Plant Consultation

Sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council & Mass Cultural Council

Thurs, Dec 9 3:00pm—8:00pm via Zoom (FREE!)

What I can provide in a consultation What I cannot provide in a consultation

Help identifying plants Botany/cross-breeding advice

Help diagnosing & solving plant problems Leca or hydroponic info

Plant recommendations for areas of your house or yard Bonsai tips

Gift plant recommendations Guarantees

Suggestions for pet-friendly plants & pet-deterrent strategies

Tips for pest infestations, fungus, and other harmful conditions

Pruning & propagating tips

Soil & composting tips

Resources for further info, plant/seed swapping, & community groups

Encouragement

Planty prizes!

Why is a science writer offering a consultation clinic for plants? Well, since you asked…

I received a 2021 Somerville Arts Council artist fellowship! In the past, I’ve held readings and other events as my SAC community benefit project, but because that’s not possible this year, I wanted to think of a different way to help support the Somerville community.

As a science writer, I try to make scientific concepts and practices understandable and enjoyable for non-scientists. That includes topics such as space exploration, artificial intelligence/robots, and environmental issues. Climate change is incredibly daunting. For many reasons, it’s important for people to do whatever they can to help combat it. Growing plants and trees helps, and they produce both oxygen and beauty!

I am a plant fanatic. I have over 80 houseplants, including 13 orchids (some of which are pictured above). I recently wrote a piece for the Boston Globe about what I’ve learned about and from caring for orchids. I’ve been particularly successful at growing hoyas, alocasias, philodendrons, crotons, and others, though calatheas hate me. I belong to many community and online plant groups where I give advice, such as “don’t water your orchid with ice cubes,” “only water your crotons with distilled or rain water,” or “that weird-looking thing is an aerial root.” I often rescue and rehab dying plants and propagate my own plants to give away. I also have a small greenhouse (an IKEA cabinet my partner converted for me).

Three years ago, my partner and I de-paved our backyard, which like many others in Somerville was covered in asphalt. I rehabilitated the soil and turned the ground green with clover (the cats love it!) I’ve planted ivy, coleus, hydrangeas, azaleas, butterfly bushes, milkweed, sunflowers, trumpet vines, a tulip magnolia tree, and more. What was once a parking space now teems with bees, butterflies, and birds (and sometimes rats—it is Somerville, after all). I’m also currently teaching a class on urban tree canopies and have learned a lot through that as well.

Plant Consultation Details

Log on to Zoom from your computer, phone, or tablet anytime between 3:00pm—8:00pm (EST) on Thurs, Dec 9. No appointment or RSVP necessary.

You will automatically be placed into a Zoom waiting room. If I’m not currently speaking with someone else, I’ll admit you into the meeting room right away. If I am in a consultation, I’ll send a message to the waiting room to let you know how long I expect to be.

Be ready to show me the plants you’d like advice on. You can also bring your phone or tablet around your house or yard so I can see the plants and spaces you want to discuss.

Prime numbers are cool and important in nature, so if you’re the first, second, third, fifth, seventh, eleventh, thirteenth, etc person to attend the plant consultation clinic, you’ll receive a free prize (a small plant, seeds, or plant accessories)!

https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/92356445677?pwd=VlNkeVVuNzJKTWNycXJ3bytsZ2VxZz09

Meeting ID: 923 5644 5677

Passcode: 810413