Finding a plant lover’s wonderland

Plant store job offers chance to build plant wishlist, learn about caring for plants

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SANDI KOBIESA

A plant store can help anyone build up their collection and find enjoy the plants they love

SANDI KOBIESA, Multimedia editor

This week, I thought I would do something different with my plant column. I know you all come to me for my broad spectrum of plant knowledge, but I thought I would just share with you some of the plants I collected over this summer and some of my wishlist plants. 

Working in a plant store, I had access to a bunch of different wholesalers and the list of their products. It was so interesting to learn which places grow and hybridize unique plants, and it was so cool to see it actually happening.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to one of our wholesalers in the Pacific Northwest and see how they operate during their pickup day. 

They had two greenhouses jam-packed with tables full of plants varying from your classic pothos to your spectacular Thai Constellation. I went through our order, got to pull out some plants that didn’t meet my standards and swap them out with ones that did.

That same day, I was offered a tour from a different grower and got to see a 4-foot-tall Pink Princess and a 5-gallon pot of a Jose Bueno.

After touring those two places, I added so many plants to my wishlist. And of course, I was able to add some plants to my collection. 

So, let’s go over my summer purchases. Other than the Bob Cee and the Pink Princess, I added a philodendron Florida Ghost, a philodendron Glad Hands, several Anthuriums, a jade scindapsus, a handful of Alocasias and a variegated Burle Marx.

I also added some classics, including a massive hanging jade pothos, a rabbit tracks maranta, (another) massive philodendron micans and some hoyas. Of course, I will go in depth on all of those throughout the semester, so don’t worry, friends. 

Now, some plants I added to my wishlist. This list could go on for days, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. Of course, that massive Jose Bueno, an albo monstera (that’s three months rent though), an Anthurium villenaorum, an Anthurium warocqueanum, a black maranta and a monstera pinnatipartita. The wonderful thing about my wishlist is that I can get these plants, but I just have to save some money.

I do know the first plant from my wishlist I will get is the Anthurium warocqueanum, aka the Queen. She’s so stunning; I can’t wait. Of course, I will update you all when I get her.