Pot Bound Community

I’ve never seen my peace lilies so prolific! I thought this summer their growth was outrageous and wrote of my surprise in the blog labeled Peace.

I didn’t have a clue how well they and other plants would grow inside. I cannot bear to throw away cuttings, so the plants are overtaking the room by leaps and bounds. One doesn’t dare sit in a chair too long lest a wandering Pothos strand encircle one’s neck in a strangle hold like some alien from a monster movie.

Yeah, well, I may be prone to exaggeration a wee bit occasionally.

The amount of sunlight and water seem to be the perfect combination for them in our living room. I have been determined to repot them all come spring and find some sort of sturdy shelving that will survive the gusty winds when I put them back outside. I have found 2 people who would like some cuttings. I may give them a whole dern pot instead!

I happened upon an article about repotting plants, and I found out an interesting thing. Some plants don’t like to be repotted. They prefer being root bound! My thriving peace lilies in this environment are a perfect example. I have been thrilled with their growth but couldn’t figure out why here at the old people place was better than at the house in Thomaston. It has changed my plans for repotting them and saved my budget because I will not have to buy so many pots to thin them out.

It all comes down to preference. In Thomaston, the peace lily was in a flowerbed with yards of space to grow. They were alive but not thriving. When we moved and I replanted them into long, narrow pots, I saw growth. As they reproduced within those pots, I saw them start to multiply faster and sprout more flowering tops. I marveled. How can anything be so productive in such a crowded environment?

Then came the answer. They love close quarters and bound roots. A perfect place to thrive. I learned being root bound causes them to use water more efficiently causing even more growth. The images below show the opposite effect when there is not enough water. Within minutes after watering the drooping plants, the stems were refreshed and strengthened.

Hmm. An Object Lesson?

Community. Jam packed. Growing together to bring life, health, and well-being to those around them.

Those who love the ‘root bound’ feeling suffer when there is forced isolation due to illness or weather. Even the brief interaction of communal meals is very important to the folks who depend on the ‘water’ of companionship.

The Bible is full of one liners to guide us into knowing how to live within a healthy, thriving Community.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 TLB     So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are doing.

Galatians 6:11 ESV.    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.

Romans 12:10 ESV    Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 15:1-2 ESV     We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Let us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

John 15:12 gives the ultimate command by Jesus Himself.     This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Maybe that’s what Watering this potbound community should look like. Even those of us who like the wide open spaces of life.

Blessings

Kara Beth