By diann Mills @DiAnnMills
August can be brutal to our plants, not only the ones in our yards suffering in the three-digit heat but also the ones inside the house. How can we save our plants?
Last week I grabbed my phone for one of my favorite apps: Picture This. The app has helped me keep my plants alive and healthy. If you’ve never used it, here’s my enthusiastic recommendation and why.
Picture This uses artificial intelligence to identify plants, flowers, weeds, bushes, and trees through a camera. One features is, it provides the scientific name along with the more common name. But the app’s information doesn’t stop there! A scan states if the plant or tree is healthy or unhealthy and how to keep it healthy or nurse it back to health. In addition, the app gives you pruning advice and propagation tips.
The app identifies diseases and how to treat them. Until I started using the app to its full potential, I had no idea some growing beauties can benefit from a filtered water, a treatment of aspirin and water, soda and water, cinnamon water, sugar and water, and Epsom salts and water to transform a plant from “This plant looks sick” to “This plant looks healthy.”
Concerned about toxic plants? Picture This shares that information too. Let’s keep our children and pets safe.
Another feature allows the user to save the plant’s details. We become an instant botanist with a phone app.
What about season specific care? The app will help you keep your plants looking good year-round.
If you are a writer conducting research, Picture This provides credibility for your manuscript. I’ve snapped pics from all over the country and used the information to add fresh details.
How about you? How do you care for your plants in all seasons?
I have a lot of house plants and recently a few are not looking so good. I will definitely get this app. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I have not tried this app yet. Thanks for the idea. My joke is I’d rather experience a crisp fall day than have a crispy lawn.
I do know a young entrepreneur who has a greenhouse and does landscaping in East Texas. He provides free plant care guides. He is on fb under Gen1Greenhouse (from Genesis 1).
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Adriane, I so understand. The app is not cheap, but it’s well worth it.
My husband loves his plants! He has that app and uses it often. His “baby” is a plant called the crown of thorns. He even took it on our camping trips so he could make sure it thrived.
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Gail, I’m not as dedicated as your husband, but I understand!
Water, water, water, and more in this August heat. Our water bill has skyrocketed this summer due to keeping new sod alive. I do like those apps that identify plants and show us how to care for them.
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I’m afraid to look at my water bill!
My mom said I’m the only person on the planet who ever killed a philodendron. For several years in a law office, my first-thing-every-Monday-morning-absolute-must-do-job was winding an antique clock and watering the philodendron. It occupied a table all its own straight in front of my desk. The clock survived. The plant didn’t. One of the lawyers threatened to have me arrested for murder. Fortunately, tongue-in-cheek!
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LOL Peggy! I’ll know not to ask you to water my plants!
My husband has taken over the job of tending our outdoor plants! He’s much better at keeping them watered.
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Debbie, I’m like an old mother hen when it comes to my plants – and still they rebel in this heat!
Yes. I move back indoors, the ones which can survive out doors. I enjoy plants as do my two surviving sisters who inherited the love f gardening from our mother.
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Frances, I moved a few indoors until the weather is more forgiving. Love my plants.
I need to try this app. Usually, the kindest thing I can do for a plant is leave it alone. 😀
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Tina, that is hilarious. I do like the app, and you might too!
Yes. I move back indoors, the ones which can survive out doors. I enjoy plants as do my two surviving sisters who inherited that from our mother.
I love gardening. My parents shared their love of planting and enjoying the beauty of God’s creations. When we moved from Virginia to South Carolina nine years ago, I had to learn how to take care of different varieties of plants. 🙂 Thank you for sharing about the Picture This app. Have a blessed week!
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Thanks, Melissa, the app has helped me keep my plants healthy – but the heat is a rival.
I just pray!!
And add water.
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Joyce, perfect advice!
We my family and I care for most of our plants in all seasons
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Great family! Thanks
I used to be good at caring for my plants. Now, they’re lucky to get regular water. This app could prove valuable. Have a wonderful day!
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Thanks, Kathryn – let me know how you like the app.