Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna walk you through my little adventure with a plant called the Nanouk. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, neither had I until it showed up at my doorstep. It’s got these amazing leaves, all vibrant and colorful, kinda like a painting. So, I decided, “Why not give this plant thing a shot?”
First off, I had to figure out what this Nanouk thing even was. Turns out, it’s a type of Tradescantia, a fancy name for a plant that’s pretty easy to take care of. It’s got these thick, kinda fleshy leaves with stripes of green, white, pink, and even purple. It’s a real looker, I gotta say.
Now, onto the nitty-gritty of keeping this plant alive. I started with the basics: light. I read somewhere that these plants love bright, indirect light. So, I found a spot in my living room where the sun doesn’t directly hit, but it’s still pretty bright. I moved this Nanouk to that place. This seemed to make the plant happy because the colors of leaves really pop in that light. I also read that direct sunlight can also be acceptable, but I didn’t try this.
Next up, water. This is where I usually mess up with plants. But I learned that the Nanouk likes its soil to be moist, but not soaked. I got into the habit of checking the soil with my finger. If it feels dry about halfway down, it’s time to water. I use my trusty watering can and make sure the water drains out the bottom. This happens about once a week, give or take.
- Watering:
- Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about halfway into the soil.
- Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch at that depth.
- Use a watering can to thoroughly water the plant, ensuring water reaches the roots.
- Allow excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot to prevent waterlogging.
- Adjust watering frequency based on environmental conditions and the plant’s needs.
Then there’s humidity. Apparently, these plants like it a bit humid. I don’t have a humidifier, so I just started misting it with a spray bottle every few days. I also put the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. The water evaporating around the plant seems to do the trick. I did this especially in winter when the heater’s on and the air gets dry.
- Humidity:
- Mist the plant with a spray bottle every few days to increase humidity around the plant.
- Place the plant pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
- As the water evaporates from the tray, it creates a humid microclimate around the plant.
- Increase misting frequency during dry periods, such as when the heater is on in winter.
I also started feeding it some plant food. I picked up a liquid fertilizer from the store, nothing fancy. I mix it with water as the instructions say and give it to the Nanouk about once a month. I’m not sure if it’s making a huge difference, but the plant seems healthy, so I guess it’s doing something right.
- Feeding:
- Use a liquid fertilizer formulated for indoor plants.
- Dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Feed the Nanouk plant approximately once a month during the growing season.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to nutrient buildup and potential harm to the plant.
Oh, and I learned that you gotta prune these things. Basically, you just snip off any parts that look dead or leggy. This helps the plant grow bushier and more colorful. I use my regular kitchen scissors and make sure to cut close to a node, which is where a leaf or branch grows out. These cuttings? I put them in water, and guess what? They started growing roots! Now I have new baby Nanouks.
- Pruning:
- Regularly inspect the plant for any dead, damaged, or leggy growth.
- Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim away unwanted foliage or stems.
- Make cuts just above a node, which is where a leaf or branch emerges from the stem.
- Pruning encourages bushier growth and helps maintain the plant’s shape and appearance.
- Consider propagating cuttings from healthy prunings by placing them in water or soil to grow new plants.
So, there you have it. My journey with the Nanouk plant. It’s been a few months, and it’s still alive and kicking, which is a win in my book. It’s not that hard, really. Just pay attention to it, give it some light, water, and a little love, and it’ll brighten up your space. If I can do it, anyone can! Hope you guys find this useful. Let me know if you have any questions!
