Now this is a story all about how

my life got flipped, turned upside down

And I’d like to take a minute (or two) just sit right there

I’ll tell you how a plant needs lots of care

 

In 5 gallon containers born and raised

inside the house is where it spent most of its days

chillin out, maxin, relaxing all cool,

and all shooting some leaves getting ready for school

when a couple of gnats they were up to no good

started making trouble in the neighborhood

i got in over my head and my mom got scared

and said that good for nothing plant moves out

into the sunshine take it from there

 

…

 

Okay, just kidding. I ended up planting it in the ground to save it. It was doing alright.

 

 

Then the whiteflies came. By the DROVES.

 

 

Just kidding, again. However, the damage they’re doing causes leaves to yellow and drop off every couple days. I googled and thought (but mostly googled) and decided neem oil would be most effective.

 

Then found out the store didn’t stock the OMRI-certified product I wanted, nor did they ship the product to CA.

 

 

An alternative was insecticidal soap, but pretty soon I was looking for a non-chemical option.

 

 

 

Voilà!

 

I have tubes of acrylic paint leftover from that one time I unleashed my artistic vision on some unsuspecting canvas, which I turned into a month-calendar. What’s that?