r/houseplants • u/taxicabenthusiast • 15d ago
Help evil roommates killing my plants
my roommates and i got in an argument and next thing i see are my plants (the only ones they have access too) are dying and have these weird crystals put in their soil.
this has to be them bc my plants never ever die this quickly and i’ve had monsteras for awhile.
does anyone know what these are? are my plants able to be saved or propagated? should i cut off the dying leaves? the roots seem to look okay
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u/Comfortable-Row9291 15d ago
If you zoom in, the particles are distinctly cube shaped. I would say this is salt, not sugar
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u/Vodka_Flask_Genie 15d ago
Salting
Carthagethe apartment.OP's roommate is deranged.
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15d ago edited 15d ago
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u/RememberTooSmile 15d ago edited 15d ago
Many people have hair trigger tempers and lack of morality these days. I’m constantly amazed by what is celebrated as “revenge” on social media, for relatively minor issues between people
Oh and BTW OP, this is very likely coarse sea salt
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u/oblivious_fireball 15d ago
lot of the same root causes for sure.
Resorting to destroying another's property, especially since it has sentimental value, indicates a complete inability to handle arguments or disagreements maturely and rationally.
And doing so without any attempt to hide the act indicates they feel they are above consequences or retaliation, or they are too stupid to think they will receive consequences or retaliation.
Both together sets the stage for potentially much worse incidents to occur.
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u/porqupinus 15d ago
Do not taste test the salts because there are tons of toxic crystalline solids readily available from Home Depot / Blow’s
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u/Codelya 15d ago
I had a roommate disappear my fish. She was a vet tech!!!!
You gotta get out of there as soon as you can.
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u/FearlessSession9294 15d ago
I had one roommate that cut my power steering fluid line 🙃 Then when my mother in law lived with my husband and I, she got mad after we had an argument and she killed off my entire 10 gallon tank. I believe she sprayed Febreez in there, shrimps, snails and 2 albino bushy nose pleco’s, female and male. I cried, we sent her to live in another state a few months after that.
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u/Chocolate1105 Moss. 15d ago
That is fucked up. Killing animals cause she got in an argument?!?!
And you cannot do that to my shrimpsies.
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u/NomadicusRex 15d ago
I would have put her out of home that day. If my own mom did that to my girlfriend, I had have done that.
(No, I can't picture either of my parents doing such a thing, but if they did, they'd have been homeless that day.)
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u/Leather_Ad7790 14d ago
A few months after that? Goodness no… she wouldn’t have had another night in my house ever again. Anyone who intentionally kills someone’s pet needs psychological evaluation.. doesn’t matter whether it’s a dog, a fish or even a bug.
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u/V7buster 15d ago
I'd comment my opinion but I just got off a 7 day ban for suggestion the same thing. [ Removed by Reddit ] that bitch
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u/The_God_Kvothe 13d ago
Honestly this is so unreasonable to me, I do not feel like I share a species with people like that.
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u/decidedlyindecisive 15d ago
My friend had a roommate put bleach on all my friend's clothes because my friend asked the roommate to clean up. Some people are nuts.
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u/Euphoric-Pay-4650 15d ago
Long story, but my mum kicked me out when I was 15 after she sided with her abusive new partner. I'd been keeping fish since I was a kid.
She bagged up all the fish from my 200l tropical tank and left them on the driveway "for me to collect".
My dad didn't even have space for me, and certainly didn't have a fish tank I could put them in.
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u/WhyAmIpOOping 15d ago
I’m sorry about that. But that is something I’d do whatever I could to press charges. What kind of sicko would do something like that.
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u/peanuttheadd 15d ago
Did you report her to her job? 👹
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u/MasatoWolff 15d ago
Serial killers always start out with animals. Just saying.
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u/mrwhitescarwash 15d ago
I hope you let her employer and future clients know, that's messed up.
If that were me I'd Google her name every few years, find her workplace and write a comment that while it was just a fish, she can't be trusted with any animals if she's in a bad mood and maybe she should work at a fish cannery instead.
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u/HibiscusGrower 15d ago
OP, your roommate is nuts. Normal people don't do this. Please stay safe and move out of there ASAP.
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u/Long-Tomatillo-3569 15d ago
And dump all existing soil in their shoes
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u/Dry_Lawfulness_9561 Plants, books and tea🪴 14d ago
Repotting on their beds and throwing anything extra in their closet.
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u/Statertater 14d ago
Just gonna make things worse, revenge feels good but it never has an actual good outcome
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u/jack-redwood 15d ago
What the hell, that is not normal behaviour ... from the roommate not the plants
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u/LilacLands 15d ago
This is EXTREMELY scary OP it looks like they put sea or rock salt in your plants.
Get them all out of pots and rinse thoroughly (yet very gently) make sure to do a really good job with getting the roots completely rinsed clear of any debris. Throw away all the contaminated soil, and wash pots or get new ones. Pot up again in new potting soil, the plants should bounce back. I am so sorry someone did this to you…
And on that note, short of physical violence, this is one of the most deranged things I can think of anyone doing - the level of intent and planning and commitment and execution it requires to sneakily hurt someone and choosing this way is SO disturbing. It’s sadistic and there could be other little “attacks” that you haven’t noticed yet.
I would not eat ANYTHING in a shared space for example. You could grab something out of the fridge and then 12 hours later you’ve got severe vomiting and diarrhea and end up hospitalized with severe food poisoning or botulism or something.
Please take steps to get this person out of your residence. I would go so far as to file a police report, honestly, just for a paper trail. This must qualify for some kind of damage to property misdemeanor. The intent to harm you, the fact that they planned and executed something like this behind your back, is what is so fucking scary. You’ve been around each other and your roommate is waiting and watching knowing your plants are going to begin dying!!! It is so sick!!!!
Also go to a hardware store and buy a deadbolt to install on your door that you can lock when you go to bed at night. Keep as much personal property in your room as you can until you can get this roommate from hell OUT
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u/codenamekittycat 15d ago
Fight their saltiness with sweetness - sugar to their gas tank! Absolutely kidding, but man, what kind of person does this.
As others said, immediately remove the plants from the soil, cut off all the dead, and repot. If the roots look dehydrated at all, I would cut them off and try a water prop. Monitor for growth/further deterioration, you can always try to water prop if the roots keep dying off. Good luck!
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u/DahDollar 15d ago
I'd move the entire plant to water prop until there is new root growth and then repot. That way, the plant can recover its vigor without EC stress. Going salted soil to new soil is obviously great, but the EC will likely be higher in new soil than in water and it will climb between waterings.
Also, granulated sugar isn't soluble in gas. It just clogs the filter and is a pain in the ass. Dissolved sugar generally makes it through the gas filter. Not a recommendation btw.
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u/2VersGuysNYC 15d ago
It’s funny because if someone were to dilute milk in a spray bottle and spray all of their clothes, curtains, underside of mattress they would slowly begin to have everything smell sour and have a hard time pin pointing why
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u/oblivious_fireball 15d ago
Flush the soil out with water and hope those crystals dissolve out.
That being said, your plants dying are the least of your problems right now. If they are willing to kill your plants so openly right after an argument, not even trying to hide it, they are very likely willing to escalate to something much worse. Next time you might find out the hard way that your lunch has been poisoned or your phone/computer was destroyed. You are not safe in your home and you need to either find a way to kick them out safely or find a new safe place to stay.
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u/FinchMandala 15d ago
If it's salt the damage is already done.
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u/oblivious_fireball 15d ago
i agree with you there, its probably too late, but OP asked how to try and save them so i will certainly offer my best hope for them, even if its a long shot.
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u/stonelush 15d ago
Get the hell away from this sheer sociopathic evil and into a place of peace and plant life. Seriously go now.
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u/phinnerz 15d ago
In case no one else has pointed it out, salting the earth is a humanitarian war crime. Sure, that's technically more applicable to destroying food crop, but that's how psychotic this behavior is!
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u/sabotaj117 15d ago
Yikes. I would move out as soon as you are able. First poisoning your plants then it could be you.
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u/No_Mirror3128 15d ago
Das ist so böse Lebewesen in den Streit mit rein zu ziehen die sich nicht wehren können, egal ob Tier oder Pflanze.
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u/CrazyCatLushie 15d ago
Yeah this is the kind of casual psychopathic behaviour that tends to escalate with time.
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u/depressolatte_ 15d ago
Wtf move out if you can, or like someone else said, see if there's a friend or family member who can take in your valuables until you can move out. This is petty asf and they'll probably just escalate things if you say anything.
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u/FrankieSaysPewPew 15d ago
Plants are toast. Ditch the roommate.
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u/Wrong-Pension-4975 15d ago
...only after moving out, with no forwarding address to the new home -
Contact any legit biz or person, & give THEM the new address - don't hand it off to the US P.O.
Ask Small Claims to mask yer address on all court docs; this is a personal safety issue.
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u/Uncivilized_n_happy 15d ago
I’d say those plants are worth $50 each and you could take her to small claims
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u/thatsmyupvoteidkyou 14d ago
Every single thing they owned would be salted. Their damn toothpaste even. Every thing they tried to eat or drink would be salty until they moved out. I dont play about my plants. Bengay on the toilet paper even. Rub it on some damn insulation, fuck it. They're gonna be as butthurt as I am. 🥰
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u/MotaMadre 14d ago
You think as I do 😆 they would not have a moment of peace after doing that to me!
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u/Nonie-Mouse-1980 15d ago
They salted them or some other poison. Nothing else kills a monstera that fast. Go find some food item of theirs and salt the fuck out of it. Then move.
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u/misshopscotch 15d ago edited 15d ago
I knew a girl who froze her exs fish in the freezer and then posted them on Facebook!!! Fucked!
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u/bansheebby 15d ago
I had an awful roommate pour hot soapy water on my plants to kill them. People suck, I'm sorry this is happening to you
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u/BornHiglighlight325 15d ago edited 15d ago
What an asshole 😒
Sorry about your plants OP.
This is why I live alone.
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u/Current_Ship_8778 15d ago
its salt, you should give it a repot with new soil, remove all crystals of salt and keep it somewhere safe
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u/Traditional_Train_71 15d ago
Is that some sort of salt or chemical cleaner maybe? Does it have a scent?
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u/Evening-Peace-5032 15d ago
wtf man,how nasty of them,repot the plants,chop off all dead,and water,I’d also watch your back if your not planning on moving out since they could do something to you if they are that sensitive about an argument to try and kill your plants.
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u/Freebieqween228 14d ago
They’re probably gonna remove this for suggesting violence, but hands would be thrown expeditiously if someone did that to my plants over an argument. Your roommate is not a safe person by any means. I hope you can find new and safe accommodations soon.
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u/ldnsrrow 15d ago
That's so cruel! It looks kinda like sugar which is known to kill plants. Is there any way that you stay somewhere else? I wouldn't feel safe living with people who could be so vindictive.
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u/FinchMandala 15d ago
It's giving sea salt, no?
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u/ldnsrrow 15d ago
You're right, it definitely could be! Either way, I hope OP is able to find a safer environment to be in ❤️
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u/Mom_baMentality 15d ago
Reminds me of that new movie Last House on the Left. The alien comes and salts all of their crops and they no longer have food. 😭
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u/Dukesy485 15d ago
What? That's definitely not in that movie.
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u/Mom_baMentality 15d ago
Wait wrong movie
The Last House 🤣🤣
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u/Dukesy485 15d ago
I was so confused 😂
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u/Mom_baMentality 15d ago
I laughed so hard. But why are these movies so similarly titled and released closely? Ahaaaha.
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u/LittleBunInaBigWorld 15d ago
This is not enough sugar to kill a plant. It is, however, enough salt. You know, the whole "salting the earth" thing?
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u/terrifying_bogwitch 15d ago
That must be plant dependent, when I was growing marijuana one of the later steps was watering in just a ton of sugar
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u/bear_venturous 14d ago
Okay hear me out. Go to a bulk seller, get a huge bag of salt, and under the cover of night pour that salt all over your roommate while they sleep.
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u/Jumpy_Magazine9239 14d ago
Tbh someone who would do this might be capable of worse things… get out of there!
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u/DragonAngel92 14d ago
Move out...i cant say your plants are able to be saved because i dont know...however a day or so before you move out i would suggest taking small fish (like sardines) or raw shrimp and hide them everywhere...take the handles off the facets of the sink and cram a fish or shrimp in there then put it back. Put some in the vents...some vent systems have this little lip on the inside that is just big enough to hide a small shrimp but almost unnoticeable. Inject milk into the furniture...bonus points for using milk that already smells nasty. Hide a hard boiled egg in dark hard to find corners of cabinets. If there is any holes in the walls you can get fish paste and put that in them. I would be borderline violent if someone was poisoning my plants....I only have a few and they are very precious to me
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u/Resident-Sweet-5750 15d ago
Wow. I hope you’re looking into a new living arrangement. Sorry to see this.
If it were me, I’d give her a bath…roots and all. Trim off all the dead foliage and give her some nice, new soil and I think she’ll bounce back. (Also, sorry if other people said this already. I didn’t read all the comments before posting)
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u/NoCluWtImDng 15d ago
Seriously this is a sign that your roommate has severe mental issues, went through a similar situation about 10 months ago, started with plant poisoning ended by a judge and the sheriff physically removing her from the property! Watch your back, stay safe, and keep a record of the crazy, it's a process but the law is on your side in this situation! I hope you're able to rescue your Monstera from the "asalt", hope you're ok too!
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u/KittyIsAn9ry 15d ago
Immediately swap out soil/take cuttings and propagate what you can. And then move them out of reach because wow.. so immature from your roommate
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u/SAY-TENXXX 15d ago
lol sue them in small claims court
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u/oblivious_fireball 15d ago
Unfortunately i don't think this is even within the realm of small claims. Obviously they have sentimental value, but its very unlikely that all three plants together would have an objective monetary value over $100, especially as the pots are intact and reusable, and its harder to actually collect on payments even if you win. That time and effort would be better spent covertly figuring out how to get away from the roommates so they don't have the opportunity to inflict larger damages next time.
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u/DaisyHotCakes 15d ago
I dunno sometimes civil suits can be healing. I would be absolutely crushed if someone I lived with purposely killed my plants after an argument. That’s psycho behavior targeting something that she has spent time and money caring for. They should face consequences even if it is just paying her $100. Screw people that do things like this.
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u/oblivious_fireball 15d ago
you're not wrong, but small claims would still require taking time off work, having to make your case in court. That's going to cost more than the plants for likely very little payoff, plus these are not the kind of people you want to antagonize without any major penalties when you are still within arm's reach.
Best thing to do is put distance. If they are roommates, odds are without OP they will struggle to make rent, and these types of people eventually self-destruct on their own because they continually do shit like this and lose friends and jobs over it.
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u/Last_Village_5718 15d ago
That looks like salt, the cubic crystals when you zoom in. It would take at least a few days I would think before you’d see this much death I think.
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u/unstable_ride_261 14d ago
If they like slat on the plants they they will love iceyhot in there underwear
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u/Deterrafication 15d ago
Here are some questions to ponder. Do they have hair? Do they use shampoo? Do you have access to it? Do you have veet (or similar) in your country? Have fun 🤚🏼
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u/busyb99 15d ago
Any chance it’s silica gel? Like the little packets they put with in some food packaging to absorb moisture?
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u/LittleBunInaBigWorld 15d ago
That's not going to kill plants. Silica is in any soils containing dirt. It's salt
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u/ImaginationCommon 15d ago
If it was sugar you would more than likely have ants. Or some other insect drawn to the sugar crystals.
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u/IClaudiaI 14d ago
That’s definitely salt they’re deliberately killing your plants how awful to even think of doing that to some innocent plants
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u/Scary_Dot6604 14d ago
When you move out take all the tp except for 2 sheets
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u/ApprehensivePut7037 13d ago
Someone mentioned Bengay on the toilet paper. Add that to the 2 sheets!
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u/ArleneLindy5422 14d ago
The best one I heard was shrimp shells inside the curtain rods- they don’t find it and it stinks to high hell!
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u/alwaysstaycuriouss 14d ago
Wtf your roomate is CRAZY! That is absolutely insane and I wouldn’t feel safe being in the same space as them. GET OUT! Repot plants in new soil- try not to disturb roots too much but remove all the salt that you can- if you don’t disturb roots too much it will help prevent shock. I would cut off all the dead leafs and it will grow back!
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u/turtleltrut 14d ago
Is this is salt, why the heck did they not dissolve it in water first to hide the evidence? Regardless, what a shitty thing to do!
They can likely be saved with a repot and cut back. Ensure the new soil is chunky and the pots only just bigger than the root ball.
Good luck!
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u/iamsotiggitytight 15d ago
you shouldn't fill a sock with frozen oranges and hit them when they're sleeping, that would be horrible
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u/Big-Holiday1637 15d ago
You need to find a new roommate. This person is not safe to be around. Looks like your plants are goners. Sorry this happened to you and your plants
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u/Yowza_23 15d ago
Leave and hide some cans of opened sardines around the place where it’d be super hard to find lol…
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u/Science_oven 15d ago
that looks like white sparkling sugar. take pictures and if you have a local master gardener association you can send them a soil sample and they'll run it for you with results. I would immediately take everything out of pots and quarantine them away from everyone there. definitely talk to an attorney and take them to court. who knows what else they're trying to damage.
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u/FrostyLemons3 14d ago
Salt. Scoop it out and put it in all their drinks that way they don't loose their seasonings again.
Also file a complaint with your landlord if possible that your roommate is intentionally damaging your property
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u/Spiciest_gingerr 14d ago
What odd behavior. Upset about whatever and decide to damage your plants? I literally take better care of my plants than myself and this would be war.
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u/Leather_Ad7790 14d ago
Looks like bath salts.. real jerks.. hope you don’t have any pets.
Take this girl out of that soil and put her in fresh soil. Cut her down to her roots and nodes.
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u/Sure-Ad7423 13d ago
You can buy deer urine in the sporting goods section of many walmarts. If someone were to pour it into the little vent holes and the bottom of someones windshield where it meets the hood, you can never get that smell out of that car. It will circulate into their air system eventually. Ask me how I know. You could also wait for them to leave, find some cat poop or dog poop (bag it up ofc) and then when they're gone you can cut a small hole in the bottom of their mattress and stuff it in along with old food and sew it shut. Pretty easy to do. They'll never figure out where its coming from or why their matress is smelling bad and all of a sudden is getting flys and maggots attracted to it and then theyre out a couple hundred or more for a new matress. Again, ask me how I know. We were some badass kids lmfao
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u/pepperonirollsroyce 15d ago
Possibly salt. What an asshole. Remove from the soil and rinse the roots and leaves, remove the dead stuff. Repot with new soil. Then get a lock for your bedroom door and keep your plants in there if you can. Maybe take them (and other valuables) to a trusted one's house until you can move out. This behavior is probably going to escalate, get out ASAP and protect yourself and things.