Lucky #7 Community Page
This page is for the Lucky #7 community and focuses on questions and conversations from fellow plant lovers.
Community Questions
We build community through the sharing of stories, experience, knowledge, and ideas.
You ask - we answer!
Question:
"I never know how much to water a plant. How do you know how much to water?"
- Plant lover, October Delaware Pride Market
Knowing how much to water can be a real challenge, and believe us, we have been both successful and failed a time or two. You are not alone if you struggle with watering. Here are some general guidelines:
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Water once per week (only my basil needs more than once per week).
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If in doubt, let it dry out!
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Water when leaves are droopy and soil is dry to the touch.
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Water so that the top layer of soil is soaked, but you don't need the whole pot to be wet, especially for bigger pots.
I personally use a counting system, where for small pots I count to 2, and for larger pots I count to 5 or 7. It helps me control how much I water and be more consistent.
If you end up with an over-watered plant (which happens to the best of us), you can save the plant by transplanting to fresh, dry soil and allowing the plant to recover. Then scale back your watering for that plant and let the original soil dry out before using it again. Happy watering!
Question:
"I'd like to get into bonsai - where should I start?"
If you already love plants, bonsai is a wonderfully natural next step—it’s part gardening, part art, and part meditation. Getting started doesn’t require rare trees or expensive tools. Many beginners begin with hardy, forgiving species like juniper, ficus, Chinese elm, or jade, which adapt well to indoor conditions and occasional mistakes. A simple starter kit (a small tree, well-draining soil, and basic pruning shears) is more than enough for your first season. The real skill in bonsai isn’t perfection—it’s learning to observe how your tree grows and gently guiding its shape over time.
What makes bonsai especially rewarding is the slow relationship you build with a single plant. Instead of quick results, you’ll practice patience: trimming a little, wiring a branch, then waiting weeks to see how the tree responds. It’s an ideal winter hobby too, when growth is slower and indoor plant care becomes more intentional. If you’re curious, start small, expect a few imperfect attempts, and enjoy the process—bonsai is less about creating a museum piece and more about cultivating attention, calm, and a deeper connection to how plants grow.
I just tried out this website for online ordering of bonsai trees: Eastern Leaf. My husband is a bonsai beginner enthusiast, and I unfortunately managed to kill his baby bonsai this winter somehow - not enough watering! So we are going to try again. Happy planting to all of you!