I know what you are thinking. You've tried everything. You followed the instructions. You watered. The plant got the proper light and temperatures. The soil was fine. You talked to the little plant and coaxed it along. You've been good. And the plant still withers away. In this case, it really wasn't your fault.
Yes, I know I scolded you in earlier columns and told you it was your fault, but that was before you started to pay attention to what you were doing and before you started thinking like a plant. No, in some cases, there is just nothing you can do.
Have you ever tried to be friends with someone and, despite your best efforts and intentions, it just didn't work out? Have you ever had a disaster in the kitchen, and created a meal that had to go right into the trash? How about a stain on your best shirt that just won't come out? These are all examples of Murphy's Law: Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. It happens with plants, too.
If you really have tried everything, and the plant refuses to respond, try putting it up for adoption. Give it to a friend, or put it out by the street with a signs that says "free to good home". Your goals is to minimize your efforts and go find a plant that isn't, uh, broken.
Don't feel bad. It happens to many people. Blame the plant, not yourself, and move on. In other words, don't give up. Just find another plant that you think will grow under the conditions you have, and try, try again.
It really wasn't your fault.
Lesson 10: Plants Are Good For You
|
More on this topic:
Index
They're Alive
Water!
Dirt!
Light!
Experiment
Rescues
Learning More
Bugs and Diseases
It Really Wasn't Your Fault
Plants Are Good For You
Four Year Basil and Other Oddities
Now You Garden
Enjoy our new hobby: digital photography!
Autumn Color
August Sun
|
