Plant Soils and Bamboo Water Testing

 

Succulent & Cactus Soil:

• Frodo – Ceropegia String of Hearts
• Arwen – Senecio String of Pearls
• Sauron – Zamioculcas ‘Raven’ 

 

 

Regular Potting Soil

• Gimi – Philodendron Prince of Orange - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Boromir – Peperomia Red - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Denethor – Peperomia Red/Green Stripes - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Faramir – Peperomia Green - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Legolas – Philodendron Brazil - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Eowyn – Aglaonema Lady Valentine - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Saruman – Pothos ‘N Joy’  - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Aragorn – Philodendron Cordatum - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 
• Merry – Pilea Involucrata - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite or half cactus soil
• Pippin – Pilea Mollis - - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite OR half cactus soil
• Eomer – Pothos ‘Neon’ - Needs Orchid Bark or Perlite 

No Soil (Air Plants):

• Gandalf – T. Xerographica
• Gollum – T. Caput Medusae
• Samwise – T. Ionantha Clump x2

 

 

 Bamboo Stick Guide

 

Here’s a simple “bamboo skewer soil guide” tailored to your Fellowship so you know exactly when each one needs a drink:

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Succulent & Cactus Soil Crew (Fast-Draining Mix)

(Frodo, Arwen, Sauron)

• Check: Insert skewer 2–3 inches down.
• Wet/Damp: Pull out → soil sticks, looks dark → hold off watering.
• Dry: Pull out → soil comes out clean/crumbly → time to water lightly.
• Tip: Succulents hate soggy roots; always let soil dry completely between waterings.

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Regular Potting Soil + Bark/Perlite Crew

(Gimli, Boromir, Faramir, Denethor, Legolas, Eowyn, Saruman, Aragorn, Eomer, Merry, Pippin)

• Check: Skewer 1–2 inches deep (depending on pot size).
• Wet/Damp: Soil clings → skip watering.
• Dry: Skewer comes out clean → water evenly until water drains out the bottom.
• Tip: Pileas (Merry & Pippin) tolerate slightly drier soil than most; half cactus mix speeds up drying.

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Air Plants (No Soil)

(Gandalf, Gollum, Samwise)

• Check: Skewer not needed here; just feel leaves.
• Damp: Leaves feel soft and pliable → skip soaking.
• Dry: Leaves slightly curled or firm → soak 20–30 min, then shake dry.
• Tip: Airflow > soaking. Avoid leaving them wet for hours—they’ll rot.

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Extra Tricks

• Color change on skewer = easiest indicator: dark = damp, light = dry.
• For small pots (2–3 inches), check every 3–4 days; larger pots every 5–7 days.
• Succulents & ZZ plants = always check deeper than the top 0.5–1 inch. Surface can be dry while roots are soggy.

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STRING OF PEARLS

 

Yes, the windows on a

Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls) do appear to "open" and "close" based on hydration levels. They are, in fact, transparent vertical slits that allow light to enter the leaf for photosynthesis.  

• Open (Hydrated): When the plant is hydrated, the pearl is plump, making the slit appear wider or more visible (open).
• Closed (Thirsty): When the plant needs water, the pearl shrivels slightly, causing the window to narrow into a fine, faint line (closed). 

Watching these windows is a reliable way to gauge when to water your String of Pearls.