Photo: VH-Studio (Shutterstock)

When you bring home a baby plant for the first time, you have all sorts of hopes and dreams for it. You can see its full, exuberant future potential – but getting there takes a little training. The act of “training” plants – also known as attitude—Is the care and strengthening of plants. Certain techniques (wires, netting, and pruning) can shape your plants for better blooms and optimal growth.

However, some methods are easier than others, and when you’re just starting out it can be difficult knowing which to try. These beginner techniques will get you (and your plants) in the right direction.

How to start a low-stress training on houseplants

One of the easiest ways to start plant training is with low stress training (LST). This method starts when the plant is very young and flexible and (as the name suggests) means less stress on the plant – and on itself. LST involves bending and securing the plant as it begins to grow. This process separates the leaves and tufts of leaves and opens them up so that the sunlight can be more evenly distributed. You’re going to want to make twist ties especially for plants, or use soft, fluffy pipe cleaners to gently secure the newly bent direction of the stem.

Gardening workplace Safer brand suggests poking holes in the plant’s pot to fasten the ties, or small ones Fishing weights as an anchor. Whatever you use it should be flexible so you can keep moving and bending the plant as needed. However, avoid metal or hard plastic that can cut into the stems of the plant. Once you have the materials ready, the technique is simple but delicate. Safer Guard technology includes a hook and a loop:

Starting with the outermost branches, bend each stem away from the center of the plant and down. An easy way to do this [is to] shape a twisted tie into a hook and wrap it around the stem so it doesn’t break branches or leaves. Use the hook to slowly pull the stem down.

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A similar form of LST is wiring, often used on bonsai trees. When wiring, the plant is bent into the shape you have chosen using light, flexible cables. This is used in bonsai art to create the iconic horizontal branches and shapes of the small trees.

How to do plant training without technique

Training plants with the LST technique requires a certain amount of attention. You will need to keep flexing the new growth to maintain an open leaf pattern so that the light is evenly distributed and fuller, bushier plants emerge. The no technology Method is another low-tension method where you only need to bend the main plant stem. This is a great technique for beginners as it is almost an option to set and forget. Of course, you need to monitor the plant, but there is no need to bend other stems in the process.

How to use a screen of green training method

While technically free and stress-free training manipulates the shape of the plants, “screen of green” or “scrOG“Uses a network that encourages growth. Networks are usually made of rope, plastic, or metal, and lead the plant up instead of growing inward or sideways. The net is built with PVC pipes or metal around the plant and higher than the stems; As soon as the stalks reach the fence, they are pulled through or woven into nets.

Producer side California Lightworks instructs breeders to take the “outermost branch” and pull it outwards. Then weave the branch in and out through the screen. Once that twig is woven in, move on to the next stem. Work your way in, stem by stem, until all the branches are woven horizontally across your screen. ”As more growth reaches the web, it will continue to grow as tall as you want. This method is done when the plant is young to encourage upward growth, before the stems or stems are rigid or inwardly grown.

This is what stressful plant training looks like

Other relatively simple – but slightly more stressful – forms of plant training include Coveringwhere you remove the tips of the stems as they grow. Cutting off the tips signals the plant to produce more sprouts to catch the sun, resulting in fuller growth. This process takes longer and puts a strain on the plant, but your plant will get a lot fuller if you do this in moderation. Topping is similar to clipping, which involves cutting off leaves and sometimes stems to shape the plant and encourage growth.

Last, dilution involves planting multiple seeds and removing the weaker plants as they grow to ensure that the strongest survive. Thinning is a stressful process for the plants (and yourself, as you are essentially killing them), but it creates strong, healthy plants with better opportunities to bud.

Photo: fizkes (Shutterstock)

Interviewing for a position can feel like a job in itself, especially if it spans weeks or months and you need to focus your attention on completing myriad tasks that you hope will prove valuable.

And when that hopeful pursuit ends in disappointment, you may feel that you deserve an explanation that goes beyond the standard answers, from the negative “We picked a candidate with experience who better suited the position” to the dreaded ” We went in ”. another direction. ”

However, the truth is, you deserve an explanation as to why you weren’t hired. And while you might be embarrassed to ask for one, there are ways you can do so that can help you improve your interview game and land a new gig on the streets.

So you’re asking why you weren’t hired

It goes without saying that you can’t annoy the hiring manager or publicly insult his decision (subtweets or other angry posts on social media are not good to look at when looking for a job).

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Instead, think of the process as an exercise to swallow your pride, especially if the interview process was long and stressful. Your best bet is to send a follow-up email thanking the hiring manager for their time and asking some targeted questions that you think will help you identify gaps in your interviews that you can improve.

Use the following list of suggestions as a starting point; They’re a bit general, but getting solid feedback on these topics will certainly benefit you as you continue your job search:

• “What were my weaknesses as a candidate?”
• “What did stronger candidates have that I lacked?”
• “Are there any ways I can improve my behavior?”
• “What did you like about me and my application?”
• “Is there anything I can do to improve my resume and cover letter?”
• “Is there one thing that I did particularly well at the interview?”

Of course, tailor your questions to match the position you applied for, but don’t make them too complicated. Asking general questions will increase the chances of getting an answer and, hopefully, give you clear, actionable advice.

You may need a feedback session

A company you’ve interviewed with may be cautious about listing your shortcomings in writing for fear of courting legal controversy. If a candidate believes that their application has been discriminated against on the basis of socio-economic, racial or religious origin, they can contact the US Equal Opportunities Commission.

How The balance career notes, more cautious employers could try to avoid this outcome by arranging a feedback session with you. This tiptoe around potential litigation is one reason a company might generally avoid giving interview feedback, but it’s still worth following up even if the outcome is just a phone call.

If you are successful in doing this type of post mortem interview, you can ask the above questions directly. It is a good idea to recognize the hiring manager’s efforts to this end; after all, technically speaking, they don’t have to call you. While the interview process was a tiresome slog full of seizures and mixed signals, technically speaking, the discussion is a favor for you.

And who knows – you might make such a good impression that the next time they hire you, they’ll think of you. Asking for this type of feedback shows your persistence, will to improve, and willingness to learn – traits any competent manager can admire. It’s never a bad idea to ask them to keep an eye on you for future opportunities, and even if that interview doesn’t lead to another interview at the same company, the lessons you learn from them can help you move on to the next one win.

Photo: Maridav (Shutterstock)

If you’re the type of person who wears underwear with everything – a perfectly normal person in my opinion – you might be wondering what’s going on with running shorts and workout leggings. Sometimes men’s loose-fitting shorts have a tight-fitting lining, or certain women’s models have a crotch gusset made from a different material than the rest of the shorts. Should I wear these without underwear, you might be wondering? In many cases the answer is yes.

However, it’s a common question. On Reddit, the topic is on the Operate forums, the Fitness forums for women, the “No stupid questions” sub, and more. In the discussion that follows, two groups of people (underwear wearers and non-underwear wearers) often react in shock to the fact that the other exists.

Let’s see if we can break that down a bit. Anyone can wear shorts they like, in my opinion, but they are usually sold in “men” and “women” styles.

What to expect in men’s running shorts

Men’s running shorts often have an underwear-like lining “to keep your balls in place,” like a helpful redditor put it. Why not just wear normal underwear? Well, you can, but running shorts are often designed to be comfortable and sweat-wicking. So why ruin this technique with your regular old cotton underwear? Think of the liner as free underwear optimized for your running needs.

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The liner also helps avoid chafing, there this discussion revealed in ultra runners (people who run more than marathons). Styles vary, from minimalist liners to full compression shorts. Tight-fitting running tights often have a windproof panel on the front, which is another sign that they should be worn as a command.

If your running shorts don’t have an inner shoe, this is a common one recommendation is to wear them with compression shorts – or go back to the store and buy a pair that has them built in.

What to expect in women’s running shorts

There is less agreement when it comes to shorts and leggings for women: some wear underwear, others don’t.

Generally, if your loose fitting shorts have a tight-fitting liner, they should be worn as a command. And if there’s a gusset in the crotch (a strip of double-layered fabric with a different texture right between your legs), that’s another sign that they can be worn without underwear.

Many runners go out without underwear and often find that their waistband or thighs are less rubbing; the pairing of the shorts inner lining and the additional layer of underwear (especially if you sweat) can be a bad combination.

But if you are more comfortable with underwear than without, wear it can make the shorts last longer (especially if you are concerned about stains) and can also allow yourself to wear the shorts more than once without washing if you wish. Consider buying underwear that is suitable for running or exercising. Some runners report that, for example, merino underwear dissipates sweat better than other materials.

When it comes to regular leggings rather than custom-made running shorts, you may want to do a “squat check”. to ensure that the leggings are not see-through when stretched. (Use a mirror, cell phone camera, or a trusted friend to find out.) Also, try on leggings with no underwear on before going to the gym: some are not worn for the command and may have seams in uncomfortable places.

Social media is an important tool for promoting your work online, but almost every social media app has one big flaw: you can only add a “website” link to your profile. For most people, that’s not enough – most of us have multiple profiles, projects and portfolios to promote, sometimes for different audiences – sowhich that is, link aggregating services such as Linktree are an increasingly important part of your online life.

Linktree isn’t the first website of its kind (and we feature some of its main competitors below), but it’s one of the easiest to use as it focuses solely on the links and avoids additional features like blogging and media posting. It’s free to use too, and even the paid version ($ 6 / month) is a lot cheaper than building and hosting a website, and gives you access to tons of helpful analytics tools.

If you’ve spent some time on social media over the past few years, chances are you’ve checked out someone’s Linktree and you may be curious about the service. Linktree profiles are easy to create, but there are plenty of extra features hidden in the site’s rigorous user interface so we’ll walk you through the process.

How to create a Linktree page

The first step is to sign up for a new account Here. Even the free Linktree options allow you to add unlimited links to your profile page, but there is one Pro plan ($ 6 per month) that adds analytics tracking and allows you to set priority links, schedule links to go live at a later date, and more. For most users, however, the free option will be enough.

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Once you’ve signed up and logged in, it’s time to add and customize your list of links from the “Left” Tab.

Screenshot: Brendan Hesse

1. Press the “Add new link” Surprise button to add a link tab.
2. Paste a URL in the field.
3. To make the link public, click the slider so it turns green. Later, if you want to hide a link, click the slider again so it is grayed out.
4. You can also click the trash can to permanently delete a link from your profile.
5. Drag and drop the link tabs to rearrange their appearance on your Linktree page.

Some links have additional options depending on what you are linking to. For example, YouTube links can be set to open in a separate tab and prompt visitors to subscribe to your channel.

Free members can add thumbnail images to any link and view limited analytics. You can also display individual tweets on your page or automatically display your most recent tweet with a Pro membership.

Screenshot: Brendan Hesse

Once your links have been added, click on “Look” Tab to change your profile picture, customize your bio, and change the theme of your page. There are currently 10 free themes, most of which are solid or simple gradients, while Pro members can choose from five additional themes, from Night Sky to Rainbow, or create their own with unique backgrounds and fonts (Pros can do that too Hide the “Linktree” logo). I personally use one of the free themes, and it does the job well.

The last thing you have to do is go to “The settings” Tab where you can update your account information, change your security settings and add other helpful links – including payment integration with Paypal and Venmo, links to social media profiles, email addresses, messaging accounts like WhatsApp or Telegram, Substack and SMS subscriptions, and more. These additions will appear as icons at the bottom of your main stack of links. Here you can also change your account settings if you link to “sensitive material” (read: content for adults).

Screenshot: Brendan Hesse

After you’ve added these last links and configured your settings, your Linktree profile is ready. Copy that “My link tree” Link in the top right corner and paste it into your various Profiles, Portfolio Pages etc or click “Share” to share with your contacts via a message, email or post on social media.

The best alternatives to Linktree

Just in case Linktree doesn’t cut it for you (though it’s by far the most popular service of its kind), there are a few alternatives. Most are limited in terms of price and / or features, or go well beyond the simplicity Linktree offers, but here are a few choices to get you started:

• Lnk.bio: Like Linktree, Lnk.bio allows users to add unlimited links to their pages. You can also embed videos and premium subscribers ($ 1 / month) get access to analytics data for their links. The only downside is that it requires an Instagram login to use it.
• Shorby is also very similar to Linktree and offers almost all of the same features and even some advantages like the integration of Snapchat Stories. However, it’s a paid service that starts at $ 15 per month (or $ 144 annually) and there is no free option.
• Milkshake is another worthy contender that lets you create multiple pages and add .gifs and other visuals to your links, but it’s only mobile (Android and iOS) and cannot be used on the desktop. The good news is it’s free!
• Finally, if you’re mostly on Twitter and looking for a low-maintenance solution, you can put all of your links in a pinned tweet that will stay on top of your profile for as long as you keep it there. You could even link to the tweet directly from other social media profiles – although this is certainly an inelegant solution compared to what you get with a dedicated service.