A Plant Story: Overview
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by Angie Wyatt in Blog
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Chris and I have three potted plants. In the last several months, all three of our plants have produced dead leaves and slowed down their growth. We’ve tried fertilizer and also moved the plants outdoors to receive natural sunlight. These efforts did not seem to help.
We concluded that the plants simply stopped deriving nutrients from the soil. It was time to repot. Repotting changes the soil, nourishes roots and reveals why the plants are not growing. When we repot our plants, we first uproot them from the old soil. Then, we place clay or rocks at the bottom of the empty pot. This helps the soil to drain properly by creating air pockets for the water to move and filter. Finally, we fill half the pot with new soil, before filling in the uprooted plant.
We started with the tree. As soon as we uprooted the tree, it became clear that it had simply grown too large for its pot. The tree was healthy and strong, with roots bursting at the seams. We simply moved the tree to a larger pot, giving it ample room to breath and grow.
We then moved on to the first of our short, leafy plants. We uprooted the plant, placed it aside, and continued to empty the pot of old soil. The soil was very damp with a bit of mildew. To our surprise, we neglected to line the bottom of the old pot with clay. As a result, the soil was not draining properly, causing mild damage to the root system.
We finished our project with the second leafy plant. Uprooting this plant was easy — way too easy. The plant popped right out of the soil, looking like we had just taken it home from the nursery. It’s root system was packed into a tight little, squared dimension. The root system was growing in on itself rather than growing outward. With great care, I slowly started to unpack the roots until they were dangling down, exposed and ready to embrace the new, fresh soil.
What can the plants teach us about our Spiritual Wellness? I’ve been thinking about these plants, and the parallels they make to so many of our lives. In the coming weeks, I’ll share what I’ve learned from the plants. In the meantime, you tell me . . .
Rose
13. Jul, 2010
Never thought that plants can teach me something. So… we need a solid fundament (education) with enough space to grow and to fulfill our needs. Blessings Rose
Jan-Michael
13. Jul, 2010
I have always marvelled at how the daffodils and tulips, hostas and lillies return each year and how, no matter the wind, they just bend and rebound!(Too rigid stalks on some plants and they just snap)
When we do the planting, if put in the shade when they crave sunlight, many plants will find a way to get into the light!(They will snake around another plant or a table ledge, whatever, to get to the light and they hang on until they get there, given enough water to keep “growing”)
Driving on country roads, often I notice the homesteads may be gone but the lilacs and peonies will still be thriving. (They don’t need man, God takes care of them).
I guess trusting God who looks after the plants, trees and birds, as we read in The Holy Bible is so evident in nature!
Some forests spring up from seeds or cones that fell years earlier and then a fire, destoying other trees, generates the heat needed to cause the cones to crack open and renew the forest (Patient for as long as it took and then they sprang up)!
So, yes, patience, good roots, a willingness to be flexible. Lots of lessons from nature. But mostly, that God has prepared all to survive and thrive if we lean into HIM and trust that no droughts last forever and there is a time to rest and a time to have a resurgence!
A good subject Angie!
Jan-Michael
cysradill
13. Jul, 2010
Well said Jan-Michael. Trust and patience bring forth much beauty. Plants and working in the soil can bring much need peace sometimes . And have you every taken the time to real look and see how flowers and leaves are formed and their colours . How they all have different scents. They can take alot of stress away if you just spend a little time with them.
God Bless Everyone
Cysradill
Angie
13. Jul, 2010
J-M, I love the imagery of a homestead worn down, but the flowers of the field blossoming. Thank you this beautiful, inspiring imagery.
Cysradill, I keep flower beside my computer b/c the scent helps me feel peaceful!
Heather
13. Jul, 2010
This is so great! I am starting a garden for the first time this year, and prayed that God would use it to teach me…I look forward to reading all these posts…and applying the lessons!
~Heather