Stephanie’s Peace Lily

One would have thought I would have had a Peace Lily after all these years. But one would be wrong. I am the one Behnke with a brown thumb, which is not from planting. Years ago, after killing so many houseplants, including a photo, that I sorta gave up. I used all the excuses in the book. Lack of time and space. Who has time to walk around with a watering can and talk to plants? The problem, however, has always been I knew they were just excuses because I was sure I could never keep my plants alive.

Then came the grand experiment with a Butterfly Orchid I bought at the National Capital Orchid Society Auction at Behnke’s. I was in love. I loved everything about that plant, and we enjoyed watching it bloom repeatedly. But sadly, apparently, I tried to murder it, according to the Orchid Lady, Carol Allen, when I brought it to her to find out why it was not looking great. She did not give it back to me. (I am joking! I ended up giving it to her since I could not keep it alive) I still have one mini cattleya alive, so there may be hope.

Then Behnke’s was closing, and I panicked. I needed to have African Violets. This would be my last chance. My husband built me a shelf in my kitchen just like my grandmother Rose Behnke had, and I knew, I just knew this time, these violets would thrive. (I had tried many times before) Well, one by one, they all died except for one. I decided to try another window. Yes, it took me years to come to that conclusion. This time, at last, the violet lived.

Then my mom passed away, and I got two of her beautiful violets that she never killed, even with Alzheimer’s, for over 9 years. Somehow, those and some other plants lived and bloomed for her. Her husband swore he never took care of them. So here I was, my violet in another window and mom’s two. I was so impressed with how they were doing that my granddaughter, and I took leaf cuttings and watched 4 out of 12 live. However, before the year ended, everything was in trouble. The tiny babies died, and my other three violets were not doing well. I returned them to my stepfather because it looked like I had no idea how to take care of plants. I was going to toss one of the violets, but my husband nursed it back to life. He has his area in our house where plants thrive. Maybe he is down there talking to them. I have not given up totally on violets and plan to buy another one this Spring.

So here I go again. Earlier this month, someone had sent a smaller Peace Lily to my father-in-law’s funeral, and I adopted it. It’s now in week 3, with some more blooms popping up. I have always heard they are a very simple plant to take care of, so we will see. My husband most likely will take over the care of it since, unlike me, he does have a green thumb.