Tips for first-time plant parents and reminders for the experienced ones
Plants are becoming more and more popular in the pandemic, among both long-term and new plant parents. Growing up, my grandparents travelled a lot and as one of the few people in my family with a green thumb, I was always put in charge of looking after my grandmother’s plants. Now, I have half a dozen plants of my own and the beginnings of an indoor herb garden.
While many plants are relatively low maintenance, here are a few things that I’ve learned over the years that are worth keeping in mind as you adopt a new plant.
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1. Do your research
First, while there are lots of lists on the internet detailing the best and most resilient plants for first-time plant owners, it’s important to do your own research first. Each plant has its own optimal growing conditions and it’s good to ensure that your home can meet them.
For example, temperature is an often overlooked but important condition to be aware of. Most plants do best anywhere between 16°C and 26°C. Do your best to avoid dramatic temperature changes in your home and keep plants away from drafty windows, especially in the winter.
Availability of light seems intuitive, but not all spaces in your home will get light equally and it’s good to consider where the best, most well-lit corners of your home are before you bring your plant home.
It’s also worth taking into account the other conditions in your home, such as the availability of space in your house, the thoughts of your housemates and your ability to take care of a plant. Also be aware that some plants are not safe to have around pets, so if you do have pets be sure to check that the plant you have in mind won’t be a danger to them.
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2. Don’t overwater!
Once you have adopted your plant, brought it home and set it up in a nice and sunny spot, you’ll be responsible for watering it. While creating a schedule or setting reminders on your phone can be helpful, it can increase the risk of overwatering your plant, which can be harder to come back from than underwatering.
Good lighting can help the plant dry out and mitigate the dangers of overwatering, but the best way to avoid it altogether is by checking the soil regularly and letting your plant tell you when it needs more water. If the soil is very damp, your plant doesn’t need any more water, but if the soil is drier, be sure to give your plant a drink.
Additionally, the amount of water a plant needs is proportional to its size, so your smaller plants will need less water than your larger ones and as your plants grow, they may need more water than they did before
Most planters have a drainage hole at the bottom, which mitigates the possibility of overwatering. If your planter does not, it would be good to find a planter that does have a drainage hole. It can also come in handy if your plant is underwatered because you can fill a sink with a few inches of water and set the plant in it to soak up some water quickly.
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3. Start simple
There are a plethora of plant accessories out there but when you’re starting out, it’s often best to start simple: plant, pot, watering can (or even just a designated cup will do) and maybe a spray bottle for misting the leaves.
Misting the leaves can help keep your plant free of dust. It also gives you a moment to check the leaves for any signs of illness or bugs as well as to remove any dead leaves. Many tropical plants will shed some of their leaves during the winter months and removing them makes space for new growth.
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4. Ask around!
Lastly, but maybe most important, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most nurseries or greenhouses are happy to chat about plant care if you call them. Plants are also a great conversation starter for Zoom calls with family and friends, who are likely happy to share their own plant advice and experiences.
Many, including students, are gravitating toward plants during these difficult times
Plants are known to have a number of benefits for both mental and physical health. A few of these benefits include reducing stress and anxiety, brightening living spaces and improving indoor air quality.
Given all the stress and uncertainty of these last few months and the increased amount of time people are spending inside their homes, maybe it’s no surprise that people are gravitating towards plants now.
“I think planting is quite therapeutic. I think a lot of people that weren't doing it before started to take an interest in it [during the pandemic] and I think we're seeing a resurgence of the younger generation getting a little bit more interested in it,” said Kate Psota, a greenhouse supervisor at Holland Park Garden Gallery.
“I think planting is quite therapeutic. I think a lot of people that weren't doing it before started to take an interest in it,” said Kate Psota, a greenhouse supervisor at Holland Park Garden Gallery.
For many students, the pandemic was an opportunity for them to further delve into their passion for plants. For some, this has meant growing their already sizable plant collections through buying new plants, swapping with friends and family or propagating plants they already had. For others, this has meant gardening in the warmer months.
“When reflecting upon how plants have been part of my life before and during the pandemic, I think they acted as an anchor and sense of normalcy. I still get to water them on the weekends, they still grow and make me happy even though everything has changed,” said Veronica Tran, a fifth-year biochemistry student.
For other students, the pandemic is the first time that they have tried anything remotely related to plants. The growing sense of community around the planting seems to be an important aspect of the appeal for students, particularly during these times when many feel disconnected from others.
Plants can act as conversation starters, giving students something to talk about with friends and family that is not necessarily related to the pandemic. There are also groups popping up on various social media sites, where plant parents facilitate the finding and trading of plants and offer information about how to take care of them.
“I think from the sudden increase of plants and plant owners throughout the pandemic there have been a lot of Facebook groups that have sprung out due to this. And there's a lot of trading of plants, of giving away . . . It's a community but it's also kind of a game almost like trading, they’re discussing it. It’s become its own thing that I can’t even quite describe,” said Lucy Lin, a fourth-year environmental sciences student.
“It's a community but it's also kind of a game almost like trading, they’re discussing it. It’s become its own thing that I can’t even quite describe,” said Lucy Lin, a fourth-year environmental sciences student.
However, the supply of plants hasn’t necessarily kept up with the dramatic increase in demand for a number of reasons. Some of the protocols that have been put in place due to the pandemic are affecting migrant workers, who are an important part of this industry. There are also restrictions on the import of plants.
Despite these challenges though, Psota commented that people have been understanding and flexible when shopping for their plants. She also doesn’t think this should discourage people from further exploring their relationship with plants and nature, especially during these times.
“I hope that [customers] would develop more of a relationship with nature, understanding how these things work and how they interact in our everyday life. Plants are such a part of our environment. I think a lot of people just think about them for just strict aesthetics but they do have the ability to reduce stress, working with them it's been proven to reduce stress. They can improve air quality within your home. So I hope when people come here that they have an appreciation for that and maybe even learn something new that they didn't know before,” said Psota.
Given the plethora of benefits provided by plants, it seems fitting that people are gravitating towards them during these difficult times. As we move into the greyer winter months and begin to spend even more time indoors, having something bright and green around the house will become even more important.
Online school has led to a disjointed and difficult experience for first-year students
By: Madeleine Harvey, Contributor
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, first-year students anticipated beginning university. As we imagined ourselves attending campus events, studying in campus libraries and socializing with our peers in campus restaurants, the excitement of attending university mounted with each passing day. Campus life brought promises of enrichment of the mind and soul. We would be able to curate lifelong connections with our peers and our professors, discovering our passions through one-on-one interaction and investigation.
Unfortunately, with the onset of the pandemic, these dreams were squandered as we learned that in-person education would be impossible for the 2020-2021 academic year. Instead, many students now define university life as a lonesome affair with an intense workload. This has a profound impact on the mental health and morale of first-year students at McMaster University.
One of the most important aspects of campus life is socialization. With the onset of online education, students are physically isolated from one another and unable to cultivate lasting friendships. While Zoom lectures can be effective for providing some semblance of a normal classroom through face-to-face visibility, the limited class time is not enough for constructive socialization in a discussion setting. Body language and facial expressions can be extremely difficult to gauge — and this is assuming that everybody has their camera turned on. As a result, Zoom lectures provide a very impersonal experience for students, rather than connecting them with their peers.
Instead, many students now define university life as a lonesome affair with an intense workload. This has a profound impact on the mental health and morale of first-year students at McMaster University.
This lack of connection is exaggerated for first-year students. While the upper-years have already had opportunities to bond with their peers in-person, first-year students have not been afforded that same luxury. Instead, we have to navigate the world of Zoom in order to meet friends. With constant interruptions, screen freezings and awkward silences, the technological barrier can be extremely difficult when trying to befriend others.
Outside of the virtual “classroom,” many students are hesitant to interact with their cohort. Even in usually tight-knit communities, such as Arts & Science, students are finding it difficult to make friends. Some students point to the fact that they do not want to do their schoolwork on a screen and also attempt to make friends online because of ever-impending Zoom fatigue.
Outside of the virtual “classroom,” many students are hesitant to interact with their cohort. Even in usually tight-knit communities, such as Arts & Science, students are finding it difficult to make friends.
Navigating WhatsApp group chats and other non-educational forms of interaction cannot replace the value of face-to-face interaction. Many students are unable to fully convey their personality online and make connections with like-minded individuals. Sarcasm and humour that would be perceived during in-person conversation cannot be read as easily in digital message form. When one single text can be interpreted to have multiple meanings, charisma is almost non-existent. As a result, it can be extremely tedious to make friends in a group chat and students become reluctant to reach out across cyberspace to other individuals. This can exacerbate loneliness when working remotely.
Coupled with reduced social interaction, the intensified workload relative to high school is taking its toll on the first-year student body. For many students, working from home is not the ideal situation. The home can be a place of distractions and other obligations that students must fulfill during their day. Many students find themselves working upwards of 10 hours per day with little time to unwind and relax.
Those with part-time jobs have difficulty finding a balance between work, school and relaxation. While this is certainly not a first-year exclusive experience, the effects of an increased workload online are amplified as newcomers to the higher expectations of university.
For many students, working from home is not the ideal situation. The home can be a place of distractions and other obligations that students must fulfill during their day.
Last week, real human interaction occurred purely by accident when a Zoom malfunction stranded me and three classmates in a breakout room for the remainder of a lecture. Not wanting to return to the lonesome affair of Zoom university, my classmates and I carried out a conversation about how our lives had adapted to online school. This simple conversation soon drifted into other various topics and eventually, the banter turned humorous. For the first time since the beginning of school, I felt that I had made true connections with my classmates — a rarity in the face of online learning. All of us caught a whiff of what our first-year experience may have been without the pandemic.
The concerns expressed in this article only scratch the surface of the abundance of detrimental effects associated with online school. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, it can be difficult to place blame on the university for this unfortunate first-year experience. Unless first-years are willing to take the extra step to reach out to members of the community in an attempt to curate lasting friendships, loneliness is inevitable.
As for the workload, students will need to devise a strategy so they can manage their studies while still taking time for themselves during this circumstance of global calamity. Perhaps, a solution could include scheduling breaks away from screens in-between lectures, organizing Zoom study groups or venturing out into nature if the weather permits. Likewise, professors should be receptive to feedback and be willing to adjust their teaching methods to suit the needs of the online environment. Online school is far from perfect, but in order to avoid hopelessness and despair, students need to make the best of this sad imitation of the first-year experience.
Please note: This is a developing story and this article will be updated as more information arises.
McMaster is requiring students to move out of residence by this Saturday at 4 p.m., as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads and calls for social distancing increase across the province.
In a release sent out the morning of March 17, McMaster announced immediate changes to support social distancing within residences. Until the move-out deadline, guests will not be permitted in residences, and common rooms and game rooms will be closed.
In order to appropriately check-out, students must complete a mandatory online residence status update form through the McMaster Housing Portal. The form asks students to select a move-out time between Tuesday, March 17 and Saturday March 21 at 4 p.m.
Before this release, the university suspended all in-person classes and exams on Friday, March 13. Many classes are being moved online, and professors are required to contact students by Wednesday to let them know how their courses will proceed for the remainder of the term.
McMaster’s 12 on-campus residences house almost 3,600 students. It remains to be seen how the university will support students in their transition from residence.
A room in residence costs between $5,800 and $9,000 for a year. The residence contract requires students to move out of residence the day after their last exam, which can be anywhere from April 13 to April 29.
In the March 17 release, McMaster committed to providing “financial consideration for your shortened stay in residence” to students who check out of residence on or before the designated move-out deadline. It is not yet clear what financial consideration entails. According to the frequently asked questions column on the Residence COVID-19 Updates page, the University does not currently have any information regarding refunds for meal, residence, and parking fees. Food plan budgets will, however, carry over into next year. Information is expected to be updated soon.
The university may make exceptions for students who are unable to return home due to travel restrictions, however, students need to submit an application through the McMaster Housing Portal in order to be eligible to remain in residence. According to the release, the only students eligible to remain in residence are international students and out-of-province students who need extra time to move out.
The statement did not make note of students who face additional barriers, which may prevent them from being able to complete the remainder of their academic terms, should they be forced to move out from residence.
Hi Calvin -- students in those circumstances would need to speak with Housing about their specific situation.
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) March 17, 2020
Students may be unable to return to their family homes due to unsafe living situations or unsupportive families. Additionally, students may not have access to wifi and other resources necessary to complete their course work. As the provincial government requires all public libraries in Ontario close under a declaration of emergency, it remains to be seen how the university will support students without access to the resources necessary to engage in online courses.
Update: March 20, 2020: While international students and out-of-province students are pre-approved to stay in residence, students with extenuating circumstances, such as those in unsafe living situations, can apply to extend their stay.
"Students who have extenuating circumstances may request special consideration from the Residence Admissions office to extend their stay. These are approved on a case-by-case basis," wrote Holly Gibson, manager of marketing and communications for housing and conference services, in an emailed statement.
Gibson also confirmed that all food services except for Centro are now closed.
It is yet to be determined whether students who stay in residence will remain in their current rooms.
"Once we determine the number of students who will need to stay on campus, we will make plans with a focus on student safety, social distancing and in alignment with Public Health recommendations," stated Gibson.
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Hamilton-based drag queen reveals the impact of the pandemic on drag shows and how she has kept her artistry alive
When the series of lockdowns began in Ontario last fall and all public gatherings were put on halt, live performers, including drag queens, were faced with the challenge of keeping the art and community alive from home. However, despite months of stay-at-home orders and cancelled shows, drag queens of Hamilton have proven their resilience and unfaltering devotion to their craft by employing creative digital ways of connecting with their audience.
Like many of us, Karma Kameleon, a Hamilton-based drag queen, didn’t initially know what to do with all the extra time or how to stay connected with her community. Kameleon started performing three years ago and was about to launch her full-time career in drag when the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in March of last year, cancelling her shows in 10 cities across Ontario. It was devastating to have her long-awaited goal interrupted so suddenly without warning.
To cope with the loss of a physical stage, Kameleon and other drag queens turned to digital content creation. At first, most people remained hopeful that this would be a short-term solution and that live, in-person shows would be back on soon. However, as time went on and reliance on digital platforms became heavier and more important, more queens got creative with their online performances and experimented with various platforms, starting with livestreams.
One of the most memorable livestreams Kameleon did was for St. Patrick’s Day because everyone was still inexperienced in the digital drag era. It was filmed from her decorated basement and although she described it as a “disaster”, it was supported by a great audience. Besides the learning curve of online content creation, Kameleon said the biggest obstacle has been copyright infringements. As livestreams became more popular among drag queens, copyrights forced their videos to get taken down or blocked, pressuring them to get even more innovative with the types of content and move onto other digital outlets such as music videos, Instagram and TikTok.
Kameleon also took on a challenge to improve her makeup and sewing skills during the months in lockdown. She was more known for her comedy and stage performances than her looks. Having extra time for personal skill growth made her more proud, more confident and happier with her artistry.
Despite building a successful online presence during the pandemic and maintaining the art of drag digitally, Kameleon said ultimately, nothing could compensate for the lost experiences of in-house shows.
“I’ve tried every avenue of digital drag and at some point, it just kind of stagnates. I’m glad to have any amount of a platform or any amount of an audience, but after a while I just missed the instant gratification of saying something stupid and someone laughing,” Kameleon said.
Kameleon desperately missed the experiences of being swept up by the atmosphere of a crowd, fighting with seven other drag queens for a mirror and being able to develop a higher level of human connection through real, in-person interactions. Every moment of normalcy she got back during the gaps between lockdowns made her realize how much she missed every aspect of performing live and a greater appreciation for the community of continuous supporters. When Ontario announced its reopening plans, she was beyond grateful to have in-person shows started up again.
Her favourite part about live performances is when only one or two people are paying attention to her song in the beginning but by the end, watching more and more people begin to put down their phones and get captivated by her eccentric performance. That’s the kind of human connection that she longed for the most.
Kemeleon’s first return to live shows was on June 18 at Absinthe Hamilton with the House of Adam and Steve. Her biggest worry during the pandemic was whether she would still have an audience when she could have live shows again.
But to her surprise, the response was overwhelming. The patio reached full capacity and a long line up crowded the streets.
“[During the pandemic], you could have an audience, but you couldn’t necessarily charge a price for there to be audience . . . But as we’ve kind of moved forward, I’m trying this brand-new thing of actually charging for my shows and I was terrified no one would show up. But the response has been phenomenal,” Kameleon said.
Especially in a city like Hamilton without an established queer scene or a dedicated queer space, the resilience of the arts in the city was heartwarming to observe.
Kameleon also missed working with other queens during the months spent doing at-home online shows. The sisterhood of being in a community of individuals with similar struggles, experiences and backstories is an important source of support for any drag queen.
As Ontario enters the next stage in the reopening plan, Kameleon is most excited to showcase her growth as an entertainer over the past year. She also hopes to help reshape the drag scene to ensure artists are treated with respect and compensated fairly for the work that they do.
“[As we are] talking to the people who are part of the [drag] scene in every city, there is this understanding of, ‘Now that we know what it’s like not to have it and now that we know what we miss about it, we also kind of know what we deserve,’” Kameleon said.
More importantly, she is looking forward to more diversity in the drag community and the reopening of the world through the lens of everything that has happened last year, especially regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, Stop Asian Hate movement and the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada. She hopes to see the world and the drag community in Hamilton move forward with a more open and inclusive mindset and more credit given to people of colour in the drag scene.
If you love drag or appreciation for any of the arts, Kameleon encourages the local community to provide any form of support. Even if you can’t financially support an artist, every like, comment, or reshare is a form of support that can help boost their online platform and help their art feel more validated after a difficult past year.
