Gardening is an exciting world, from which we can benefit a lot. And no, I am not just referring to how rewarding it is to take care of plants, but also to the tranquility that one has when we are with them. Even so, we also find in him a series of myths that can confuse us.
To prevent this from happening, let's see what gardening myths there are, and if they are true or on the contrary, it is better to ignore them.
It is dangerous to sleep with plants in the room
It is one of the most widespread myths, but it is not true. Plants absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide throughout the day to stay alive, although the amount of O2 they need is much, much less than humans need. In fact, for it to be dangerous to sleep in a room with plants there would have to be many, to the point that the room would have to look like a jungle.
Better to water at night
It depends on the season of the year in which you are. If it is cold, the ideal is to water during the day, mainly in the central hours, which is when the temperature is usually a little higher; On the other hand, if it is hot, it can be watered in the evening or, even better, early in the morning so that the plant can absorb the water little by little.
Ash is a good compost
Yes it is. Helps the plant produce more flowers, but not just any. Those of soft wood have a lower percentage of nutrients than those of hard wood, so you have to know what the composition of the substrate that we have on the plant is like.
Tools can be cleaned with bleach
Better not. The bleach has oxidizing agents that will wear down the tools. To clean them, the idea is to use pharmacy alcohol, or specific products that you will find in nurseries and garden stores.
Fertilizing diseased plants will revive them
It is not true. A diseased plant could be compared to a person who is ill. If you ate what you usually eat on a regular basis, you will most likely feel worse, as your stomach will not tolerate it. The same thing happens with plant beings: when they are sick we must give them their "medicine" (treatment against the disease or plague that they have), but not fertilizer, otherwise they will get sicker.
Clay soil can be corrected by adding sand
It's false. The sand seeps through the cracks and when wet they form a mortar together, which could be used to fix bricks or walls. The only way to correct a clay soil is by adding manure and mixing it well. with a rake or, if the field is large, with a rototiller.
Do you know any other gardening myths?
Hello Monica! First of all, congratulations on the blog. I find it very complete and the articles very interesting. Today I learned something new by reading this.
It has little that I began to be interested in the world of plants, I am a novice, and for that reason it was that I found the blog. I do not know if this is the appropriate place, I want to ask you a question - it has nothing to do with the article - but I do not know how to contact you directly.
My question is the following: I would like to put on my desk some plant that would brighten up my little office. Unfortunately, the space in which I am located does not have natural ventilation (there is only one air conditioning outlet) and although I have a window and glass door, these face an interior corridor so there is no sunlight. What is there is a neon lamp on the ceiling? My question is… is there a little plant that can survive in these conditions or is it better to abort the idea? If there is a plant or flower that will resist in this place, how can I care for it? In advance, thank you very much for your guidance.
A hug from Veracruz, Mexico.
Hi Claudia.
Thanks for your words.
You can put various plants: aspidistra, potos (Epipremnum aureum), ferns. All of them can be potted in a place where there is not much light. You just have to water them twice a week in summer, and every 5-6 days the rest of the year, and fertilize them in the warmer months with a universal fertilizer for plants that you will find for sale in nurseries and garden stores.
A greeting.
Hello again! I had already responded to this comment a few minutes ago, but something happened with my connection that seems to have been deleted. An apology if you get repeated ... I'll write it again.
First of all, thank you very much for your answer and your help. People like you make a difference in blogging 😉
I wanted to ask you another question.
At the beginning of February I transplanted two poinsettias to slightly larger pots, with new substrate and fertilizing them with coffee seats (I don't know if I did well).
One of them never completely lost its leaves and even more leaves are sprouting. But the biggest poinsettia (the other one is small) if it lost all its leaves. So following the tips of a gardening video that I found on the net, I can. The stems are green, but nothing to give new leaves. I don't see it growing. It is normal? What do you recommend me to do so that I can keep them all year long and that they bloom again in December? It is a small challenge that I set out to achieve.
I know that poinsettias require some special care, but I am willing to do it.
Ah! I tell you that I have them in a small interior patio where the direct sun does not hit them (it only gives them two or three hours in the morning) and I think they have good ventilation although when it rains I have to move them to another covered patio so they do not drown (It has already started to rain around here).
I look forward to this comment if you go this time. Thank you very much beforehand for your help.
I send you a big hug. Nice day!
Hi Claudia.
Yes, it arrived hehe But don't worry 🙂.
Thank you very much for your words. It is my job, but more than work it is a hobby.
We are going to your doubts.
In principle, it is normal. Even if two plants are "sisters" and come from my "parents", they will always be a little different. From what you reckon, one of them is weaker than the other, and therefore needs more "pampering" in order to get ahead.
To do this, I recommend you water them -at both, but especially the one that is wrong- with homemade rooting hormones (Here's how to get them).
Anyway, if it doesn't improve in a few weeks, get back in touch and we'll find a solution.
A hug 🙂
Thank you very much Monica! I think I attacked you with the messages haha, but my connection is terrible and I thought you had not received the first one.
I will do what you tell me and I have faith that it will help you on a good night. I will contact you again in a few weeks to tell you what happened. Have a very nice weekend! A hug 🙂
A lot of nothing 🙂. Likewise, and a hug.