HiveComb

At first I didn't believe it, and now I don't know how to explain it.

Dad had told me not to look at the soursop tree because it was very delicate.

At the time, I didn't believe him. I even thought he was exaggerating a bit. Until little by little, I started having my own plants. Mostly ornamental ones, and some others like eggplant, squash, bell pepper...

At times I've had a few difficulties that I've been able to overcome, until the zamioculcas came into my life.

When I got home, it captivated me immediately, but it wasn't until a week had passed that I didn't know what to do with it. If I put it somewhere, it seemed to dislike it. If I watered it, a branch would rot completely. If I just looked at it, it didn't like that either.

Okay, okay, I know this sounds really strange when you read it or hear it from someone, but you have to have a zamioculcas at home. Only then will you understand this strange dilemma.

So I made a drastic decision: to research and test everything.

First, I researched that this plant should be watered sparingly, every two weeks. However, when I did that, part of it rotted.

So I said, well, let's see what happens if I don't water it for a month.

To my surprise, it survived that month-long drought perfectly, so now I water it once a month. Every month, on the first day of the month, that's the day I give it a little water.

Then I took it a step further.

I placed it next to my desk but behind the door.

It gets light, but also enough shade so it won't get scorched under any circumstances.

I haven't worked at my desk for several weeks because I've been in the kitchen. It's a bit cooler here, so I take advantage of being here.

That means I haven't seen it very often. And it turns out it now has a new stem.

I was happy, but at the same time I thought that this plant is enough to drive you crazy because there comes a point where you feel like you don't fully understand it.

I can say it's like a wild cat you rescue; you can't touch it, you can't look at it, you're just there doing your best not to bother it so it stays.

Well, it's the same with the zamioculcas; you do everything possible to keep it on this earth and prevent it from passing away over the slightest mistake.

But, despite all that (and I know it will sound masochistic), it has been a good experience.

I think I've learned a lot from it, which helps me care for other equally delicate plants. I feel prepared now for anything, no matter what.

So it's just me and the zamioculcas against the world. I hope to continue taking good care of it, and that this plant feels comfortable at home.

For now, it's small, as you can see. I've thought about repotting it. However, I prefer to wait a little longer.

In any case, the zamioculcas has a peculiarity: it's a very expressive plant. It will tell you absolutely everything that's happening to it through its leaves and branches.

I hope I continue to have good luck with it.