plants – Dose of Sunshine

Coming up, you may notice an increase in crafting or recipe posts, probably some humor in my flubs in both areas. I’m doing this because it is what we are doing more, but also because I’m sure people are going to need lots of ideas.

We are navigating uncharted territory. I doubt there are many 102 year olds around that have seen a pandemic this extreme and could tell us what to do. We do have records however of plagues and pandemics from history and one of the things they tell us, keep your distance.

But self isolating, staying home and quarantining sucks. And I don’t mean that simply in a, “aw man do I hate this”, kind of it sucks, I mean it is unnatural for us and we grate against it. Isolation makes depression easier to take hold, it brings us down, it puts our minds on edge. We aren’t meant to be removed from other humans for a long period of time.

Humans are also not meant to be inside for long periods of time. We need contact with nature or we go insane. I don’t have the scientific intelligence to properly explain why, but I do know that the human mind needs to be around plant life. Even fake ones are helpful. Plants are calming to our minds. Being outdoors is invigorating and refreshing to us, and is necessary for our health.

During this time when most of us are under some kind of stay at home order, we have to find different tools to keep us healthy. Most of the orders right now allow you to go out to walk your dog or excersize. Take a walk. Walk your dog. Walk to the grocery store next time.

But even if you do not wish to walk or jog, get yourself outside somehow. I went to get some gardening supplies and the worker there told me he had seen more than the usual customers lately. A lot of people had told him, if they were going to be stuck at home, they might as well do something productive in their yards. It made me smile. I am glad people are taking to the outdoors to beat their blues. The butterflies are going to love this spring with all the extra flowers bored people are planting.

But let’s say you don’t have a yard to plant in or take your kids to play in. You live in an apartment with nothing but a small balcony. That’s ok! Go sit on it! Get some pots and flowers and plant them. Buy a bird feeder and hang it from your balcony. Sketch pictures sitting outside. Drink your morning cup of coffee on the balcony.

Many people are taking to video calling to get their human interaction while in isolation. It’s a good idea. But add onto it, the outdoors. So call your grandma from the patio instead of the couch.

Open up your windows every day the weather will allow it. Let that sunshine and fresh air into your home!

For the length of these Stay At Home orders, I challenge you to find some way to get outside every single day. However that looks for you. I will be happy to provide many ideas of what you can do, especially with kids, but it’s up to you to step out the door.

I have a lot of plants I like. I’m really a kind of plant person, I have them all over my house. One of my favorite plants is the cactus. I like how it appears harsh and even dangerous at first, but it also produces some of the most beautiful brightly colored flowers of the plant kingdom.

The cactus belongs to the Cactaceae plant family and is classified as stem succulents. A succulent has a thick skin and water may form up to 90% of the total mass. Cacti are a specific kind of succulent that has adapted to dry, desert like conditions. Not all succulents are cacti. In fact only about a quarter of the 10,000 species belong to the cactus family. The classification derives from the fact many succulents have water in their leaves, whereas a cactus only has water in the stem of the plant.

The word cactus comes from the ancient Greek word Kaktos. The word hasn’t really changed much. Just exchanged the K for a C.

Most cacti have a rounded shape. Instead of stems and leaves, they have areolas and spines. The spines prevent animals from eating the plant and sometimes kill bugs or rodents. They also prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the surface. They also provide some shade to the plant. Cacti still employ photosynthesis, but since they don’t have traditional leaves, they do it a little differently. They also respond to rain shower much more quickly than most other plants. They bloom and grow very quickly to comply with the harsh dry climates they are native to.

Many believe cactus have natural healing properties, though not much scientific study has been done on the topic. The studies that have been done confirm they are high in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties.

A cactus in the home does help to clean the air around it. However a spiny cactus does also bring a negative energy and may disturb fang shui if placed in the wrong place. It is suggested to place cacti outside or on a patio or balcony. At the very least a large open space and not near a bedroom.

I have a Christmas Cactus in my livingroom. It does not have spines. It may bloom anywhere from November to March. Mine already bloomed this year for a solid two months. It in fact has one bloom still hanging on, but I do not see any new ones budding. Last year, it did not bloom until late February. The flowers are a bright purple pink color. I name my plants, and this one is named Rita. It just seemed like a purpley slightly pink shade of a name.

This is the second Christmas Cactus I have owned however. I watered my first one on the same schedule as my other plants and accidentally drowned it! Cacti and Succulents don’t need to be watered as much as an ivy! Lesson learned.

Cactus is a charming plant species, with huge variety and vibrant color. I love them.

Tag: plants

Coming Up

The Cactus