But first let me give you a little background on why I have a "garden." I've never liked plants that much and I have a tendency to kill them, but my mother likes to give me plants. So, I have had two small houseplants (Anthurium and something labeled as "assorted foliage"), a Christmas tree, and big indoor plant (Peace Lily) from her. They've all survived for sometime now. The Christmas tree has had several brushes with death, but with much pruning, a recent transplantation, and much love, it's been able to survive them all.
My little Christmas tree...just like Charlie Brown's
A few months ago I decided to start an herb garden. In spite of killing my original mint plant I decided to add more plants to my brood, the first of which is an ever struggling tomato plant. Originally I also wanted flower boxes for my deck, but then my mother gave me a few "birthday presents" (that's what she calls plants that I have to pot and take care of). My presents included a pineapple plant, another tomato plant, and a pepper plant. Then, to round it all out, Peter decided he wanted a corner of my deck to grow zucchini.
Up until about a week and a half ago this was all under control. Everything was still living, which is how I gauge success. Then the plagues began....
First, the locusts! No, actually they were closer to fruit flies, nonetheless they were taking over my herb garden. So, my herb garden was put into the great outdoors. It was for the best really. They're quite happy out there. Once the herbs were out the door, the flies were gone! Problem solved!
Next, I realized that my one indoor plant had some sort of parasite. EWWWWW! Out to the deck for that one too.
Then, It was around this time that I started to come to terms with the fact that my pineapple plant is most likely dead. It's hard to tell, but Peter thinks it is and I'm now inclined to believe him.
Then, (and this is the nastiest part) Peter came over Friday. He checked on his zucchini, as well as the rest of the plants. When he came in and checked out my big indoor plant he notified me that he thought there was some sort of parasite on the leaves! Son of bitch! But wait, there's more. He then told me that he saw CENTIPEDES in the soil! AHHHHHHHHH! GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT! I yelled! EWWWWWWW! I started itching immediately, and am even itching as I'm writing this! YUCK! (btw, thanks mom for the insect infested plants you bestowed upon me!)
Muffin with the "centipede plant"...no wonder the cat's loved it so much!
Finally, the last plague took effect that Friday night! With all of my plants (and their cohabitants) out on the deck a thunderstorm began. It was pretty windy and rainy, but I was hoping it would just blow those parasites right outta Rochester. Well, wind and rain is just fine, but then the hail began. HAIL! I just watched as my plants were being pelted. I moved some out of the direct hail, but I wasn't about to bring those things back into my bug free apartment. So, the storm lasted much longer than one would've anticipated. Thus, I'm pretty sure there are some casualties. I gave them some fertilizer in one last attempt to revive those clinging onto life, so we'll see how that goes.
Yes, that's the same plant as the one above! I hope those centipedes were killed in the storm!
A closer look at the damage
My poor baby peppers that want so badly to reproduce
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