This listicle is written about an interview with my father, Eric Slayton. It covers everything about his plants that he grows indoors and how he does it.

What plants are being grown?

Eric grows a variety of plants, ranging from roses and begonias, to tomatoes, turmeric, and blueberries, to even a lemon tree. All of these are grown from either seeds or clippings indoors.

How did he start a Lemon Tree?

His mother started the original tree from a store-bought lemon seed, to which she took a clipping from a branch and gave to Eric. He then planted it and it grew into a lemon tree. While it does not bare lemons, the leaves have many uses. His main use for them is to flavor his sweet tea. 

How does he compensate for the plants being indoors?

He was preparing for plants as far back as when he started building our house by purposely making the windows face southward for the best and most sunlight. He also buys specific light bulbs, daylight bulbs, that simulate sunlight to help the plants grow. Eric also buys Miracle Growth Fertilizer that he mixes with water before feeding to the plants. This is not even all, as he uses compost to help his plants get extra nutrients they may get outside, mainly taking advantage of the tea leaves in used teabags, old rice, among other things that would go bad or typically just be thrown away. 

How much light do the plants need?

For any plant not getting enough natural sunlight and or any at all, artificial lighting can be used instead. The plants need to get 16 to 18 hours of artificial light a day to be healthy. 

How much and how often do the plants need to be watered?

For the lemon tree, it needs to be watered every day, much like the roses, begonias, and turmeric. Tomatoes need to be watered every other day, and the blueberries every three to four days.

The begonias and the lemon tree need to be watered more often than his other plants because the begonias need lots of water, and the pot for the lemon tree is too small for it so it takes the water in too quickly.

All of the plants do fine being watered from either the top or bottom of the plant, none requiring it to be a specific way.

Could a draft damage a plant?

A hot draft would not affect the plants too much, but a cold one for too long could kill the plants, or even if the air conditioner is set too low.

What would he do if a mold of fungus starts growing in or on his plants?

If mold starts growing in his pots, he carefully avoids watering that part till it dries out and can easily be removed. However, if it is mushrooms, he just lets them grow because they are either helping the plant thrive or are edible.

Does he get rid of or leave the bugs?

He does not get rid of most bugs and even uses dead ones he finds in the house to help add nutrients to the soil. The only insect he actively tries to get rid of is fungus gnats as they often damage the plant more than they ever help it.

Does he remove the damaged stems and or leaves?

He tries to remove any and all damaged parts of the plant if necessary as they are not doing anything for the plant. If it is laid back in the soil, it can provide nutrients that would otherwise go to waste.