Hope this is OK to post - sometimes the pests are living right under our noses!

A young community dedicated to balcony gardening.

Show off that vertical veggie garden 35 stories high. Or that bucket of potatoes you’re proud of. Perhaps some fall mums that have been catching your eye through the sliding door into your living room. Any and all balcony gardens are welcome! Come and show your’s off because we love to see it. :)

We also welcome ideas, tips, and items which have helped you in your balcony gardening journey. No balcony? Feel free to join in with your container garden with limited space too!

After many moons and many houseplants. I've managed to keep one alive long enough to get a baby snek.

Just need to watch how I water it.

Hi, I was just gifted this cute gasteria. Should I remove those little offshoots to give the mother plant more room? And if yes how do I do that without causing damage?

Lots of south facing light from the left. I'm guessing pothos or ivy.

Especially looking for advice of support/infrastructure

Thanks

Repotted it into a 5gal bucket because large pots are pricyyyy. This tree is about 5 years old and has made hundreds of props that inhabit friend's houses around town.

Rhypsalis burchellii. Can somebody help me with this little guy? It's loosing more and more branches. I put it in a warm living room, no change. I out it in a cooler room, nothing. I'm watering it about once a week and the soil dries in between.

The other month I asked for some help choosing plants for my boyfriend's birthday. Many thanks for all the suggestions! I decided to go for a Philodendron Plowmanii and a Jewel Orchid. They came as unpotted plants, so I just wanted to check that I've potted them correctly.

I put some clay pebbles at the bottom and then filled the rest with multi use compost. I made some little holes in the soil and gently placed the plants in, then covered up their roots.

Will they be ok like that, until next week when I can gift them? How much water should I give them?

Thanks for your help :)

Don't be afraid of the little reagent kits, they're easy to use and accurate and cheap! Think of them like little science kits. :)

I've never kept these indoors. It should be interesting to see how they do.

I ordered these seeds after seeing Amorphophallus borneensis at the Hortus botanicus Leiden.

The stem develops a pink coloration with dark green, black, and white patches. I don't think an image does justice to them, but here is one I found:

I think that this one is a difficult one to grow in an Amsterdam apartment, so I'm happy that they have gotten to this stage. Hopefully I'll get them to adulthood to be able to enjoy their beauty. Any tips on growing exotic tropical species like this one is welcome! I have a few other species and several failed attempts.

Before anyone else thinks that growing this is a good idea, be warned that these plants produce very foul-smelling giant flowers. Personally, I think that's part of the experience 😜

(Images of the adult plants are not mine, you can find the original source by clicking on them. Second image takes you to where I bought the seeds from.)

Some big dumby with my name (T'was me) posted earlier this week with a totally not correct way to propagate ficus elastica (rubber tree, tineke) from a leaf. So anyway here is the proper way to prop it with pictures.

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• Step one: mark where you would like to make your first cut (i use a loose zip tie). This cut will make the mother tree bush out at the highest node. Plan ahead, and make your cut.

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• Step two: process the props by cutting up from the bottom every 2 leaf nodes. leave 4-6 leaves/nodes at the very end of the piece (this last chunk is your reward, you are doing great).

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• Step three: Remove the lower leaf entirely from each piece, and the lowest 2-3 leaves on the largest piece.
  

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Step four: dip the bottom of your cuttings into rooting hormone. Be generous.

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• Step five: firmly grasp your new cutting and gently cram them into the pot you forgot to fill up with a fast draining potting soil before you started. Be sure to completely cover the lower node and keep the dirt about as high as the remaining leaf-node.

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• Step six: Put the smaller props in any excessively humid environment where they can still get some indirect light. I use my favorite clear tote under a canopy, lightly sealed. Keep the soil moist.

Roots should form in 6-12 weeks. Some may take a long time, some may die. I'd bet youre glad you made 5 now, huh?

If you know what to do with all these leaves please let me know;

…and after:

It's quite big too!

I'm so happy with these guys. Sometimes it feels like hard work to keep on top of but it's worth it in the end.

TL;DR: apparently the management at my apartment complex considers plants to be "Seasonal decoration." Here's the email chain:

My landlord: You are in violation of your lease with the condition of your patio/deck area. The only thing allowed on your porch is patio furniture. Correct the issues shown in the attachment ASAP! If you have any questions please contact the property Manager M-F 9 am – 5 pm.

Thank You from our office staff and maintenance team! [Attached photo: My balcony seen from below, showing my one plant.]

Me: I've just re-read my lease agreement and could not find the clause you are referring to. The closest thing I could find is this, from the Community Rules Addendum, Use of Unit and Common Areas:

"3. It is the Tenant’s responsibility to keep balconies and patios in a clean and orderly condition. Storing of cartons, garbage, boxes, appliances, or other visually objectionable items on the patio or balcony is prohibited. Clotheslines or clothes hanging over balconies are not permitted. Hanging clothes and towels out to dry or use of the patio or balcony as a general storage area is not permitted. Seasonal and holiday decorations are not allowed without prior written permission from Landlord. If allowed, seasonal and holiday decorations must be reasonable, must not interfere with or disturb other tenants’ quiet enjoyment of the Community, and must be promptly removed within a reasonable time after the holiday, not to exceed 14 days or as otherwise directed by Landlord. Grilling or barbecuing is not permitted on balconies or patios."

It does NOT say "The only thing allowed on your porch is patio furniture," nor does it make any mention of prohibiting plants. If you are referring to another clause, please let me know.

My landlord: While there is no direct mention of potted plants, they fall under the category of seasonal and holiday decoration.

Potted plants are considered seasonal items not currently permitted by the property manager. If you would like to, you may stop by our leasing office during the week to speak with the property manager regarding the use of unit and common areas.

Me: Plants are not "seasonal and holiday decoration." They are plants. They do not get put away for the winter, they do not celebrate a holiday, they just sit there. All year long. If potted plants are not permitted, then the lease agreement needs to be rewritten to reflect that. The lease which I signed does not prohibit potted plants.

My landlord: If you have any comments or concerns regarding use of unit common areas, please stop by our leasing office to speak directly with our property manager.

Me: If you have any further concerns, please contact me via email. Otherwise, I consider this matter resolved.

Thank you for your understanding

(That last email was sent after closing time. I guess I'll find out tomorrow how that goes over.)

Really proud of this little guy. Just over a year ago he got dropped off a shelf and was in pretty rough shape. Salvaged what I could and stuck it back in a pot. Wasn't expecting much but here we are now!

This is what he looked like last July:

My newest plant. I just love the look of this little fella. :)

I especially like this leaf