#indoor orchid care

[planthouseandgarden]

Ludisia Discolor Care: The Complete Guide for Thriving Jewel Orchids

Ludisia discolor care is essential for keeping this captivating plant, thriving in any indoor plant collection. Also known as the jewel orchid, this remarkable orchid originates from Southeast Asia, primarily in regions like Malaysia and Indonesia. Unlike many other orchids, Ludisia discolor is prized not only for its delicate flowers but also for its stunning dark green foliage adorned with…

[lubdog]

can someone please tell me how to help my orchid? she is dying (or maybe dead idk- she has like 3 healthy roots total, the rest are dried up) I pruned most of the dead roots and she lost three leaves that yellowed up and just fell off- I placed her in mostly air, with a bit of orchid bark beneath her, gave a bit of water, and put her in a hanging orchid pot. I really want her to live!!! she was thriving in summer with the sun coming in through the windows but now that it’s winter and I don’t have a place for her to get much light, she’s going through it. maybe there is no hope?

the photo does not show the healthy roots but I promise there are about 3 left. I think the bits chipped on her leaves are from my cat biting her? but I can’t be sure.

send help!

[fixaidea]

Plants for the chronic over-waterer

So you’ll often see guides and rec-lists for plants that require little water and attention, and just generally ‘thrive on neglect’. But what about us anxious, hovering plant people whose most common way of accidentally offing a plant is by over-loving and over-watering them?

(Before we get into it, let me preface this by the usual disclaimer: a plant’s water needs wildly depend on its environment. I live in the continental temperate zone of Europe, the average humidity level inside is 30-40%, so what I write may or may not apply to your conditions. Watch your plants closely - if you’re reading this post I know you would anyway - and proceed accordingly.)

Look no further, here’s a list of plants that are virtually impossible to over-water:

Fittonia sp.

Fittonia are extreme divas in room conditions but perfect angels in a terrarium. They will not tolerate a missed watering day, they’ll immediately start to droop. If you’re lucky and you catch them in time they’ll perk up and go on like nothing happened, but the margin between this and irrevocable crisping is a slim one.

Ferns in general

Of course the details of care depend on the species, but most ferns prefer shade and hate to dry out. I usually water all of mine twice a week, and so far they are doing okay.

Dionaea muscipula - Venus flytrap (and most carnivorous plants)

Plants usually resort to eating animals when they live in bogs, where the soil is acidic and extremely poor in nutrients. What bogs also are, is wet, and so these plants need to literally stand in a pool of water all day, every day and are therefore quite literally impossible to over-water. (At least in the summer. Over-wintering depends on whether the plant is temperate or tropical.)

The only downside is that they are really sensitive to water quality. No minerals (and no fertilizer!) allowed, only rain or distilled water!

Marantha leuconeura

Honestly I’d say the entire Maranthaceae counts, but I only have experience with Marantha, and I’m told the rest (like Calathea) are more difficult. These, once you get the water right (twice a week for me), aren’t that bad. They don’t need a lot of light either.

What you do have to keep in mind, is to give them soft water - like collected rain water. They are sensitive to the minerals in the tap water and since they can’t properly secrete them, they’ll store them away in the tips of their leaves, which will thus crisp up.

Jewel orchids

The one I have (Macodes petola) does well in a shadier spot, in normal room conditions. I mean I do run a humidifier once a day, but it’s not in a terrarium. It’d do well in one though, so if you’re looking to furnish a terrarium, this is a good choice. The only thing you gotta keep in mind if you keep it out in your room is to always keep the soil moist.

Mimosa pudica

This is a fun and interesting plant, what with the cute moving leaves, but it is the divaest of all divas. On a sunny, dry summer day it may have to be watered twice a day, and it’ll go into hysterics, crisp up and throw leaves if you’re late by five minutes. The good news is that as long as you do get around to watering it, it’ll bring new shoots and keep growing, it’ll just litter your room with dead leaves in protest.

It also prefers lots of light.

Spathipyllum sp. - Peace Lily

Like ferns, these do well in shadier spots. If exposed to too much light, they’ll keep bringing small, light green leaves, but they’ll flower regularly. (They feel like their lives are in danger so they hurry to procreate before the end.) In the winter they need to be watered about once a week, in the summer more like every two days.

The nice thing about them is that they are very vocal about their needs but, unlike the Mimosa and the Fittonia, don’t immediately, irrevocably crisp up, they’ll just droop. Water them and they’ll perk right back up.

[justpottingaround]

A memorial to a good old orchid leaf:

I found this orchid on the side of the road, just as winter hit. You, dear orchid leaf, were one of the original leaves. Back then, the cat bit you when I wasn't looking. You both survived, of course. You have witnessed many blooms since then and the passing of your older leaflings. You were a shiny, vibrant, and robust leaf. You are still beautiful, even in death.

[thebloggerman]

Master Indoor Orchid Care | Essential Tips

[shutterandpencil]

"we blooms three"

By now, there are three blooms (the third being in the back). I'm still wondering if it's foreshadowing of something significant to come.

As noted in a previous post, "Polaris" hasn't bloomed since I got her.

[geek4theseeds]

Macodes Petola Orchid

I finally got my little jewel orchid🤪 Ive always wanted her because of her beautiful ‘lightning bolts’ variegation ;) I’m excited on her growth!

Lately i’ve been having issues about taking care of her and as you can see, her leaves are curlingggg like girl needs to straighten up! and as you can see in the middle, shes growing a new leaffff that’s so exciting! anyway i’ve been giving her what she needs so hopefully she gets better :)

[catchingdaydreams]

Beach Day!🏖️

Mithrun x Gardener Reader

Part 1 here to make sense of some stuff

Word count: idk 2000 ish.

Begrudgingly the summers heat over the island became too burdensome to work along your orchids for the past couple of days. It was particularly a good season too for your plum trees but this blistering heat made up unable to harvest at this time. Furthermore, you were more afraid of your friend and helper, Mithrun of passing out from heatstroke....again. And you really didn't want to spend the hot summer afternoon playing hide and seek, looking for him among the many acres that were bestowed onto you.

Staying indoors wasn't very productive either. The times that you don't work, you spend having tea with Mithrun in your green house. He had picked up a bit of a bad habit from trying to slowly regain his desires again. See he became very picky, stubborn even , noting that he only would rest and have tea in the same spot. Before you got well accustomed to him, you immediately chased him out with your broom when you first invited him into your home only for him to call it as quote " a poor shack that even the rats won't nest in". At the moment he still won't even step inside your home, despite your friendship blooming. The last mention of it, he made a puzzlingly looking expression. For a brief second you saw his ears twitch from his hair, catching flushed redness. But that could have been just your imagination.

Nevertheless the green house was out of the question, for it was way too hot to endure as well. As you were thinking of a way you would be spending your time with Mithrun today and an excellent idea popped into your head.

---------------------🍋--------------------

"The beach?" Mithrun mimicked, confused at your sudden suggestion. "Yeah! Why not. It's too hot to do anything today and I thought, what's something I haven't done in a long time and can escape this awful weather by doing it". Mithrun hummed, looking in deep thought. One might think by looking at him that he seemed completely uninterested. But you knew him long enough to at least pick up a few signs. There was curiosity in his eyes for the most part but hesitation pooled in.

" I don't think Cithis would agree with this. I'm not allowed to go near large bodies of water". Mithrun stated. There were many things he still wasn't allowed to do on his own anymore, not since the time he became a lord of the dungeon. Most rules he followed were for his health, both mentally and physically. Pattadol even bestowed you the rights to cut his hair. You thought it was strange at first until she quickly filled in on his situation and his not so past history with sharp objects. The elves method that cutting others hair was a sacred thing among family and close friends, that I should feel honored to do it. In reality you only do it as Mithrun had stopped anyone else from touching his hair , proclaiming that you did a better job at evening it.

In the moment you laughed at his response.

You found his statement kinda ironic too as he didn't care at all what the Canaries thought now, especially when he was wandering off to see you while they had no clue where he was. Your laughter was interrupted as he spoke again.

"I cannot swim either" he stated, this time a bit meekly, almost embarrassed. " Not with the ocean's current." You understood what he meant. His body was still too weak for physical endurance. That's why he uses magic most of the time for travelling to see you.

"that's fine, you should be alright if you just stick to the shallows. And even if you get swept away I can come rescue you!" You reassured Mithrun, grabbing his hand and giving a light squeeze.

"so you be my knight in shining armor then?" Mithrun says his usual monotone voice, but smiles.

"mmm probably not the shining armor part, I think I'll just sink to the ocean floor before reaching you" You joke, acting it out dramatically, pulling Mithrun down with you ever so slightly as you kept holding his hand.

He smile grows.

"Maybe a siren would be more befitting with you, y/n. Considering your dragging me down with you already. How monstrous." You just gently shove him at his response.

You quickly collect yourself and make way into your home, gathering up all the necessary equipment before coming back out. Interlocking your arms with his you say your ready to teleport there. And in a flash your gone.

....

"um Mithrun?"

"mmm?"

"this isn't the beach"

Looking around, Mithrun quickly took in that in fact this was not a beach but at the entrance of a dungeon.

"Oh, yeah I don't think this is the beach"

...

...

.......

"Mithan, the beach this time".

"Okey"

----------------------🍋-------------------

Several teleports later the two of you eventually find yourself along a secluded beach. You stretch as you take in the sea air. Already the coolness of the oceans breeze was doing wonders for you.

You sigh as you plob down your towels in the nearest shade. You pat a spot for Mithrun to sit and he follows instantly. From your supplies you carried along a picnic basket.

"thought we might eat first before we go for a swim. It's not what we usually have, but this is more fitting for this setting" you say as you take out various fruits and cheese you got from the market, alongside some cracker's and bread.

Mithrun ponders over the options before noticing something was missing. "No tea?" His ears dropped as he could not find is favorite lemon tea packed along with everything else.

You snort. "Oh Mithrun, that's something a bit hard for me to make. I know you can make the water boil with your magic and such but I wanted you to try something else. You'll be the first one to taste it too.

That seems to cheer him up a bit. More curious if anything.

Reaching into the basket you pull out a small flask and two shot glasses. Pouring the clear liquid in both you hand it to Mithrun. He inspects before taking a small sip. Instantly he gags at the strong flavor, quickly picking up a few sliced apples to get rid of the taste.

"mmm might be too strong" you ponder, taking the shot in one go like it was nothing to you.

"Wha-what that?"Mithrun rasps.

"oh! It's Pálinka, it's an alcoholic drink made from some of the plums I was able to harvest. Thought you might like it but maybe a cherry base would have been better for you considering you like sour stuff more. Mmm sorry ."

"no, no it's.....nice" He lies, he couldn't even hide the disgusted look on his face.

"welp more for me", you take the shot glass from him and down the hatch it went.

"I can handle alcohol". He says.

"I'm sure you can". You don't fully believe him, certainly not after that reaction.

In the corner of your eye, you see Mithrun quickly tries to grab the flask out of your hands but you are faster. "You don't need to prove yourself, Mith, it's an acquired taste that not many tall man ourselves like." You say placing the beverage back into the basket. He just grumbles in response, nibbling on the crispy apples.

"Besides we came for the beach not to get drunk". You say picking on some fruits before getting up and taking your top off, reviling swimwear undergarments. As you were about to take your pants off you heard a Mithrun breath heavy, as if he was holding on to it before. You didn't bother to glace over as you were too preoccupied folding your clothes.

"what?"

"nothing..." He quickly responds. It was in fact not nothing. He was lucky for you not to see his flushed shocked face as you stripped in front of him. He just managed to control his emotions in time as you turned around to place your clothes in the basket.

You just hummed at his response You didn't want to pressure him further on the matter. Besides you had other things to do Such as swimming.

You raced into the water, giggled at the relief it gave you from the summers heat. It was bliss. You call out to Mithrun stating the waters fine and to hop in with you.

He slowly gets up and trots to the waters edge. You know the whole beach thing was at the spare of the moment so Mithrun didn't have swim shorts with him so his pants would have to do. But as he entered the water you were quite puzzled as to why he didn't remove his long sleeved shirt.

"you're not taking your shirt off? It would be heavy to swim in it". The odds of him actually having trouble swimming would become higher if he kept it on. You went too fond of actually trying to save a drowning elf anytime soon.

Mithrun stopped, looking at you before quickly avoiding your gaze. A flash of emotion took his eyes. Pain, disgust and shame washed over.

"Im- you won't like it" he says, barely able to hear it.

"like what?" You say confused.

....

It took a few seconds before he spoke. As if unable to properly find the right words for what he was going to say next.

"My body. Isn't it right" it's a crit and vile tone as he spoke about himself.

You were still confused but concerned about how Mithrun was reacting. He took a glance at you and signed. He knew he didn't have to show it to you but he felt like he had no choice. Just let you see him and then you wouldn't bring it up again. You would be too disgusted anyway. He got over it and pulled his top partial up.

"Mith...."

You didn't know what to expect. His stomach was adorned with warped skin that twists and pulls looking like it never truly healed properly. His lanky and frail form was littered in scar, some thick and asymmetrical, some thin, some repeated over and over in the same spot. It made your heart drop. Not how it looked but how awful Mithrun must feel.

Your lack of silence stung even more for Mithrun. He wanted to leave right then and there but was too frozen. He didn't even hear your voice call out to him. He was in a haze, about to shut down until you cupped his cheek, making him properly look at you. His glassy eye bore in shock as he looked directly in yours, searching for disgusted in any way shape or form. But there was none.

"You can keep your top on if you want to , if that's what makes you feel comfortable. But I just want to let you know I'm not disgusted nor I would look down on you for it. Never ever. You're still my friend Mithrun and Im here for you. All your scars, it shows you are a survivor, so strong and determined to continue on despite dealing the bad hand.... Oh I'm not good with these types of things when it comes to words but I hope that helps-ah!"

Mithrun pulls you into a tightly hug. He nests his face in on your shoulder, a feeling of dampness is on your skin. Your hands reach out to rub his back, soothing him as his cries in front of you for the first time. You let him continue letting it out, until cries become sniffles.

"...Thank you" he says meekly, still holding onto you with the same force, as if scared that you would disappear if he let's go.

"Do you still want to swim with me ?"

He just nods into your shoulder.

You're the one that breaks the hug but your hands move to his own and intertwine them as you guide him into the deeper water.

"wait". He says and you pause. He let go of your hand for a quick sec, to take off his top completely, chucking onto the sand. You smile as he grabs it again giving it a squeeze to confirm to continue.

The two of you spend most of your time in the water, cooling off and not drowning. As pleasant as it was you wanted to do other beach style activities with Mithrun. He in fact cannot build a sand castle. He was being too much of a perfectionist and would redo his castle again and again. It didn't help that the tide was coming in a swept away at one less imperfect castle he made. Shortly after you decided to look for seashells before arriving back on your towels and finishing whatever food was left.

Both of you lay down on the towel, taking in the warmth. Neither of you said a word to each other but there was no need to. Everything felt content. It was a pleasant day, you felt, spending it with your friend made you all the more content. And as you both further basked, the greater ease of sleep fell onto both of you till eventually you're snoozing together on this summer afternoon. Truly peaceful as if nothing could go wrong.....

You both got sunburnt.

----------------------🍋-----------------

Phfft

"Oh my God, you look like a tomato!!" Fleki cackles as she slams her hands on the table, unable to control her fits of laughter as all the Canaries witness a very sunburnt Mithrun. She tired poking at his red skin but Pattadol swatted their hand away.

"Mmmm? He's not completely red though look there I think there are hand prints on his hips. Oh Mithrun you're not leaving much to the imagination are you. Quite Naughty~" Lycion giggled.

Mithrun shot him a glare.

"Well I think he's learnt his lesson. Next time please apply sunscreen." Pattadol stated as she applied aloa over his burnt back.

"I'm surprised he even took his shirt off, wasn't you with y/n? Usually you kick such a fuss about exposing your body even hiding your injuries from us. This is an odd change indeed" Otta says puzzled.

In the mist of all the chatting Mithrun turns his gaze to the only elf in the room who hasn't made some jab or snark comment about his appearance. Cithis smiles warmly at Mithrun, a sort of fondness like a mother has for a child. Deep down she knows something about Mithrun that he doesn't quite know himself yet.

"Did you have a fun day at the Beach, Mithrun?" She asks softly.

The group stops talking, all eyes are on him.

Mithrun ponders in deep thought. Recalling the events that took place today. The elves were shocked to see a cheshire cat like smile was plastered on his face as he gazed fondly into nothingness.

"Yeah, I think-no.... I know I did".

[Thanks for reading!]

This fic was just made up on the spot and was originally supposed to be a funny crack fic about Mithrun getting in all sorts of trouble at the beach in a comedic way. But as I kept writing I was like damn it's definitely not a crack fic. Anyway I am really happy with how this turned out.

[truevedicastrology]

🌿 Zodiac Plant Parent Guide

Green Thumbs in the Stars! 🌟

Ever wonder why your bestie's succulents thrive while yours wilt? The answer might be written in the stars! Let's explore which plants vibe with your zodiac energy and how to keep them thriving! 🔮🌱

♈ Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Perfect Plant: Cacti 🌵

Loves a challenge? Check!

Low maintenance? Double check!

Tip: Channel that fire energy into propagating new cacti babies!

�� Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Perfect Plant: Pothos 🍃

Lush and beautiful? Absolutely!

Easy to care for? You bet!

Tip: Create a cozy plant corner to satisfy your need for comfort and beauty.

♊ Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Perfect Plant: Air Plants 🍀

Versatile and adaptable? Totally you!

Minimal soil needed? Perfect for your busy lifestyle!

Tip: Try different display methods to keep things interesting!

♋ Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Perfect Plant: Peace Lily 🕊️

Nurturing and protective? Just like you!

Loves a humid environment? Think spa vibes!

Tip: Mist your peace lily regularly to create a soothing atmosphere.

♌ Leo (July 23 - August 22)

Perfect Plant: Sunflower 🌻

Bold and attention-grabbing? Definitely!

Loves the spotlight (aka sunlight)? Of course!

Tip: Plant sunflowers outdoors for a dramatic garden statement.

♍ Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Perfect Plant: Herbs 🌿

Practical and useful? Check and check!

Requires attention to detail? Right up your alley!

Tip: Start an indoor herb garden for fresh flavors and aromatherapy.

♎ Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Perfect Plant: Orchids 🌺

Elegant and balanced? Totally your style!

Appreciates beauty? Just like you do!

Tip: Display orchids in pairs for perfect symmetry.

♏ Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Perfect Plant: Venus Flytrap 🪰

Mysterious and intense? Absolutely!

Fascinatingly complex? You get each other!

Tip: Feed your Venus flytrap small insects for a truly immersive experience.

♐ Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Perfect Plant: Wandering Jew 🌿

Loves to spread and explore? Sounds familiar!

Easy to propagate? Perfect for sharing with friends!

Tip: Hang in a macrame planter for a boho travel-inspired look.

♑ Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Perfect Plant: Jade Plant 🪴

Symbolizes wealth and prosperity? You're all about success!

Long-living and sturdy? Matches your persistence!

Tip: Place in your home office for good financial feng shui.

♒ Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Perfect Plant: Tillandsia (Air Plant) 🍃

Unique and low-maintenance? That's so you!

Doesn't conform to traditional potting? Neither do you!

Tip: Create a terrarium with air plants for an out-of-this-world look.

♓ Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Perfect Plant: Ferns 🌿

Loves humidity and water? You're in your element!

Creates a dreamy atmosphere? Perfect for your imaginative nature!

Tip: Place in the bathroom for a spa-like, moisture-rich environment.

Remember, cosmic gardeners, these are just celestial suggestions! The best plant for you is the one that brings you joy and fits your lifestyle. 🌈🌱

What's your zodiac sign, and do you have a favorite plant? Share your cosmic gardening experiences in the comments! 💬✨

[pralinesims]

Give me ALL THEM TEAS for my love Devyn please <3 (but if i have to choose: oolong, matcha, chamomille and ginger)

why not... why not!!! These aren't too many questions, I think I'm actually gonna do them all?

Here we gooo~

What is your OC’s morning routine? Once he's awake, he usually gets up pretty early. Mostly showers before sleep, so that's one less problem to take care of in the morning. Needs a long, big breakfast, or else he riots. Always brushes his teeth after breakfast. If everything necessary is done, he'll prolly watch some TV or surf the internet until he has to go to work.

Does your OC like to read? What is their taste in books? He's more of a research guy, not much of a casual reader, but does like skimming through wikipedia pages to learn random useless facts.

Where does your OC feel most at home? Actually at home, especially with his girlfriend!

How does your OC decorate their space? Absolutely simple. Doesn't amass big amounts of decoration, likes to only leave a few pieces and pictures in spotlight and periodically switches them out depending on mood. Also dislikes most colors in his living space, so a bigger amount of the area is white or neutral. Likes grey, black and wood accents.

If your OC was a scented candle, what would they smell like? Laundry detergent, aloe vera and a hint of basil. Subtle, clean and effective, I'd say.

What is your OC’s comfort food/drink? Freshly brewed coffee ☕

What does your OC do when they’re stuck indoors for a day or two? Usually lazies up in bed and stays there the whole day for series marathons. If even those start to bore him, he might start sorting stuff or maybe even begin a cleaning spree.

What is your OC’s favorite piece of clothing? I feel like he'd pass away if he'd loss access to his hoodies. They're a big portion of what he wears, especially loves the ones steering into techwear direction. Very much needs comfy, practical clothes.

Does your OC like flowers? Which type of flower is their favorite? He's pretty neutral about flowers, doesn't much geek out over them. Likes orchids the most, especially the white ones, I'd figure he'd appreciate their sleekness.

What is your OC’s preferred little treat? Devyn loves some ice cream, ideally hazelnut praliné. Easily devours a whole pint in 15 minutes.

Does your OC have any bedtime habits or rituals? Not really, but taking a shower really is always the last thing before he goes to bed. Literally only omits these if he happens to be very sick.

How does your OC handle the cold? O.K. Really, okay. He mostly makes sure to wear thermal clothing, so he rarely struggles with being cold.

What kind of lighting does your OC prefer? Dim, bright, moody, secret fourth thing? If he's actively doing something, he very much prefers bright, illuminated light. Lights off for resting periods.

What does your OC do to relax? Going on walks or light jogs. These clear up his mind and help him to feel at ease.

What always brightens your OC’s day? Coffee (again, he really does love his hot bean water), a good supporting pillow, his girlfriend and whenever he receives random, well-thought out gifts.

[liketwoswansinbalance]

Rhian, drop your morning/night routine!

Rhian: In the morning, I don't "wake up" like most do. Instead, I simply get out of bed since I'm usually up all night attempting to fall asleep. Repose rarely overtakes me, and my mind's always reeling. I may have to commission a sleeping draught from a witch one day.

At this stage of the morning, Rafal is usually still out cold, and it doesn't matter how loud I am, so I listen to the morning Kingdom Council spellcast reports from a mirror I've ensorcelled at full volume and review the Putsi market trends as I start on my routine.

The Gillikin Gazette's updates about its ongoing cathedral construction are my favorites though—its flying buttresses rival Camelot's dated, heavier Romanesque designs. I only manage to catch those reports on Saturdays though since I have to be out of the tower and on my way at an early hour most days. Oh, and I tend to cast a spell, so my bed makes itself while I busy myself with more important tasks.

Firstly, I need my ermine slippers and silk dressing gown. I shower and usually start with a facial, rosewater, or whichever magical cure-all I'm currently using to remove my under-eye shadows with.

Though, Rafal's been a bother about the cucumbers I go through. He thinks I'll drain the Woods' supply and that he won't have any left for his sandwiches. Mind you, that isn't true in the least.

I use charcoal imported from Akgul to remove impurities of the skin, and that's been rather effective as of late. I also ice my pores, page through Maxine's progress reports, and keep tabs on the lackadaisical performers. Tracking's very important at a School like ours, you know.

On some occasions, I do my own makeup, but really, it seems to me that only the Evergirls care if they notice at all. These days, I've been fond of whipped beetroot tinctures and orchid cologne. Then, I arrange my hair, dress suitably for the day's activities in whichever clothes I pressed the night before, and polish my boots. I polish Rafal's too. He doesn't notice or care—thinks we're immune to disease and scrutiny—but he's missing the point. It's about image, of course. And I worry that he'll bring bird mites from his Stymphs indoors, and that would not only be unseemly for a School Master, but a disaster of inordinate proportions, even if our health isn't at risk. Think of the parent complaints we'd receive, if we had an infestation. The picket-lines would never end!

When I head out, Rafal's almost always still asleep, so I bring us back breakfast, and wake him then.

Well, I say "wake him," but rousing him isn't as simple as I've likely led you to believe. By now, it's turned into an awfully elaborate burlesque. I switch mirror channels to the Jaunt Jolie Music Hall's Cricket and Brass orchestra production of the day. If that fails, I bang a ladle on our breakfast's silver cloche over him. And if all else fails, I shout "FIRE," "INVASION," or even "PIRATES" if I'm desperate and running late, and that does the trick. I still haven't figured out if he's been deluding me though, or if it's his dreams that leave him with those horrid little grins.

Yet, this particular song-and-dance of sorts has been more of a recent development. His clarion-belled alarm clock from Geppetto's broke last month, and he hasn't had the time to replace it. The flight's a day's trip, and this new class of Nevers cannot be left alone for more than a day because he's sure there'll be either an outbreak of some pox or of some general pandemonium since he doesn't think I'm capable of maintaining order. I'm more than capable in truth.

We eat then, he in his pajama shorts and shirt and black stockings with the runs I chastise him about throwing out everyday, and me in my typical smart attire.

At the end, I wash up, sit, and wait for him to set the dishes to scrubbing themselves, comb his hair, and dress. After that, we split off to our respective sides for the day, and I see him again at dusk.

"Bye." or "Morning, brother." is as talkative as he gets at this time of day before he vanishes into the Tunnel of Trees or crosses the Halfway Bridge into the smog, unless he has a storybook victory to congratulate himself over or another point to bolster his side of an argument with—arguments I naively believed we'd already put to bed the night before.

After a full day of overseeing classes, Rafal legs it over the window sill when he returns and showers immediately when he gets back. Then, he grades papers and exams. On days when he's exhausted by puppeteering mock battle raids or Storian knows what he subjects those poor children to, he passes out in bed fully-clothed without showering, and showers in the morning.

All the while, I perform my nightly skin- and hair care routines, snuff out the candles, and get in bed with an eye mask, in my attempt to get a good night's sleep, often sooner than he goes to bed because he reads news updates and whatever musty tome he's tearing through late into the night.

Sometimes, I wake in the middle of a night terror and realize he's still up marking or reading or scheming, so I confiscate the candles at that point and force him to sleep. Rarely does he listen, and I've stopped bothering most of the time as he reads by the light of his fingerglow instead, contrary to all sound advice. He doesn't view sleep as necessary seeing as the Storian sustains us, but he has no sleep troubles, so I suppose that's an easy conclusion to form if you're him. The latest remedy I've resorted to is tucking lavender into my pillowcase, but I've had not a drop of luck.

[korcariiwitch]

oc(s) meme. ✨

Tagged by: @laezels! Tysm for the tag! <3

(So uhhhh I decided to fill this out for both my OCs, since I haven't really posted much for Skora and needed to flesh both of them out more, so umm don't mind me 🖤)

name: velwyn melarn name: skora aldisian

nickname(s): vel, v, wynnie (hates the last one though) nickname(s): kora, sko, allie

pronouns: she/her pronouns: she/her

star sign: scorpio star sign: virgo

height: 5' 4" / 162.5cm height: 5' 9" / 175.2cm

orientation: pansexual orientation: pansexual

race: drow (bhaalspawn) race: half-elf (sun elf/human)

romancing: astarion romancing: shadowheart (might be karlach depending on how her playthrough goes 👀)

fave fruit: cherries. fave fruit: dates.

fave season: less so a favorite season and more so she likes whenever there's a storm going on. something about the feeling of the rain/snow on her skin feels invigorating and the catharsis of everything being washed away. fave season: winter, preferably indoors and cooped up next to a hearth.

fave flower: orchids (ones that grow in the dark especially). fave flower: irises and hyacinths.

fave scent: iron, mint, and eucalyptus. fave scent: sea salt and cedar wood.

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: coffee to compensate for the lack of rest most days. prefers it black with a minimal amount of sugar. coffee, tea or hot chocolate: many various types of teas. she's a bit of a snob about it actually (affectionate).

average sleep hours: it would be the standard 4 hours of trance, if not interrupted nightmares or the debilitating migraines brought on by suppressing her bloodthirsty urges. average sleep hours: skora is adept at quieting her mind and can reliably/consistently get six hours of sleep even under the most dire of circumstances.

dogs or cats: quasits, owlbears, intellect devourers. pre-events of the game it wasn't sustainable for durge to have pets, and she finds herself drawn to the more unconventional ones. dogs or cats: skora has a fondness for dogs, having grown up with many hunting dogs in her youth.

dream trip: pre-tadpole there was no point in dreaming of travel for pleasure, outside of her father's vision of a world covered in corpses. post the events of the game i think she'd just like to see more of the world beyond what the underdark/bhaal's temple has to offer her. dream trip: i think she'd like to return home to the isle she is from, she hasn't been there since childhood due to ~certain events~ and i think having a partner/friends in tow might help make that journey palatable.

amount of blankets: it doesn't matter how many you put on her because there's a 98.7% chance she's going to end up kicking them off at some point. secretly, velwyn prefers the compression of her partner acting as weighted blanket. amount of blankets: one, no more than two. barely moves in her sleep and wakes up in the morning with the blankets exactly where she left them the night before.

random fact(s): velwyn ❤️

velwyn is quite the sketch artist, and she keeps a journal (almost like a book of shadows) in the game chronicling her journey. some of the sketches can be a bit disturbing, though, especially if she's a fondness for the subject. (e.g. a rather gruesome sketch of astarion because she didn't know what to do with her feelings towards him)

fluent in common, undercommon, elvish, deep speech and knows some abyssal and infernal as study for a certain heist.

likes to collect weird shit for study and experimentation later. has led to some 'accidents' around camp during the squad's downtime.

knows how to stitch wounds together exceptionally well, will stubbornly insist upon patching herself up half the time until she becomes more comfortable with the concept of other people taking care of her.

enjoys being challenged and called out on her own shit by others, even if she'd never admit that.

random fact(s): skora 💙

fluent in common, gnomish, celestial, primordial, elvish, draconic and also knows common sign language.

knows how to sail from her family's business, but actually gets incredibly sea sick.

while in school, she double majored in abjuration and divination with minors in illusion and necromancy magics.

has an astigmatism but refuses to 'correct it' with magic, so she'll pull out glasses while reading.

she has a natural calming presence and a quiet confidence, she doesn't feel the need to gloat but will put someone in their place if pushed.

No pressure/obligation tagging: @anderwelt, @malewife-mansplain-magus, @topaz-carbuncle, @phasebun, @starryjuicebox, @elminsters, @vspin, @tavsboots @asharaks, @bhaalbaaby and anyone else who sees/wants to do this!

[finniestoncrane]

uhh the riddlers reactions/opinion on their s/o having a pet rat? Or just an uncommon pet

Uncommon Pet

Riddler Headcanons ok anon i think overall the riddlers would LOVE an uncommon pet that they can spill facts about, so when i was writing this... they all kinda felt the same way! and i didn't want to write nothing, so i thought ok which weird pet would they each prefer? and so i gave all the riddlers uncommon pets instead i hope that's ok! request info • prompt list • send me a request • kofi • masterlist minors DNI!! 🔞 cw: fluff, snakes, spiders, birds, rodents, uh fish?

zero year

he needed a pet that made potential partners go "ooooh" or "eeeeh" or "aaaaaaah"

just something that made them think he was different

dangerous and cool maybe?

and also represented his obsession with phallic symbols

so he is 100% a snake boy

and he will ask if you want to see or stroke his snake and then make horrible suggestive puns afterwards

but he's actually a complete sweetie with his little serpent baby(s)

calls himself their daddy, makes weird comments about how they're just like him when he feeds them mice (like it's obvious he's making some comment about predator and prey but it's weird)

he's not a fan of using them as a prop, so he won't be seen out with them around his neck and using them as a symbol of fear

just in case they get hurt or stressed

gotham

oh ok he is absolutely a bug boy for sure

insects have always been his jam, they are his childhood hyperfixation

man was in love (me too ed) with grissom from csi and wanted to be an entemologist at one point

he got bullied a lot for his love of insects at school, but he found comfort in them

the lesser creatures that were killed without thought

he's owned a variety of different bugs over the years

never any arachnids (too scary)

his favourites were his orchid mantis, his hermit crab, and the butterflies he helped to coccoon one year

right now he's super into snails

he has two giant african snails that he loves with all of his little soul called dill and pickle because of their slight and unusual greenish hue, which is why he chose them duh

arkham

i think i got this exactly right, because he could have had rats, he could have any number of the night time trash animals actually

but he wouldn't have a pet intentionally

it would have to be something that kind of existed in the same space as him, that he vaguely related to

that he caught doing it's thing one night and it just resonated him as their little eyes caught one another and they slowly went back to their own sneaky business

and that's how he ended up becoming the reluctant but semi-caring not-really-an-owner of imp, the possum

he doesn't live indoors with eddie, and he comes and goes as he pleases

but he frequents the dumpster right outside the entrance to the water company

and eddie feeds him leftover scraps and sometimes buys him enrichment toys from pet shops if he's feeling particularly soft

imp probably has some kind of disease, so eddie has never petted him, but he secretly wants to (he could keep his gloves on!)

but it's fine, he sees him more of a colleague anyway, one that is comparatively intellectually equal given how many times he broke into the dumpster

telltale

you know what, i didn't think he would be into pets

and then i looked into his eyes and though

spider boy

something creepy, that is misunderstood but so valuable to society, there's a lesson in there for people to learn about him

slender, poised, quick and strong but nimble

he has a definite preference for the more dangerous species

anything poisonous or completely deadly is something he would be keen to add to his 'collection' at some point

he's spent a lot of time learning how to handle them carefully and respectfully and sees them as little works of art more than pets

and he won't let anyone else touch them or handle them, because no one can be trusted with them

so there's an element of feeling towards them there, definite admiration of his little beasties

unburied

he went into a pet shop and said "what's the spiciest, littlest thing i can get that is also cute"

and he walked out with four terrapins and everything he'd need to give them the best little domestic life possible

they're weird but cute, and so small, but they bite

and he looks at them all the time with adoring eyes like

"they're just like me u-u"

plus he likes how many facts come with terrapins, and that cute thing they do when they stack themselves on top of each other

plus they are absolute catnip for partners

those terrapins have got his dick sucked more than he imagines a puppy would have

hot people like cute sea creatures, who would have thunk it?

but aside from them being a magnet for potential partners, they are also his pride and joy

twojar

ok so he wwanted a tiger, he thought that would be cool as fuck

strong red head just like him? perfect!

but the idea of catwoman on his ass about it put him off

plus having to tame a wild beast? he'd hate for someone to do that to him *wink wink omg shut up eddie*

then he wanted a komodo dragon, cos dragon >:)

but he settled on a monitor lizard, one that had been rescued from some terrible place that had no idea how to care for them properly

and now it lives like a spoiled poodle

it has it's own bed and free range rule of his office

and he swears that it responds to it's name and kisses him on command, which is debatable but god help you if you say anything

he also denies letting it sleep in his bed with him but... yeah

dano

duh, rats, but i think we all knew that

i think it fits him well though

they're misunderstood, they have blame placed on them for things they didn't do (looking at you black plague)

they're the villains of every city, more so than the other pests

but they're geniuses, so clever, capable of intense emotions and acute reasoning

but to look at them, people are either scared or don't think twice

and that's how eddie has lived his life

so taking comfort in knowing that he's there with them, the other outcasts

two lonely creatures sharing in each others space, and their intelligence, and their sadness, and their inevitable entrapment

it's very on-brand for him

btaa

no campy little crime artist would be a true villain if not for his stereotypical dangerous pet

and he really did his research, trying to think about what would be the coolest to have

and which ones weren't already in use by other villains

because god forbid he look like some copycat hack

which is how he ended up with his dramatic fish tank filled with his precious pirahnas

they're an exccellent threat, they're a wonderful water feature

and he genuinely has a lot of feelings towards them

plus the looming threat of having to clean their tank out keeps miss tuesday in line... kind of

also, he's found that people really like the way he rolls his "r" on pirrrrhana

plus he likes how his desk looks in front of it, the lighting really brings out his skin tone and how bright his eyes are

young justice

his desire for companionship and someone to chit chat with

something to stave off the loneliness, to satisfy the need for friendship

and more importantly, that won't leave him or abandon him any time soon

so, while it's not super unique, it is kind of uncommon

that he has a precious little african gray parrot waiting for him at home when he's been beaten up by children

or hogtied by children

or imprisoned by children

or mocked by children

there's someone waiting for him who depends on him

and he doesn't love anything more than his little bird friend

[hiding-in-my-blanket-fort]

I always kill my plants :((((. I only have a monstera plant that I’ve just been propagating but all my plants are turning yellow 😭😭

Nooo! That's not good news!!

If you want pointers (???), it could be a few simple fixes. I don't know what plants you have, but the fact that they're all yellowing means something funky is going on.

Overwatering

Most of the time, yellowing has to do with overwatering. I'm TERRIBLE with overwatering! I drowned a haworthia because of it. So I try to pick plants that appreciate/can tolerate a bit more moisture.

(I've still managed to acquire a handful of cacti, because apparently I didn't learn my lesson! I haven't killed them yet...)

If you're being a bit zealous with the watering routine, it might be leading your plants to suffer. That would explain the yellowing leaves.

Improper drainage in your soil

Your soil might not be draining properly, which leads to rot. I've had this problem with the regular ol' Miracle Grow potting soil you get from the grocery store (I still use it though because it's convenient).

Especially for indoor plants, this can be a problem because they don't get the same air circulation and bug movement that helps to aerate the soil that they would get in the wild.

You might need to add some roughage to the soil so it will drain better. Like sand or perlite.

I had an old bag of orchid bark mix in my basement, so I threw that into my potting mix. It worked really well!

(My swiss cheese vine appreciated the extra drainage. It was turning yellow in the plain soil, but the orchid bark mix addition helped to perk it up and put out some new leaves!)

Root rot

If you've been overwatering, or if your soil hasn't been draining properly, your plants might be experiencing root rot. If that happens, you can still save them!

Get them out of that soil and replace it with fresh stuff. Check for a rotten smell and squishy roots. Cut away any damage.

Repot it in fresh, dry soil, and it has a chance of recovery after a few weeks!

Not watering enough

If you forget to water your plant babies, and they're super dry, that could lead to yellowing as well!

Not enough light

Are your plants getting enough light indoors? My ferns didn't like being indoors and started to turn yellow despite being near a window. I got a grow light for them and they're doing much better.

Pests

Do you see any signs of pests? Aphids? Scales? Mealy bugs? They can cause yellowing as they feast on your plants. They can also easily infest and spread, which would explain why all of your plants are effected.

I hope some of that helped! It's so disheartening to see your plants struggle when all you want to do is care for them and watch them thrive! Whatever the problem is, I hope you can get your plants onto a road for recovery soon! 💚

[elminx]

2024 Planty Update: Year in Review

Background: Prior to March 2020, my partner and I had a few houseplants: two spider plants, an african violet, lucky bamboo, a coleus, some sort of ivy, and a couple of succulents. We started collecting Sansevieria and two "Corn Plant" Dracaena early in the pandemic. Then, during the summer of 2022, I caught the houseplant bug. HARD. (Yes, it was a Monstera) That same winter, my partner was working full-time and taking classes, so I became the primary plant carer in our household.

As of October 2024, I am caring for 50 "indoor" houseplants. I am putting "indoors" in parentheses because many of my plants live outside for the warm season (about half of my collection). This currently includes a tiny English Lavender plant that was in a pot and too small to be transplanted and survive the winter. It also includes an entire pot of lemon seedlings, which I will need to rehome sometime soon.

My "permanent collection" includes 12 Hoya, 11 Dracaena (Corn Plants, Lucky Bamboo, and Snake Plants), 3 Begonia (two cane and one rex), 3 African violets, 2 Philodendron, 2 Schlumbergera, 2 Scindapsus, 2 pothos, a Spider Plant, an Aloe vera, a Gasteria, a tiny jade plant, a lemon we are trying to bonsai, a Discidia, a cyclamen, a Monstera adensonaii, a fishbone cactus, and a Pepperomia.

For the most part, this was a great growing season, and my plants are doing very well. The spider plant and Philo Basil are being rehabbed for root rot issues, and my Hoya publicalyx is still outside because it's got aphids.

My goals for 2024 were:

Figure out how to get my Philodendron "Painted Lady" to grow well (done)

Learn to trellis Hoya in an attempt to tame them (done)

Grow my Golden Pothos up my wall (failed and rehomed)

Master trimming cane Begonias (eh - I mostly just let them grow)

Flowers on my Hoya (success, sort of, though not the expected one)

Work on coleus care (eh, its just really not an inside plant but my partner insists on keeping it)

"the great repotting" (done)

Over summer my cyclamen successfully (done)

Turn my front porch into an outside growing space (done)

I also wanted to try out different-leaved Hoyas, a Philodendron Brasil, and possibly a Rhypsalis. I ended up with the Philo (see above: that's not going well), a Hoya linearis, and two smaller-leaved Hoyas. Instead of a Rhypasalis, I got a fishbone cactus.

My favorite houseplants for the growing season are as follows (in no particular order:

Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' wins for Biggest Surprise as it grew two nearly white leaves.

Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' wins for Prettiest Leaves because those silver speckles leaves are outstanding.

Philodendron erubescens "Painted Lady" wins for Best Glow Up because it was on the struggle bus last spring and is now growing leaves out of their own cataphylls (a sign of maturity).

Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii' (formerly Sanserveria trifasciata) wins for Best Form because, wow, it looks like the perfect sculpture.

Hylocereus undatus 'Dragon Fruit Cactus' wins for Biggest Weirdo because it so wild.

Honorable mention goes to a two-way tie for Best Plant Pot Combo, with my NOID African Violet in its perfect pink pot and my Hoya 'Mathilde' cascading like a dream out of its mushroom pot.

My favorite genus is Hoya, followed by a tie between Scindapsus and Begonia. As a general grouping of plants, I prefer epiphytes and semi-epiphytes. I'd love to add more jungle cacti and an orchid or two to my collection. But for now, I am completely out of room, and (most) of my houseplants will keep growing!

[anthologiemystika]

Orchids: Their Care and Use in Magic

Orchids are by far my favorite flower and for many reasons. They are beautiful, easy to purchase (you can usually find full grown orchids at your local florist or supermarket), and come in some of the most dazzling colors in creation. They are also one of the more overlooked magical flowers to use. Below I will go over the uses, care of, and nature of these picky little beauties.

One of the best thing about Orchids is they are an indoor plant not typically associated with witchcraft, which is perfect for those in the broom closet!

Uses

Orchids are a water element plant with power in both the Venus and Aquarius signs. Orchids are associated with the gods Bacchus and Pan. During a celebration of Bacchanalia, the celebrants killed the son of a satyr. When the satyr prayed to the gods to be given pity, his son was given eternal life and turned into an Orchid, which is how they came to be. Orchids are mainly used in love spells, however are also good for communication. Giving an orchid to a person is said to help put romantic energy into movement. The tubes that hold the flowers, once dried, can be turned into powerful amulets for love. Orchids are also good for contacting the spirit realm, as well as for letting your loved one know you are thinking of them. Overall Orchids are a wonderful flower and plant to use for any spell to contact someone you love either living or dead, help grow new love, and help create peace and harmony in a given space.

Care

So Orchids are a bit picky to everything, too much water and their roots rot, too much light and they burn. Do not put them in soil!!! They require a bark and peat mixture to grow as they breathe through their roots. Water them once a week or so by letting running water flow through the bark and drain, only for a few moments. Alternatively, you can soak them in a small layer of water for about 15 minutes. DO NOT USE ICE TO WATER!! This is a common misunderstanding and can lead to damage to the roots! Place them in a well lit room with no direct sunlight. The room also needs to be able to get to complete darkness overnight as Orchids are one of the few plants that need to “sleep”, by not being in a dark enough room for about 7 hours a night, they could die. When the last few flowers fall off, cut the stem tube they grew from off but leave the rest of the plant. The stem tube can be dried and used for amulets and talismans and, as long as you continue taking care of the plant under the right conditions, they will bloom again and again (I have had mine for close to 5 years now!). There are many subspecies of Orchids, some may be toxic to pets if ingested. Please always do your research before adding them to your home for your furry friends.