Jasmine
Location: Sydney, Australia | Instagram: @anthuriums__
I’ve started speaking to Jasmine a few months ago (tbh I don’t even remember when our first convo was), but I’d say we immediately clicked, and the rest was history. I came across her profile when she first started on Instagram and was, of course, hooked by her stunning collection and effortless feed. If you look at her page now, all I can say is you’ll have a new appreciation for dark velvety Anthuriums that are growing extremely well in her home. Oh, and I also wanted to just highlight that I owe my pollination success to this unreal human!
Belle: How do you feel about being the first person I chose for my interview section?! I honestly wouldn’t pick anyone else!
Jasmine: Thank you for asking me! To be the first was totally unexpected — I feel undeserving but am extremely humbled for the opportunity. I see myself as a small hobbyist with a sporadic creative tendency. I collect plants to feel productive and adorn my space.
My plant journey has been such a wild unexpected ride — from growing a sea of velvets to creating new hybrids and meeting amazing people all over the globe (like yourself) that I never would've met otherwise.
Belle: I’m sure people are dying to know a little bit more about you personally! What is your daytime job and what other hobbies/other things you’re into other than plants?
Jasmine: It may come as no surprise to some, but I work in the creative field as a digital product designer. My work involves solving business problems by helping others visualise solutions and optimising a user's experience. I currently work for a large news media organisation, and I love how my work influences a platform that helps inform.
I recently adopted two beautiful cats, so I can officially call myself a part-time cat herder. I also love to game (mostly fps) and will only be coaxed out of the house for food.
Belle: No one can deny how stunning your Anthurium collection is… I’m absolutely in awe of all your plants. When did you start falling in love with Anthuriums and what was your first Anthurium you owned?
Jasmine: Early on I found my way into the Araceae world via the prolific gateway genus, Monstera. Not too long after, I stumbled across Anthuriums and instantly knew I had to have them all. Reflecting retrospectively I was obsessed. I searched tirelessly and relentlessly to collect what my heart desired. My first Anthurium was a simple yet majestic crystallinum x magnificum. The glittering venation captured my heart and it was game over (especially for my bank account) - I’ve never looked back since.
Belle: Besides Anthuriums, what other varieties do you love and have growing in your apartment?
Jasmine: Whilst 95% of my collection are Anthuriums, I do have soft spots for specific Philodendrons and ferns. Outside of those, I also have a sprinkling of Rhaphidophora, Monstera, and miniature orchids. Funnily enough, my Philodendrons are quite neglected but seem to thrive off the unintentional abuse - I am certain this is their secret sauce. An interesting fact about me is that I don’t really like variegated plants, I have none in my collection and don't plan to.
Belle: Will you be getting more plants now you’ll be moving into a bigger space in the near future? (Congrats on that!)
Jasmine: Probably not. I am already at maximum capacity effort-wise. I want to enjoy my plants and not dread looking after them as if they were another chore. I am not a sentimental person - I collect the plants I find desirable and sell those I’ve fallen out of love with.
This year I will be focusing on growing my seeds and seedlings. I have a few special Anthurium hybrids I've created and am excited to see how they develop.
Belle: Is there a specific plant you’ve personally struggled with? Whether it’s trying to root it or keeping it happy in general?
Jasmine: My environment is designed and optimised for Anthuriums. Generally, I don’t find myself having many issues amongst species, but specimens instead. The one caveat to this is Anthurium panamense - a species I can not get to thrive. I’ve had 4 specimens over my time collecting, and none of them had ever looked as lush as when I received my first. Unfortunately, I still haven’t deduced why.
Belle: We all are aware that the plant prices in Australia, especially Anthuriums… they are absolutely insane (makes my jaw drop when I watch eBay bids!). Do you think this has influenced more people to pollinate within Australia's houseplant community? To have seeds to share but also create your own cool hybrids?
Jasmine: I definitely believe the popularisation and price hike in Anthuriums have led to a greater interest in pollination. Looking at Philodendrons, which also have garnered popularity, I haven't observed nearly as many people pollinating within that genus as they are generally more affordable and easier to propagate via other means.
There are many individuals who are genuinely interested in hybridisation. For me, the idea of selectively breeding and potentially creating my own dream plant is exciting. The flipside is that there are people who don’t care about the wellbeing and rush to sell. I believe this affects the quality of plants and overall normalises a poorer standard within the industry.
Belle: And speaking of pollination, let's get a little bit into that as you’ve successfully pollinated and created hybrids! I’m curious what was the first plant you’ve pollinated? How many seeds do you normally get from a successful pollination? And where do people go wrong?! I’ve had many people saying they’ve not been successful.
Jasmine: My very first successful pollination was a magnificum hybrid. At the time it was my most mature specimen and as soon as I realised it was producing an inflorescence I got to researching.
I was motivated to document my experience as I noticed there was a lack of easily accessible information. I scoured through scientific journals, Facebook groups and instagram stories to try and better inform myself.
I planned my pollination carefully where I sacrificed my first inflorescence to collect pollen, and off I went.
The amount of seeds produced depends on how large the spadix is and how many reproductive flowers (quadrants) successfully received pollen. I've had inflorescences that have produced over 800 seeds and others that only had 20.
There's a myriad of things that could affect someone's chance at successful pollination - some to consider are:
Incompatibility across sections
Infertility through hybridisation (parent)
Not enough pollinated flowers on the spadix
General health and maturity of seeding specimen
Belle: How many seedlings are in your care at the moment? And is it stressful?
Jasmine: Oh goodness hahaha. I would say over a thousand seedlings and I also have another few hundred seeds on their way to contributing to that former count. I think a lot of people would say how they would love to be in my position and don't get me wrong I am so grateful to be drowning in a sea of velvets, but I can see how it has affected my capacity to grow them well.
Belle: Do you think the automated system that you’ve set up has helped you care for your plants more efficiently?
Jasmine: The system custom built by my techwiz of a partner has been a game changer - I honestly would've gone crazy or yeet-ed half my collection without it. I am so grateful that he continues to improve it without me asking! Bless you Steve.
For those who don't know, my space is managed by an automation system we named Medusa (cause there's cables running everywhere) that turns devices on and off accordingly. The humidifier manages the humidity between 80-85%, the exhaust fan turns on when the exterior temperature of the greenhouse is cooler than the interior if over 30°c and lights turn on at sunset and off at midnight. If I installed misters I could easily go away for a month or two and be confident my plants would still thrive without me.
Next on the horizon, we will motorise the louvres to make the exhaust fan more efficient. Exciting times!
Rapid-fire questions
What is one thing you’d change about the plant community?
I think some people love to play God and 'decide' what's right and what's wrong. People can use this hobby however they please, whether it's an escape from reality, to meet other people, or (ethical) monetary reasons ✌🏻 JuSt cHilL oUt.
Some of your favourite accounts?
Anyone can have plants, but my favourite accounts inspire me to be more creative or grow better. To keep it short, here are my top 4:
@araceae_ & @growrootsgrow — Easily my biggest photography inspirations
@snippiwippi — Amazing grower, stunning plants, and amazing cat memes
@hattiemolloy — Not aroids but inspires me with botanic sculpture
If money was no object, what would be your dream plant?
Anthurium Ace of Spades - money would really be no object if it was available in Australia.
Your dream travel destination?
I am such a homebody, nothing springs instantly to mind so I'm going to say Mykonos.
One thing a lot of people don’t know about you?
People think I'm a good grower, but honestly, I think I'm just a good photographer 🥲
If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Noodles. If I had to be specific then bun bo hue (spicy Vietnamese noodle soup).
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
*World peace*
Be all-knowing
More wishes - is this cheating?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People
All images belong to Jasmine @anthuriums__