The soil mixes the pros use

[MelvinB]

I’m always using this soil:

https://www.gardenpalms.com/palmengrond-45-ltr?Lng=en 

Quote

This potting compost has been specially developed by us for use with palms. It also comprises three types of bark, many sorts of osmocotes (21-7-21+trace-elements), low-EC peat and pumice stone (4-8mm) to supply minerals at ph 5.5 and to aid drainage. This special mix is used by many professional palm growers and does not need to be complemented or fertilized for 16 months!

Edited December 11, 2021 by MelvinB

[konashepherd]

LOOKING FOR AN EXACT SOIL MIX FOR REPOTTING A NINE FOOT JOEY PALM.......

[ThereseCup]

Can I use regular potting soil mixed with cactus soil, peat moss, orchid potting mix, and perlite for my cat palm and parlor Palm?

[Silas_Sancona]

24 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

Can I use regular potting soil mixed with cactus soil, peat moss, orchid potting mix, and perlite for my cat palm and parlor Palm?

With Cat ..and Parlor palms, Both of which like an organic - rich soil, would make up a soil mix containing 50% organics ..Reg. potting soil would be fine.  ..and 50% inorganics ..like Perlite,  though  i'd recommend Pumice, small Lava rock, and / or Turface MVP ..if you can find those..   Perlite has a tendency to float out of a soil mix over time leaving behind thick mucky stuff.  For the most part, Pumice, Lava rock, and / or Turface MVP will stay in the soil mix.

I myself would choose Coconut Peat ( ground up coconut husk ) vs Peat moss, which can turn to nasty muck pretty quickly,  and is a pain in the A-- to re-wet if it becomes too dry.

Coco Peat also contains natural compounds that can deter the growth of certain fungal and bacterial pathogens.  Inclusion of a little bark ( or chunky coconut husk )..which is sometimes found in Orchid -specific soil mixes,  would be ok too.

Inclusion of the inorganic ingredients is to keep the soil " open "  so oxygen can filter through the mix, which helps keep the roots healthy.

A heavy / mucky soil mix will become oxygen starved over time, which often leads to root rot issues..

Hope this helps.

[ThereseCup]

Hello and thanks for answering my question, I already spent tons of money buying peat moss, orchard soil, perlite, cactus soil and regular potting soil and I can't afford to purchase anything else right now. So can I just use cactus oil then?

[Silas_Sancona]

12 hours ago, ThereseCup said:

Hello and thanks for answering my question, I already spent tons of money buying peat moss, orchard soil, perlite, cactus soil and regular potting soil and I can't afford to purchase anything else right now. So can I just use cactus oil then?

Cactus soil and Perlite should work for both.  Just make sure the soil doesn't stay constantly soaked, esp. for the Parlor Palm.  

A couple links to Palmpedia w/ some additional cultural advise for both palms:

>https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_cataractarum

>https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_elegans


Any pictures of the palms / pots you might be putting them in? 

[ThereseCup]

On 6/5/2024 at 4:04 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Cactus soil and Perlite should work for both.  Just make sure the soil doesn't stay constantly soaked, esp. for the Parlor Palm.  

A couple links to Palmpedia w/ some additional cultural advise for both palms:

>https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_cataractarum

>https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_elegans


Any pictures of the palms / pots you might be putting them in? 

I'm going to be putting them in clay pots, the cat Palm's going to be going in a clay pot that's about 2 inches bigger than the pot it's in and the parlor Palm is going to be going in a pot that's about 3 inches bigger than the pot it is in

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

I'm going to be putting them in clay pots, the cat Palm's going to be going in a clay pot that's about 2 inches bigger than the pot it's in and the parlor Palm is going to be going in a pot that's about 3 inches bigger than the pot it is in

That should be fine,  though, if happy,  the Cat Palm will quickly fill it's pot ..so don't be surprised if you're stepping it into something bigger next year.  With them i might go 3-or 4" bigger on pot size, just to give them a little extra room..  No worries in stepping up just a couple inches this time though.

Pot size sounds good for the Parlor Palm..

Nice thing about using clay vs. sealed ceramic or plastic is clay can breathe. Might mean keeping an eye on watering a little more ( since they will dry a touch faster than the other types of pots ) but, less chance of the soil in the pots staying too wet.

Also, since most growers stuff several individual seedlings of Parlor Palm together in pots, ( is typically a solitary grower )  don't surprised if some of the weakest seedlings are out competed by the strongest as they grow..

[ThereseCup]

The faster they grow and the bigger they get the better for me LOL. I just love these palms and I want them huge in my place lol ... To give you a better idea of the pot size, I've put the new pot next to each plant so you can take a look, although I think I did underestimate a little on the pot size I'm going to be using for the parlor Palm. It looks much bigger than what I stated lol

Edited June 11 by ThereseCup
Needed to add something more

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, ThereseCup said:

The faster they grow and the bigger they get the better for me LOL. I just love these palms and I want them huge in my place lol ... To give you a better idea of the pot size, I've put the new pot next to each plant so you can take a look

   Looks good..  Parlor will be good in it's new pot for at least a couple years, probably longer ( They don't mind being confined a little ).. 

Cateractum ( Cat Palm )  should be fine for a year..  Eventually,  you'll probably end up stepping it into a pot about half the size of the bigger pot on the right..  Nice braided Money Tree ( Pachira aquatica ) i see on the left btw..  Have seen people plant them in places like FL. Can get huge, fast.

Should mention, after reoptting,  don't be tempted to fertilize right away..  Let both settle into their new digs..  When you go to fertilize, use something weak ..like a teaspoon of Fish Emulsion to a gallon of water, -for both.. 

Be sure both are well watered a day or two before you fertilize as well. Applying fertilizer on dry soil can burn roots, even when using something weak / that usually doesn't burn when applied..


 

[ThereseCup]

Is Miracle-Gro fertilizer okay for both of those? And how fast do they both grow from the size pots I'm putting them in? I just really hope I don't mess up on the soil mix!

Edited June 11 by ThereseCup
Needed to add something

[ThereseCup]

On 6/4/2024 at 1:08 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

With Cat ..and Parlor palms, Both of which like an organic - rich soil, would make up a soil mix containing 50% organics ..Reg. potting soil would be fine.  ..and 50% inorganics ..like Perlite,  though  i'd recommend Pumice, small Lava rock, and / or Turface MVP ..if you can find those..   Perlite has a tendency to float out of a soil mix over time leaving behind thick mucky stuff.  For the most part, Pumice, Lava rock, and / or Turface MVP will stay in the soil mix.

I myself would choose Coconut Peat ( ground up coconut husk ) vs Peat moss, which can turn to nasty muck pretty quickly,  and is a pain in the A-- to re-wet if it becomes too dry.

Coco Peat also contains natural compounds that can deter the growth of certain fungal and bacterial pathogens.  Inclusion of a little bark ( or chunky coconut husk )..which is sometimes found in Orchid -specific soil mixes,  would be ok too.

Inclusion of the inorganic ingredients is to keep the soil " open "  so oxygen can filter through the mix, which helps keep the roots healthy.

A heavy / mucky soil mix will become oxygen starved over time, which often leads to root rot issues..

Hope this helps.

Okay, now that I killed my Majesty Palm lol... Can you recommend what I should use for my cat palm and my parlor Palm, I did break down and buy castings and charcoal and coarse sand and I also have perlite and peat moss and regular potting soil and cactus soil and orchid potting mix so I just want to find the right mixture for those two Palms, I'm not sure if castings are going to cause bugs so I don't really know what to do.  I watched a video and this lady was putting all that stuff in her acacia Palm, do you have any recommendations? I need to transplant my cat palm because it's looking really sad. The leaves are yellowing everywhere and I'm getting brown tips, it's still in the pot. I purchased it in and I know I'm not watering it enough but it is getting pretty root bound and needs transplanted, so I have all that stuff I mentioned and I also bought tons of grow lights and bulbs, I've spent quite a fortune in the past few days getting all these things lol.. I've added a bunch of pictures so you can get a good idea of how sad my cat Palm is looking lol

[Silas_Sancona]

On 6/22/2024 at 5:39 AM, ThereseCup said:

Okay, now that I killed my Majesty Palm lol... Can you recommend what I should use for my cat palm and my parlor Palm, I did break down and buy castings and charcoal and coarse sand and I also have perlite and peat moss and regular potting soil and cactus soil and orchid potting mix so I just want to find the right mixture for those two Palms, I'm not sure if castings are going to cause bugs so I don't really know what to do.  I watched a video and this lady was putting all that stuff in her acacia Palm, do you have any recommendations? I need to transplant my cat palm because it's looking really sad. The leaves are yellowing everywhere and I'm getting brown tips, it's still in the pot. I purchased it in and I know I'm not watering it enough but it is getting pretty root bound and needs transplanted, so I have all that stuff I mentioned and I also bought tons of grow lights and bulbs, I've spent quite a fortune in the past few days getting all these things lol.. I've added a bunch of pictures so you can get a good idea of how sad my cat Palm is looking lol

Definitely recommend getting it transplanted and watered asap...  That dull green look to the foliage / yellowing = i'm thirsty.  Not a palm you can let go dry for long, esp if it has filled a smaller pot. 

Soil-wise, Since it does retain moisture, adding Worm Castings would work, though i'd be aware that combined w/ the other soil ingredients, esp. those that can retain a lot of moisture like Peat Moss/ compost ( is usually what most bagged  soil mixes are made up of ) , the soil can stay too wet and all those things combined would decompose pretty quickly.

As mentioned earlier, w/ out something chunky in the soil mix to keep it " open ",  soil could become too dense / not providing enough space for oxygen to penetrate through it.  Lack of Oxygen = anerobic conditions = root rot issues ( ...and bugs like fungus Gnats ). Hort Charcoal will help with that but the soil mix would be better with more than just the Charcoal.

Unfortunately, Perlite has a tendency to float up ( ..and out ) of a soil mix over time leaving behind just the thicker, finer organic stuff  / sand  that can become too dense and mucky over time.  A big reason i stopped using it years ago..  Replacing Perlite with Pumice, and some other chunky inorganic ingredients instead..

I myself would've returned  the peat moss and picked up Coco Peat instead.. Can be found in already expanded bags at places like Petsmart / Petco for pretty cheap.

Dried blocks ( ..can be found at the same places, and Lowe's or HD ) are good too but often have to be pre- processed before they can be used ( Rinsed a few times after expanding to wash out any excess salt naturally contained in Coconut husks.  Not everyone who sells the stuff pre washes their product enough )

As for Miracle Gro products ..Another bad experience i haven't repeated in nearly 2 decades..  Even their " Cactus Soil " is wayyy too heavy in organics. 97% of Cactus will turn to mush in the stuff. 

Their products also contain chemical fertilizers that burn roots..  Can't stand the stuff enough that i have to stop myself from tossing every bag i see on the floor ..or in the nearest trash can anytime i'm at our neighborhood big box stores 😂 


 

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Definitely recommend getting it transplanted and watered asap...  That dull green look to the foliage / yellowing = i'm thirsty.  Not a palm you can let go dry for long, esp if it has filled a smaller pot. 

Soil-wise, Since it does retain moisture, adding Worm Castings would work, though i'd be aware that combined w/ the other soil ingredients, esp. those that can retain a lot of moisture like Peat Moss/ compost ( is usually what most bagged  soil mixes are made up of ) , the soil can stay too wet and all those things combined would decompose pretty quickly.

As mentioned earlier, w/ out something chunky in the soil mix to keep it " open ",  soil could become too dense / not providing enough space for oxygen to penetrate through it.  Lack of Oxygen = anerobic conditions = root rot issues ( ...and bugs like fungus Gnats ). Hort Charcoal will help with that but the soil mix would be better with more than just the Charcoal.

Unfortunately, Perlite has a tendency to float up ( ..and out ) of a soil mix over time leaving behind just the thicker, finer organic stuff  / sand  that can become too dense and mucky over time.  A big reason i stopped using it years ago..  Replacing Perlite with Pumice, and some other chunky inorganic ingredients instead..

I myself would've returned  the peat moss and picked up Coco Peat instead.. Can be found in already expanded bags at places like Petsmart / Petco for pretty cheap.

Dried blocks ( ..can be found at the same places, and Lowe's or HD ) are good too but often have to be pre- processed before they can be used ( Rinsed a few times after expanding to wash out any excess salt naturally contained in Coconut husks.  Not everyone who sells the stuff pre washes their product enough )

As for Miracle Gro products ..Another bad experience i haven't repeated in nearly 2 decades..  Even their " Cactus Soil " is wayyy too heavy in organics. 97% of Cactus will turn to mush in the stuff. 

Their products also contain chemical fertilizers that burn roots..  Can't stand the stuff enough that i have to stop myself from tossing every bag i see on the floor ..or in the nearest trash can anytime i'm at our neighborhood big box stores 😂

 

 

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Definitely recommend getting it transplanted and watered asap...  That dull green look to the foliage / yellowing = i'm thirsty.  Not a palm you can let go dry for long, esp if it has filled a smaller pot. 

Soil-wise, Since it does retain moisture, adding Worm Castings would work, though i'd be aware that combined w/ the other soil ingredients, esp. those that can retain a lot of moisture like Peat Moss/ compost ( is usually what most bagged  soil mixes are made up of ) , the soil can stay too wet and all those things combined would decompose pretty quickly.

As mentioned earlier, w/ out something chunky in the soil mix to keep it " open ",  soil could become too dense / not providing enough space for oxygen to penetrate through it.  Lack of Oxygen = anerobic conditions = root rot issues ( ...and bugs like fungus Gnats ). Hort Charcoal will help with that but the soil mix would be better with more than just the Charcoal.

Unfortunately, Perlite has a tendency to float up ( ..and out ) of a soil mix over time leaving behind just the thicker, finer organic stuff  / sand  that can become too dense and mucky over time.  A big reason i stopped using it years ago..  Replacing Perlite with Pumice, and some other chunky inorganic ingredients instead..

I myself would've returned  the peat moss and picked up Coco Peat instead.. Can be found in already expanded bags at places like Petsmart / Petco for pretty cheap.

Dried blocks ( ..can be found at the same places, and Lowe's or HD ) are good too but often have to be pre- processed before they can be used ( Rinsed a few times after expanding to wash out any excess salt naturally contained in Coconut husks.  Not everyone who sells the stuff pre washes their product enough )

As for Miracle Gro products ..Another bad experience i haven't repeated in nearly 2 decades..  Even their " Cactus Soil " is wayyy too heavy in organics. 97% of Cactus will turn to mush in the stuff. 

Their products also contain chemical fertilizers that burn roots..  Can't stand the stuff enough that i have to stop myself from tossing every bag i see on the floor ..or in the nearest trash can anytime i'm at our neighborhood big box stores 😂 


 

Thank you, I found two but I'm not sure which one you mean, which one do you suggest? 

Coco Peat Perlite Potting Mix (8 Quarts), Loose Coconut Coir and Perlite https://a.co/d/08v4o8Ma

Or

Legigo Pack of 1 Organic Coco Coir Bricks- 100% Natural Compressed Coco Peat Brick Coconut Fiber Substrate with Low EC& pH Balance, Coir Plant Soil Enhance Root Growth for Herbs, Flowers, House Plants https://a.co/d/08HVCguN

[Silas_Sancona]

15 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

Thank you, I found two but I'm not sure which one you mean, which one do you suggest? 

Coco Peat Perlite Potting Mix (8 Quarts), Loose Coconut Coir and Perlite https://a.co/d/08v4o8Ma

Or

Legigo Pack of 1 Organic Coco Coir Bricks- 100% Natural Compressed Coco Peat Brick Coconut Fiber Substrate with Low EC& pH Balance, Coir Plant Soil Enhance Root Growth for Herbs, Flowers, House Plants https://a.co/d/08HVCguN

The first option would be the easiest to work with, unless you don't mind taking the steps necessary to expand the compressed block.. Isn't hard, just kind of messy.. 

Considering how much material there is after soaking a block in water to expand it ( Easily fills a 5 gal bucket ),  have seen much smaller blocks for sale that might be easier to handle..

Then again, with a bigger block, you'd have plenty extra that you might not need right now,  on hand when you need it..

Some other " loose " Coco Peat options i saw on Amazon as well..




Regarding it, a link to a source for Pumice..  https://www.tanksgreenstuff.com/tanks-pumice  Many more options on Amazon as well..


As far as an ideal " finished " soil mix ratio of individual ingredients when mixing your own soil.. Since you are dealing w/ palms, some that like moist ..but not soggy..  soil,   target would be something like 40% cocopeat / 30% Pumice ( or Perlite ) 20% Biochar, and 10% worm castings, ...and / or a handful of some regular houseplant soil.. A little Hort. sand / grit won't hurt either if it isn't fine like Sugar..

Organic ingredients like the Coco Peat, Worm Castings, and other organics in the house plant mix ( any Peat Moss / Compost they might use ) will help retain moisture. 

Inorganic ingredients like Pumice, Perlite ( ....until most of it floats out of the soil mix to the surface )  and Biochar will help keep the soil mix aerated / open.. Being porous, both Pumice and lava rock have tiny cavities that can hold onto some moisture between watering also.. Both also release various minerals into the soil over time.



 

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

The first option would be the easiest to work with, unless you don't mind taking the steps necessary to expand the compressed block.. Isn't hard, just kind of messy.. 

Considering how much material there is after soaking a block in water to expand it ( Easily fills a 5 gal bucket ),  have seen much smaller blocks for sale that might be easier to handle..

Then again, with a bigger block, you'd have plenty extra that you might not need right now,  on hand when you need it..

Some other " loose " Coco Peat options i saw on Amazon as well..




Regarding it, a link to a source for Pumice..  https://www.tanksgreenstuff.com/tanks-pumice  Many more options on Amazon as well..


As far as an ideal " finished " soil mix ratio of individual ingredients when mixing your own soil.. Since you are dealing w/ palms, some that like moist ..but not soggy..  soil,   target would be something like 40% cocopeat / 30% Pumice ( or Perlite ) 20% Biochar, and 10% worm castings, ...and / or a handful of some regular houseplant soil.. A little Hort. sand / grit won't hurt either if it isn't fine like Sugar..

Organic ingredients like the Coco Peat, Worm Castings, and other organics in the house plant mix ( any Peat Moss / Compost they might use ) will help retain moisture. 

Inorganic ingredients like Pumice, Perlite ( ....until most of it floats out of the soil mix to the surface )  and Biochar will help keep the soil mix aerated / open.. Being porous, both Pumice and lava rock have tiny cavities that can hold onto some moisture between watering also.. Both also release various minerals into the soil over time.



 

Thank you... What is the Biochar that you mentioned? Hopefully my cat palm will survive because I have to wait another 2 weeks before I can get the stuff you mentioned since I just bought all the other soils and stuff I told you about. Plus I purchased three different types of lamps and grow light bulbs, I mean I spent a fortune this past week on all this stuff LOL But the good thing is I enjoy it but I just hate killing my plants and I'm absolutely in love with Palms.... I'm definitely determined to keep all these alive including my money tree, I'm treating that right now with copper fungicide but my little parlor Palm is doing amazing, I mean it's not growing but it's definitely not dying and has no problems thank goodness I just wish it wasn't so little lol

[ThereseCup]

On 6/23/2024 at 2:51 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

The first option would be the easiest to work with, unless you don't mind taking the steps necessary to expand the compressed block.. Isn't hard, just kind of messy.. 

Considering how much material there is after soaking a block in water to expand it ( Easily fills a 5 gal bucket ),  have seen much smaller blocks for sale that might be easier to handle..

Then again, with a bigger block, you'd have plenty extra that you might not need right now,  on hand when you need it..

Some other " loose " Coco Peat options i saw on Amazon as well..




Regarding it, a link to a source for Pumice..  https://www.tanksgreenstuff.com/tanks-pumice  Many more options on Amazon as well..


As far as an ideal " finished " soil mix ratio of individual ingredients when mixing your own soil.. Since you are dealing w/ palms, some that like moist ..but not soggy..  soil,   target would be something like 40% cocopeat / 30% Pumice ( or Perlite ) 20% Biochar, and 10% worm castings, ...and / or a handful of some regular houseplant soil.. A little Hort. sand / grit won't hurt either if it isn't fine like Sugar..

Organic ingredients like the Coco Peat, Worm Castings, and other organics in the house plant mix ( any Peat Moss / Compost they might use ) will help retain moisture. 

Inorganic ingredients like Pumice, Perlite ( ....until most of it floats out of the soil mix to the surface )  and Biochar will help keep the soil mix aerated / open.. Being porous, both Pumice and lava rock have tiny cavities that can hold onto some moisture between watering also.. Both also release various minerals into the soil over time.



 

Hello again, Hope you're doing well, okay, I took your advice and I have 4 Quarts of Coco coir coming and 2 quarts of pumice, is that enough and is there anything I'm leaving out, I'm going to be using a little bit of Miracle-Gro potting soil and I know I hate Miracle-Gro too but that's all I have but I also have what I told you before which is the Miracle-Gro orchard potting mix, the Miracle-Gro cactus palm and citrus potting mix, perlite, coarse sand and miracle grow peat moss plus I have the charcoal and the worm castings, but I think I'm going to leave the worm castings out because of what you said. But I want to make this mix perfect for my cat palm and my parlor palm? Oh and if you can recommend a good fertilizer/ plant food for the Palms that would be awesome, I'm looking around and there's so many and I'm so confused and don't know which one to get lol

[Silas_Sancona]

23 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

Hello again, Hope you're doing well, okay, I took your advice and I have 4 Quarts of Coco coir coming and 2 quarts of pumice, is that enough and is there anything I'm leaving out, I'm going to be using a little bit of Miracle-Gro potting soil and I know I hate Miracle-Gro too but that's all I have but I also have what I told you before which is the Miracle-Gro orchard potting mix, the Miracle-Gro cactus palm and citrus potting mix, perlite, coarse sand and miracle grow peat moss plus I have the charcoal and the worm castings, but I think I'm going to leave the worm castings out because of what you said. But I want to make this mix perfect for my cat palm and my parlor palm? Oh and if you can recommend a good fertilizer/ plant food for the Palms that would be awesome, I'm looking around and there's so many and I'm so confused and don't know which one to get lol

No worries.. Internet service has been in and out the last couple days so it's been tough to respond..  Hopefully they're finished w/ whatever they had to fix.. Always fun when you live somewhere that is growing like crazy / is constant construction to keep up w/ everyone moving here.

Regardless,  4 quarts = 1 gal / 2qts would = about half ( a gal. )  so.. that combined w/ what you already have soil- wise, that should be  enough of those two things, for these two plants at least..

If you have one available, would combine / mix the Coco Peat, Pumice,  some of the Charcoal, ( depending how much you have ) Perlite,  ...and some of the Sand in a 5 gal bucket, then add in some of the potting soil and see how it looks / feels.. 

When you grab a handful of it, esp when lightly moistened, you want the clump of soil in your hand to easily break apart when you release it.. Stays in a solid clump, = too dense / will hold  too  much moisture..

Leave the extra Peat Moss out but  ..if you want to.. mixing in a handful or two of some Worm castings in w/ the entire mix will be ok..  That amount shouldn't hurt anything..  Have known people who used the whole bag when repotting something ..Wayyy too much, lol


Btw, to answer the question from a couple days ago, BioChar is almost exactly like regular Charcoal.. Just processed a little differently..  Both are good to add to a soil mix / don't typically break down easily / quickly, and help keep the soil mix chunky / well aerated ..like Pumice and similar stuff can..

Both will absorb some moisture / nutrients from fertilizer applied,  then release it later as well..


As far as fertilizer.. starting off, you won't give the plants anything right now..  Even in pots, fertilizing something newly planted can kill it ..Think of adding fertilizer as adding stress to an already stressed out plant.  W/ no new roots to feed from, applying any fertilizer right away would also be a waste.

Later in the fall / winter, you can fertilize using a 1 teaspoon of Kelp or Fish emulsion ( there are options that don't stink ) to 1 gallon of water. 

Since the plants will be going into a slowed down, winter season growth mode, you won't fertilize again until next Spring when active growth resumes..

You can also sprinkle some of the worm castings on the plants too..

Absolute worst fertilizer options? ..anything / everything synthetic / chemical..  They might look like an quick / easy option, but are made up of various salts that easily burn plants in containers..  Avoid them / anyone who'd recommend them completely..


Curious, is your patio completely shaded during the day, or do you get any direct sun? ( during the day )  ..Asking since, if shaded/ gets lots of bright, ( but indirect ) light, / no direct sun,   since it is warm enough out -imagine it should be up there at least?  you might place the plants out there after repotting to help them adjust?  Rainwater is really good for them too..
 

[ThereseCup]

Thank you so much for your help. You don't know how much I appreciate it and do you have a specific brand of the fish emulsion? there's so many to choose from I don't want to get the wrong one lol. And as far as my patio goes it has about a 2-ft or 3 ft awning over the top then I have big trees in the courtyard so I get a little bit of sun but not enough that actually touches a plant for a long period of time and my patio is north facing which is another thing going against my plants that's why I purchased all the grow lights, if that makes any sense LOL. And I don't really want to put my plants out there because when I brought my Majesty Palm in to transplant it I had an earwig crawl out of the soil, found it crawling on my coffee table  YUK lol and I never had that happen where I used to live which was out in the country. So now I'm afraid of those and I'm afraid of spider mites 🤣 I really want to put them outside though but I am just so worried about them getting bugs especially after all the money I just spent on these different soils and stuff and on the plants themselves... So for everything you told me to mix in my soil should I use all that with regular potting soil or cactus/citrus potting soil and some orchid bark potting mix mixed in ? Right now I'm treating my money tree and my cat Palm with Captain Jack's fungicide spray so that's another reason I don't want to put them outside... Check out my grow lights! LOL

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, ThereseCup said:

Thank you so much for your help. You don't know how much I appreciate it and do you have a specific brand of the fish emulsion? there's so many to choose from I don't want to get the wrong one lol. And as far as my patio goes it has about a 2-ft or 3 ft awning over the top then I have big trees in the courtyard so I get a little bit of sun but not enough that actually touches a plant for a long period of time and my patio is north facing which is another thing going against my plants that's why I purchased all the grow lights, if that makes any sense LOL. And I don't really want to put my plants out there because when I brought my Majesty Palm in to transplant it I had an earwig crawl out of the soil, found it crawling on my coffee table  YUK lol and I never had that happen where I used to live which was out in the country. So now I'm afraid of those and I'm afraid of spider mites 🤣 I really want to put them outside though but I am just so worried about them getting bugs especially after all the money I just spent on these different soils and stuff and on the plants themselves... So for everything you told me to mix in my soil should I use all that with regular potting soil or cactus/citrus potting soil and some orchid bark potting mix mixed in ? Right now I'm treating my money tree and my cat Palm with Captain Jack's fungicide spray so that's another reason I don't want to put them outside... Check out my grow lights! LOL

Nice lights, and you're welcome..

For Fish Emulsion, i use the stuff in the blue bottle ( Liquinox brand i believe )  but, imo, they're all pretty much the same..  Those that have Kelp in their formula  like this https://www.ebstone.org/product/fish-emulsion-w-kelp/ would provide some extra micro nutrients too,   which is even better.... 

Since you only have a few plants ( for now, lol ) a big bottle might be wayy too much.

Any Fish / Kelp product with a nutrient ratio similar to this:  4- 1- 1-  is perfect.. ...Though you'd still apply it diluted ( the 1 tsp of Fish / Kelp,  to 1 gal of water ratio i'd mentioned )  if using a liquid. 

W/ the nutrient ratio, for plants indoors, you want to keep the N-P-K ratio as balanced and on the lower side as possible.

Too much Nitrogen and your plants would grow really fast and gangly.  Tender new growth is always a bug magnet / more easily damaged by dry air too.. 

Too much Phosphorus and you'll sterilize your soil / kill all the microbes that help convert nutrients so that the roots of the plants can access them.  Depending on how much you'd water, Phosphorus typically only moves about 1/2 -1" through the soil per year ..So you don't need too much of that element, indoors or out.

Potassium( K ) is more important for overall health and i myself might invest in a box of Greensand ( 2% K ratio )  to keep that nutrient at a good level..  That stuff you'd just sprinkle a table spoon full or two on the plants every 3 months  or so.. Will release a pulse of K each time you water your plants.



If your patio doesn't get much direct sun / sun for less than say an hour each day,  it sounds like it could be a good spot for the plants during the summer.. Maybe under the tree as well.. Remember that both palms are Understory species, preferring shade / bright indirect light rather than a lot of direct sun. Majesty on the other hand likes full sun, which is why they're typically tough to keep happy indoors. Kentia and " Lady " / Rhapis Palms are others that are considered shade lovers, rather than liking lots of sun.

 Hear you about bugs.. I get crickets, the occasional Cockroach ( We have big, flying ones here ) and the occasional Gecko that wander into the house this time of year.. Crickets and Geckoes i'll take outside.  Cockroaches too.. 

To be honest, i really don't mind the roaches since they rarely end up where they shouldn't be.  Aren't the types that can infest a house if they get inside either.

 Get " Pill " bugs and the occasional Earwig that pop out of plants i've kept outside when i bring them in for a few weeks in winter but, i'll toss them outside too.  Pill bugs usually find their way back outside anyway..


Good way to keep them out of the soil in the pots ( and keep the soil in the containers )  = put a piece of screen / shade cloth over the drain hole(s). Bugs can't get in / soil won't get flushed out ( or moved out of the pots by soil dwelling bugs looking for a new home )

Eventually, you could find or build a simple plant stand / bench you could put the plants on when you place them outside.. That too would keep any bugs from crawling up into the plants..

Best way to deter Spider Mites inside = a fan to provide air movement..  Rare that the settle on plants w/ lots of air circulation. 

Believe it or not but this time of year, i'll get spider mites on plants in containers i keep outside.. Dust, Heat and lack of much air movement = spider Mite issues until it starts raining / humidity comes up / is more constant air movement.

Until then, i'll wash off any plants w/ mites with the hose about once a week or so.  Seems to work pretty well.


As for the soil.. Yep, Mix the Coco Peat / Perlite / Pumice, and Charcoal with some of the reg. Potting mix / Orchid soil mix and see where that gets you. Should be able to tell if the combined soil ingredients will be enough to repot both palms.   Can always add more of  say the potting soil / orchid soil mix,  etc,   if you need to..

[ThereseCup]

Oh okay. I never even thought about using a screen to cover the holes. I'll have to get some of that but can't they still climb up the pots or the plant stands because I do have a lot of plant stands? Is this the one you use? Because the one with kelp I can't find anywhere to purchase around me lol

 

[Silas_Sancona]

On 6/25/2024 at 1:40 PM, ThereseCup said:

Oh okay. I never even thought about using a screen to cover the holes. I'll have to get some of that but can't they still climb up the pots or the plant stands because I do have a lot of plant stands? Is this the one you use? Because the one with kelp I can't find anywhere to purchase around me lol

 

Somehow i totally missed this post, 🤦🏽‍♂️ 🙃 lol.  My apologies.   Anyway..

Yep, that is the same stuff i use..  For a " Fish and Kelp " blend, i did find a couple locations near you that supposedly offer Down To Earth products, another great organics- based company,  -if that is something you might want to look into..  No worries if not. Either product will work, just remember that you have to dilute it otherwise it can burn, even as mild as it is...


As far as totally eliminating insects from your pots,  yea, some things could crawl up the legs of a plant stand but, for the most part,  soil - dwelling insects like to stay as close to the ground as possible.. I rarely see " soil dwellers " ..like pill / sow bugs climbing the sides of pots i have on the ground ..but also have screens installed over the drain holes.

Other stuff that sits up on wood benches i built, never see the bugs in what plants are set on them..  Obviously, Ohio is a different animal compared to AZ  so,  ..like i said, there may be things there that might still manage to appear on your plants kept outside, even those placed on stands. I remember the BIG Wolf Spiders that liked to hang out on the walls outside both my old apartment and my mom's there, lol.  Don't bother me, except when they want to sit under the same chair i might be sitting in..

Idea with the screens is to keep the soil dwellers from easily accessing pots.. Harder it is for them to try and find a new home, most will move on to an easier option..

Besides pill bugs, we have small " Sand Roaches " ( ..look more like beetles than cockroaches and never come in the house... ) that will enter pots. Never climb them, but, if i forgot to put screens on the drain holes of something i'd repotted, i'll find them hanging out in the soil at some point..

[Silas_Sancona]

Here's a shot of how i add screens..  Standard pieces of shade cloth cut to shape in this case..



Pots with drain holes at the bottom are easiest to cover obviously



For the bigger pot with the square holes on the sides, i'll cut squares of cloth just a bit bigger than the opening and place over the holes, then slowly fill with X soil mix, making sure the screen stays over the hole while filling the pot.



Once the soil level in the pot is past the height of the drain hole/ screen over it, the screens should stay in place and you can continue filling / planting whatever is being planted..

[ThereseCup]

13 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Somehow i totally missed this post, 🤦🏽‍♂️ 🙃 lol.  My apologies.   Anyway..

Yep, that is the same stuff i use..  For a " Fish and Kelp " blend, i did find a couple locations near you that supposedly offer Down To Earth products, another great organics- based company,  -if that is something you might want to look into..  No worries if not. Either product will work, just remember that you have to dilute it otherwise it can burn, even as mild as it is...


As far as totally eliminating insects from your pots,  yea, some things could crawl up the legs of a plant stand but, for the most part,  soil - dwelling insects like to stay as close to the ground as possible.. I rarely see " soil dwellers " ..like pill / sow bugs climbing the sides of pots i have on the ground ..but also have screens installed over the drain holes.

Other stuff that sits up on wood benches i built, never see the bugs in what plants are set on them..  Obviously, Ohio is a different animal compared to AZ  so,  ..like i said, there may be things there that might still manage to appear on your plants kept outside, even those placed on stands. I remember the BIG Wolf Spiders that liked to hang out on the walls outside both my old apartment and my mom's there, lol.  Don't bother me, except when they want to sit under the same chair i might be sitting in..

Idea with the screens is to keep the soil dwellers from easily accessing pots.. Harder it is for them to try and find a new home, most will move on to an easier option..

Besides pill bugs, we have small " Sand Roaches " ( ..look more like beetles than cockroaches and never come in the house... ) that will enter pots. Never climb them, but, if i forgot to put screens on the drain holes of something i'd repotted, i'll find them hanging out in the soil at some point..

I used to live in Tucson, Arizona. I don't remember seeing anything called sand roaches but I do remember the Palo Verde beetles, omg those things were monsters 🤣 I also remember the tarantulas, the scorpions and the black widows and each one of my kittens disappearing one by one, they kept getting out somehow and I couldn't figure out how so I was told that they were probably eaten by rattlesnakes.... Loved everything about Arizona except for that lol

[ThereseCup]

4 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Here's a shot of how i add screens..  Standard pieces of shade cloth cut to shape in this case..



Pots with drain holes at the bottom are easiest to cover obviously



For the bigger pot with the square holes on the sides, i'll cut squares of cloth just a bit bigger than the opening and place over the holes, then slowly fill with X soil mix, making sure the screen stays over the hole while filling the pot.



Once the soil level in the pot is past the height of the drain hole/ screen over it, the screens should stay in place and you can continue filling / planting whatever is being planted..

That's such an awesome idea! I'm going to have to go out and buy some screens... I just purchased another plant so all my new plants are my cat palm, my parlor Palm, my money tree and now I have a beautiful mass cane plant, I'm thinking about getting white birds of paradise but I'm still trying to decide because I seen some pictures on how tall they get lol.... Here's a picture of my mass cane plant

[Silas_Sancona]

6 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

I used to live in Tucson, Arizona. I don't remember seeing anything called sand roaches but I do remember the Palo Verde beetles, omg those things were monsters 🤣 I also remember the tarantulas, the scorpions and the black widows and each one of my kittens disappearing one by one, they kept getting out somehow and I couldn't figure out how so I was told that they were probably eaten by rattlesnakes.... Loved everything about Arizona except for that lol

And you left Tucson for chillier Ohio, lol.. I'm kidding of course..

That is possible, though ..depending on where you were in Tucson, Bobcats and / or Coyotes might have been what was snatching the kittens..

Really don't mind the Tarantulas, and Scorps ..as long as i remember what could be hiding under rocks i might turn over / climb on.. 

Have had a couple one on one conversations w/ rattlesnakes so far..  One i almost stepped on, another was guarding some cacti i was photographing one morning.. No worries, sat next to both for awhile -at a comfortable distance-  getting some pictures.

Neither showed any aggression toward my presence. One guarding the cacti set it's head down after awhile and just ignored me. Pretty sure at least one was a Mojave.. The most dangerous Rattler in -at least- the U.S.

P.V. Beetles are a bit intimidating, but otherwise harmless.  Hoping to get shots of the Giant Centipedes here one of these days.



Like the new addition     Agree, while the foliage on them is nice, White birds might get a bit large for a smaller space..  Have heard they can be a little finicky indoors as well.

I want to find a couple of these  ..and/ or it's sister sp, Anthurium hookeri  for inside / on the front porch in the fall / spring. Though i might place one in the shade area also during the summer..

  These do need really chunky soil though  ..Lots of Coconut Husk chunks, Pumice and / or Lava rock,  and sit in a pot where a little water can remain in the bottom, ..or just kept moist, but not soggy..  but can tolerate lower light exposure..

Anthurium plowmanii   *** Picture credit to the photographer ***





 

[RFun]

On 12/6/2021 at 1:52 PM, teddytn said:

One nursery owner I talked to only uses pine bark fines, he gets dump truck loads from a mulch company on the cheap. 

More than one way to do it, no doubt.

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

And you left Tucson for chillier Ohio, lol.. I'm kidding of course..

That is possible, though ..depending on where you were in Tucson, Bobcats and / or Coyotes might have been what was snatching the kittens..

Really don't mind the Tarantulas, and Scorps ..as long as i remember what could be hiding under rocks i might turn over / climb on.. 

Have had a couple one on one conversations w/ rattlesnakes so far..  One i almost stepped on, another was guarding some cacti i was photographing one morning.. No worries, sat next to both for awhile -at a comfortable distance-  getting some pictures.

Neither showed any aggression toward my presence. One guarding the cacti set it's head down after awhile and just ignored me. Pretty sure at least one was a Mojave.. The most dangerous Rattler in -at least- the U.S.

P.V. Beetles are a bit intimidating, but otherwise harmless.  Hoping to get shots of the Giant Centipedes here one of these days.



Like the new addition     Agree, while the foliage on them is nice, White birds might get a bit large for a smaller space..  Have heard they can be a little finicky indoors as well.

I want to find a couple of these  ..and/ or it's sister sp, Anthurium hookeri  for inside / on the front porch in the fall / spring. Though i might place one in the shade area also during the summer..

  These do need really chunky soil though  ..Lots of Coconut Husk chunks, Pumice and / or Lava rock,  and sit in a pot where a little water can remain in the bottom, ..or just kept moist, but not soggy..  but can tolerate lower light exposure..

Anthurium plowmanii   *** Picture credit to the photographer ***





 

That's a nice looking plant as well. I don't think I've ever seen one like that before

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

And you left Tucson for chillier Ohio, lol.. I'm kidding of course..

That is possible, though ..depending on where you were in Tucson, Bobcats and / or Coyotes might have been what was snatching the kittens..

Really don't mind the Tarantulas, and Scorps ..as long as i remember what could be hiding under rocks i might turn over / climb on.. 

Have had a couple one on one conversations w/ rattlesnakes so far..  One i almost stepped on, another was guarding some cacti i was photographing one morning.. No worries, sat next to both for awhile -at a comfortable distance-  getting some pictures.

Neither showed any aggression toward my presence. One guarding the cacti set it's head down after awhile and just ignored me. Pretty sure at least one was a Mojave.. The most dangerous Rattler in -at least- the U.S.

P.V. Beetles are a bit intimidating, but otherwise harmless.  Hoping to get shots of the Giant Centipedes here one of these days.



Like the new addition     Agree, while the foliage on them is nice, White birds might get a bit large for a smaller space..  Have heard they can be a little finicky indoors as well.

I want to find a couple of these  ..and/ or it's sister sp, Anthurium hookeri  for inside / on the front porch in the fall / spring. Though i might place one in the shade area also during the summer..

  These do need really chunky soil though  ..Lots of Coconut Husk chunks, Pumice and / or Lava rock,  and sit in a pot where a little water can remain in the bottom, ..or just kept moist, but not soggy..  but can tolerate lower light exposure..

Anthurium plowmanii   *** Picture credit to the photographer ***





 

When I lived in Tucson I never came across a rattlesnake in person, lots of horny toads though lol... I really miss it, I was young at the time I moved out there when I was 18 and came home when I was 21, had a mean boyfriend so it was time to leave. Other than that I would have stayed there, I loved it so much, everything about Arizona, especially the bluest skies I've ever seen

[Silas_Sancona]

On 6/30/2024 at 3:37 PM, ThereseCup said:

That's a nice looking plant as well. I don't think I've ever seen one like that before

When i lived in FL ..the first time, lol..  i saw specimens of these at one of the plant sales i'd attend regularly and fell in love w/ them.. 

A. hookeri  on the far right, Pheasant's Tail < A. schlechtandalii >  ( ..or plowmanii.. ) center.



While a lot of generic, somewhat accurate info. online would suggest that they were all tropical / can't tolerate any exposure below say 50F,  at least two sps of the 3 mentioned can be / are grown outdoors in parts of CA ( in filtered / bright shade ) 

I also noted specimens growing on a porch / in a side bed of hotel in a small town in Mexico which has a similar climate as this part of AZ while looking for some other stuff in the area on Google Street view one day.

The hard to pronounce species in the picture above actually grows not too far south of AZ and will tolerate some drought / cooler winter temps. Is almost impossible to find atm though.

Other two ( A. plowmanii and hookeri ) are still pretty easy to find ..though there's an annoying fad focused on collecting variegated forms that has driven up prices on smaller plants atm..  I can't stand plant fads, lol

I figure adding a couple to the " indoor " plant collection would complement the Metallic Palms i have currently..

[Silas_Sancona]

On 6/30/2024 at 3:40 PM, ThereseCup said:

When I lived in Tucson I never came across a rattlesnake in person, lots of horny toads though lol... I really miss it, I was young at the time I moved out there when I was 18 and came home when I was 21, had a mean boyfriend so it was time to leave. Other than that I would have stayed there, I loved it so much, everything about Arizona, especially the bluest skies I've ever seen

Don't see any where i'm at  but they do show up in yards located closer to open desert.

Imo, Rattlers ..and snakes in general... are extremely miss-understood.. As mentioned, both close encounters i've had with them thus far here have been pretty relaxed..  I was the kid who went out looking for..  kept pet snakes / lizards, etc  whenever i had the chance anyway, so,  ..been bit by pretty much anything non- rattlesnake / Black Widow. 

Sounds mean but i honestly do laugh whenever is see videos of people ..fellow grown men in particular freaking out when they encounter a snake, let alone a spider. That critter is wayy smaller than you dude..  It's also 2024..  easy to look up info regarding how much of a threat some critter might be.  Anyway..

Saw my first  Horny Toad / Horned Lizard  ..ever..  about a year ago while on a hike at a favorite research spot about an hour east of the house. 

Been hearing the species everyone used to see around Tucson has become a lot less common in many areas down there ..because so many people spray pesticides to get rid of their favorite food ..Ants..  Pretty sad, imo.  I rarely spray for bugs here, and only to keep the bigger Cockroaches from getting into the house.


Sucks you had to leave a place you enjoyed due to such circumstances, but, i completely get it ..and it's good that you were able to ..to get as far away from that situation as possible.  Negative situation w/ an ex GF was a big reason i left FL the first time i lived there.

If there is one thing that moving around as much as i have since my 21st B-day has taught me, Sometimes, you never know where you might end up.. Maybe your final destination is somewhere far from where you started the journey. Other times, perhaps you end up closer ..in a place you might have visited. A little deep perhaps..

Visited Tucson once when i was 12 or 13 and loved it but, was never sure i'd actually like AZ until i moved back home ( in CA ) after living in FL ( the first time ) ..and would make trips out here to find certain plants i wanted to grow, and do plant / ecology - related research..

Wayy too long of a story to share here but, do wish i'd have stuck w/ my gut and landed in Tucson vs. closer to PHX though when i left FL, ..the 2nd time, lol.

That said, of all the 'burbs around PHX, Chandler is one of the nicest..   Pretty laid back, diverse, easy access to places like Tucson / mountains to the east..  Yea, there are some interesting folks here too but, every place has a few of them.

My only gripe here is the heat this time of year ..Experienced both heat exhaustion / stroke the 2nd summer here and still have random issues if i'm out in it too long.  Wouldn't trade being here for being somewhere else, like say FL. again  ..other than maybe San Diego, or maybe somewhere in Baja Mexico...  

Other than that, Agree 100%,   Skies / Landscapes ..etc, are extremely special / hard not recall fondly here.

Bigger fan of S. AZ / Mountains down there vs. places like Sedona / Prescott or the Grand Canyon but, i get why people come out to enjoy those places too.

Many people have an assumption that Arizona is just half dead looking plants, dust, and Cacti but, spend a day or two exploring some place like the top of Mt. Lemon, or around Madera Canyon / the Huachucas down by Sierra Vista during a wet summer and that highly biased view will quickly dissolve into a completely different -and unforgettable- view of Arizona.

[ThereseCup]

17 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Don't see any where i'm at  but they do show up in yards located closer to open desert.

Imo, Rattlers ..and snakes in general... are extremely miss-understood.. As mentioned, both close encounters i've had with them thus far here have been pretty relaxed..  I was the kid who went out looking for..  kept pet snakes / lizards, etc  whenever i had the chance anyway, so,  ..been bit by pretty much anything non- rattlesnake / Black Widow. 

Sounds mean but i honestly do laugh whenever is see videos of people ..fellow grown men in particular freaking out when they encounter a snake, let alone a spider. That critter is wayy smaller than you dude..  It's also 2024..  easy to look up info regarding how much of a threat some critter might be.  Anyway..

Saw my first  Horny Toad / Horned Lizard  ..ever..  about a year ago while on a hike at a favorite research spot about an hour east of the house. 

Been hearing the species everyone used to see around Tucson has become a lot less common in many areas down there ..because so many people spray pesticides to get rid of their favorite food ..Ants..  Pretty sad, imo.  I rarely spray for bugs here, and only to keep the bigger Cockroaches from getting into the house.


Sucks you had to leave a place you enjoyed due to such circumstances, but, i completely get it ..and it's good that you were able to ..to get as far away from that situation as possible.  Negative situation w/ an ex GF was a big reason i left FL the first time i lived there.

If there is one thing that moving around as much as i have since my 21st B-day has taught me, Sometimes, you never know where you might end up.. Maybe your final destination is somewhere far from where you started the journey. Other times, perhaps you end up closer ..in a place you might have visited. A little deep perhaps..

Visited Tucson once when i was 12 or 13 and loved it but, was never sure i'd actually like AZ until i moved back home ( in CA ) after living in FL ( the first time ) ..and would make trips out here to find certain plants i wanted to grow, and do plant / ecology - related research..

Wayy too long of a story to share here but, do wish i'd have stuck w/ my gut and landed in Tucson vs. closer to PHX though when i left FL, ..the 2nd time, lol.

That said, of all the 'burbs around PHX, Chandler is one of the nicest..   Pretty laid back, diverse, easy access to places like Tucson / mountains to the east..  Yea, there are some interesting folks here too but, every place has a few of them.

My only gripe here is the heat this time of year ..Experienced both heat exhaustion / stroke the 2nd summer here and still have random issues if i'm out in it too long.  Wouldn't trade being here for being somewhere else, like say FL. again  ..other than maybe San Diego, or maybe somewhere in Baja Mexico...  

Other than that, Agree 100%,   Skies / Landscapes ..etc, are extremely special / hard not recall fondly here.

Bigger fan of S. AZ / Mountains down there vs. places like Sedona / Prescott or the Grand Canyon but, i get why people come out to enjoy those places too.

Many people have an assumption that Arizona is just half dead looking plants, dust, and Cacti but, spend a day or two exploring some place like the top of Mt. Lemon, or around Madera Canyon / the Huachucas down by Sierra Vista during a wet summer and that highly biased view will quickly dissolve into a completely different -and unforgettable- view of Arizona.

I was going to ask you if that plant was tropical but you beat me to it lol... Is that some sort of palm, kind of has that palm look about it, it's beautiful..... So you're in Chandler, is it as hot in Chandler as it is in Phoenix? I went to Phoenix one time to a car auction and I was only out there about 6 hours and the heat was unbearable. Not that Tucson isn't, but I found Phoenix to be much much hotter? I'm so jealous lol. Talking to you is bringing back so many memories, the mountains and monsoon season and seeing tornadoes around the mountains that never touched down inland lol... The fire ants oh my God those were the worst lol But yeah, every time I think about Arizona I always see that beautiful beautiful blue sky, I took a picture once of a palm tree and all you could see was the palm tree and the blue sky and I sent it to my mother and she was just in awe over it.... I broke down and purchased some Sansi grow lights. The first 3 I purchased are 15 watt and my plants are growing like crazy in just a couple weeks that I've had them, My parlor Palm and my cat Palm are all shooting new leaves and today I'm getting 36 w bulbs from Sansi, I tried other grow lights a couple years ago and they were the ones that showed the blue and pink lights and my plants just died using them, they didn't do any good but these seem to be working wonderfully, I'm actually thinking of going and purchasing another Majesty palm to see if these lights will keep one alive lol But they are attracting hornets. I've had three hornets in my apartment this past week and I can't figure out how they're getting in but I know they're attracted to the light because as soon as I see them they start smacking their bodies up against the lights lol, I'm terrified of bees, and yes, I'm one of those people who are terrified of snakes and any kind of spider you can imagine 🤣

[Silas_Sancona]

On 7/3/2024 at 7:51 AM, ThereseCup said:

I was going to ask you if that plant was tropical but you beat me to it lol... Is that some sort of palm, kind of has that palm look about it, it's beautiful.....

So you're in Chandler, is it as hot in Chandler as it is in Phoenix? I went to Phoenix one time to a car auction and I was only out there about 6 hours and the heat was unbearable. Not that Tucson isn't, but I found Phoenix to be much much hotter? I'm so jealous lol.

Talking to you is bringing back so many memories, the mountains and monsoon season and seeing tornadoes around the mountains that never touched down inland lol...

The fire ants oh my God those were the worst lol But yeah, every time I think about Arizona I always see that beautiful beautiful blue sky, I took a picture once of a palm tree and all you could see was the palm tree and the blue sky and I sent it to my mother and she was just in awe over it....

I broke down and purchased some Sansi grow lights. The first 3 I purchased are 15 watt and my plants are growing like crazy in just a couple weeks that I've had them, My parlor Palm and my cat Palm are all shooting new leaves and today I'm getting 36 w bulbs from Sansi, I tried other grow lights a couple years ago and they were the ones that showed the blue and pink lights and my plants just died using them, they didn't do any good but these seem to be working wonderfully, I'm actually thinking of going and purchasing another Majesty palm to see if these lights will keep one alive lol But they are attracting hornets. I've had three hornets in my apartment this past week and I can't figure out how they're getting in but I know they're attracted to the light because as soon as I see them they start smacking their bodies up against the lights lol,

I'm terrified of bees, and yes, I'm one of those people who are terrified of snakes and any kind of spider you can imagine 🤣

The " Bird's Nest " Anthuriums are more closely related to things like Pothos, Philodendron, and Calla Lilies rather than palms.. but definitely have a similar look.. 

Getting plant nerdy for a moment,  While in a different sub- family,  the Bird's Nest - type Anthuriums are related to the " Flamingo Flower - type Anthuriums as well..  Neat plants, but those can be a little more of a challenge to grow indoors unless you have lots of light, good air movement, and humidity..  Overall Genus is huge and there are some really neat species.

Compared to Phoenix proper ( Say areas near South Mountain, Downtown / Papago Park ) Chandler can go both ways heat-wise..  Some days we're a few deg. cooler than what the temp. at Sky Harbour or downtown might be.  Other days, we can be a deg or two warmer ...what i've noticed at least. 

Overall though, both areas are definitely hotter than Tucson, though they've been seeing more days when it reaches 110F or a little hotter down there lately ( ..Still far less than up here though )  As i'm sure you remember, Tucson also sees much more rain, which helps keep the heat in check down there -most years-.

Heat can definitely be rough, esp. when you're working out in it 8-10 hours every day.. 1st year i was here, i had no issues. No problems w/ the heat in FL or Ohio / Kansas either.   2nd summer here, i was out of work for 2 weeks after i got zapped ..and should have taken an offer to not work thru the rest of that summer..  Taken several years for lingering effects to fade, even if they'll never go away completely too..

As mentioned, while i'd rather stay here, moving somewhere close by that isn't as crazy hot this time of year isn't totally off the table either.. Tucson, ..or maybe somewhere in S. Cal  -that is still kind of affordable, lol..  would be fine  ..Some place like San Diego  would be close enough that i can come out here anytime,  esp. during Monsoon season.

If you ever get homesick for some AZ landscapes, etc, feel free to look over any of the -gazillions, of threads i've put together regarding places i hike, sunsets, etc.

Be warned though, lol  Because i like to educate folks on the uniqueness of the plants / animals here, lots of pictures,  but lots of talking about various aspects of the places i visit / have visited thus far..

Some of the ones i'll highlight:  The " Sacred Ground ",  " Emerald Desert ",  and " Not so socially distanced walkabout " series..  Spring visit to Catalina St. Park,  Pima Canyon, and Agua Caliente Park,  all in Tucson,   are a few other good ones to take a look at  -if interested- as well..

I'll have to check out the lights you mentioned. Full spectrum is definitely better than the lighting options that only use specific spectrums like the Pink / red / blue. 


As far as bugs and stuff,  aside from never having issues w/ snakes ( My mom got used to coming home from work seeing me " wearing " a snake when i was 10, ..or letting me know when one escaped / some of the frogs i was keeping got out of their terrarium and showed up in the bathroom, haha ).   I was the kid my mom had to watch  ..because i liked to go under our house and look for Black Widows..  Then i became scared of spiders after having some fall / jump one me,  then learned that ..as long as they stay outside, they're fine ..though i do discourage Black widows from trying to set up a home near the house, lol.

When i lived in KS, one of the apartments i lived in was filled w/ Brown Recluse.. Never got bit or anything but, ..was kinda creepy  knowing they were roaming around when i might be asleep, lol. Had one try to climb up my leg while taking a shower once too ..Anyway..

Healthy awareness of such things is fine,  ..it's the over-exaggerated fear of such things that annoys me..  Have certain types of bees that use houses i made for them which sit right next to where i sit on the patio.  Buzz my face sometimes, but have never been stung.  Now, if i were dumb enough to grab one? ..i deserve to get stung.. 

Hornets are another story though, lol ..Remember the big, angry ones we had in Cincinnati pretty well ( stung by them too ).. Would not let them try to build their nests anywhere near the house.

In CA, we have yellow Jackets..  Smaller than the hornets back east, but just as skittish.  Never made the mistake of trying to get rid of a nest after the first time i tried, lol

[ThereseCup]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

The " Bird's Nest " Anthuriums are more closely related to things like Pothos, Philodendron, and Calla Lilies rather than palms.. but definitely have a similar look.. 

Getting plant nerdy for a moment,  While in a different sub- family,  the Bird's Nest - type Anthuriums are related to the " Flamingo Flower - type Anthuriums as well..  Neat plants, but those can be a little more of a challenge to grow indoors unless you have lots of light, good air movement, and humidity..  Overall Genus is huge and there are some really neat species.

Compared to Phoenix proper ( Say areas near South Mountain, Downtown / Papago Park ) Chandler can go both ways heat-wise..  Some days we're a few deg. cooler than what the temp. at Sky Harbour or downtown might be.  Other days, we can be a deg or two warmer ...what i've noticed at least. 

Overall though, both areas are definitely hotter than Tucson, though they've been seeing more days when it reaches 110F or a little hotter down there lately ( ..Still far less than up here though )  As i'm sure you remember, Tucson also sees much more rain, which helps keep the heat in check down there -most years-.

Heat can definitely be rough, esp. when you're working out in it 8-10 hours every day.. 1st year i was here, i had no issues. No problems w/ the heat in FL or Ohio / Kansas either.   2nd summer here, i was out of work for 2 weeks after i got zapped ..and should have taken an offer to not work thru the rest of that summer..  Taken several years for lingering effects to fade, even if they'll never go away completely too..

As mentioned, while i'd rather stay here, moving somewhere close by that isn't as crazy hot this time of year isn't totally off the table either.. Tucson, ..or maybe somewhere in S. Cal  -that is still kind of affordable, lol..  would be fine  ..Some place like San Diego  would be close enough that i can come out here anytime,  esp. during Monsoon season.

If you ever get homesick for some AZ landscapes, etc, feel free to look over any of the -gazillions, of threads i've put together regarding places i hike, sunsets, etc.

Be warned though, lol  Because i like to educate folks on the uniqueness of the plants / animals here, lots of pictures,  but lots of talking about various aspects of the places i visit / have visited thus far..

Some of the ones i'll highlight:  The " Sacred Ground ",  " Emerald Desert ",  and " Not so socially distanced walkabout " series..  Spring visit to Catalina St. Park,  Pima Canyon, and Agua Caliente Park,  all in Tucson,   are a few other good ones to take a look at  -if interested- as well..

I'll have to check out the lights you mentioned. Full spectrum is definitely better than the lighting options that only use specific spectrums like the Pink / red / blue. 


As far as bugs and stuff,  aside from never having issues w/ snakes ( My mom got used to coming home from work seeing me " wearing " a snake when i was 10, ..or letting me know when one escaped / some of the frogs i was keeping got out of their terrarium and showed up in the bathroom, haha ).   I was the kid my mom had to watch  ..because i liked to go under our house and look for Black Widows..  Then i became scared of spiders after having some fall / jump one me,  then learned that ..as long as they stay outside, they're fine ..though i do discourage Black widows from trying to set up a home near the house, lol.

When i lived in KS, one of the apartments i lived in was filled w/ Brown Recluse.. Never got bit or anything but, ..was kinda creepy  knowing they were roaming around when i might be asleep, lol. Had one try to climb up my leg while taking a shower once too ..Anyway..

Healthy awareness of such things is fine,  ..it's the over-exaggerated fear of such things that annoys me..  Have certain types of bees that use houses i made for them which sit right next to where i sit on the patio.  Buzz my face sometimes, but have never been stung.  Now, if i were dumb enough to grab one? ..i deserve to get stung.. 

Hornets are another story though, lol ..Remember the big, angry ones we had in Cincinnati pretty well ( stung by them too ).. Would not let them try to build their nests anywhere near the house.

In CA, we have yellow Jackets..  Smaller than the hornets back east, but just as skittish.  Never made the mistake of trying to get rid of a nest after the first time i tried, lol

How do I find the threads you put together? If it's on this site I'm really not familiar with this website yet LOL and I don't know how you can sit there and just let hornets buzz around your face, oh my God, I'm like a maniac. If any kind of Bee comes anywhere near me, I will start freaking out and I don't care who's watching 🤣 and yeah I definitely do miss Arizona, I might be going to Texas in September or October but I'm not sure yet... But I'm definitely interested in seeing the threads you're talking about if you can just guide the way lol..... Your mom must have had nerves of steel lol

[Silas_Sancona]

10 minutes ago, ThereseCup said:

How do I find the threads you put together? If it's on this site I'm really not familiar with this website yet LOL and I don't know how you can sit there and just let hornets buzz around your face, oh my God, I'm like a maniac. If any kind of Bee comes anywhere near me, I will start freaking out and I don't care who's watching 🤣 and yeah I definitely do miss Arizona, I might be going to Texas in September or October but I'm not sure yet... But I'm definitely interested in seeing the threads you're talking about if you can just guide the way lol..... Your mom must have had nerves of steel lol

Mom got used to me and my " pets " / adventures very early 

You going to take the plants w/ you head south?

Strangely, don't see many hornets here..  A few every so often and they usually stay out in the yard, but not common like they could be back there.  Bees are a nothing burger.. even the bigger ones we have.  Do keep my distance from Tarantula Hawks ( a large Wasp here ) though since their sting is quite painful.  Generally aren't aggressive.
 


Usually, what i'll do to find my own past threads is just google the titles.. but that isn't always perfect since i don't always tag them correctly, lol..   Anyway, here's a few links:

In the overall Forum, there is a section of it titled " Ohana Nui "  below the main section here where most of the more " off topic " threads are placed .. stuff like pictures of Sunsets / Sunrises,  Garden Visitors ( ..animals that visit our gardens / wild animals in general )  ...and a majority of the threads like these i've created thru the years..

Below a specific thread, you'll often see a " Similar Content "  banner where you can see a list of threads w/ a similar title / content below it.

In some, my ramblings are shorter than others, haha..  Many more to come once i clear up some red tape AZ threw at me involving renewing my drivers license ...and can get back out into the wild.