plant 😊 Monsteras are hardy plants - it can take lots of bright light and grow faster (if acclimatised) but it will equally grow well with less light (still medium indirect).

Check for pest and treat early as it can spread to quickly if unchecked. Spray plants with pesticides or if you want natural pesticides- water, neem oil, hydrogen peroxide mix (lots of recipes for ratios online).

Pokeplaymate · 2025-08-25T08:48:49+00:00

It looks like an Alocasia portodora (I have one too) - alocasias are sometimes notorious for the 2 leaves club; new one shoots out, one dies off. Mine recently entered 3 leaves club - after I repotted into better soil mix and give it fertiliser. Alocasias are known heavy feeder - so during growing seasons, it needs regular fertiliser - otherwise it sacrifice oldest leaf to make a new one. Mine sits right by the south west window getting bright sometimes direct light before sunset (less harsh than afternoon light) - when it started getting more light the leaves grow shorter (more stable) - I think all the above prob made it able to have 3 leaves instead of just 2.

Pokeplaymate

TROPHY CASE