24 January 2008

Request for reader help (with my new "relationship")

Two days ago I began my re-entry into the world of relationships. Now, don't get me wrong, I have zero interest in dating. My boss gave me crap about this today (and the fact that I don't believe in Valentines Day), but the truth is that for once in my life I'm putting myself first. It's a time in my life when I am starting over in my career, education, and locale, so I have my hands full with me and ensuring that my next few months in New York remain as pleasant (and exploration-filled) as possible. But I do know that my relationships in the past, specifically the recent past, haven't exactly been the healthiest. Was it Oscar Wilde who said "each man kills the thing he loves"? This was always a great fear of mine, since I feel like I'm always destroying valuable relationships, whether consciously or unconsciously. I am always aware of the fact that my behavior has the potential to ruin the things I hold most dear. Forgive the quote again...but "I say there's trouble when everything is fine; the need to destroy things creeps up on me every time" (that's Rilo Kiley. Not the most literary, I know, but still great).
So, I'm not interested in dating right now...so how have I re-entered the realm of relationships? Well, with Cynthia. Cynthia is my new hyacinth plant. There is logic here-- see, I am a plant killer. Proven. I have killed plants I didn't even know could be killed. So if I'm terrified of killing the things I love...well why not start by loving the things I've killed? If I can start by making this plant thrive against all odds...well then, I think that's a step in the right direction. Plus, she's pretty.
That said, she is very obviously starting to lean (you can see it in the photo above). The flowers are so heavy that they just keep falling to the side. I'm afraid that it's already going to die! I've been watering it, but I don't want to over-water...and I've been rotating the plant so that different sides are exposed to the light. Does anyone have any advice? Am I supposed to prop it up? How much water is enough, and how much is too much? PLEASE help me not to be a disaster! That said, COMMENTS PLEASE!

6 comments:

Jamie Lovely said...

I'm totally a plant killer! I'm no help :(

Joanna Goddard said...

i love cynthia! sadly, i kill all my plants, so, like jamie, i am no help. good luck xoxo

Chelsea said...

It should be damp all the time, but never soggy or the bulb will rot. This is a bulb so it's not going to last a super long time. Let the flowers do as they are and prop up the ones that are falling over. It should last a few more weeks. You can always cut those heavy flowers off and put them in a vase. You can store the bulbs, etc... they usually go dormant for like 6 mos and then you can replant if you want to. Hope that helps:)

Alya said...

Prop the plant against a book or a bookstand so that it doesnt bend over, and instead hits something so its forced to move upwards.

What I do when I grow herbs, which have a tendency to grow in a specific direction too, is to surround them by long thin wooden sticks (u can use chopsticks, and then fence them in using gardening string or wire. It'll keep them in place. It works for me, hope it works for u too!

This isnt an expert gardening tip, just a tip from someone who improvise a lot ;)

Chele said...

Thats why I have cats..I am afraid of digs and plants because they need caretaking, cats are easier to fool myself.

As for the plant my mom has gone orchid crazy and her number one rule is always water in the morning, no other time. Im not sure how this applies to other plants but she gave me strict instructions about this.

Maxie said...

I love those plants :-)

I think that if you prop it up and put it near a window it will grow towards the window...so i guess turn it around so it would make it straight again.

Honestly, who knows... I'm not very good with the plant thing either.