(Sorry this is long bc I’m mad)
So, yep, apparently my MIL (who is the caretaker of the property we are renting on) got into some kind of snit fit and cut our two beautiful Pelargonium plants all the way to the ground. Why? I have no idea. Honestly, she does baffling things like this with plants and fruit trees on the property really often, especially when (in her words) the plants get “messy” or “out of control” (whatever that means).
They weren’t technically our plants, bc they had been there since before we moved in, but I really wish she had at least asked me what I thought first, especially since my partner and I are the ones that saw and dealt with them the most. I’m really going to miss all the butterflies, carpenter bees, honeybees, moths, mantids, birds, lizards, and other creatures feeding from the flowers and using the bushes as much-needed shade and shelter during this upcoming spring and summer.
Honestly, the more I think about the plants being gone, the more angry I get. Our house currently looks pretty shitty, and those were the only beautiful plants in the front that made everything look less horrible. If they needed pruning, that’s one thing, but omg she did not need to cut them down like that!! Now it’s just two barely-there stumps, surrounded by rocks (another thing I’m mad about; I’m a rockhounder and she keeps moving my rocks around without asking me, and keeps using them as landscaping rocks without talking to me first).
Does anyone know how long it might take before they grow back and bloom again? Is there anything I can do (besides move the rocks off them) to help them grow faster/more healthily? We live on a brackish marsh so conditions can be a little rough sometimes.
by spirandro
14 Comments
Not sure how quickly they will grow back, but they should. If you found the carcasses you could start new plants from the old stems. Root in water, & after a few weeks there will be enough root growth to transplant. Just make sure you water the newbies. Is there a rental contract? I would have the partner talk to the MIL about these raids
Become petty and do similar to her. Rip up her artificial grass. Just “oh ok” her when she questions you. Then do it again.
That wasn’t very nice.
Plants and animals should not have to pay the price for human frailty, but they almost always do.
I’m sorry that sucks, hopefully you can find your own slice of Eden in the future without your pesky MIL messing with your garden
You tell her straight that she obviously hasn’t a clue when it comes to gardening and go join a damn book club if she wants things to do.
Tell your husband to grow some balls!
You are in a tough spot as far as your MIL, but as to the plant, get some all purpose organic fertilizer. It has to be organic because inorganic sometimes can burn roots. I think you are safe using about 1/4 cup. Spread it evenly around the plant, lightly mix it in just like the top 1/2 inch of soil. Then water it in with a minimum of 2 gallons of water. And wait. I’m not sure if it will stay dormant until the spring, it might, so be patient.
You might try putting a wire cage around it and putting the cage spikes at least a foot in the ground. A tomato cage might work. That would definitely deter a weed eater. She would have to put in a little more effort to pull that out. If she complains you can pull her trick . Say ok then ignore her. Two can play that game.
Sounds kinda like a narcissist. Likes to be in control and remember to show you who’s the boss
I know this isn’t the best solution, but in my yard I have some wooden painted flowers and little ladybugs and stuff on metal rods that go in the ground to keep them in place (thrifted from an estate sale). I was wondering if you could do something like that as a temporary, cute way to “landscape” a little. Also, it has the added pettiness that if she asks you about them, you can look her in the eye and say at least she can’t kill these. Since she obviously doesn’t listen to you or care about your feelings, I think you deserve a little spite (that isn’t hurting anyone else).
You should tell your MIL that you’re extremely worried, because what she did might be evidence of the onset of dementia, and you and your partner might need to start searching for a facility that can help take care of her.
Water with miracle grow a few times a week. Then sign your mother in law up for a bunch of nursing home mailers/ pamphlets.
It will be fine. Don’t worry. Hit it with water and high nitrogen fertilizer every 10 days. It will grow back in no time.
I know this isnt AITAH but really ESH. You and your spouse need yo both grow a pair and actively and aggressively confront her. This has to be An Unpleasant Experience or else there is no lasting impact. Demand she pay to replace things that were destroyed. Bring the laundry list of every time you told her to Not Do That. Don’t make it about the aesthetic issues unless you can get some hard evidence that her nonsense results in lowering property values.
And get the mom involved. She needs to know what her daughter has been fucking up on the job as “caretaker” and how her son is dropping the ball standing up for his wife. You will want to do this privately, since hubs is part of the problem too.
I know conflict is unpleasant but it’s necessary to prevent this kind of shit. If you let them run unchallenged then it will only continue. Stand the fuck up for yourselves.