User:Aeong/Indoor Gardening: Difference between revisions

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== Indoor Plants In A Solarpunk World ==

The first thing many people see when they are introduced to Solarpunk is all the plant life in many pieces of Solarpunk artwork. While most of these plants are outdoors, indoor plants have their own place in a world like this too, not just for the food they can provide for all the health benefits they provide us~~. Make no mistake though~~, ~~the only proven health benefits~~ of ~~Indoor plants are for one's mental health~~. A common myth is that houseplants can purify the air in a home. This is based on a [[w:NASA_Clean_Air_Study|1989 NASA study]] that has never been successfully replicated. While it is true that plants take a part in purifying the air around us, they do so in great numbers. The effectiveness of air purification would vary from plant to plant, and noticeable air purification may require an unreasonably large concentration of plants in each room, if successful at all. There have however have been attempts to [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.8b04811 genetically modify plants to excel at purifying air]. A company known as [https://neoplants.com/product/neo-px Neoplants] sells, and the subscription ~~based products sold by these companies raise further suspicion along with ethical concerns'''(elaborate)'''~~

The first thing many people see when they are introduced to Solarpunk is all the plant life in many pieces of Solarpunk artwork. While most of these plants are outdoors, indoor plants have their own place in a world like this too, not just for the food they can provide for all the health benefits they provide us, but not all of this is true. A common myth is that houseplants can purify the air in a home. This is based on a [[w:NASA_Clean_Air_Study|1989 NASA study]] that has never been successfully replicated. While it is true that plants take a part in purifying the air around us, they do so in great numbers. The effectiveness of air purification would vary from plant to plant, and noticeable air purification may require an unreasonably large concentration of plants in each room, if successful at all. There have however have been attempts to [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.8b04811 genetically modify plants to excel at purifying air]. A company known as [https://neoplants.com/product/neo-px Neoplants] sells microbial powder to put in the soil of plants that they claim makes the plant "30 times better at purifying air", but these packets have a proprietary design and are only sold through the companies subscription service. The myth of singular plants purifying air has inspired artists to make solarpunk art of plant powered breathing masks.

But the positive effect indoor plants have on mental health should not be understated. Plants have been shown to drastically improve the effects of people with mental illnesses. '''(go into further detail on this, and the effects the mind can have on physical healing. Possibly also cover the medical benefits of plants such as the aloe vera. Make sure to mention the solarpunk art influenced by the purification myth.)'''

== Where to Buy Plants ==

There are many places to buy indoor plants, the most common places in the west are big box stores. But the plants sold in them are often poorly maintained by underpaid employees who usually do not prioritize the health and well-being of these plants. Often these plants can go a very long time with no water, and are stuck in places that receive inadequate lighting. Buying plants from these stores ~~only~~ encourages ~~this cycle and~~ the unethical conditions these stores provide their plants and employees. Buying plants online is a better option, as you are given access to plants that have received a higher quality of care, but the time it can take to transport these plants can have a negative impact on their health. You are also trusting overworked delivery drivers (who are expected to be fast) to handle your plants with care. The safest and most ethical option is buy locally from reputable Mom and Pop stores and community markets.

There are many places to buy indoor plants, the most common places in the west are big box stores. But the plants sold in them are often poorly maintained by underpaid employees who usually do not prioritize the health and well-being of these plants. Often these plants can go a very long time with no water, and are stuck in places that receive inadequate lighting. Buying plants from these stores encourages the unethical conditions these stores provide their plants and employees. Buying plants online is a better option, as you are given access to plants that have received a higher quality of care, but the online plant market is full of scams, especially with seeds. The time it can take to transport these plants can also have a negative impact on their health. You are also trusting overworked delivery drivers (who are expected to be fast) to handle your plants with care. The safest and most ethical option is buy locally from reputable Mom and Pop stores and community markets.

== Determining Plant Health ==

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 == Indoor Plants In A Solarpunk World ==
-The first thing many people see when they are introduced to Solarpunk is all the plant life in many pieces of Solarpunk artwork. While most of these plants are outdoors, indoor plants have their own place in a world like this too, not just for the food they can provide for all the health benefits they provide us. Make no mistake though, the only proven health benefits of Indoor plants are for one's mental health. A common myth is that houseplants can purify the air in a home. This is based on a [[w:NASA_Clean_Air_Study|1989 NASA study]] that has never been successfully replicated. While it is true that plants take a part in purifying the air around us, they do so in great numbers. The effectiveness of air purification would vary from plant to plant, and noticeable air purification may require an unreasonably large concentration of plants in each room, if successful at all. There have however have been attempts to [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.8b04811 genetically modify plants to excel at purifying air]. A company known as [https://neoplants.com/product/neo-px Neoplants] sells, and the subscription based products sold by these companies raise further suspicion along with ethical concerns'''(elaborate)'''
+The first thing many people see when they are introduced to Solarpunk is all the plant life in many pieces of Solarpunk artwork. While most of these plants are outdoors, indoor plants have their own place in a world like this too, not just for the food they can provide for all the health benefits they provide us, but not all of this is true. A common myth is that houseplants can purify the air in a home. This is based on a [[w:NASA_Clean_Air_Study|1989 NASA study]] that has never been successfully replicated. While it is true that plants take a part in purifying the air around us, they do so in great numbers. The effectiveness of air purification would vary from plant to plant, and noticeable air purification may require an unreasonably large concentration of plants in each room, if successful at all. There have however have been attempts to [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.8b04811 genetically modify plants to excel at purifying air]. A company known as [https://neoplants.com/product/neo-px Neoplants] sells microbial powder to put in the soil of plants that they claim makes the plant "30 times better at purifying air", but these packets have a proprietary design and are only sold through the companies subscription service. The myth of singular plants purifying air has inspired artists to make solarpunk art of plant powered breathing masks.
 But the positive effect indoor plants have on mental health should not be understated. Plants have been shown to drastically improve the effects of people with mental illnesses. '''(go into further detail on this, and the effects the mind can have on physical healing. Possibly also cover the medical benefits of plants such as the aloe vera. Make sure to mention the solarpunk art influenced by the purification myth.)'''
 == Where to Buy Plants ==
-There are many places to buy indoor plants, the most common places in the west are big box stores. But the plants sold in them are often poorly maintained by underpaid employees who usually do not prioritize the health and well-being of these plants. Often these plants can go a very long time with no water, and are stuck in places that receive inadequate lighting. Buying plants from these stores only encourages this cycle and the unethical conditions these stores provide their plants and employees. Buying plants online is a better option, as you are given access to plants that have received a higher quality of care, but the time it can take to transport these plants can have a negative impact on their health. You are also trusting overworked delivery drivers (who are expected to be fast) to handle your plants with care. The safest and most ethical option is buy locally from reputable Mom and Pop stores and community markets.
+There are many places to buy indoor plants, the most common places in the west are big box stores. But the plants sold in them are often poorly maintained by underpaid employees who usually do not prioritize the health and well-being of these plants. Often these plants can go a very long time with no water, and are stuck in places that receive inadequate lighting. Buying plants from these stores encourages the unethical conditions these stores provide their plants and employees. Buying plants online is a better option, as you are given access to plants that have received a higher quality of care, but the online plant market is full of scams, especially with seeds. The time it can take to transport these plants can also have a negative impact on their health. You are also trusting overworked delivery drivers (who are expected to be fast) to handle your plants with care. The safest and most ethical option is buy locally from reputable Mom and Pop stores and community markets.
 == Determining Plant Health ==