As we are in the hottest month of the year for us northern hemisphere folk, I thought it was just fitting to share this little nugget of knowledge with you on transpiration and how water moves through our plants as we are likely watering our plants more than we ever have. In this Nugget of Knowledge, Garden Society's resident horticulturist Leslie Halleck gives a little more insight on a familiar yet essential aspect of caring for plants - understanding how they use and move water. I'm sure I'm not the only one noticing the effects of transpiration on our plants as we move through this heat, so let's dive in!Order my book!Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:02] Are you overwatering your plants?[00:36] What is a nugget of knowledge?[01:51] What you’ll get when you join the Garden Society[02:16] What is transpiration in plants?[02:49] What does transpiration do for plants?[04:58] Your open invitation to horticulturist-led plant lectures!Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-clubAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What is Transpiration and Why is it Important for Our Plants? // Knowledge Nugget #6

Houseplants are celebrated for their amazing foliage, but I think we overlook an another amazing ability, a specific subcategory our favorite indoor plants have—the ability to bloom! Some people say we are intrinsically connected to flowers because way back when, they signified fruit. Personally, I just think they are joyful as hell with their bright colors and let's be frank, we all need a little more joy and color in our lives. To give us a better grasp of this beautiful subcategory, I've invited back Lisa of The Houseplant Guru to talk about the must-knows of houseplants that bloom, and how reconnecting with this group of plants can help us reconnect to generations we might never know.Order my book!Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:13] Maria’s garden updates[02:34] Welcome, new Garden Party and Garden Society members![04:15] Introducing Lisa, a beloved Bloom and Grow Radio guest[06:38] African violets and their underrated beauty[08:27] What are the differences in plant care between foliage houseplants and blooming houseplants?[13:25] How long should grow lights stay on for flowering houseplants?[14:13] How does photoperiod affect the bloom cycle of a plant?[15:42] Can you put orchids under grow lights?[16:59] Do blooming houseplants need fertilizer?[20:24] What to do when your orchids don’t bloom[21:52] The perfect and most sleek grow lights for year-round indoor lighting[23:24] Where to get an easy-to-use and most varied selection of fertilizers and tones[25:10] How to get orchids to re-bloom[26:26] Maria and Lisa share their thoughts about collecting plants and moving homes[29:51] Best blooming houseplants for beginners[30:59] Why do you need to turn your holiday cactus all year round?[31:53] What is the trick for beautiful and healthy African violets?[33:36] Best blooming houseplants for beginners (continued)[36:17] Best blooming houseplants for intermediates[38:38] Are Gerbera daisies appropriate houseplants?[39:37] How to make blooms last longer[40:37] Should you fertilize your plant while it is in bloom?[41:04] Lisa’s favorite blooming houseplants[41:44] Where to get Lisa’s latest book![43:27] Maria’s personal story on how blooming plants connected generations of their family[48:17] Closing remarksMentioned in our conversation:BAGR episode 133: How To Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles And Other Animals In Your Garden With Brie The Plant LadyBAGR episode 30: Orchid 101 With ChrisBAGR episode 84 : African Violets 101 With LisaPre-order Lisa’s book “Bloom: The secrets of growing flowering houseplants year-round”Thank you to our episode sponsors:Soltech SolutionsSoltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track light

Houseplants that Bloom

Plant friends, you probably know my brain broke a little bit last year when Dr Elle Barnes explained plant science and how the smells we know and love are actually something called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, that plants use to communicate with each other. I had another mind-blowing experience as I researched my book Growing Joy and learned that scent and smell is one of the most powerful senses for memory and feeling. No wonder candles and essential oils are so popular! For this episode, our guest Chris Satch, a dear friend and Bloom and Grow's repeat guest, breaks down and dives under the surface to explain the what's and why's behind essential oils. Time to get exploring!Order my book!Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:50] Introducing Chris[02:48] How is this episode about essential oils?[05:44] How Chris became the plant parent he is today[07:50] What is essential oil?[09:32] What makes up the essence of a plant?[11:13] What are VOCs and what are their different functions?[13:38] The truth behind the smell of freshly cut grass[14:37] How Maria has been engaging her sense of smell in the garden[15:35] How plants can attract or repel pests based on their smell[17:20] How do secondary metabolites work? What is the natural function of caffeine?[19:36] How do you make your own essential oils?[20:08] What is the process of enfleurage? What are the basic components of enfleurage?[22:04] What is cold pressing or cold extraction best used for?[22:44] How does the distillation process work for essential oils?[23:16] The advantages and disadvantages of steam distillation[26:39] What is one mistake people make when extracting essential oils?[28:14] What is the extraction method? Why don’t some people prefer extraction? [32:31] Where to get the best fertilizers for all your garden needs[34:58] How to grow a year-round garden with foolproof seeds[36:57] What is the most accessible method to make your own essential oils?[39:42] Extracting lavender essence at home using steam distillation[41:44] Applying the extraction method at home for lavender essential oil[44:00] Chris’ recommended method for beginners[46:46] What are the different compounds that make up our favorite and not-so-favorite scents?[51:39] An easy way to further enrich and explore your growing garden![54:36] Chris’ favorite essential oils and plant essences[56:04] What are some benefits of hinoki essential oil?[57:55] Can all plants produce essential oils?[01:00:21] Why are scents personal? How is smell related to memory?[01:02:17] What are scented plants that you can add to your collection?[01:05:52] Where to get your plant consultation spot with Chris![01:06:56] Easy and simple ways to explore your sense of smell in the garden![01:08:17] Different ways to use ess

Intro to Essential Oils with Chris Satch

As plant parents, I'm sure you can agree with me when I say that propagation water situations can bring about SO many questions: Does it need to be changed? Why is it cloudy? Can I just leave it and reuse it? That is why I am so excited to bring this Ask our Horticulturist Anything, or AHA, snippet to you where Leslie Halleck, Garden Society's resident horticulturist, answers common propagation questions, including the best time to take cuttings off your mother plants. Learn along!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:46] What are nuggets of knowledge?[01:46] How to level up your plant education[03:26] How often should you change your propagation water?[04:07] What factors affect water propagation?[05:34] When is the best time to take plant cuttings?[06:16] How to host a plant swap and share cuttings with other plant friends![06:45] Where to get horticulturist coaching for your personal collectionFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-clubAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How Often Should I Change My Propagation Vessel Water? // Knowledge Nugget #5

When I started researching the plant/person connection for my book, Growing Joy, something that surprised me was how limited my view of the plant/person relationship was to sight and taste. I knew I could enjoy looking at my plants and when appropriate, eating the ones I grew, but I realized that I was disconnected from my other three senses when it came to my plant collection. This conversation with Marc Hachadourian is all about our senses and feelings with plants - taped live at the New York Botanical Garden! We share simple and efficient ways to engage all your senses in the garden in this special ep. Let's get to it!Order my book!Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:15] Updates on Growing Joy[02:06] What to expect from this episode[02:31] Why you should visit New York Botanical Garden (or your local botanical garden!)[04:18] Upcoming exciting live Growing Joy events[06:15] Who is Marc and how did he become the plant parent he is today?[07:40] A little introduction about Maria and Growing Joy[09:34] An excerpt from Growing Joy’s chapter “Plant Seeds of Delight”[12:14] How to overcome our fear of failure and explore our sense of wonder in the garden[15:33] How plants and gardening deepen our connection to ourselves[17:22] Marc shares a story of gratitude in NYBG after the lockdowns[21:54] An exercise of mindfulness to reconnect with our senses while in the garden[23:56] How Marc engages his sense of touch in the garden[27:01] Why temperature is an important component of plant care[28:25] How plants stimulate our sense of smell; different common smells from plants[31:45] How smell can indicate what’s good and what’s bad in the garden[33:55] Why smell is the strongest of the senses[35:39] An excerpt on taste from Growing Joy[37:25] How to make use of your sense of taste better[39:09] The foolproof way to grow your garden![40:37] Fertilizers and plant foods for all types of plant parents[43:14] How growing our own food and tasting our hard work reconnects us to loved ones[45:44] How to engage your sense of hearing in the garden[49:29] Marc’s favorite sounds growing up and exploring rainforests[50:35] Why we shouldn’t underestimate the power of silence[55:29] The beginning of Growing Joy, “Open Your Eyes”[58:44] Why Marc believes observation is the most important skill[01:01:06] How plant care enriches our empathy towards the world[01:02:58] Live audience question: What orchid varieties are recommended for indoor growth and how do you keep orchids healthy?[01:04:16] Marc’s review of Growing Joy[01:05:32] Why our interaction with colors matters to our wellbeing[01:08:08] Live audience question: Why did the color of my rose change when I moved it?[01:09:22] Live audience question: What are the best tips for growi

Engage Your Senses with Plants at the NYBG

Plant friends, the most awaited day is here: it's Growing Joy's Pub Day! To celebrate Growing Joy hitting the bookstores and to give thanks to the wonderful community behind Bloom and Grow, I've asked community members to share with us how plants help them grow joy. This episode is a wonderful reminder of what plants can do for us: from helping us learn about the world around us, to rediscovering our inner child, to guiding our healing may it be a spiritual, mental, or emotional, to building a community of like-minded plant people, and many more. I'm so excited to bring to you this heartwarming compilation, and of course, my love letter to plants, Growing Joy: A Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants). Enjoy!Order my book!Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:09] What this special episode is about[02:35] Pub Day is here![03:20] What Growing Joy is about[04:26] The irony behind Growing Joy[05:03] How a community made Growing Joy possible[07:50] An excerpt from Growing Joy’s chapter ‘Practice Kindness’[09:23] How plants help us connect with ourselves and with other people - Jane[10:46] How plants bring calmness and remind us it’s okay to take things slow - Christy[11:44] How plants remind us of the special bonds we have with people - Meredith[12:21] A little fun fact about the humble beginnings of Bloom and Grow[14:20] How plants bring us joy while traveling - Aaron[15:21] How plants help us accept failure as part of our growth - Toni[16:22] How plants encourage us to learn something new every day - Marc, Marie & Miles[17:49] How plants help us grow joy by learning, sharing and giving - Samantha[20:24] Cultivating your curiosity with plants, beyond Growing Joy[21:25] How plants help us heal physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and more - Nancy, Pamela & Willow[27:26] How growing flowers helps grow joy - Michael[28:00] How growing your own food brings joy - Jodi[29:09] How taking care of lithops grow joy - Jamie[30:22] How plants give us a sense of purpose - Tina[31:53] How plants reignite our passion and help us pursue careers that we love - Roos, Chloe, Ami, Rachael, Renee & Bailey[38:17] How plants build a community that grows joy - Nicki & Steven[40:08] Maria shares tips on building a community and enjoying activities together[41:20] How plants help us reconnect with ourselves - Marcia, Karen, Otis, Darlene, Amy, Kamili & Connor[47:36] Maria’s goal behind writing Growing Joy[49:02] The introduction of Growing Joy: A Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants)Featured plant friends:Jane Ouding - @flowerland_janeChristy Leitch - @teaandfrondsMeredith Fages ProskinAaron Albano - @aaronjalbanoToni Leitgab - @tonilaviece22Marc Crick - @arcanebotanyMarie Scwa

How Our Community Grows Joy

Join my Plant Swap & Book Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited!Tuesday 6/28 June 28thGreenery Unlimited in Brooklyn7-8 Plant Swap8-9 Cocktails by JuneShine and a book signing!It's totally free, just RSVP here Order my book! Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

NYC Plant Swap this Tuesday 6/28!!!

Plant friends, we are diving deep about how and why plants are such a fantastic tool for cultivating curiosity. Beyond making my home look beautiful, the greatest gift plants have given me is reinvigorating my connection with the natural world, and my inner student and child. As kids, we are blessed with this childlike wonder that gets so easy to lose touch with as we grow older, and plants bring that back to us. Our guest, Tyler Thrasher, is just the kind of person to learn how to cultivate curiosity with plants, as he is one of the most innovate, unique plant people hanging out on the internet. So get ready to not just care for your plants today, but to cultivate your own curiosity within you!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:21] Exciting Growing Joy announcements![03:55] How Tyler became the plant parent he is today[06:16] What was Tyler’s experience exploring his interest in nature as he was growing up?[07:44] How plants teach us about growth and resilience[09:42] Do you need a degree to study plants?[12:43] How plants reignite our curiosity about the world around us[16:13] How do you cultivate your curiosity even during the bad times?[19:57] Why human curiosity is evolution speaking[23:54] How Tyler’s greenhouse has changed over the years[27:17] What does Tyler’s collection look like at present?[28:24] Safe and quality indoor and outdoor gardening products[29:48] How to grow your food year-round![32:14] What is a sport in plants?[33:24] Developing The Sport Hunting Guide and making variegated plants more accessible[38:19] What are different ways to rediscover your passion and love for plants?[41:24] What steps did Tyler take in exploring his curiosity about his first hybrid?[44:35] How many hybrids does Tyler have today?[46:31] How did Tyler learn how to crystallize flowers? How did he explore this curiosity?[48:17] What does Tyler’s lab setup look like? [49:02] How long does it take to crystallize something? [51:32] What does Tyler’s learning process look like? What resources does he use to explore his curiosities?[56:00] What’s next for Tyler and Moonbeam Flora?[58:18] Tyler on being a human dad and a plant parent, and raising a kid around plants[01:01:28] Where to find Tyler onlineMentioned in our conversation:Braiding Sweetgrass, book by Robin Wall KimmererTyler Thrasher’s Sport Hunting GuideMoonbeam FloraMonstera Sp

Cultivating Curiosity with Plants with Tyler Thrasher

Lots of free online and IRL events happening in the world of Bloom & Grow! The Cultivating Happiness Giveaway happening on IG through June 16thDetails to enter at @bloomandgrowmaria on IG Urban Jungle PHILLY Event THIS FRIDAY June 17th at 6 pm RSVP HERENYC Plant Swap and Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited June 28th at 7 pmRSVP HEREPre-order your copy of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) Here!  - hitting bookstores on June 28th! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

LIVE NY & Philly Events PLUS an AMAZING Giveaway!

There is so much confusion on the internet and so many different contrasting practices around how to treat fungus gnats and what to do with a plant when you bring it home. Some people insist on isolating plants for two weeks, some people dismiss that practice. Some people say to sprinkle cinnamon on the soil surface to combat fungus gnats, some say completely swap new soil. One of our Society members, Barbara, asked about whether or not castile soap works and if we really need to isolate our plants - and our Horticulturist in Residence, Leslie Halleck, enlightens us about how these insecticidal soaps actually work to eradicate pests. So in this ep, I gift you this small nugget of knowledge to give you some answers to this common question! Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:49] What it’s like to have a horticulturist in residence![02:15] The plantiest and kindest corner of the internet for YOU[03:43] What is castile soap made of?[04:26] How does castile soap work on pests?[04:45] The most effective way to get rid of fungus gnats[05:44] Does isolating plants work? How do you quarantine plants?[07:20] How to check plants for pests[08:42] How to join the Bloom & Grow Garden Party and Garden SocietyFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-clubAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Does Isolating Plants and Castile Soap Actually Work? // Knowledge Nugget #5

Terrariums have played a huge role in my plant collection and life. I recently created a good luck terrarium to bring into the recording studio to record my audiobook for Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) and had such a special experience planting up this tiny mason jar terrarium, filling it with special plants, stones and crystals, and carrying it in my backpack around NYC while I fulfilled this dream of recording my audiobook. Terrarium guru, Patricia of Doodle Bird Terrariums, breaks down the differences and similarities of terrariums, paludariums, and vivariums and equips us with the knowledge you need to set your first one up after listening to this ep!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:47] The magic of terrariums[05:22] How Patricia became the plant lady she is today[06:33] Why Patricia loves terrariums[07:03] How terrariums can have restorative effects on people[09:02] What are the differences among terrariums, vivariums, and paladariums?[11:56] What are the benefits of growing plants in terrariums?[12:32] What are common terrarium problems and how do you solve them?[14:36] How do you put isopods in your terrarium?[15:55] Maria’s first terrarium story[17:45] How different is it to set up a terrarium, a vivarium, and a paladarium?[18:39] What materials do you need for a basic terrarium?[20:30] Open terrariums vs closed terrariums[21:45] Where can you source terrarium containers?[23:25] Which plants are NOT recommended for terrariums?[25:56] Can you use beneficial insects in an open terrarium?[27:19] How much soil is needed in terrariums?[28:06] Where to get seeds, flowers, and herbs to start in the summer![29:30] Potting mixes tailored to your specific gardening needs? Yes, please![31:22] How to plant up a terrarium[32:21] Patricia’s recommended drainage layer setup[34:06] How do you water a terrarium? What water should you use for terrariums?[36:21] How often should you open a closed terrarium?[37:23] Patricia’s most recommended plants for terrariums[39:38] How do you set up a vivarium?[42:03] Can you use driftwood in a vivarium?[42:58] The best starter pets to put in a vivarium[45:05] Bigger plants to use in a vivarium[46:42] How to feed your vivarium animals[48:19] Where to get tiny and cute terrarium figurines[49:18] What is the biggest must-know when installing paladariums?[51:16] Do y

How to Make Terrariums, Paludariums and Vivariums

Aroids have always been fascinating, with their different leaf shapes, structures, and texture, it's no surprise that this set of plants is only growing more and more popular today. In this episode, we welcome back the queen of the aroids, Enid from NSE Tropicals, to discuss five popular and unique aroids to try growing this summer! Enid is just such a well of knowledge on more unusual aroids and she shares some more unique types that we might want to introduce to our collections. This episode is definitely geared towards you curious collector plant parent types out there, so let's dive in!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:49] Free membership to the Garden Society? Yes, please![02:47] Enid’s book and NSE Tropicals updates[05:40] Why are aroids so popular? Why are aroids the perfect beginner houseplants?[08:31] What makes houseplants ‘rare’?[11:59] Aside from NSE Tropicals, where can you source 'rare' plants?[13:11] What you need to know when sourcing plants internationally[15:57] What do people need to look out for when buying plants abroad?[17:04] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden![18:27] The best and wide-variety selection of plant tones and fertilizers for you[20:28] Unique Aroid #1: Philodendron tortum[23:57] The magic of watching a houseplant leaf unfurl[24:43] Unique Aroid #2: Philodendron bernardopazii[27:01] Unique Aroid #3: Anthurium veitchii[29:28] What kind of light do these rare aroids need?[29:58] Unique Aroid #4: Anthurium ‘Selby’s Silver’[32:10] Shoutout to Bloom and Grow listener, Joey![34:36] Unique Aroid #5: Philodendron distantilobum[36:54] Bonus plant: The Offolteranium[37:57] Enid shares the inspiration behind her book Welcome to the Jungle[38:59] Where to get Enid’s book[41:16] Take advantage of this sweet Growing Joy offer!Mentioned in our conversation:Welcome to the Jungle: Rare Tropical Houseplants to Collect, Grow, and Love, book by Enid OffolterThank you to our episode sponsors:Territorial Seed CompanyExcited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for eve

Popular and Unique Aroids to Try this Summer with Enid of NSE Tropicals

Seeds do not only provide us with food to eat, but they represent the future and also allow us to reflect on our history. They are heirlooms, a connection to our ancestors and their stories. In this episode, on Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate stories of Asian culture and connection to nature and food through seeds, with YC Miller from Kitazawa Seed Company. YC walks us through the importance of preserving our heritage through seeds and the stories we share and tells us heartwarming stories from Kitazawa customers on how a simple vegetable can carry so much family history and pride. Let's dive in!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:49] Have you heard about this MAJOR announcement?[02:34] How YC became the plant person she is today[05:24] How growing food can reconnect us with our heritage[09:56] Maria shares her family’s history with food as Italian immigrants[12:28] How two brothers built Kitazawa Seed Company[14:32] Why preserving seed diversity is an important part of the immigrant experience[17:44] Where and how does Kitazawa source their seed varieties?[22:45] The best potting mixes for your spring garden![24:25] Get your spring garden started with high-quality seeds[26:00] What are the differences between Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino eggplants?[28:05] What does the process of bringing a new seed variety to the market look like for Kitazawa Seed Company?[28:35] Touching stories on food and Asian heritage from Kitazawa’s customers[32:51] Different Asian recipes for bitter melon[36:21] YC’s recommended Kitazawa varieties for starters[38:01] How to grow gourds in your garden[41:00] YC’s current favorite plant to grow and their favorite recipes with it![44:20] Why you need to grow pak choi or bok choy[45:41] Where to get in touch with YC and Kitazawa [47:18] How to get a free one-month subscription to the Garden Society!Mentioned in our conversation:Kitazawa Seed CoEggplants (Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino)Korean peppersPerilla plantOkinawan bitter gourd or Okinawan bitter melonHerbs (Chinese leeks, Thai basil, bunching onion)Gourds (wax gourds and bottle gourds)Japanese cucumbersThank you to our episode sponsors:Territorial Seed CompanyExcited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top

Preserving Asian Heritage Through Seeds and Stories

I feel like there comes a time in every plant parent's life when we start to get really curious and excited about having a dedicated space for all of our plants. If you are an outdoor gardener, the promise of a greenhouse for seed starts and overwintering plants is even more promising! I’ve had several different moments in life where I’ve Googled greenhouse kits but never crossed the finish line due to the overwhelming and somewhat intimidating aspect of installing them properly (and the price tag). Hopefully, this episode will set you up for success if you feel like you’re ready to take the leap of installing a greenhouse - whether it's a small kit, or a large structure in your backyard - consider this episode a beginners guide to building the greenhouse of your dreams!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:49] The inspirations behind this episode![04:13] What to expect from this episode[06:15] How Patrick became the plant person he is today[10:10] Patrick shares his greenhouse setup[11:35] Things to consider before planning a greenhouse[12:28] Why do you need a license for your personal greenhouse?[15:00] What direction should a greenhouse face?[16:44] Pros and cons of different greenhouse materials[20:29] DIY greenhouse vs greenhouse kit[23:41] Patrick’s advice when exploring greenhouse kit options[25:07] What to consider for your greenhouse flooring[27:02] Where to get healthy pre-grown plants[28:13] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products[30:52] Different types of greenhouses and ventilation settings[33:08] How to calculate greenhouse heating and ventilation requirements[34:31] Different types of fans and vents for greenhouse ventilation[37:28] How do you run power to your greenhouse?[39:16] How much does a good beginner greenhouse cost?[42:33] Common misconceptions about greenhouses[43:37] How greenhouses help in pest control and management[45:45] Troubleshooting greenhouse ventilation and humidity issues[46:40] What is the ideal temperature for a greenhouse?[47:53] Patrick’s advice for greenhouse beginners[50:12] Greenhouse #1: Amy’s apartment-deck greenhouse in cold Massachusetts[53:27] Greenhouse #2: Tiffany’s indoor greenhouse for 200+ plants[59:28] Greenhouse #3: Kristin’s fully-customized permanent greenhouse from a kit[01:05:48] Greenhouse #4: Eric’s Instagrammable East Nash Greenhouse with recycled windows[01:11

Beginner's Guide to Greenhouses

Plant friends, in celebration of the launch of my new book, Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants), which is about my personal journey with plants, I want to celebrate YOUR stories on launch day.  Growing Joy is not just about my personal journey with my plants, it's about the thousands of stories I have heard from listeners about how plants have helped them heal, grow and find more joy. This is your official invitation to join the #GrowingJoyChallenge and share YOUR story with the world. Tune in for the details!Submit your stories here by April 30th!In this episode:[00:37] What plants mean to Maria[00:57] Why Growing Joy is about YOU[01:57] How you can share your story with the world![04:36] In-depth tutorials for the #GrowingJoyChallenge[00:57] How to pre-order Growing Joy[05:39] Let’s cultivate more joy in the world!Submit your stories here by April 30th!Growing Joy Pre-Order LinkGrowing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-clubAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

I Want to Hear YOUR Story: Join the #GrowingJoyChallenge

Growing your own plants from seeds is one of the most gratifying experiences in the garden. Watching a tiny seed become a full-grown plant just gives you the most amazing feeling as a plant parent. However, seed starting is a whole different science and practice on its own and requires special soil, different care, grow lights and water monitoring, and interesting practices to make sure that your seeds actually sprout: seed scarification is one of those practices that may seem intimidating, but takes your seed starting game into a whole different level. Leslie Halleck, my plant friend and Bloom and Grow Garden Society's resident horticulturist, gives us the know-how behind seed scarification in this Knowledge Nugget!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:29] How to access Leslie Halleck’s planty lectures[02:59] What is seed scarification for?[04:16] Different ways to scarify a seed[04:32] Mistakes to avoid when doing seed scarification[07:05] Your open invitation to the Garden Society!Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-clubAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What is Seed Scarification? // Knowledge Nugget #3

They produce some of the most desirable flowers we know and love, but a bulb can be very confusing to an amateur gardener. We look at this little stub and think, "Seriously, a daffodil is going to sprout up from this thing?" As tropical houseplant growers, bulbs can be a totally different game when it comes to caring, with different sets of tips to be mindful of. Jenks Farmer is a bulb expert and lifelong gardener and in this ep, he joins us to break down everything you need to know about bulbs. Let's dive in!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:49] Growing Joy updates and invitation[02:04] Watering technique tips and water quality lecture[04:05] How Jenks became the bulb expert he is today[07:35] What is a bulb? How do we identify bulbs?[11:52] Listener question: When is the best time to plant alliums? Will the plants reproduce over time?[12:43] Where can you find bulbs in nature?[14:33] Beginner terms: Annuals vs perennials[15:10] What is a naturalized garden?[16:29] When do you plant different kinds of bulbs?[18:35] How does ground temperature trigger bulb growth?[19:03] How do you force bulbs indoors?[23:14] How do bulbs grow? Why do we need to divide bulbs?[24:53] The best gardening products for any gardening situation[26:14] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden[27:47] Why do we need to dry bulbs? How do you store dry bulbs?[28:16] How do you store caladiums?[31:04] Jenks’ indoor bulb recommendations[32:00] Do all bulbs go dormant?[34:21] How do you plant bulbs? Do bulbs have to be planted right side up?[35:32] What is the ideal soil mixture for bulbs? How often should you fertilize bulbs?[37:08] How deep should bulbs be planted? Why is depth important?[39:17] Jenks’ bulb recommendations for every season![42:05] Why does Jenks like crinums?[42:50] Where do crinums originate from?[44:11] Where can crinums grow in the country?[45:29] Why Jenks wrote a book on crinums[48:04] Where to find Jenks online[50:01] Maria’s gardening plans update and spring announcementsMentioned in our conversation:PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungThe Crinum Book, book by Augustus Jenks FarmerFunky Little Flower Farm, book by Augustus Jenkins FarmerDeep-Rooted Wisdom: Skills and Stories from Generations of Gardeners, book by Augustu

Bulb Basics with Jenks Farmer

This might be the CRAZIEST thing I’ve done with my plants but this has also been such an extraordinary experience as I fly our lime tree, Limey, from New York to Florida! I am so excited to share the experience with you and talk about the citrus alley Mama Failla and I made in their beautiful Florida home. I document the entire journey of flying with a plant including the thought process, plant modifications, legal processes and the next few days' updates in an Youtube Vlog: https://youtu.be/jtelXljM1gkLet me know which part is your fave!Pre-order Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)Join the Bloom & Grow Garden Society Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Limey's Grand Adventure // Flying My Lime Tree to Florida

Plant friends, this has been in the works for almost two years and I am so excited to finally be able to share it with you! Two YEARS of quietly working on a very special project with our guest, and not being able to talk about it! We will dive more into this project in the second half of this episode, but more importantly, we get to know Samantha Leung. Samantha, the founder of the well-known plant brand Hemleva, is the real deal. She's so freaking smart, she's kind, she's generous, she's honest, and she’s built her business with such integrity and hustle and grown a thriving business that creates botanically inspired products. In this episode, we are so lucky to be joined by Samantha to learn how she got to where she is now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten to know her offline over the last year because we’ve been working on a very special project! Find out what it is in the ep!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[01:27] What to expect from this episode[04:26] How one woman’s jewelry collection was used to make diplomatic history[05:41] What was Samantha’s first-ever product?[06:28] How Samantha got started with pins[08:44] Why are plants important to Samantha?[10:28] How plants carry our memories with them[12:26] Where did Hemleva get its name from and what does it mean?[15:10] What was Hemleva’s first year in business like?[17:50] How did Samantha go about Hemleva’s logistics and business requirements?[20:04] What other crafts has Samantha tried building a business for?[23:02] Maria shares some of the challenges as a woman entrepreneur[26:15] How does Samantha handle her entrepreneur days?[27:42] Where to get the high-quality vegetable plants this season[29:17] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you and your pets[31:47] How does Samantha ideate, develop, and execute a product?[33:56] What tools does Samantha use to create a product?[35:27] How does Samantha source people and businesses she works with?[37:49] What does the process or ordering samples look like for Hemleva?[39:36] How does Samantha decide her inventory?[41:00] How profit margins differ in different business categories[44:19] In what ways is Hemleva structured to give back to different organizations?[45:57] What does One Percent for the Planet do?[47:56] What does work-life balance look like for Samantha?[50:47] How to figure out your own workfl

How to Start a Product Based Planty Business plus a big announcement with Samantha from Hemleva

Rubber plants don't get enough credit in the tropical plant world. These humble plants are always available at the garden center but tend to get overlooked for some of our sexier Instagram-worthy plants. In this episode, we will dive into the many reasons why rubber plants are fantastic plants with Raffaele of Ohio Tropics. The first part is going to be an overview of general rubber plant care and different types of rubber plants, and then the second half is actually frequently asked questions that Raffaele answers and troubleshoots. Welcome, plant friend!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.Click here to join us!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:43] Maria’s plant and personal updates[02:12] Introducing Raffaele from Ohio Tropics[03:14] Your invitation to a free 10-day virtual garden festival![03:58] What to expect from this rubber plant episode[06:40] How Raffael became the plant parent he is today[10:06] What is a rubber plant?[11:26] Do rubber trees produce latex?[12:53] Where can you find rubber plants in nature?[14:33] What are the different types and varieties of rubber plants?[18:54] How to water rubber plants[21:27] Raffaele’s watering tip using a turkey baster[23:21] How much sunlight does a rubber plant need?[27:35] Are rubber plants low-light plants?[28:35] What kind of soil mix is good for rubber plants?[30:52] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden[32:09] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products[34:49] How to fertilize rubber plants[37:11] Rubber Plant FAQ #1: Why is my rubber plant not growing?[39:03] Rubber Plant FAQ #2: How do I get my rubber plant to branch and be bushier instead of taller?[39:51] What is the air layering propagation method?[44:15] Rubber Plant FAQ #3: Why are my new leaves smaller than the older ones?[45:32] Rubber Plant FAQ #4: Why are my rubber plant leaves dropping?[48:20] Why overwatering can cause issues to your plant (in ways you might not expect)[49:12] Rubber Plant FAQ #5: My plant looks healthy, but the branches are all over the place; why is this happening?[50:26] Rubber Plant FAQ #6: What are the tiny white spots on my rubber plant?[51:26] Rubber Plant FAQ#7: Why are the edges of my variegated rubber plant browning?[54:09] Rubber Plant FAQ #8: My rubber plant has aerial roots, but do they grow better in slightly cooler conditions?[55:18] Raffaele’s recommendations of the best rubber plant varieties for beginners[57:35] Wha

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