James

 I first spoke to James when I was trying to source a Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy earlier this year and this calm/peaceful energy has definitely drawn me into having plenty more conversations with him (and also got a decent deal on the BMF thank youuu!). I then realised he was on Youtube and I’m not going to lie, I did binge watch his videos and would highly recommend it to everyone as they’re super informative. But let’s waste no time and get to know James a little more!

 Belle: Let's start with something super basic, what is your day time job and what are your other interests that's not plants?

James: My daytime job is a whole mishmash of related things - I am predominantly a pole dance/fitness instructor and yoga and mobility trainer. I teach handstands and splits and tricks and things like that. I used to perform a bit but not for a while with the pandemic etc. 

All that stuff is on my other non-planty Instagram: @yogajamw  

Most of my other interests are also nature/fitness/gardening themed so I won't list them, but I love fantasy and sci-fi, writing/drawing and recently gaming!

Belle: What has drawn you into this plant hobby and how long have you been collecting?

James: I can't think of any specific thing that drew me to plants - I've been growing them with intention and curiosity (like not just planting a marigold and letting it die) since my early teens. I've had a bunch of super unfocused phases with native trees and foraging and tropicals and tropical fruit trees, but Araceae was my first family specific interest. I was super into plants but for some reason I had never noticed aroids, and when I did see them as houseplants I thought they were messy and ugly compared to other things I was growing. I had taken a break of a few years for work/school and only had maybe 15 plants sitting around and suddenly I started seeing aroids appear on social media and my mind was blown. Particularly by the huge ones - like - how did these exist and I wasn't aware of it!? I started collecting them immediately after haha.

Belle: No one can deny how stunning your collection is, but also the variety in species you own. Which would you say is your favourite? Eg. Philodendrons, Anthuriums, monsteras etc.

James: It changes all the time - interest wise I'm going through a Nepenthes phase, but I still have very few relative to my collection.

So of the ones I am confident with and grow a lot I think I love Philodendron the most. Closely followed by Hoya.

Belle: Other than popular varieties people collect, are there any other species you’re interested in going down the rabbit hole? I know you’ve jumped into Hoyas recently but are there any others

James: Yes, yes yes. I want all of them! Like I said above I really want to get into carnivores in a big way. I'm also super drawn to orchids and have started collecting them a lot more this past year. I really want some specific Begonia but I'm worried I don't have the right setups annnd yes Hoya are on-going! Space is an issue when you have lots of big aroids though...

Belle: Let’s get a little bit into plant care! I’ve seen that you’ve got a massive grow tent for your plants, what would you say are some key benefits and disadvantages of having them in there?  

James: In my opinion the benefits far outweigh any issues. It's true that plants aren't as neatly displayed as some people would like but for me that isn't so much of an issue - I have certain 'display plants' around my home which tick that box. The tent is really just a way to provide the best possible conditions for these tropical things I've brought into my home. It has been game-changing over winter in particular having such good light/temperature and humidity control. I also don't live somewhere where I feel comfortable blasting growlights out my windows all the time so the tent helps keep my plant habit a bit more discreet…

The only disadvantage I've experienced is the ease of pest/fungal spread within the tent - I have to make sure the ventilation is very good and I stay on top of treatments or it gets pretty wild in there.

Belle: What are your plant goals for 2021? 

James: To diversify my collection where possible and to propagate and pollinate what I have for swapping/selling/sharing etc.

Also to work out what I'm going to do with all my large Philodendron this next growing season...

Belle: What do you want to see more in this particular community and why?

James: I would love to see more awareness that there are a million different ways to approach this hobby and it doesn't matter how long you've been interested or where you're from or what plants you love so long as you come with a willingness to learn.

I am guilty of chasing specific plants like most people in the community but i would love for there to be a little more awareness around our purchases. Avoiding poached plants is very important and making sure we try to set standards for each other - especially those of us who sell plants - so that people are receiving the healthiest possible plant.

I would also like to see plant gifting become a more common and spoken about thing - there are some amazing fb groups and people who organise gifting occasionally. It's a very empowering way to lift someone up - not only are you providing them with something green and growing to care for, but sometimes a plant gift can be a significant financial aid in times of need. Which is very cool.

Belle: We’ve had a little discussion not long ago about how we’ve been quite lucky and grateful entering the plant community before things got crazy (higher demand, higher prices, less supply) and how we might not have been able to own the plants we own if we entered this world now. What advice would you want to give people who just entered the community at this present moment?

James: However much you want a plant do not put yourself in financial jeopardy for it - it isn't worth it and that plant you've just found that you think you'll never get a chance to get again will pop up for cheaper in a week, a month pr a year etc. We don't necessarily need that specific plant immediately.

Aroids and hoya in particular can be very expensive right now and I certainly would not have the collection of either that I have now without swapping where I can and making my collection grow itself. Any money I might make from selling is money I allow myself to put back into my collection if there's something I really want. Otherwise, it can wait.

It's also important to remember that these Aroid prices will drop sooner or later - so make sure you're buying plants that you really love and not only plants as status symbols or financial investments (although that is fine too).

And like before - prop, swap and gift!

Belle: Extra question, since I've suggested lechuza pon (haha) have you considered moving all your plants into this substrate? And are there any rare specimens that’s been converted?!

James: I have really loved pon so far! Buuuut I can't imagine transferring everything to it no - partially because I have a lot of plants and that is just an insurmountable task haha, but also because I find it really valuable to be trying as many methods of growing things as possible to find what works best for specific plants in my space. One of my less common Philodendron at the moment for example - philo ilsemanii - I have propagated and am growing in pon, sphagnum, perlite and an aroid mix to find out what it grows best in.

Pon is great but it's not going to take over my collection totally anytime soon.

 All images belong to James @sluggplants