Greetings, Frog Troublers!
Yesterday we celebrated Bea’s new book, Plant Pets, in high style at McIntyre’s Books, our beloved local bookstore. So many friends, teachers, and even some of Bea’s cousins were there!
The reading room was packed, with kids sitting on the floor and grownups leaning against the bookshelves.
Johanna introduced us, sharing that she has known Bea as a reader for years and that she almost never needs recommendations, because she reads so widely (though keep reading for a book Johanna suggested that Bea loves).
We took turns reading from the book’s introduction. Then we answered questions from the audience. People asked about the best plants for naughty cats (we said air plants, because they’re nontoxic, you can put them out of reach, and they’re not planted in soil); Bea’s favorite plant (Mother of Thousands), and how many plants Bea has (38). Our favorite question came from an almost-five-year old friend, who asked, “Do you sing to your plants?” (“Not really,” Bea admitted.)
“Bea did amazing,” Harriet said.
After the reading, the audience enjoyed donuts from Daily Donuts in Graham, and we showed our friends how to propagate Pothos.
Propagation, Bea explained, is growing a new plant from a cutting or piece of a plant. It’s one of the best ways we know how to share the love of plants, and is a completely free activity if you have a healthy plant to start with, plus a good way to repurpose empty jars and bottles. We’ve done propagation of succulents at birthday parties, but for this activity we wanted people to be able to see fast growth and visible roots.
We started with Athena, a beautiful Pothos we’ve been growing on our porch, a pair of sharp kitchen scissors, a water dispenser, and about forty glass bottles (a mixture of old Coke and Pepsi bottles, plus Jarritos and Topo Chico we’ve been collecting).
Kids each grabbed a bottle, filled it with water, then got a couple of cuttings from Athena.
The trick is, with every cutting, to include a leaf and a node. The leaf will collect sunlight for photosynthesis, and the node, which is a small bump where a new stem could emerge. Placed in water, the node will root, and your cutting can become an independent plant.
For Pothos, it’s nice to collect a few leaf-and-node cuttings and place them into the same bottle or jar. Though you’ll technically produce two or three plants, they can be planted together in the same pot to make a nice, full plant.
We like clear soda bottles for propagation because the narrow neck keeps the leaves out of the water (important to prevent leaf rot), and the glass lets you see the roots as they develop.
Place your cutting in a sunny windowsill (Pothos doesn’t actually need a lot of light, but warmth helps with root growth). Change the water every week, and in a few weeks you should see a lot of long, thready roots. Transfer into potting soil in a well-drained pot, water, and enjoy your new plant pet!
Thanks to everyone who made our first event so special! The next one will be at NC State’s D.H. Hill Library on Saturday, September 14 from 11-12. This is another planting party, this time with succulents! We’ll also decorate pots and share some pickles and pepper jelly from the garden. It’s free and open to the public, but please sign up here.
After that we’ll be at Goldston Library on September 29 for a plant swap, and at Chatham Community Library on October 19, from 11-12.
We’re also interested in school visits, so if you have a school or class you’d like Bea to consider visiting, please let us know!
“My favorite part of the reading was probably signing the books,” Bea said. “It was exhausting, but also fun.” If you missed the reading, you can pick up a signed copy from McIntyre’s!
While at McIntyre’s, Bea of course had to get a new book, so here’s her recommendation: Everyday Crochet: The Complete Beginner’s Guide.
Sarah and Johanna ordered this book for me after I told them how much I love crochet. I’m not a complete beginner, but it has a guide to all the stitches, color changing, granny squares, and different stitches that will help you create a different pattern. It has instructions on reading the patterns, there are pictures, and it’s just awesome.
Look for crochet content soon!
Have you gotten your copy of Plant Pets yet? Can you share a review on Amazon or Goodreads, so people can find it? We’d be so grateful!