Haven’t written a blogpost in a while – I guess I’ve been distracted with settling into a new rhythm – much has changed in the move from Scotland to the Netherlands. But the beat of the rain and frosty chill outdoors create the perfect weather for writing while cosying up at home. Dus: hello, Hive. And hello, specifically, the 
Moving countries is becoming increasingly difficult - what with the things you accrue and friendships you make along the way. The older you get the more you invest in both, and the less transitional your body and mind want to be. I suppose your values change.
Regarding this “state of” or “desire for” permanency, I thought I’d follow up my stekjesroute post by starting a bit of a progression catalogue… of my varied collection. Which, I hope, to see mature enough to fill a house of my own in the coming years. Friends (and 'T Hierder Stekje) have provided cuttings and clippings from many different houseplants, which I’ve been hoarding in jars along my windowsill. An outpouring of TLC has helped these babies mature quite nicely over the last month - they’ve now reached a somewhat “healthy” state. I believe I can now initiate a dedicated HIVE-based plan for record-keeping. And this brings us back full circle, because watching plants grow nicely balances my own search to establish roots and thrive, haha.
So, shall we table them? And see how they develop over the years? I’ve already potted a handful –
Date: 12.10.2024
| Name | Source | Location | Size (mm) | State - waarnemingen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peperomia alborittata - Peperomia Frost | 'T Hierder Stekje 07.09.24 | Yellow teacup jar, windowsill over heater | 32 | Good |
| Musa - Banana Plant | Colleague 11.10.24 | White D&K ceramic pot, windowsill over heater | 63 | Moderate |
| Coleus decurrens gürte - Coleus | Colleague 10.09.24 | Terracotta pot, windowsill over heater | 307 | Healthy |
| Nerium oleander - Oleander Rose | 'T Hierder Stekje 31.08.24 | Blue nursery pot, windowsill over heater | 110 | Healthy, slightly yellowing |
| Tradescantia pallida - Purple Heart | Colleague 11.10.24 | Grey nursery pot, windowsill over heater | 72 | Healthy |
| Coleus hadiensis - Cubaanse oregano | Colleague 01.09.24, potted 05.10.24 | Terracotta pot, windowsill over heater | 72 | Healthy |
| Spattiphyllum - Peace Lily | 'T Hierder Stekje 31.08.24 | Grey ceramic pot, bookshelf | 507 | Withered – was above heater, recently moved to bookshelf |
| Graptopetalum paraguayonse - Ghost Plant | 'T Hierder Stekje 31.08.24 | Terracotta pot, windowsill over heater | 72 | Healthy, bottom leaf drooping |
| Setoria pumila - Yellow Foxtail | Colleague 01.09.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 160 from roots | Healthy |
| Geoppartia louisae - Prayer Plant | Colleague 11.10.24 | Brown nursery pot, windowsill over heater | 88 | Healthy |
| Hoya carnosa - Honey Plant | Colleague 01.09.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 195 from roots | Healthy |
| Monstera adansonii - Swiss Cheese Plant | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 416 from roots | Healthy |
| Begonia maculata - Polkadot begonia | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 187 | Healthy |
| Gasteria cavinata - Roundtip Aloe | Colleague 01.10.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 93 from roots | Recently plucked, roots not growing yet |
| Aloe arborescens - Candelabra Aloe | Colleague 01.10.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 72 from roots | Recently plucked, roots not growing yet |
| Crassula ovata - Jade Plant | Colleague 01.10.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 80 from roots | Recently plucked, roots not growing yet |
| Dracaena angolensis - Cylindrical Snake Plant | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 195 from roots | Healthy |
| Crassula multicava - Cape Province Pygmyweed | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 204 from roots | Healthy |
| Unknown | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 127 from roots | Moderate |
| Hylotelephium sieboldii - Siebold’s Sedum (possibly) | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 110 from roots | Healthy |
| Hedera canaeriensis - Madeira Ivy | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 305 from roots | Healthy |
| Tradescantia fluminensis - Wandering Jew | Colleague 01.09.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 197 from roots | Healthy |
| Hoya carnosa - Honey Plant | Colleague 01.09.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 205 from roots | Moderate – browning at base |
| Pilea peperomioides diels - Pannenkoekplant | Colleague 01.09.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 120 from roots | Healthy |
| Begonia maculata - Polkadot begonia | Colleague 11.10.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 115 | Healthy |
| Epipremnum dureum - Golden Pothos | Colleague 01.10.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 185 | Healthy |
| Tradescantia fluminensis vell - Wandering Jew | Colleague 31.08.24 | Glass jar, windowsill over heater | 20 from roots | Not sure if alive or dead |
This is my record, to date. I'm curios to see which plants will survive the winter months, although I've been told that so long as I keep the room at a temperature of 19/20 degrees all should be fine. It does get pretty cold here in the Netherlands though...
I'm predicting plenty more flora will join the table, or leave the table - houseplants truly are the best gifts, and I have many duplicates. And, having taken plants from 'T Hierder Stekje, I need to give back at some point. Hm. Also, some are clearly on the brink of death... take the Wandering Jew for example. Every time I look at the poor thing I can't help imaging a little voice calling...
But seeing as it was gift from a colleague's husband, I really can't part with it until I know for sure it's joined the Choir of Invisibles.
And now for photographs! Wonderfully, I did manage to find some older images taken on my iPhone a month before - taken after having moved into my new home - it's fascinating to compare the growth of these plants already, so I've included them for comparison. (I mean, look at the roots?!)
Please excuse the poor quality of later images... My iPhone is in desperate need of a replacement, haha.
Note: please correct me if I managed to misname anything. I relied heavily on PlantNet and Google Images.
The Peace Lily, having positioned it on top of the bookshelf, has made a speedy recovery over the course of a month. The Banana Plant, having only recently joined the crew, is looking fairly miserable. Hopefully it can be salvaged... For the rest, I guess we'll see. 😉💚🌿
This has taken a few hours to collate, haha. What one does with their Saturday afternoon... prioritising recording plants over - oh, I don't know - meeting people or exploring. Shopping for food. Rather important. I've lost track of time - again. Joy!
I'd best be going, but happy to have pulled this altogether. And I guess we'll return in a few months - fingers crossed for some visible development.
Disclaimer
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Photographs: unless otherwise noted, all images were taken by me with an iPhone 8
