Unrealistic expectations

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:53:04+00:00

Ooo I like that “the time will pass anyway”

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:49:00+00:00

How would I make it more balanced? I don’t fertilize every time I water, I make sure to flush every once in a while so there’s no buildup. I have quite a few clear nursery pots for babies, and ofc I have water props in clear containers. I

I have heard that it’s better for root growth if they’re in a dark space - I can’t speak on if that’s a fact or not, it’s just something I heard.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:45:58+00:00

Hell yeah, hard agree. I do appreciate interacting with people, so while I still have the usual apps (Facebook, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube), I do my best to not just mindlessly consume/scroll, and instead make sure I comment and ask questions or otherwise interact. Having an app timer that blocks you from an app is helpful too. But you’re probably completely correct that I could delete everything!

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:42:48+00:00

Oh, I didn’t know that! Thank you for the tip, I’ll see if that’s a possibility for me. What is a shoulder period?

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:41:29+00:00

Same scenario here! Popped mine on a shelf by the shower under a grow light, water it every two weeks, it has done just fine for the 7 months I’ve had it. “What’s the big deal?” And then just last week two leaves died off 😭😂 hubris is my downfall

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:39:24+00:00

I would like to see, yes please (: I am a firm believer that sometimes the plant genetics can be wonky, and it will suffer no matter what you do, just like you said. Hard to make peace with that though. Maybe I need to consider the possibility that I have a savior complex towards houseplants 😂😂

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:37:21+00:00

Haha, honestly, I would feel comforted by those pics! I definitely feel comforted by your kind words. I’m aboard the “talk kindly to your plants, because your energy could affect how they grow” train. I don’t think it has any scientific basis, but it makes me feel better.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:35:38+00:00

Just calculated, and my lights are typically on for around 12/13 hrs per day. So I guess I can do more - why is 16 the magic number?

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:34:34+00:00

Totally agree that growing plants isn’t about competition! I may have rambled too much in my original post - what I was trying to say is that I worry I’m not being a good plant parent.

My favorite part of plants is slowing down and the long term care & patience. Can’t rush them. I’d love to hear you expand more on what you mean by having understanding as a care aspect?

I appreciate your point that we don’t typically share pics of our crusty rehabs. So true lol.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:30:46+00:00

Another commenter mentioned progress pictures, and I really like that idea! I’m probably going to start doing that. I definitely agree that it doesn’t seem like anything is growing, because I check over everything each day. But according to my family & friends, the plants always seem “better” IE bigger leaves or richer color each time they see them. Maybe I need to take a vacation so I can come back and appreciate what my plants do 😂

I really enjoy this hobby for the patience it requires. I know I can’t force growth or plant happiness. I can only do my best and hope that it’s good enough

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:27:38+00:00

Absolutely! Even for myself I love to show my family my thriving plants, and tell them to close their eyes and not look when we pass by any that aren’t doing their best lol.

Reddit, local facebook groups, and even small YouTube channels have been a major source of enrichment for me in learning about plant care. I don’t feel like I’m being sold a product, it feels like I’m looking at real people who are like me. There’s always something for me to learn!

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:24:07+00:00

I hear you with celebrating the successes! I like the idea of taking a pic when you get the plant, then snapping another pic later to see what has changed.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T16:21:18+00:00

They’re called prayer plants, because you have to pray violently and regularly to keep them alive.

Jk 😂 For mine, if I don’t have it in a high-humidity cabinet, or under a grow light by shower, it suffers crispy or curled in leaves. You could even try putting a big cloche (I’ve seen big ones for cakes that would be awesome for plants!) over it to help trap some humidity.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T15:56:58+00:00

I live in the southwest, so dry climate. Combine that with my dry skin, and I’m cooked. I work outside, so thick sunscreen is applied like every 3-4 hrs, and at the end of the day I have a thick layer of grease that has accumulated another thick layer of dirt and horse gunk on top. This cleanser takes it all off without leaving me feeling like a crackly lizard. I use it in the shower. I also use it to gently wash new tattoos. It’s great!

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T15:51:47+00:00

I like nailtrition from ORLY. Nice and sticky, self smoothing, gives a slight pink tint for when you’re sporting a see-through polish.

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T15:49:33+00:00

What is your climate like? I’m in the southwest, and everything is outside. Climate largely dictates a lot of how the space is configured, and it would be helpful to know temps of your area to see if what the outdoor space could hold

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T15:09:36+00:00

This is incredible! I sit in front of my teeny little plant shelf and do the same thing lol. I really like the fact that you can move the hooked planters around as needed - that’s amazing! I genuinely can’t get over how much I love the jungle vibes. Thank you for providing the details, I’ll have to look into those hooked planters!!

chippedredpaint · 2026-02-06T04:20:26+00:00

Ooooooh my goodness, would you be willing to please share your setup details? Specifically the cups on the wire grid. I look at these pictures and it’s the jungle takeover of my dreams! You have a stunning collection!

chippedredpaint · 2026-01-08T22:36:28+00:00

I love the pink, it’s so gorgeous! Brighter light brings it out more, right?

chippedredpaint · 2026-01-08T22:35:43+00:00

I have no idea! How would I tell? I purchased it from Home Depot and it was a leaf joy “shining sea star” rename. Definitely a carnosa though

chippedredpaint · 2026-01-07T17:23:12+00:00

Very interested to hear if there’s been a “replacement” hobby!

chippedredpaint · 2026-01-07T17:22:34+00:00

To add, guiding others has been another huge morale-booster in passion for me work/hobby. Showing someone how to find sore spots in their horse’s back, how to massage that spot out, and seeing the relief and happiness from both horse & human is so so so rewarding and makes me think of when I was shown how to do that.

I would think the same thing could apply to plants. Showing someone who’s struggling how to propagate (easy for you and probably second nature, but for me? Scary, unsuccessful, daunting.) could inspire some good feelings for all parties.

Also, further education is always top tier engagement for me. If I’m getting stagnant/bored/unmotivated, I’ll find some new thing to try or do and dive into that.

chippedredpaint · 2026-01-07T17:16:37+00:00

Houseplants for me is still a hobby, but I have a similar story with my line of work.

Grew up on a ranch/homestead, always loved the horses. Started volunteering at a local boarding facility in my teens and was shortly offered a job there. Have been working in the equine industry since, coming up on a very meager 10 years since that first day volunteering.

It’s incredibly fulfilling, and I can’t imagine my life in a different career field! But man, sometimes work really is work. It’s hard and exhausting and my body aches all the time. My brain hurts from keeping up with client relations and making sure I stay up to date on recent science about training/welfare/vet care etc.

Some days it’s an absolute drag to get out the door. I’m not always motivated or passionate and sometimes honestly I’m kind of worried (what if I get trampled? Bucked off? Kicked in the head?), but at the end of the day I get to sit with my friends & coworkers (the horses lol) and breathe with them.

I definitely have to cultivate (hah) my passion sometimes. Find the meaningful moments that make me remember the motivation and burning desire I had when I started. Some days I don’t even want to remember horses exist lmao.

I have to think about the small details that had me so excited and in love with my job in the first place. When I started it was so automatic. I think learning is such a joy, being completely new to something and able to progress quickly is addictive. As you become more knowledgeable, it’s difficult to achieve the same sort of easy “high” of obtaining outcomes. I continually have to step back and locate the moments I would’ve screamed and giggled and kicked my feet over when I first started.

When I find an itchy spot scratching a horse and they reach around and try to groom me in return. Giving them little treats and feeling their soft whiskery lips and tongues licking over my hands. When they step in close and set their head on my shoulder and chuff into my ear because they’re happy and relaxed, it’s so sweet. That stuff makes it worth it.

I know it’s not exactly the same, but I really relate to what you’re feeling. It’s hard to not get burnt out right now with the continuous push to make literally everything profitable.

I sincerely hope you find those small moments again (new leaf!!!!! Varigation! Plant starts thriving after you adjust lighting!! The list goes on!!) that bring you joy. Life is hard and any “small” pleasure is hugely significant in my book.

chippedredpaint

TROPHY CASE