Gwen writes

homeschool mom of 4 trying to fit in some time for writing and reflection

Menu
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Goodreads
Menu

That’s Mrs. Plant Lady To You

Posted on October 8, 2019October 9, 2019 by Gwen Shaneck

I’ve always been a plant lady.

Back in college I had a Moon Cactus named Mel that I moved with me from dorm to dorm. Later, when I dropped Mel during a move his head came right off! I also had a Jade that shared the sunny ledges with Mel during those years.

When I got my own place, I filled it with those hard to kill plants of my youth – Goosefoot, Spiders, and Wandering Jews. These plants moved with me and my husband from New Jersey to Minnesota and then five years later down to Virginia.

When we got here, I became obsessed with African violets and had an entire double window devoted to at least 10 plants. I learned that a new African violet could be planted from a single leaf. And, I began to try my hand at propagation. I still have the first African violet I grew from a leaf. It is now three distinct plants. I started the leaf cutting when I was pregnant with my ten year old daughter. It managed to survive the pregnancy and infant months. The rest of my violets weren’t so lucky.

I have always loved propagating plants. Spider plants lend themselves to propagation. They will even grow roots in the air. Goosefoot plants are the same way.

I must admit turning one something into two somethings, for free, is pretty cool.

In recent years I’ve become obsessed with propagation, particularly since I am moving away from my old standbys. I’ve started looking for different plants, rescuing them from big box stores when they are marked down to next to nothing. Sometimes this works out, and sometimes it is an exercise in futility. But, it is always a great introduction to a plant that I never would have tried for full price.

Over the next week I’m going to tell you about some of my favorite plants. Some of my old favorites and some new obsessions. (yes, some of these are instagram darlings) I’m going to highlight plants that I know for sure can be propagated, which will allow you to make two (or more!) plants for the price of one.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What is this place?

Welcome to my little place in the internet. I write about my family and what it’s like to suddenly find myself homeschooling my four children – including a high schooler and two middle schoolers during COVID-19. I also spend some time writing about writing and how I am trying to get more of it in my life.

Instagram

gwenshaneck

Do you follow @sharonsaysso if not, you should. Ju Do you follow @sharonsaysso if not, you should. Just facts. You decide - make up your own mind. Sharon isn’t trying to tell you how to think. She’s giving you the space to do it.
I took this picture to show off my late blooming C I took this picture to show off my late blooming Christmas cactus, but the design of the mineral deposits on the terra-cotta pot caught my eye. #naturalbeauty #beautyinthemundane #christmascactus #beautyintheeveryday #unexpectedbeauty #houseplants
This was near the summit on yesterday’s hike (a This was near the summit on yesterday’s hike (a part of the AT that leads to Apple Orchard Summit) and it was otherworldly. The trees (apple trees maybe?) were low and twisted and the trail was this grassy path #hikingtheat #hikingtheappalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #appleorchardmountain #hiking #familyhikes #hiking #hikersofinstagram #virginianature #virginiahiking
After taking down the tree I set up a little readi After taking down the tree I set up a little reading nook #read21in21 let’s do this! #readersofinstagram #read #readingchallenge #readingchallenge2021 #reading #readingtime
Apple Orchard Summit via the Appalachian Trail 2/5 Apple Orchard Summit via the Appalachian Trail 2/52 hikes for 2021 #appalachiantrail #hikingtheblueridge #blueridgemountains #blueridgehiking #virginia #virginiahiking #virginiahikes #nature #naturephotography #hiking #familyhike #hikeva
One foot in front of the other #slowandsteadyprogr One foot in front of the other #slowandsteadyprogress #knit #knittersofinstagram #homeschoollife #knitsocks #sockknitting #sockknittersofinstagram #sockknitter #knitstagram #instaknit
Nature always brings me peace with its amazing bea Nature always brings me peace with its amazing beauty even in times as dark and troubling as these #fungi #fungiphotography #fungilove #nature #naturephotography #fungusamongus #mycology #turkeytail #turkeytailmushrooms #mushrooms #peaceinnature
Just another beautiful loaf thanks to @elaine_food Just another beautiful loaf thanks to @elaine_foodbod and her master recipe (scaled to 400g). It is challenging to do sourdough in our chilly kitchen, but I think I may have figured it out. #sourdough #sourdoughbread #sourdoughbaking #sourdoughbatard #homebaker #baker #homemade #homebaked #bakersofinstagram #baking #bakingismylovelanguage
I love these little microsystems both moss and lic I love these little microsystems both moss and lichen existing together #lichen #moss #symbiosis #smallthings #tinythings #nature #naturephotography #naturelover #naturalbeauty #closeup #closeupphotography #macrophotography #amateurphotography #naturephotography #virginianature #winter
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Comments

  • Easing back into a morning routine: creating peace – Gwen writes on Homeschool Morning Meeting – What we’re doing
  • Gwen Shaneck on Sourdough Experiences
  • Jan Chanski on Sourdough Experiences
  • On buyers…. – Gwen Shaneck on Day Six/Seven

Archives

  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
© 2021 Gwen writes | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme