When I closed my business (JBs Plants@Roblyn Farm) I found myself overstocked with Spider Plant Babies (whatever you want to call them) from every species I have. They were all so healthy and happy I just could not throw them away and I gave away all I could without shipping. One day while trying to decide what I could do with them, I remembered as a young mother and scout leader that my girls loved it when we did really different things like make butter, not just crafts, or other "busy work"
. I called my neighbor who is a scout leader for several different age troops and told her I would give her spider babies in a starter pot ( 1 1/2 in.) ready to be re-potted to a 3 or 4 inch pot; pots and soil as well as instructions, if she wants to teach her young girls how to re-pot and grow spider plants. It would an ongoing project for the girls, who after they re-pot the babies they take them home and care for them. In a few months or when they are pot bound, they have another session on re-potting them into another pot, 2 inches bigger, which I also donate to them.The girls are taught that by re-potting in pots only 2 inches bigger at a time, the roots get strong, not long. By then in the 6 inch pot, the plants roots are well established and depending on the troop schedule we can stop or get in one more re-potting session before the end of the year.

She loved the idea and she had her first meeting this past week and the girls had a really fun time, several of whom never had their own plants to care for. Here is a picture of several of the girls with their new Hawaiian Baby Spider plants.



Now, other groups like FFA are showing interest. Even the 4H girls have been discussing how they could fit it into their schedules. One thing about growing plants, no matter how young or old you are, what your life and living conditions are, at some time in your life you will be introduced to plant life and how it an affect your life and well being. This seems to be the beginning of a fun time for all of us and now at my ripe old age of 91, I can still feel useful and my babies can grow up to be big spiders.

Don't you love stories with happy endings. Have a Blessed Day my plant loving friends.

What a wonderful, uplifting tale. Congrat's to you, JB!

What a wonderful idea, JB! It's great to see you posting again. How have you been?

This is awesome! What a great idea!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻My daughter loves plants and has quite the collection of her own way across country from me, but she's always sharing new growth & propagation updates with me. It's a great, calming, rewarding hobby!

JB, What a great idea, I think Spider Plant babies are the perfect plant to get those young girls interested in gardening! I'm sure they will learn so much and what an experience it will be for them to watch their baby spider plants growing into mature specimens! In years to come, I'm sure many of them will recall this first experience of gardening and it will bring back many smiles!

You are beYOUtiful and I love this idea so much that I've sent acorns your way in thanks for your thoughtfulness in being a part of the education of the next generation!

You're so right, Lin. I still have the piece of pottery in which I grew a sweet potato in first grade...more than 70 years ago!

JB that's awesome! You showed up at exactly the right time for me.

I'm in the NE US and I just went into contract to sell my house and I have no idea what in the world to do with my plants as the winter approaches and the sale of the house is about to close. I'm going to leave NY, but I don't know where I will end up. I can put everything in storage except my plants.

thank you so much for reminding me what brought me to the hobby and kept me here (for the two decades it took to get good at it!)
I've created relationships with strangers; generosity given and received. I've learned to forgive myself for mistakes, grant second chances (because no one EVER doesn't over water their first house plant put in pride of place in the dark center of their livingroom, lol), I've created and strengthened bonds with neighbors. Most importantly for me has been the ability to take some some living piece of home, or an influential person, with me no matter where I go. THis is my grandmother's prayer plant. THis is my father's cactus... letting go of that connection is terrifying and heart breaking. I can't give my dad's latin-name-yadda-whats-its-face to some yahoo who's gonna kill it! But, you know what? I can. Its not important that THIS plant survives,

I keep thinking of ways to take THESE plants with me and the heartbreak knowing I can't. THey can't live in storage This one was my father's - this other one was my Grandma's.. my mother gave me this one-

You reminded me - how I got them is not important - what I do with them is important. These weren't sacred gifts- they probably fell off the mother plant or it was one less thing they had to water. What I need to remember is the generosity, reliability and the devotion that grew so much they had to give it away. My grandmother's prayer plant is not important to keep- its important to give away.

When I get where I am going, I will find a piece of a prayer plant. A piece that was given in kindness from a plant well loved. It will have a history of care, decency, tenacity, generosity, and ability to withstand the elements with a little help.

I used to volunteer at an assisted living facility. Maybe they'll want my beautiful babies.

It's so great to see you back and posting, Paula. You've been missed. I take it you are finished with school and ready for the rest to begin? Are you applying for jobs all over the country?

I know how hard it is to part with your favorites. One thing I do know is that when you are settled, let us know and we can get you started again with plants. I propagate everything, and can't toss a plant, so I have plenty to give away.

I think your plants would be very welcome at that assisted living place where you worked.

JB, great story

(Turbosaurus, you sure could offer to the assisted living. They might be able to add them to their common areas. Maybe they could use plants as a 'white elephant' or as bingo game prizes etc. A public library might be another place to ask. As long as some staff might be willing and able to give basic care..
Or craiglist? )

WOW! I am overwhelmed with your very nice comments. Thank you each and everyone of you. I could hug you all. THIS IS LONG, FORGIVE ME!
I get so depressed at times because my sight and hearing are getting worse and I am living one day at a time , feeling good physically but mentally I am a bit messed up. The Vertigo has taken much of my energy and it is difficult to be happy and funny when you have blurred vision, can't hear even with very expensive hearing aids, and most of all I do not drive anymore. I finally gave up my Jeep Wrangler. Gave it to my kids so I could at least see it daily if not drive it. :greengrin:
Anyhow, I have a lady, who like me loves flowers and does all the things I am no longer able to do. She spends 3 hours a morning with me, makes sure I am behaving.Takes care of the greenhouse, bird feeders, all the things it is difficult for me to do with my arthritis and vertigo. (my kids do not want me alone in case I fall from the vertigo). I have my afternoon and evenings without a bodyguard listening to novels, mostly mystery. Love Nelson Demille. He is my present companion. I really like his novels. They have many stories of interest to me, i.e. the wars, Plum Island, etc. He is a New Yorker and shares some interesting stories and Long Island usually is his characters home base or summer residence. (sorry I got sidetracked).
I thank you all again. It is so nice to visit with you today. I must now go and do my exercises....have lunch and read my latest DeMille book, The General's daughter. I love weekends, I am allowed to be alone weekends since my kids are always coming and going and check on me by phone. I sleep in , shower, say my prayers , feed the dog and bird then have my breakfast and visit with my friends on the computer. After that try and watch the Horse racing channel or the other horse channel on TV and read until 4 P.M. which is wine time on good days or a cup of tea on bad days.Then have dinner with the kids. There it is, how to get old without going completely mad. Believe me it is hell getting old when you were an active, outspoken old woman. See you all....don't forget to kiss your babies.....did I tell you I actually speak to and kiss my plants? Even give them little hugs at times. Am I crazy or what?

I ALMOST FORGOT.....THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ACORNS....I HAVE SUCH FUN WITH THEM WHEN I GET THE OPPORTUNITY. YOU ARE ALL SO VERY KIND AND CONSIDERATE AND PATIENT WITH ME. GOD BLESS. LOVE YOU!

We love you, too, JB. Getting old is tough, and I'm a decade younger. Your days sound pretty good to me. I know it's not fun having your bodyguard around, but at least she can do all the tough jobs for you. I'd love that! If she is dependable and honest, you are blessed.

You're lucky to have your interests, pets, and plants! I am especially jealous that you have your family so close there, ready to get you whatever you need or want. My family is scattered far way.

Whenever you feel sad, come here and check out the beautiful blooms and give us a shout!

Online friendships can be a real pick me up!!

to everyone...

I am so blessed to have all of you.
Thank you from the bottom of my old heart.....with the help of the pacemaker.

Jacquie, you make me smile and although you are 20 years my senior, if we didn't live more than 1,000 miles apart, I think we'd be great friends! You are an inspiration!

JB, adore your plants on your Facebook thanks for the link...

bumplbea said:
JB, adore your plants on your Facebook thanks for the link...

Thank you so much. I just have fun with that site since I closed my business. My dog and birds have pages also. If you want to see them message me on Facebook and I will give you the names. Our Christmas Tree farm, Roblyn Farm, has a fun page also. Most of our pages are just fun and chatter.

Next troop gets these babies. Pure green curly. Beautiful plants and healthy too. The troop interested needs 20 of them.

Those babies look great JB!