Before my wife left on her trip (NYC & Spain for 3 weeks), she gave me only one job to do around the house: water the plants. However, she did not tell me that this was a full-time job and that all other activities (including my “real” job), would need to take a back seat. I should have known. Here is the list of my plant care duties:

Plant Care for Nick

**Always use tepid (lukewarm) water.  Water approximately once per week. **

BEDROOM (clockwise, starting at bonsais)
Bonsais: you know how to water these J
Philodendron: (planted in a plastic terra cotta colored pot, sitting on top of Willa’s white bookshelf) needs a good drink once per week.
Palm: (in that 3 plant holder by bedroom heater) water liberally, but not enough to overflow the drainage saucer.
Avocado: (in that 3 plant holder by bedroom heater) needs a good amount of water, but be aware of excess overflowing the saucer below. 
Variegated (white and green) Rubber Plant: (in that 3 plant holder by bedroom heater) needs a good amount of water, but be aware of excess overflowing the saucer below. 
Lipstick Plant: (hanging above white shelving unit) water in tub or sink, giving it several large cupfuls until water runs completely through soil.
Orchids that sit in the avocado plant: give it a small drink over the sink once per week.  Make sure water runs through the holes on side of pot.
Orchid: (on R side of the top shelf of the white shelving unit) give it a small drink over the sink once per week. Make sure water runs through the holes on side of pot.
Violets:  MOST IMPORTANT!!!
Water from the bottom.  Remove violets from their terra cotta/other ceramic pots.  Fill 2 rectangle baking pans about 1/2 way up with lukewarm water.  Place all violets (in their plastic grower’s pots) in the pans. Do not leave violets in water for much more than a half hour.  Let any excess water drip out before putting them back into terra cotta/other pots.
Hoya: (little climber to the left of the jasmine plant):  fill plastic grower’s pot with water just until it starts to overflow. 
Jasmine: water liberally.  Mist on occasion.
Succulent Garden, Living Stones, succulents and all Cacti:  water slightly. 
Dark Rubber Plant:  same watering as the variegated one.
Red Emerald philodendron: (Climbing up and over window separating bedroom from living room): water same as other philodendron; watch for excess water. 

LIVING ROOM (starting clockwise at the mantle)
Swiss cheese philodendron: (next to Norfolk pine) water like philodendron in bedroom. 
Schefflera (biggest plant):  give it about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon.  This plant loves being misted. 
Philodendrons (climbing over window separating bedroom from living room): water normally.
Xmas Cacti (behind TV, by computer): water liberally with lukewarm water over kitchen sink.  (These will overflow). 
Hibiscus: Remove plant from ceramic pot.  Water liberally in kitchen sink until water starts to run through the holes in the bottom of the plastic grower’s pot.  Loves to be misted.
Flaming Sword bromeliad (looks like a zebra kinda): give a decent sized drink; also water leaves and let some accumulate in the leaves.  Mist.

BATHROOM
Lucky Bamboo:  Make sure vase is filled to the brim with water.  Just add more water each day you notice it getting low.

OUTDOOR PLANTS – FRONT YARD – PLANTER BOX
Planter box: only has 2 plants in it; just give it about ½ gallon each week, more if warmer.

So, that’s what I’ll be doing for the next few weeks. Pro bono of course.