PLANT DOCTOR

I was holding my phone up to my pothos plant, snapping a picture, when my son Alex came into the room.

“Why would you want a picture of that plant?” He asked sounding confused. “It doesn’t look very healthy.”

“I know.” I checked the screen on my phone. “That’s why I’m looking up how to fix it on my plant identifying app.”

Alex peeked into the pot, scratching the dry dirt with his finger. “Maybe watering it might help.”

“I was thinking about re-potting it so I didn’t want to work with wet dirt.” I explained as I began scrolling. “First off it says this plant needs attention.”

Alex laughed. “I could have told you that.”

“It also says I could be over-watering it.” I looked over at Alex and then at the bone dry dirt. “I think I’ll go with the second problem it could be which is a pathogen infection.” I looked at the leaves with brown edges. “I wonder where it picked up an infection?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. Did you have it outside this summer?”

“Absolutely not!” I cried as I shook my head. “I don’t know if you remember but, years ago I put it outside when it got warm enough. But, when I brought it back in, an entire ant farm came in with it.” I couldn’t help but give a little shutter. “I was finding ants around the house for weeks after that.” I looked over at Alex and nodded my head. “So, after that, no indoor plants will ever go outside again.” I stated firmly. “It’s a rule.”

“Sounds like a good one to have.” Alex agreed.

I looked back at my phone. “So now it says that in order to fix this problem I’m going to need to take a half teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of liquid soap, mix it in a gallon of water and spray it on the leaves every two weeks until the brown spots go away.” I put my phone down on the table. “That sounds easy enough.” I walked into the kitchen to find the ingredients.

Alex followed me slowly shaking his head. “You’re never going to remember to spray that on it every two weeks.”

I looked confused. “Sure I will. Why wouldn’t I?”

He pointed his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the plant. “Because you’ve forgotten to even water it.” He reminded me.

“That was before it got sick.” I opened the cabinet and grabbed the container of baking soda. Opening the drawer below it I grabbed the measuring spoons. “I’ve had that plant for over twenty years. I can’t let it die now.”

“Well, good luck with that.” Alex said as he patted me on the shoulder and went over to the refrigerator opening the door.

“Don’t you have any faith in me?” I asked with a laugh.

“I have all the faith in the world.” Alex said with a laugh. “But if your indoor gardening skills are anything like your outdoor ones that plant’s in for some trouble.”

“Hey!” I cried. “I didn’t kill any of the plants in the garden this year!”

“I think the words you’re tripping up on are ‘this year’”. He took a bowl of grapes out of the refrigerator, placed the bowl on the counter-top, and popped a grape in his mouth.

I couldn’t help but sigh. “That’s true.” I looked back at my poor pothos plant before grabbing the liquid soap from the counter next to the sink. “But I’m going to try my best.” I called over to my plant.

“That’s all you can do.” Alex reminded me as he held out the bowl of grapes to me. “Grape?” He asked.

“Thanks. Don’t mind if I do.” I popped one in my mouth then began making the magic potion that was going to heal my poor sick plant.