So right here’s a tragic, shameful story that I feel I by no means instructed you (because of the unhappy and shameful nature of it). It’s about that ficus tree, the beloved, magazine-friendly ficus tree. I needed that tree so badly for the Glendale front room for causes you may see – it was INCREDIBLE and the room actually benefited from its lovely sculptural form. However I used to be an irresponsible plant lover, careless and reckless, and finally nearly killed her lifeless. However not earlier than it tortured me for years (because it ought to – it was a really poisonous relationship). Now that I consider it, it was a horrible relationship, however because the particular person in energy, I take full duty for this one. So right here’s what occurred…
In 2014, I purchased the tree from Mickey Hargitay Crops in LA – a fairly well-known unique indoor plant retailer. I actually don’t keep in mind how a lot it was – however $1,200 is coming to thoughts (it may have been extra, sadly). I’m certain I additionally needed to pay for supply and the pot, so I’m in all probability now in at the very least $1600. The main points are all murky as a result of it was so way back, or maybe as a result of I repressed all of it. All I do know is that we had been scheduled to shoot the home for {a magazine}, and I felt that I NEEDED that plant to carry a lot life, shade, and visible curiosity to the room. It must also be stated that I cherished it, but when I didn’t should publicly show-and-tell my life to an viewers, I seemingly wouldn’t have spent that then (we didn’t have that type of additional finances on the time). I introduced it dwelling and it was immediately unbelievable. Till…
A few 12 months in (or so, no thought), it began shedding some leaves and searching unhappy. That is seemingly as a consequence of my neglect, however may even have been as a result of this plant didn’t need to be inside, or maybe was too heat in the summertime (our front room obtained so scorching in the summertime as a consequence of enormous west-facing home windows and no insulation). Regardless, it was unhappy and I didn’t know what to do. I googled, known as plant individuals, and even had somebody come and take a look at it once they identified to me that it had aphids.
Aphids undoubtedly sounded gross to me, and I nonetheless don’t absolutely grasp what they’re, however the symptom was tiny black issues on the leaves. I’m fairly certain we tried to deal with it with one thing, after which after all I discovered how you can correctly water it on the cadence that it needed (which sadly I don’t keep in mind now). However then it obtained worse…
SAP SO MUCH SAP…
What you may’t see is the sap that was dropping from all the sick leaves, everywhere in the furnishings and flooring. The sap ruined every little thing beneath it (which is why I didn’t have that rug anymore). Charlie couldn’t crawl round there, and when Elliot was born, we needed to keep away from it. We’d clear it and clear it and scrub, however we couldn’t sustain with it. It simply grew to become the nook that nobody may go close to, and I needed to steer visitors to sit down elsewhere. I’m fairly certain we needed to refinish the flooring earlier than we bought (or possibly not, possibly we simply nearly did).
I felt so dumb and silly. It was all my fault, however I didn’t know how you can repair it (I even tried to be actually sort to it), however I began actually resenting it (fairly certain it is a poisonous relationship analogy). I needed it higher or gone, however being confronted with my very own disgrace/mistake/splurge all day made me so mad at myself and it.
Right here you may see it wanting unhappy (and this was earlier than it misplaced much more leaves). By the tip, after we needed to transfer, I consider I truly paid somebody to take it away – nobody needed it even without cost. That was till I requested Tessa Neustadt (my pal and photographer on the time) if she would take it (if she didn’t have to maneuver it herself), and I consider she planted it in her yard. I do not know the way it’s doing, however I’m going to inform myself that it’s thriving now and so pleased to be away from me and within the earth.
So What Did I Be taught?
I didn’t deserve to simply purchase one thing willy-nilly with out understanding how you can take care of it. This saved me from shopping for and protecting houseplants for years (I might purchase for shoots, then give them instantly away to my crew).
I will be actually hasty relating to emotional design components, not likely considering by the implications (this isn’t the final time I’ll additionally make this error.
Unique vegetation are an enormous funding and you need to discover out earlier than taking them dwelling what kind of surroundings they want. I can’t converse to what this wanted, I don’t keep in mind, however I actually don’t suppose I did my due diligence considering it might “be superb!” which is typical for me and certainly one of my worst persona traits.
Why Am I Telling You This?
I came across these previous images lately and was blown over with each nostalgia for that home (and the tree, and the toddler kissing my tummy) and disgrace of what I had completed. I figured I’d share to remind you that issues aren’t at all times what they appear to be in fairly homes on the web, and so many errors are being made behind the scenes. Hoping to not get cancelled due to this, however maybe the statute of limitations will shield me because it’s been 11 years 🙂
Opening Picture Credit score: Photograph by Tessa Neustadt
