Plant Care “Between Times”

Picture it: houseplant-experienced resident elderly ladies and gentlemen. A woman has had a houseful of plants that she has cared for all her life. Some plants are as old as she is, or older. She knows how to keep them going. Or perhaps it is the gentlemen of the house who has the green thumb. Now, here they are with the limited space of their campus apartment. Not all the plants were able to come with them to their new home. Some were passed to the daughter or daughter-in-law.

Now a plant has been placed in a common area.

Residents from Hall A water it. Then a resident from Hall B recalls that it was dry when she checked it—yesterday—and thinks, I must water it when I come by tomorrow. No surprisingly, it becomes overwatered. So Cathy G makes a sign.

Who owns the plant? Is it a resident? Is it housekeeping? Who is supposed to water it? How does a person know when it is “between times”? ’Twas amusing to picture the plant-watering activities that called for the making of a sign.