Ryan I am so sorry about your plants. I know that apartments are available on a limited basis and maybe you thought the lighting was better than what it really is. My house is soooo dark, the only room I can grow plants is the kitchen (and in my bathroom on the windowsill). Hang in there. Treat the trees like they will survive and they might surprise you.

Don't let the winter blues drag you down....
Kristi

I feel your pain, Ryan, and I completely understand your situation... I'm in the same boat... the USS Dry & Dark, and it's sinking! Our tiny little one room upstairs apartment is very dry and very dark... especially in winter!

The only window that gets enough light to grow anything is the east facing window where my jungle is located. I've solved the light problem with several cheap shop light fixtures, 48" in length and able to use T12 or T8 tubes. I've got them hung over my shelving units, and they're on chains so I can adjust the height. They're all plugged into a timer that gives them about 14-16 hours of light every 24 hour period... they go on and off automatically. The timers are about 8 bucks apiece.

The heat is a propane wall unit, with a thermostat and a fan... it blows dry heat directly across the apartment from the west window to the east... where all my plants are. There are two ceiling fans that run on low 365 days a year... we switch the direction in spring and fall to cause the air to circulate properly. The large window AC unit is on the same wall... the west... and it blows cold air toward my jungle from spring through summer.

You might think I was doomed... but I've learned to grow fairly nice plants, sticking with what works. Bulbs do well in almost any place that's not freezing or overly wet, so those are a breeze... everything else limps along, praying for spring.

I mist the orchids several times a day, and I try to keep a handle on the watering, making certain to check every pot on a regular basis.

I need to make some gravel moisture trays for the orchids and other non-bulb plants, and I'd like to get a tabletop fountain or mister fountain to help with the humidity issue.

Ryan... I know it seems hopeless, but have a little faith! You can grow beautiful plants no matter where you are... all you need to do is make a few small adjustments... like I did!

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot, Menard's or your favorite large home improvement store... pick up a few cheap shop light fixtures and a cheap timer... light problem solved! Next, make some moisture gravel trays using cheap baking trays or large patio pot saucers, fish aquarium gravel, or a plastic drop-ceiling light grid cover. Cut the plastic grid cover to fit the trays, or add the gravel, throw in some water, and place your plants on them so the water level is below the saucers or pots, or the water level is below the top of the grid cover. Instant humidity! Another problem solved!

A humidifier would be wonderful, but I can't afford to buy a decent one, and then the filters that go with it. So, I'm going to make some moisture gravel trays for my orchids, and I'm hoping to find a decent tabletop misting fountain on Ebay or somewhere.

C'mon, Ryan! If I can do it, you can do it! You're a much better gardener than I! I'm also guessing you have a few more dollars to spend than I do... I'm flat broke most of the time. I'm blonde and female, and if I can grow an indoor garden in poor conditions, I know you can!

You're from Colorado! Cowboy up, my dear friend! It's gonna be ok... spring is right around the corner, and what do we do if at first we don't succeed? That's right! We try, try again! :-)

In all seriousness, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles... but I know you can fix things if you really want to. Necessity is the mother of invention, so start brainstorming about how you can make your poor conditions work to your advantage. You can do it, Ryan... I know you can! :-)

Dont' bum too hard there Ryan,buddy.Kristi could send you that nice Possum to hang out in your tree's! Ouf that would be a bother eh.....Pilots are not quitters they are Hero's ...I am certain a Indoor Plant Professional in Denver could consult you on your landing pad and problem solve for you.Obviously your trees took a "shock" from moving environs.I am confident you'll get pass this Peace,Mark

Hi all--

I know I know.... but really I was just ranting to people who would understand. My wife has an anti-green thumb so it is no shock to her when a plant gives up the ghost on her. But to me it is like an insult! My family jokes that I can coax a dead leaf back to life-- but here I am with olive trees-- survivors of millennia-- wanting to just die. What can I say. I did what I could with the circumstances. I'll keep them watered lightly in hopes of a revival, but I'm thinking nothing short of Jesus himself will bring these guys back. Jesus liked olives, right?

As for pilots being heros....really? LOL I'm assuming you're talking about the pilot who ditched in the Hudson (excellent way to crash, BTW-- touche!)? I haven't seen or heard any interviews of the man yet but I'd be willing to guess this guy did everything he was taught to do-- as all pilots are in such situations. It may seem heroic but I bet to him, he simply did his job-- just really really well.

Thankfully, I never had to put a plane down... yet. We all do at some point so I'm waiting for now. The way we fly and practice and train is to expect the worst. Every time we spool the engines up on take off, we're keen and almost trigger-happy to yank the throttles to idle and slam on the brakes if an engine goes weird. So it is interesting to hear how people view what this guy did when most pilot look on in quiet satisfaction that he simply did his job.

Plus, the French evidently make one helluvah float plane! (I'm a Boeing fan but kuddos to Airbus).

Ryan

Don't be down Ryan. I feel your pain. I just recently killed a Hibiscus bush that was my Grandmother's before she passed. Needless to say, I was none to happy with myself about it...I've since made my peace with it and won't allow myself to be sad over it anymore.

My place is notorious for microscopic bugs that will eat a plant alive before I ever even know something is wrong. Only the toughest of houseplants make it out alive it seems!

Hang in there and keep the hope that your Olive tree will pull through! Sing to it if you need to.

-Frank

Have you looked into lights? I've never really used them except for accidentally. I'm so sorry that you're bummed and that your olive tree is bailing. :-( Go buy a Chinese Evergreen. Mine loves low light. Her name is Tina. Would you like some cuttings from her? I'm dead serious! Let me know. I would love to hook a brother up.

Such is life. I moved from a very large apartment, with tons of window space, and tons of closets, to a small Victorian house (I just had to have it, and the price was right) with virtually no storage/closet space, but it came with a large plot of land (and I wasn't even gardening at the time - 10 years ago). Alas, there is really only one decent window, light-wise, and who knew I would develop a hippie addiction to help me survive the long cold winters. Nothing's perfect - we manage as best as possible under the circumstances - but I do sympathize - it's so sad to see a favourite plant wither.

It devastates me every time I lose a plant that one of my friends gave me... but I've gotten used to plant death at this stage of the game. I've been growing plants for... let me see... oh, my! It's been almost 40 years since I grew my very first houseplant! My, how time flies!

I dearly love orchids, but I have come to terms with the fact that I can't grow every type I'd like to... my environment can't be changed that much! I just can't give them what they require. Someday, circumstances might change, and I might be able to grow things that I can't right now.

Don't give up, Ryan... personally, I think if you invested in a couple of lights, you'd feel a lot better about the environment you can give your plants. They don't have to be expensive... they just have to provide a little light.

Larry taught me the adage... "Expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed"... but I think for pilots, it must be... "Expect the worst, and you'll always be prepared!" I've never flown on a jet, but I'm glad there are knowledgeable people like you piloting the planes up there, in the sky!

If I remember Bible passages well enough, I think Jesus taught and preached in olive groves or gardens... perhaps a little prayer would help perk up your tree... that might make it want to live... and, it'll be spring soon.

Cheer up... the days are getting longer... the sun is out more lately... and soon, we'll be enjoying warmer weather!

Thanks all for the support.

I do have lights in the room. A total of four fluorescent lights that are on 24/7 (wasn't sure of this at first but my bulbs and herbs seem to love it). I'm unwilling to use more lights than this simply because if I expand then I'll want to expand my collection more and frankly, I want to stay married.

With that said I have plenty of reasons to be cheerful these days....

Cuz I'm gonna be father for the first time!!!

We've known since November but I've been keeping my mouth shut for various reasons. For those of you who know me on facebook-- mums the word! This news is exclusive to our forum here!

Ryan, father-in-training

I find this run of comments rather interesting for several reasons. Jodik's comments about her propane heater was interesting. I assume it may be unvented, in which case it is making a lot moisture which would be very beneficial to her plants.

And about long-lived plants; we have a pony-tail palm that we have been keeping 31 years. It is two feet across at the base now (was the size of an orange when first obtained) and it goes outside every summer into full sun but for the 7 months it's inside it gets a little northern light from a second story window (high ceiling there). It can go for 4 months without water (as can most amaryllis) so is a great plant for those who like plants that can survive on neglect. I don't think we neglect our old plant however, moving it back and forth inside to outside and back ever year. It must weigh over 400 pounds now and well over 12 feet tall.

As for beloved plants dying, while it is never appreciated, being a surgeon, I do find a certain satisfaction or relief in throwing a dead plant in the recycle bin. "It is just a plant," I say, and am so relieved it is only a plant and not a patient. My wife is not a plant person but she doesn't want any sick plants discarded, so I have to make sure they are good and dead before throwing them out. I'm not that sentimental, but I agree it is a bit of a defeat to lose a plant and there is always a bit of satisfaction is successfully resuscitating a sick or weak plant.

Ryan, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my experience, YOU WILL NEED ALL THE TRAINING YOU CAN GET... NOW!! No kidding.

Children come without manual, I should know!!

After dealing, myself, with post partum depression, I get cured because I have no time to think about a thing, LOL!!!
(and lots of help from my husband and my doctor BTW)

They are really a bundle of joy, you must breathe in deep and meditate sometimes but they still are.

I am really happy for you!!!

Mariae.

Congrats Papa Pilot!

Ryan, congrats to you and your wife! Babies are as welcome as flowers here! its a good thing you are good at nurture! I imagine though that your amies will have as hard a time of it over the next few years as mine do with an 8 month old pup!

Oh WOW! Congrats Ryan! That is awesome news! If ya'll drink the same water you give those bulbs, you might be getting lots of babies! hehe!

-Frank

First and foremost... Congratulations, Daddy! Imagine that... your own little Co-pilot! We've become such a close knit little family here, that I find myself unable to stop a few tears of joy for you and your wife! :-) You are both truly Blessed! What wonderful news! Oh, my... I suddenly find myself at a loss for words... give me a second or two... I'll recover quickly!

As a step-mother, I missed out on the pregnancy and the infant stages of my three... my youngest was 5 when I joined the family. You have so much to look forward to, Ryan! You've begun the ultimate journey in life... that of parenthood... and while it comes with an undue amount of stress and worry, it also brings unfathomable love and joy! I missed quite a bit by not having my own babies, but God has a plan for us all... my three needed a mother, and I needed those three children to teach me about life, as well.

There is no greater bliss than looking at your newborn child for the very first time, and sharing the birth experience with your partner in life... I got a little taste of that feeling as I held my newborn granchilden for the very first time! I thought my heart would jump right out of my chest!

Anyway... you've been in training for some time now... as a patient gardener, nurturing your bulbs and plants! That's all going to pay off really soon, if not even now! Hug your wife every day, and be understanding of her current hormonal condition... oh, my... this is exciting! My very best to you and your wife... you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. And, of course... mum's the word.

Next on the list... I'm sorry, Ryan... I didn't realize you already had lights! That's good to know! I don't recall you mentioning them, though you could have... my memory doesn't work like it used to! I have one suggestion, though... as much as your plants need all that light, they also need some darkness to complete the photosynthesis process... I would recommend giving them about 14-18 hours of light per 24 hour period, followed by the remainder with the lights off. I just picked up a two pack of light timers at Meijer's for about $9... a good investment. They're for seed starting in the basement. My lights go on at about 5am, and go off at about 11pm, or thereabouts.

Haitidoc... you are correct that the propane heater is not vented, but it's a very dry heat! There's no moisture from it, at all! The humidity level in our apartment fluctuates between 28% and about 33% during the winter months... which is very low. I try to keep a few pans of water around to help, and I mist the plants that require more humidity... but I really need to get humidity trays made in sizes decent enough help the entire plant alcove maintain a better level of humidity.

I, too, have a Ponytail Palm! It's always been one of my favorite plants, and probably what got me interested in bulbous plants to begin with! Beaucarnea recurvata, I believe it is. Mine was purchased in a 2" pot, and the base was a little marble sized thing! It's now about the size of a baseball, and continues to gain size every year... a very interesting plant, to be sure! I would love to see a photo of yours! 12' is very tall, and 400 pounds is huge! It must really be something to see!

We really have a diverse group here... pilots, surgeons, floral designers, housewives... and many more, from all over the world... and soon, we'll add new Daddy to that list! I think gardening is both an outlet and a huge help for each of us. It teaches patience, helps us relieve stress, gives us exercise, and satisfies our need to nurture. We're all very lucky to be able to garden, and to share our experiences with like minded people!

Once again, I'm overjoyed to hear your news, Ryan! This year, 2009, is going to be a very good year! I can feel it! :-)

Congratulations Ryan!!!! Your Hippis have trained you well to take this next journey! It will be fun (although at times frustrating) but very exciting!!
Kristi