Spread the plant

When my office mate Paul left for Exeter University, I inherited his office plants. I tried to look after them well! Both still in the office, and at home, where I moved all of them when lockdown hit. I wasn't entirely successful; not all of them have survived the years since his departure.

One of the plants was something that looks a bit like a two dimensional aloe vera. It found a home in my conservatory, and it seemed to like it there. But I had decided that maybe I should move it back. It's a big plant! And there is more space in my office. So when I knew I was going to go into the field, and therefore had to drive to the office, I thought that provided a good opportunity. But I picked it up, and figured that it had outgrown its pot. I should really repot it before I move it.

Enormous plant! Crocs for scale

After the first day in the field I set to work. I took it out of the pot, but noticed it easily split into several individual plants. That was fine, but also more work! I turned it into four big plants, and two small plant pots with some pups. And I decided to take two of the big plants into the office. The third one could stay where it had been, in the conservatory; I have to think about where the fourth one will go.

Many plants now

It might be a bit trivial, but I really like this concept of looking after something that lives, and being a sort of a custodian to it. One of Paul's other plants already has grandchildren, one of which also living in my office. And now this plant has reproduced, in its own way. He left seven years ago, but his plants are still providing snugness to my office! And I hope he has nice replacements in the south. And when he inevitably stops working one day (due to retirement or otherwise), maybe someone will inherit those plants, and has many more years of enjoyment for them…