We sit down with Toine Overgaag of Westerlay Orchids, a major grower of Phalaenopsis on the West Coast of the US, to hear about their sustainability efforts, and the state of large-scale houseplant production more broadly. Are grocery store orchids considered “disposable?” Are there ways to tell if you're buying sustainably-produced plants? And what’s the best thing we can do once a plant comes home with us? Stay tuned for our tips (and our impassioned appeal) for plant lovers of all experience levels to give Phals another look!

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How well is the “traditional” plant industry serving the interests of the newest wave of plant parents? And for those who started in the hobby during the pandemic, how are they faring? We found two interesting articles about the state of the houseplant community that felt perfect for the first Chill 'n Chat of 2022. What is a “brutalist candlestick?” And is losing 10 or more plants a lot? We attempt to answer!

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You may know about Sundews, but the Plant Daddies believe these particularly tiny, beautiful members of the Drosera genus deserve their own special mention. And we’re happy to report that their care and propagation is easier than you may have read! Will they thrive in terrariums? What does it sound like when Stephen tries to sell Matthew on a plant? And how many ways can we pronounce the word gemmae? Don’t underestimate us!

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The Lipstick Plant is the very first Gesneriad we discuss on the show, and we both feel that this robust, reliably flowering plant is a great introduction to this amazing family of plants. Does Stephen admit to liking a flowering indoor tropical? And is Matthew getting too worked up about cultivar confusion? Have you ever thought you didn’t have much to say about a plant, but then you had a LOT of thoughts about them? Well it happened to us this week! And we had a blast.

Is there more to our relationship with houseplants than collecting and cultivating? Maria Failla of Bloom and Grow Radio is back to make her case in a revealing interview that we both love. What does a mindfulness practice actually mean? And how can you begin your own? It's easier and more powerful than you might think. And it may surprise you which Plant Daddy this speaks to most!

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If the Plant Daddies could surprise each other with a plant to grow together, what would happen? You’ll find out in our last episode of 2021! Then we revisit (and judge) our plant predictions for the year, pick our favorite episodes, and chat about the plant highlights in our own collections. Can a rehab project be a “gift?” How well do we actually know each other? Cozy up for one of our favorite episodes of the year!

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How much do you know about fertilizing your houseplants? …and how much do we know? After a radically honest discussion of our own routines, Miles from The Plant Store is back to answer our questions, dispel some myths, AND participate in our fertilizer lightening round. Are liquids better than slow-release pellets? Is "organic" mostly about marketing? What about DIY fertilizers? Some of his answers may surprise you!

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Need a foliage plant for a low light spot that will actually survive? Even thrive? This week we talk about Aglaonema, which we both believe is one of your best options for this situation. How long can these actually survive in less-than-ideal light? And how much moisture (or lack of it) can they tolerate? Our answers may surprise you. Also, what’s an “Aglaonema stepfather,” and how's that custom textile print coming? Like we say, this is about respect.

What should go in that less-sunny window? The Plant Daddies tackle a timely listener question in this month’s Chill 'n Chat, and after so long without plant updates, let each other know how their respective urban jungles/bogs/deserts are faring. Is success in a north-facing window about plant selection, or managing expectations? What does Stephen do when he thinks he has overwatered? And was Matthew aware that we did an episode about having too many plants? No new episode next week, but we’ll be back in December!

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Many of us have owned a Croton plant, Codiaeum variegatum, but how many of us can reliably get them to thrive indoors? The Plant Daddies have had mixed results themselves, so Mark Peters of Peters Crotons and Cordylines joins the show to help. Should these plants be allowed to dry thoroughly? Of the surprisingly diverse Croton cultivars, which is the best for indoor growing? We get these answers, fascinating history, and some surprising tips for plant parents from this expert grower!

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