This houseplant is one we call, “Pam’s College Plant". It has been with Pam for many years, through at least four interstate and two cross-country moves. It survived an ant invasion disaster in Monterey and cooking in the car on the way to Oregon. Of all the houseplants we had in Oregon, this is the only plant we chose to move to Huntsville. (Back to Huntsville from the plant’s perspective.)

Note that the plant doesn’t look good at all. This is a tender houseplant. It was bundled into our van in cold weather, then left in the van for the move which didn’t go according to plan. Pam was delayed a day getting out of Roseburg – the plant spent the 20 degree night in the van. Once she was on the road, Pam chased snow and cold across the country, and the poor tender houseplant spent several more sub-freezing nights in the van. On arrival in Huntsville, the plant spent time in the bright sun in the dark van – cooking once again.

Oh, and I should mention, that’s a big flower pot. When the potting soil is wet, the plant is very heavy. In order to lift the plant into the van, Pam allowed it to dry out ahead of the move. Poor plant went through this entire ordeal way too dry.

We thought we’d lost Pam’s plant. We were about to throw it away.

But look, down there at the base of the picture is a little green bump.

Here it is up close. A living bud.

Pam’s plant is not a casualty of the move.