Story time: my sister has her plants in no drainage decorative pots where you can’t see anything and she doesn’t put anything in the bottom such as leca or rocks and her plants do fine! She has grown some really massive plants and they’re all really happy. Honestly anyth8ng works at the end of the day as long as you know your conditions and your watering habits

Great content, some good advice. At 54, and after growing plants, indoors & out for 2/3 of my life, I find care tips only go so far. My experiences have gone often against conventional wisdom. Many factors determine what may or may not work for each planty person - or plant - or person. For instance, Fred, the Ficus Benjamina I've had for over 27 years, stayed in the same pot without drainage for over 15 years. Now, these trees I guess are native to Asia & Australia. So, 20-years ago I moved him 2 hours down the 401 to Toronto in -25 C. And, he dropped 3/4s of his leaves, and looked ghastly for months. So, I bought him a couple cute clip-on butterflies, as you do, and he came back. Fred and I have been through a lot together, and we are both tough as nails, but fairly easy-going. I now have a couple Fred babies - one growing in a no-drain glass vessel. 😉 Doing your research on a plant is #1 in my books for when you first bring home a plant, hands down. Though, I knew virtually nothing about Ficus Benjies until a few years ago, so, there's that... all advice should be taken with a grain of salt.

“I don’t want to set up a pickup” I felt that in my soul. It can be such an event.

You did an amazing job describing all the sciencey things! Loved this video. I think people's main issue with no drainage always comes down to lack of oxygenation or not using a clear vessel/learning their plants' watering needs based on the position of their water table. From what I know from taking plant physiology courses, the methods you use are totally fine and avoid both those problems. Def a trial and error game at first but I am team no drainage :)

Just started watching but I have had that exact same experience with snake plants. We’re told they are great in low light, need almost no water and grow slowly. They grow quickly if given light and more light also means more water. Not calathea watering but, you can’t go months without watering. So while all of the traditional advice is fine if you don’t want them to grow but, there is also an opportunity for a different experience with these plants. (Sorry so long)

Thanks for the great video. I bottom water only a few plants- things like string of turtles etc can do better if bottom watered, in my experience as they are so fragile. I also water my hoya both ways- the substrate I use drains so quickly, that I like to soak the coco croutons/orchid bark a bit (I started added a teeny bit of peat moss for my hoya to help hold water). Basically, I top water to help the minerals drain, then I put it in a another bin with some water so it can soak up a little more, then I drain. It's a pain, hence the added peat moss when repotting.

I never knew that feeling had a name! I've had brain zaps for years and got worse after I couldn't afford my meds. It's been 10 months unmedicated and they have gotten really bad. Thank you for talking about them! Glad there's a term for it.

I so appreciate your long videos and for sharing your experience with different ways of helping our plants thrive. I also love that you show us plants that don’t make it and you explain what may have happened!! You have helped me start trying new plants I would have never thought to try!! Thanks !!

2.5 hours Charmaine 😳😍😂🙌 Excited to watch this, thanks for the super long upload 💚💚

I liked this as soon as I saw that it was 2 hours long. Time to do my chores while listening. Thanks for all your content!

I agree with you that more under water than over! I thought I just could not grow things my entire life and swore I was a serial over waterer. During the original lockdown I got bored and decided to try to grow "bag seed". The research that went into that finicky process finally revealed that every peace lily, lucky bamboo, and cactus i'd ever killed was underwatered lol. A leaf would turn and i'd assume I had over loved it, and then continue to pull back every time anything else happened until it expired!

this is in the top 3 of the most informative videos you’ve done. i loved every second of it! thank you for your hard work 💕

Succulents definitely do not want to be misted, especially in place of regular watering. The mist will rot the plant when it sits in the small crevices of succulent leaves. They need to be completely soaked when watering, but let the soil completely drain and dry before watering again. I’m not sure why someone would think desert environment = misting lol.

The pug hugs in the middle melted my heart ❤️🥰

I really enjoy listening to you talk about the perched water table!.... especially when you are scolding yourself “be gentle” 🤣

Always look forward to your videos. Especially since Saturday is my chill and relax day and plant chores day. Just had to comment and like before I watch. I already know it's going to be a banger lol. 😍🌱🪴💚

Re: watering at night- think of it this way: what time of day does it usually rain in nature? And is the water usually warm, or cool? Does it rain from the ground-up, or does water make contact with plants? Is the entire world covered in mould?

It really does come down to what works for you and your plants. No one is in the same exact environment, not even your neighbor would have the same. Also, my sun intensity is drastically different than someone in the south. We just gotta do what works for us. Doing your research is KEY! Scholarly research, not those random blogs. Haha because those blogs are usually wrong. Just like the snake plant being stressed when it flowers, like no they just flower. 🤦‍♀️ There was a really interesting study done on ice cubes and orchids. And the results were pretty cool in the sense that it had no effect on the life and growth on the orchids. The ice cubes warm up quickly once melted so there is no damage done to the roots whatsoever. But, in all honesty- just use the amount in the ice cube tray because that’s what it really comes down too. Also, rain is usually really cold too. But, I think orchids need more water than the cube method anyway. Lol Love your videos as always, and mr. Pudge! 💚

It’s been my job for the past year to find plants that thrive in direct sun for the outdoor fire pits we turned into gardens at the coffee shop I work at. We have a lot of succulents and cacti, but what I was surprised by was how many flowers thrive in direct sun, 95 degree (F) extremely humid weather. It’s been a great experience for me who typically grows everything indoors because even with grow tents and lights, it’s just not the same as being blasted with the Texas sun.

Enjoyed this video! I love your content and its really opened my eyes to different ways of plant care. I like seeing your point of view and learning from your perspective. Close minded people will always criticize something they see as strange or different, which is sad. Just keep doing what you're doing!

If you’re interested in composing but want to keep it cheap and easy, try a worm bin. You can make it out of two buckets.

I Attended A Plantaholics Anonymous Meeting Today And I STAYED For 2:20:48 HRS... YES I GOT IT BAD!!! 🤣🤣🤣

I learned no drainage from you and I couldn't be any more satisfied! my plants love it, I have my alocasias and philos in clear vessels and I've learned that I'm extremely nosey w the roots as well. I only allow my cacti and succulents in terracotta bc I realized i underwater like a mf. i witnessed too many dry roots when I repot and the only thing keeping my plants alive was the moss poles 😅 appreciate your work and always look forward to your videos!

Re: starch water, veg water, etc- Boiling things sanitizes the substrate (the water itself and the nutrients, vitamins or starches in it... in this case). So, boiling pasta, or peas, and then allowing that to cool and pouring it in your soil is not the same thing as just dumping old food into your soil like the †beginning† of compost (before it is ***heated*** to over 180⁰ by the microorganisms' metabolism within the substrate). Think about aquaponics- The nitrogen input is fish feed (or decomposing plant/animal matter in the water). They eat it and produce NH₃ (unified ammonia) and NH₄+ (ionized ammonium)-"ammonification"-that's released into the water as pee, bodily waste, rotting scales and even rotting dead fish carcasses (a dead goldfish is the quickest way to kick-start the nitrogen cycle for an aquaponic setup). The †nitrogen† contained within all of the above waste is just that-Nitrogen. The ★combination★ of all the chemicals that *make up* pee is what makes it pee. The nitrogen in it is just nitrogen. The buildup of Nitrogen in the water substrate is called "nitrification." At a certain "tipping" point, nitrosomonas (bacteria and "worms") within the substrate consume and convert that ammonia/ammonium to NO₂⁻ (Nitrite). This is a water-soluble chemical salt. This builds up for a while, until another "tipping point" triggers where continued metabolism by nitrobacter breaks the Nitrite down to convert it into NO₃⁻ (Nitrate, another form of ionized Nitrogen). It is drawn upward by the water pump and dumped into the plant substrate with the water, where plants take it up and use it as a "bioavailable" Nitrogen source. Are the plants "drinking fish pee"? No. They're drinking the nitrogen sourced *from* fish pee, which is very different. E.g.: Unless you specifically source it otherwise, the "iron" in your vitamin supplements is "heme iron," AKA "iron taken from cow's blood (hemoglobin) as a waste by-product of animal agriculture being used to generate profit rather than suffer the Industry a total loss via wasted material." The plants' use of the nitrates as "fertilizer" in the water removes it, rendering the water safe for the fish. The water flows down through the vessel and back into the fish pool. The cycle is complete, and the water has been "cleaned." But the nitrogen molecules that move throughout the process are nitrogen molecules throughout the process. Ergo: If your pasta water is water with sanitized starch (carbohydrate), then the plants will be perfectly able to utilize that content as a resource if it's one they would use. (That being said-loading up your soil with carbohydrates aka "polysaccharides" and keeping it moist is lkely to attract and spawn fungi since that's their food and they're omnipresent... Which inevitably means you're going to attract fungus gnats. Ew. So, maybe cool it on the pasta water and just mostly dump your blanched veggie water in there if you really want to "waste not.") 👍✌️💚

I have an autoimmune issue which makes me have allergies to weird crap. Soil with woodchips when damp or wet triggers my nose too. Spring and fall or the worst for me as the tree molds are most active then, at least that's what I find. It's be much better at home since I went full on LECA and PON a few yrs ago.

1:14:55 those coffee cup/juice cup thingy is so handy, i've been collecting them for a while when i grow my longan seeds that i didnt expect all 6 of them to be sprouting. for all i see only 4 of them showing leaves, but 2 of them actually sprouting and dont have any leaves cause i kept them in one cup, they must have fought for nutrient and become underdeveloping. Glad i had spares lol 😭 would recommend for those who suddenly interested to grow something and had not prepared small pot or sprouting tray

Aaaaah! When I got the notif that you posted another video, I was saying, "Please let this be long one, please let this be a long one." and saw it was 2hrs. Oh yey!! I'm gonna do my plant care with you on the background! Happy dayzzz

Well I learned something new today. I’d gotten lazy and find myself watering in late afternoon to early evening. Misting them too. Now I know I I need to get my but in gear earlier and take care of my plants earlier in the day. Thanks for the advice. I needed this. I’m throughly enjoying this video. I like your informative videos best.

I always enjoy your informative videos! I value and appreciate your experience and advice!!!

hey charmaine, with sticky residues, i recommend an orange peel adhesive remover, its works like a charm when i remove stickers from pots and its natural as well. hope this helps and thank you for teaching me so much about plants!! you may call yourself a hobbiest but i'd say you'e at an elite level

I absolutely hate the "only water once a week" as well as "succulents and cacti don't need to be watered more than once a month". I've seen more succs and cacti die from being underwatered more than over because of this. Like you said, there is so much to consider when watering. I water most of mine at least once a week. In my grow tent with my SF2000, I have to water some plants every other day. I check my collection daily because there is always something that needs water. Plus, the once-a-week-watering stressed me out so badly when I was earlier in my collection. It was super over-whelming

Just discovered your channel and I absolutely love your content! My pug loves helping out with my plants too 😊 what terrariums are you using in the background?

Do the people giving you crap about no drainage not notice that your plants survive it, and do well in it? How much time has to pass before they realize that it works for you?

Do I need a fan out in an open room or are they just for in cabinets?

Can I grow a lickity split Philodendron in a pot with no drainage? I have had struggles with the plant I have. I put it in a self watering pot and the roots went bonkers! Unfortunately, I lost some roots when I pulled the plant out of that pot AFTER, I had to cut off all of the leaves due to hail damage. I would love to try no drainage for this plant.

You did really good on that video. Just your opinion paired with science is a really good combination I feel so. I never thought I would like to watch 2h videos BUT I like it 😆

This video gives me life. No-Drainage for the win. 😉💚

I hope you keep doing you because I love your content and the way you do things! 💚

Love this video and I’m hoping it facilitates some really cool conversations and no drama 🥰 it’s so funny because I’ve heard the opposite of the “no watering at night” thing like water on leaves during the day could cause burning so I typically do any misting in the evenings/ once the sun has calmed down. Has anyone else heard this? Can I start misting during the day? 😂

I love that puppy!!!

Bummer about the infection, glad you were able to get it taken care of, hope you’re taking time to nurse yourself. Happy for another long “plant hang” with you today while I water plants and meal prep a day early for next week (working the Tropicals booth at the San Diego Botanic Garden tomorrow for “World Of Houseplants”)

I absolutely know brain 🧠 zaps they are the worst 🥺 I hope they subsided for you quickly. & ps- the people living in your building hit the neighbor jackpot!

Thank you for such in depth information.

May I ask what and why you are scraping the node at 11:52 ? I'm not knowledgable at all and need to repot one of my Alocasia Polly that lost everything but a leaf and is sitting in a huge pot. TY

What made you choose a pot with drainage holes for your gloriosum, and using aroid mix vs passive hydro?

You are such a great teacher

Where do you get your plastic for your moss poles please

Really helpful explanations!

Did you just "As I Said" your haters.!? 😂🙌🏻

Nice sharing ma'am❤😊

I just got done watching your video with the frog story and I am crying laughing 😂 I have 4 pet frogs that live in a converted planted rudsta and they are so fun to watch but can be quite derpy

Thank you for another great video ❤️

I NEED to go plant shopping in Vancouver! I live in Seattle so it's not too far of a drive. Anyone know if you're allowed to drive plants home with you across the border?

YOU’RE AT 10K 🥳🥳🥳 CONGRADS CHARMAINE 😍😍😍 YOU DESERVE IT 💋🤍

1:54:30 Absolutely spot on!!

Such great information! I have just bought a whale fin.. well I have had it for about 6 months and it has not changed a bit.. How do they grow? Is it width wise or height or both? I have checked and roots look good so I was just wondering about this plant. Oh and here in Durham region (ontario) a local nursery has just posted a 8" pot of Thai constellation for $599.97!!!! I would NEVER pay that kind of money.. It was too much for me to pay $35 for my pink princess in a 3" pot

I read on an agriculture site that using starchy water for watering is beneficial for the lacto bacilli bacteria in the soil to promote stronger roots and help the roots absorb nutrients better, rather than the starch water being a fertilizer that might make the plant grow big in itself. Maybe that's what you already said tho? I don't know, I'm having a hard time listening these days 😅

I will take any advice. We can learn from one another instead of paying an ungodly amount for a plant app that doesnt know shit.

❤

Hey, I always look forward to your videos. But now that you mentioned that you do all these cuts that is all I'm noticing in this video. lol Still enjoying them as always.

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I blame Kaylee Ellen.

I just love, love, love your videos. You are so knowledgable and I really appreciate the time you take to share that knowledge with the rest of us. Although all of my plants are in pots with drainage I am now fascinated by no drainage, solely because of you, and I'm going to experiment with some of the props I already have in water and transition into no drainage to see what happens. What is life if it's not to discover and try new things! 🤎

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Great and informative video, Charmaine. But I can’t believe that you talked for four and a half hours without losing your voice. And you’ll find your chonk scraper, you always do.

If you have a fish tank or pond, fish pee water is amazing for plants.

Gives us the ASMR of a dead chonk, but denies us the satisfaction of a sticker peel. 😭

See, here I am 😆

Hey, I'd love to ask a couple questions about how you take plants to California! Do you mail them or fly with them? How difficult is it to acquire the phytosanitary certificate/travel with them? I'm moving from Toronto to the US soon and trying to figure out how to bring a couple of my favourite plants with me. If you know, please help a girl out!

Pausing to say that I think a college degree and being formerly “educated” is over rated, experience and research can get you just as smart!

Hi, I hope you take this comment as a constructive critique: You have a very pleasing aesthetic and a lovely voice. Your dog is adorable and so is the way you imagine he talks. You clearly know a lot about plants. I like the way you explained Tropical climate. But that's as far as I got on this, and other videos of yours. This one is 2:20 hrs. long and that's not uncommon on your videos! You could really use some heavy editing. I think what you have to say is valuable, but you might benefit from considering your audience: no one has 2:20 min to spend on youtube. You might be talking your way out of an increasing or even loyal audience. I saw a video where you scrape a plant for about 10 minutes. You might benefit from scripting your intros (this one took 5:17 min.) and from keeping your videos to 30 minutes or less. Shortening your videos not only would be considerate with your audience, it may also be more profitable, as you'll have more content of higher quality. Less is more.

You say you don't let plants dry out, looked like your snake plant was bone dry and one of the leaves were drooping. And you even had a stem in your prop box that you killed because it wasn't watered. Do you not practice what you say??