There used to be a few 'nurseries' (or more like plant wholesalers) near my home where I go to get potted plants and garden supplies. Recently they were all evicted as the huge plot of land is earmarked for housing development. One of the 'nurseries' rented a shop space that used to house a bank. When it opened its door I was awed because it was a far cry from the sprawling damp and dirt tracked shop it once was. Instead the decor of the new outfit was quite avant garde with arrangement of plants in stylish pots that provide creative ideas to decorate your garden and home. Needless to say the pricing has also gone upmarket although they also brought in many new varieties.
Today's BT features the rise of 'boutique plant retailers' with the introductory paragraph "The latest must have item for the home isn't iconic designer furniture, but potted plants....Instead of spending money on new bags and shoes, shopping for plants has become the latest fashion accessory". Haha I laughed to myself , for once I can be considered cool and in vogue because I have a whole garden of potted plants. However when I read on and learnt that someone paid $40,000 for a "rare and exotic Philodendron Spiritus Sancti" I realise they are talking about another customer league altogether. I always think people who buy bags costing thousands are nuts but a single plant costing tens of thousands is madness. What if the plant dies after a few days?
Curious I google to see how exotic the plant is.
Oh my. This $42K?
OK maybe this is a much better version.
Apparently a new plant craze is raging led by 'plantfluencers' showcasing their rare plant collections and millennial collectors forging 'emotional connections to their plants going as far as naming them'.
Doesn't this again tie in with the millennials' pursuit to be unique and extraordinary and to stand out. What a hype.
As someone puts it "A gardener learns more in the mistakes than in the successes". How many thousands of dollars will these new breed of gardeners have to splurge? As for me nothing is more satisfying than propagating new plants from old and being surprised when with patient nurturing, a half withered plant springs back to life. That is the true emotional bond.
