This spring I decided to start some trees from their seeds. The idea is to be able to plant them in a garden area in a few years. I started a lot of different plants but the mandarines and pomegranates grew very well.
Since I am spending a lot of time away from home, I also build a system to monitor, report and water the plants as needed. A little raspberry pi gets the report and also has a webcam where, occasionally, I take a pic to check on it (through a VPN connection).
I was super surprised to see the growth of the pomegranates, within a few days it grew by a few centimeters.
You need to find the time to touch your plant with your hands as well. When I was younger I had one tomato plant and I used to talk with her about my day, my sadness and my feels and I love her kinda. This bonding can be see it by the growing process, if plant like hate you she gonna tell you by her pose.
Oh I do, a lot. Which is why I build the system so that even if I am gone for 2 weeks, the plant will get the best possible water routine.