This is a timely topic. Thank you very much for highlighting this issue. Our country, the Philippines, is highly vulnerable to plant smuggling from Hoyas to Aroids to Orchids. I really hope it changes the perspective especially to those collectors who use plants as status symbol.
C...☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Great topic to address, very happy to see people with large platforms put out educated, mature and responsable content, rather than.. well you know 😋 I'm not surprised to see this topic from you, but it doesn't take away any of the joy! Great job! 👍🧡
Very timely Summer! Because of IG plant smuggling and plant poaching has increased. The environment is crying 😭😭😭😭 thank you for shedding light on this topic.
Thank you summer for bringing up this topic. Here in Philippines, many plants like alocasias, hoyas, native orchids and Nepenthes are poached from the mountains and sold on Facebook. Many people here disregard the importance of leaving native flora alone, and overlook the fact that they are important for the ecosystem and not mere ornaments
Thank you so much! The fact that the Asian market plays a big role in illegal trades doesn't surprise me at all. I'm a student from Hong Kong and living in Taiwan. I've started to develop my enthusiasm for succulents and cacti since a year ago. Yeah, as a collector, I'm trying to collect as much species of cacti as I can. But I never buy rare and expensive plants because I read about the smuggling problem which has been informed by the western societies. However, most of the houseplants growers in Taiwan and Hong Kong don't care about it. They are trying to buy the rarest and trendiest plants shown on the social media. We can't underestimate the influences made by the social media. People never wonder where these rare and beautiful plants are from. They simply wanna own them and take pictures to show off to the online community. I had talked to one of the experienced sellers regarding the smuggling problem. He is a huge influencer here in Taiwan. His response was so heartbreaking. He simply doesn't care at all. He thinks that human beings have been doing bad things to the nature and this will never stop in the future. So why care about conservation? This is a devastating statement. And I've noticed that sometimes houseplants growers, especially the new ones, are so much influenced by trend. Some fashion idols in Japan keep rare and endangered caudex plants, for example Pachypodium gracilius. And people simply follow them and start buying these plants. We all know these plants are all smuggled or they had been grown in nurseries for years, which is unlikely to happen because the trend hadn't started at that time. Every houseplants lovers should be alert to the smuggling problem. If we are true plants lovers, we love the nature. If we only love the plants but not the nature, we are just some selfish thefts stealing from the nature.
🎉☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
@@Lvnature_ ☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Totally love this video! The rare plant hype is real and it's a scar in thid beautiful gardening community. Recently on reddit , someone purchased monstera dubia for 2 dollars from a local seller that didn't know "what it is worth" and there was a comment saying "Maybe you should buy some more from there and resell them on FB to make a good buck" Like, seriously?? Why wouldn't you want everyone enjoy things in a more attainable reach. I absolutely hate the "rare plant influencers" that hype up some plants beyond the average person's reach. I am currently reading Carlos Magdalena's The Plant Messiah. It's a beautiful book on plant conservation...and it's so interesting. You should definitely look into that book! Kudos for putting out this video!
@@jonesie8377 it'd be my absolute honour that i could make another person read that terrific book. It's packed with information about how this man, Carlos Magdalena , saved some of the most rarest plants from absolute extinction. Plants like Ramosmania rodriguessi, only one specimen was left of it. Nymphae thermarum , the world's smallest waterlily, no one could save it from extinction by growing it from seeds for decades , he with his "Plant Messiah" powers was able to do it with the last 5 seeds of that species available on earth. He saved some real rare and endangered plants,not influencer hyped stuff. I hope you enjoy it! 💚 (And sorry for the rant.. i get too excited about plants 🤣)
@Oish Poish I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. I WANT TO THANK YOU, you gave me inspiration to find this book and reach out to mr Magdalena for my research. Also, I am looking out for people who have direct experience with this, my research really relies on personal stories of being at contact with these issues in order to get substantial and effective. Would you want to answer some questions about rare plants hype or you plant experiences reach out to me :)
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you for bringing rare plant conservation awareness to the forefront. Instead of contributing to their demise, hopefully sellers and suppliers will stop taking advantage and be part of the solution.
Its sad to say that some are even proud to showcase their stolen plant from the forest. Im from Malaysia, a country with very rich flora fauna diversity. Im in a facebook group named 'Begonia Malaysia' and came across a post asking for the species of begonia that the person has just got his hand on it. I noticed the background is in the forest thus i asked him if it was from the forest and he admitted it. After that, i gave him some advise and he was like ok. After awhile, i still see him with more post of diff begonias.... Thats just so sad
I don’t think you should feel bad, these plants are already illegally poached, what’s better not to buy them and let them die, I think it’s better just to educate people and try to stop the poaching but if they are being sold buy them take care of them and love them
Hi @AXE! I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. Since the final goal of my research is, among other things, to outline various tools to raise awareness about this and make people connect more consciously with plants, I'D BE DELIGHTED to have a chance to ask you few questions about what exactly in this video made you feel like that! (also, personal comment: don't feel bad, it's not about you, it's about society as a whole)
Thank you Summer for talking about this. I sell plants and find that people are going crazy over plants. I get asked if I carry “rare” plants. And I don’t, for these reasons. What B. Willow is doing is great! I can do that too! 💚
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
If it's an international purchase I only visit websites/sellers that offer or require phytosanitary certificates and or import/export licenses because you know they are above board. I've stopped buying plants that I wouldn't absolutely love. There's far too much toxicity and narcissism in the whole one-upmanship of rare plant collecting circles and plant social media "influencer". I've stopped tuning in to them because they don't provide meaningful information.
I’m never usually negative, I wouldn’t even call this comment “negative” but it does come across as a mixed message. The reason why plant smuggling has become such an issue lately is due to the new plant craze started online and over the pandemic. People online, either plant UA-camrs or Instagram influencers are always showing off their newest or rarest plants. Of course the followers or “influenced” fans will be inspired enough to and get their own rare specimens to show off. But then the plant influencers talk about how bad the plant poaching has gotten after they’ve promoted the idea of collecting these rare and hard to find plants. I’m not blaming anyone directly as that leads to bullying and uncalled for behaviour but the online rare plant community is at fault as a whole. How can they promote rare plant hauls but then criticise poaching. Of course most of the plants they have are cultivated and “safe” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t encouraging fans to get that plant however they can. It’s kind of a mess and I don’t see an end to it. With hundreds of thousands of fans being influenced by each plant haul, how can plant influencers say not to buy rare plants while showing off insanely rare plants? I don’t expect you to know the answer but it’s just a thought.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you for bringing up this topic. I wish more people would watch this. It should be in the interest of plant lovers to protect nature and not to rip it off.
Thank you so much Summer for this substantive and informative video. Seeing people clamoring to pay hundreds for rooted cuttings, and the “gotta catch em all” mentality has always left a sour taste in my mouth, and hearing from experts on the broader impact certainly reinforces this for me. Personally I think one lovingly and carefully cultivated unique specimen of a common plant is far more interesting than a whole Ikea cabinet greenhouse full of overpriced cuttings that someone had to have because they are trending on Instagram.
I found out something was growing local to me and I thought about trying to find and collect it. This video really opened my eyes to why that's wrong, I was able to find the plant through my botanical gardens. I'll still go and see if I can photograph them but, leave them alone. I'll definitely put my money into conservation of the plants I love that are endangered or hard to find and being poached instead of trying to buy them.
I really noticed a surge in the availability of rare plants online these days,especially aroids .people are gettingin to flaunting mindset just like they do with furniture.This video explains everything .you really enlighten people through your content.Respect 💚
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thanks for this video. I live in HK and I believe many of us may not even aware of the illegal import plants. We just grab what we find in the flower market and I noticed there are shops selling more import plants then there were quite some years ago.
Thanks so much, Summer Rayne, that this topic is on. I was able to look at this a month ago, and said to myself 😮, the plant game is serious. I understand there are people out there, looking for something different, but please those plants can affect our environment. So please people support your plant nursery, that can explain what type of plant you buying.
Thank you so much for making this video! Watching this made me emotional because this is such an important topic to make people aware of, thanks again!
i live in indonesia, where many types of plants such as aglaonema, alocasia, piper, cissus, hoya and calladium are native to our rainforests. so i've seen myself how the rare plant craze in the US and many western countries has affected our nature. PLEASE please please be more aware on where you source your plants. especially for certain plant breeds such as aglaonema pictum bi/tricolor, alocasia silver/black velvet/dragon scale, aglaonema rotundum/chocolate. those are some of the most smuggled plants from our forests. if you encounter one that is sent from asia with ridiculously low price, most likely those plants were stolen from the wild.
Hi @Alma! I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades (see plant industry/poaching/wildlife extinction etc). THIS NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT MORE. I think domestic plants are a perfect place we can start from to develop a discourse about different, respectful ways to connect to nature. The final goal of my research is, among other things, to outline various tools to raise awareness and make people connect more consciously with plants. Now, MY RESEARCH RELIES MOSTLY ON PEOPLE's personal experiences and connections to these issues, so reading your testimony I'D BE DELIGHTED to have a chance to ask you few questions about this. You can find me on reddit as @bludovica or comment here to reach out. THANK YOU!
This is very interesting and as a plant collector, very knowledgeable. You are doing a wonderful job letting the public understand these issues. I hear about the cactus from Africa but I collect Rhipsalis ( which YOU turned me on to) and would like you to address the S. American jungles being torn down and the possible extinction of these beautiful jungle cactus. I have seen one of your shows discussing this topic which encouraged me to do more research on the topic. Thank you for making more people aware as to how serious this problem is. ALL the plant loving people on UA-cam should be aware of these issues with each country/continent and follow the laws as they are made for a reason. Just love you....thank you. : )
What an important video! I really hope this inspires other shops and content creators to do the same! This was SO eye opening, and I now at least know what questions to ask when purchasing the plants I love so much! THANK YOU❤🌿🌞
Excellent content! Loved the video. I've loved and had plants for 30 years, I'm glad that I have not gone down the rabbit hole of collecting rare plants. Common plants are also fulfilling!
Louder! Plant influencers should to talk about this topic a lot more. Sellers should investigate their distribution chain. We are all responsible for preserving forest and natural habitats.
I've never done rare plants, I'm just not into that kind of ego. Also thrilled not to hear of peperomias on the list of smuggled plants, they're my favourites.
Wow, thanks for shedding light on this. I know the first time that I realized not all plants are being sold ethically/environmentally when I found out Venus fly traps are vulnerable when they are sold so plentifully in supermarkets. It is crazy finding out how little money goes so far. I think a good fundraiser for a plant shop could be a recycling fundraiser: encouraging people to bring their used bottles for money since a couple bags are already like $60
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
My vice is orchids. I only buy from sellers I know, that are mostly growing seedlings. At least when it's a seedling, I know that plant wasn't wild. You can usually tell if an orchid is wild collected, because it will be totally beat up.
Summer I'm totally agree with you! I've been cautious about the indoor plant I bought and I actually just buy something easy to find rather than rare plants..such as pothos, philodendron, dracaena or typical succulent. I also make sure that these plants are not being grown at land so it won't disturb native plants and soil.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
I've been cultivating lots of plants in my living space for quite a few years now and it breaks my heart to watch plants, the very things I love so dearly, becoming more and more nothing but another commodity. Especially the "rare plant" craze seems to be mostly driven by peoples need for status and admiration. I understand that there are complex psychological reasons at play here but in the end, I can't help feeling disgusted by it. That "rare" plant you show of on social media does not show that you are a capable collector, nor does it reflect well on your financial responsibility, it just showcases your insecurities, your willingness to put your selfish needs over the well being of the thing you pretend to love.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Ahh there was a video about the extinction of Nepenthes species from smuggling and poaching in South east asia by redfern natural history. This is good of you to also talk about this issue :)
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
The rare houseplant craze must stop. It's insane. People in poorer countries cant b blamed for seeing an earning opportunity and trying to carve out a living. Could the poorer poachers not b supported to set up a nursery under the appropriate tuition to raise and sell indigenous plants? Xxx
Of course the root issue of smuggling is economic. Ensuring that money is flowing into the areas of endangered species. Pay people to repopulate plants in the wild rather than smuggle them.
I remember the case of the italian raid with chilean cactus. The guy had been in the Atacama and north region of Chile like 7 times in 18 months, and he was only caught on the last trip. So is horrible to imagine just how many species he was able to smuggle before getting caught
One thing we can do as Plant Enthusiasts is not always seek out the rarest of the plants from online sellers. It is difficult to know the source of plants, from where it is collected. If it's a new and rare plant just resist yourself and wait till they are grown in abundance by your local nurseries.
Thank you for this.. i have 1 rare plant and thats going to be my last.. this is a gentle reminder for me.. thank you! I have always loved common plants 🥰
If possible I would love a more in-depth video on specifically Indonesia. It's a hot bed of biodiversity. But over the past year dozens upon dozens of random Etsy shops have popped up from all over Indonesia selling rare houseplants. I struggle with understanding where these plants are sourced from. I'm pretty sure you don't just walk up in the forest and find a Florida Ghost but I know you can walk up upon a Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor. I'd like to avoid plants that are wild caught if possible so as to not encourage the overharvesting of these biodiverse ecosystems.
It’d b nice to know which ones are “hot” but really because they’re rare for a reason so lovers can avoid falling into that trap. I love this channel! Took environment science in school so this has been in my mind lately. Keep up all the great work!
Great topic. I’ve noticed a dramatic spike in social media about plants I’ve never heard of and lots of energy around rare plants. Question: Are Etsy stores required to have nursery licenses? I know sellers on FB marketplace do not, as I’ve sold some of my plants locally there without a license (don’t worry, nothing rare. Just a few extra spider plants and such). I see all kinds of stuff on Etsy. It’s kind of a Wild West atmosphere (read “lawless”).
Actually, I just looked this up and it appears that if you’re selling on FB you really should have a license. Oops. I think people aren’t getting in trouble for small sales, but I can see the potential for some real problems on Etsy or Marketplace.
Here in Toronto every other convenience store sells plants. I have seen them sell various succulents that I am pretty sure are endangered in the wild but since they do not provide a species name it is difficult to look into it. The store owners themselves don't know much, they just sell the plants... unless the plants perish first :(
One of the most important information in video in this time ! Thank you ! Slowly I am hearing more on this topic, which is so vitally important for our ecosystem for life on our planet 🌍
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
One of the best video on plants....and your best informative video of your channel. I am with your channel for last 2 yrs. And I am proud to be . Enjoy tour work.I appreciate your views. With Love from SAM Guwahati Assam INDIA
Is there a website with resources on plant conservation and what questions we should be asking our nurseries and online stores before buying? It would be super helpful to see something like this available, especially if we could vett and certify stores that are doing their part for conservation efforts and have a list available.
I can fully understand that desire! You start off with a few commercial hybrids or mass produced plants; that goes well, so you try a few species varieties. Then you hear about/read about more and more unusual species and, like precious stones, very few people have the rare/exciting/desirable plants. You are better than others, or hope to show that you are, so you want them! Stick with the well-known vendors, even if they seem expensive. It *is* a concern
If by local you mean native, I agree that's best for gardens and bonsai, but this is a houseplant channel and its pretty hard to grow native plants indoors unless you live in the tropics.
Thank you for this informative content, which can be helpful to us "Plant-Parents" to open our eyes to whom or which "Plant-Seller" to look for....This is not a competition of who has a better or expensive plant collection...it is about of being a reponsible "Plant-Parent" we should be. 💚🌿🌱
Such an important topic, thank you so much for sharing this information with us. I do believe, like many instances, marketing trends play a huge role in consumer buying and consumer interest in certain products. The more popular or trending the product, the more people want it and the more difficult the plant for example is to get, the more people feel they need to have that plant, thus, the influx of sellers finding new ways to get those rare or popular plants to the market. That instant gratification (which is so much how our fast paced world works now) you brought up is definitely a great point. It is so important to educate the public about this topic more and make this an ongoing conversation to help combat this serious problem.
Appreciate this topic. Hope plants are not sell for profit and pleasure only without making sure they are still sustainably living in their origin/ habitat.
Excellent, interesting video. Thank you for addressing this. I hope someone is working with the various plant societies, who in turn can work with their clubs on sales and purchase guidelines, member education, donations, etc.
Great topic. It's now very concerning to see rare Papua's endemic orchids traded irresponsibly in Indonesia regardless restriction set by the province's government. We can even find many cases easily here in youtube, and tell if those orchids are taken from the wild instead of nursery. So sad.
I had stop purchasing rare plants since last year because they are costly as well as it is hard to relate with them and we very disappointed when they die Now i full my plants which are easy to take care and cheaper but looks very beautiful
Summer- Do you have a list or reputable organizations ppl can donate to to help? I used to work in tropical plant sales in the 90's and Im amazed at the huge variety of plants available today and have thought of this issue often
Wow, I just found you’re channel, I love your apartment tour you did and showed your kitchen lol . It really shows your love for plants! I just started my own indoor garden. My friends taught me about propagation and now I’m going crazy collecting clippings from friends and growing them out! Anyways I love all the videos your share! It’s very nice to see other people’s gardens and than take ideas from them! Too bad you weren’t in Toronto I’d help you build some more shelving for your plants throughout your apartment! I love recycling material and turning them into things for my plants!
What a big eye opener this video was and is for me. Very Informative and I’m thankful for this video and know more about this issue and pay more attention now on where I get and buy my plants.
Speaking of stolen plants, I recall a few years ago, early in the morning, a couple driving very slowly in their vehicle, dashing out frequently, grabbing plants/planters off of people's front steps and putting them in their car! I called police and gave them the particulars! My guess is that they might of had a store and wanted to sell them in their shop! Disgusting!
This is an old problem going back to the Victorian era. Appealing to individual's behaviour's of lust, greed and possession will do very little. Canada has very strict controls regarding the import/export of plant material. I am aware the U.S is very lax in these controls. Lobbying your Gvt. may be another route to take.
Please also incluse Alocasias aka 'Elephant Ears'. My country (Philippines) is home to endemic alocasias only found in our country. I have seen people poach then by the thousands and sell them for $1 each. Not only are they poaching but they are destroying the market for the plant. People are sticking to poachers because of their cheap price but they also give wrong care tips which lead to the plants dying.
Alocasia sanderiana, Alocasia sinuata and The newest one is Alocasia sp. Samar/Leyte which is only found in Samar and Leyte Island, Philippines. I have seen posts in facebook with pictures of hundreds of uprooted plants just lying on the ground dying.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
This is a timely topic. Thank you very much for highlighting this issue. Our country, the Philippines, is highly vulnerable to plant smuggling from Hoyas to Aroids to Orchids. I really hope it changes the perspective especially to those collectors who use plants as status symbol.
not just those but also other genera most likely carnivorous types
C...☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Great topic to address, very happy to see people with large platforms put out educated, mature and responsable content, rather than.. well you know 😋 I'm not surprised to see this topic from you, but it doesn't take away any of the joy! Great job! 👍🧡
Love your channel! Glad to see you’re a subscriber as well 😊
Yay!! My two favorite mom plant youtubers!! ❤
I think, you and Summer are both very mature and educated on the topics you guys touch. That’s why we like both of you! ☺️
Very timely Summer! Because of IG plant smuggling and plant poaching has increased. The environment is crying 😭😭😭😭 thank you for shedding light on this topic.
This was so needed ..every other video is a rare plant haul these days..
Yes, like showing off all the rare plant just for instant gratification or social likes.
I've seen newly discovered species on Ebay .... and items literally labeled "endangered". Very disturbing.
Thank you summer for bringing up this topic. Here in Philippines, many plants like alocasias, hoyas, native orchids and Nepenthes are poached from the mountains and sold on Facebook. Many people here disregard the importance of leaving native flora alone, and overlook the fact that they are important for the ecosystem and not mere ornaments
I'm glad that all I want and all I can get locally are the most common and easiest to take care of.
Thank you so much! The fact that the Asian market plays a big role in illegal trades doesn't surprise me at all.
I'm a student from Hong Kong and living in Taiwan. I've started to develop my enthusiasm for succulents and cacti since a year ago. Yeah, as a collector, I'm trying to collect as much species of cacti as I can. But I never buy rare and expensive plants because I read about the smuggling problem which has been informed by the western societies.
However, most of the houseplants growers in Taiwan and Hong Kong don't care about it. They are trying to buy the rarest and trendiest plants shown on the social media. We can't underestimate the influences made by the social media. People never wonder where these rare and beautiful plants are from. They simply wanna own them and take pictures to show off to the online community.
I had talked to one of the experienced sellers regarding the smuggling problem. He is a huge influencer here in Taiwan. His response was so heartbreaking. He simply doesn't care at all. He thinks that human beings have been doing bad things to the nature and this will never stop in the future. So why care about conservation? This is a devastating statement.
And I've noticed that sometimes houseplants growers, especially the new ones, are so much influenced by trend. Some fashion idols in Japan keep rare and endangered caudex plants, for example Pachypodium gracilius. And people simply follow them and start buying these plants. We all know these plants are all smuggled or they had been grown in nurseries for years, which is unlikely to happen because the trend hadn't started at that time.
Every houseplants lovers should be alert to the smuggling problem. If we are true plants lovers, we love the nature. If we only love the plants but not the nature, we are just some selfish thefts stealing from the nature.
Thank you so much for the topic.Big help for mother nature❤
🎉☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
@@Lvnature_
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thankyou for addressing this issue. As somone who works in succulent conservation, it's heartbreaking to see what's happening on the ground.
Totally love this video!
The rare plant hype is real and it's a scar in thid beautiful gardening community.
Recently on reddit , someone purchased monstera dubia for 2 dollars from a local seller that didn't know "what it is worth" and there was a comment saying "Maybe you should buy some more from there and resell them on FB to make a good buck"
Like, seriously?? Why wouldn't you want everyone enjoy things in a more attainable reach.
I absolutely hate the "rare plant influencers" that hype up some plants beyond the average person's reach.
I am currently reading Carlos Magdalena's The Plant Messiah. It's a beautiful book on plant conservation...and it's so interesting. You should definitely look into that book!
Kudos for putting out this video!
I know you left it for Summer, but I’m totally gonna check out that book 😊
@@jonesie8377 it'd be my absolute honour that i could make another person read that terrific book. It's packed with information about how this man, Carlos Magdalena , saved some of the most rarest plants from absolute extinction. Plants like Ramosmania rodriguessi, only one specimen was left of it. Nymphae thermarum , the world's smallest waterlily, no one could save it from extinction by growing it from seeds for decades , he with his "Plant Messiah" powers was able to do it with the last 5 seeds of that species available on earth. He saved some real rare and endangered plants,not influencer hyped stuff.
I hope you enjoy it! 💚 (And sorry for the rant.. i get too excited about plants 🤣)
@Oish Poish I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. I WANT TO THANK YOU, you gave me inspiration to find this book and reach out to mr Magdalena for my research. Also, I am looking out for people who have direct experience with this, my research really relies on personal stories of being at contact with these issues in order to get substantial and effective. Would you want to answer some questions about rare plants hype or you plant experiences reach out to me :)
@@ludovicabattista3448 wow your topic is quite interesting 🥺
I am really glad i could help a stranger on the internet. 💚
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
How sad that many people often view plants as ways to channel their bottomless desire for consumption.
It’s so true
Thank you for addressing this, Summer. We need more depth of thought and consideration of the effects of our actions like this in the plant community.
Thank you for bringing rare plant conservation awareness to the forefront. Instead of contributing to their demise, hopefully sellers and suppliers will stop taking advantage and be part of the solution.
Its sad to say that some are even proud to showcase their stolen plant from the forest. Im from Malaysia, a country with very rich flora fauna diversity. Im in a facebook group named 'Begonia Malaysia' and came across a post asking for the species of begonia that the person has just got his hand on it. I noticed the background is in the forest thus i asked him if it was from the forest and he admitted it. After that, i gave him some advise and he was like ok. After awhile, i still see him with more post of diff begonias.... Thats just so sad
i felt bad and guilty 😔 this will change my perspective as a buyer and plant lover ... thank you for this video 🙏🏻
I don’t think you should feel bad, these plants are already illegally poached, what’s better not to buy them and let them die, I think it’s better just to educate people and try to stop the poaching but if they are being sold buy them take care of them and love them
Hi @AXE! I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. Since the final goal of my research is, among other things, to outline various tools to raise awareness about this and make people connect more consciously with plants, I'D BE DELIGHTED to have a chance to ask you few questions about what exactly in this video made you feel like that! (also, personal comment: don't feel bad, it's not about you, it's about society as a whole)
@@rodolfopierre2129 no if you buy them you maintain the market
Thank you Summer for talking about this. I sell plants and find that people are going crazy over plants. I get asked if I carry “rare” plants. And I don’t, for these reasons. What B. Willow is doing is great! I can do that too! 💚
B Willow? The plant shop in Baltimore?
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
If it's an international purchase I only visit websites/sellers that offer or require phytosanitary certificates and or import/export licenses because you know they are above board. I've stopped buying plants that I wouldn't absolutely love. There's far too much toxicity and narcissism in the whole one-upmanship of rare plant collecting circles and plant social media "influencer". I've stopped tuning in to them because they don't provide meaningful information.
I’m never usually negative, I wouldn’t even call this comment “negative” but it does come across as a mixed message. The reason why plant smuggling has become such an issue lately is due to the new plant craze started online and over the pandemic. People online, either plant UA-camrs or Instagram influencers are always showing off their newest or rarest plants. Of course the followers or “influenced” fans will be inspired enough to and get their own rare specimens to show off. But then the plant influencers talk about how bad the plant poaching has gotten after they’ve promoted the idea of collecting these rare and hard to find plants. I’m not blaming anyone directly as that leads to bullying and uncalled for behaviour but the online rare plant community is at fault as a whole.
How can they promote rare plant hauls but then criticise poaching. Of course most of the plants they have are cultivated and “safe” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t encouraging fans to get that plant however they can. It’s kind of a mess and I don’t see an end to it.
With hundreds of thousands of fans being influenced by each plant haul, how can plant influencers say not to buy rare plants while showing off insanely rare plants?
I don’t expect you to know the answer but it’s just a thought.
Very thankful for the peace of mind and support I have found in plantcare and the plant community during this pandemic era.
I’m so grateful for you shining a light on this and using your voice to educate those who need to hear it!! 💜🪴😘
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you for bringing up this topic. I wish more people would watch this. It should be in the interest of plant lovers to protect nature and not to rip it off.
Thank you so much Summer for this substantive and informative video. Seeing people clamoring to pay hundreds for rooted cuttings, and the “gotta catch em all” mentality has always left a sour taste in my mouth, and hearing from experts on the broader impact certainly reinforces this for me. Personally I think one lovingly and carefully cultivated unique specimen of a common plant is far more interesting than a whole Ikea cabinet greenhouse full of overpriced cuttings that someone had to have because they are trending on Instagram.
I found out something was growing local to me and I thought about trying to find and collect it. This video really opened my eyes to why that's wrong, I was able to find the plant through my botanical gardens. I'll still go and see if I can photograph them but, leave them alone.
I'll definitely put my money into conservation of the plants I love that are endangered or hard to find and being poached instead of trying to buy them.
I really noticed a surge in the availability of rare plants online these days,especially aroids .people are gettingin to flaunting mindset just like they do with furniture.This video explains everything .you really enlighten people through your content.Respect 💚
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thanks for this video. I live in HK and I believe many of us may not even aware of the illegal import plants. We just grab what we find in the flower market and I noticed there are shops selling more import plants then there were quite some years ago.
Thanks so much, Summer Rayne, that this topic is on. I was able to look at this a month ago, and said to myself 😮, the plant game is serious. I understand there are people out there, looking for something different, but please those plants can affect our environment. So please people support your
plant nursery, that can explain what type of plant you buying.
Thank you so much for making this video! Watching this made me emotional because this is such an important topic to make people aware of, thanks again!
i live in indonesia, where many types of plants such as aglaonema, alocasia, piper, cissus, hoya and calladium are native to our rainforests. so i've seen myself how the rare plant craze in the US and many western countries has affected our nature. PLEASE please please be more aware on where you source your plants. especially for certain plant breeds such as aglaonema pictum bi/tricolor, alocasia silver/black velvet/dragon scale, aglaonema rotundum/chocolate. those are some of the most smuggled plants from our forests. if you encounter one that is sent from asia with ridiculously low price, most likely those plants were stolen from the wild.
Why are you shaming Americans for buying them and not your people for poaching and exporting them?
Hi @Alma! I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades (see plant industry/poaching/wildlife extinction etc). THIS NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT MORE. I think domestic plants are a perfect place we can start from to develop a discourse about different, respectful ways to connect to nature. The final goal of my research is, among other things, to outline various tools to raise awareness and make people connect more consciously with plants. Now, MY RESEARCH RELIES MOSTLY ON PEOPLE's personal experiences and connections to these issues, so reading your testimony I'D BE DELIGHTED to have a chance to ask you few questions about this. You can find me on reddit as @bludovica or comment here to reach out. THANK YOU!
What a timely and conscientious episode. And just the eye-opening nudge we need in order to take action. Thanks so much Summer.
Thank you for the awareness on this topic. Now I know to be careful when I go to buy a plant.
Thank you so much for addressing this topic. Classy and full of integrity as always 👏
This is very interesting and as a plant collector, very knowledgeable. You are doing a wonderful job letting the public understand these issues. I hear about the cactus from Africa but I collect Rhipsalis ( which YOU turned me on to) and would like you to address the S. American jungles being torn down and the possible extinction of these beautiful jungle cactus. I have seen one of your shows discussing this topic which encouraged me to do more research on the topic. Thank you for making more people aware as to how serious this problem is. ALL the plant loving people on UA-cam should be aware of these issues with each country/continent and follow the laws as they are made for a reason. Just love you....thank you. : )
What an important video! I really hope this inspires other shops and content creators to do the same! This was SO eye opening, and I now at least know what questions to ask when purchasing the plants I love so much! THANK YOU❤🌿🌞
Excellent content! Loved the video. I've loved and had plants for 30 years, I'm glad that I have not gone down the rabbit hole of collecting rare plants. Common plants are also fulfilling!
Thank you for this♥️♥️our community is love I know we would not want to be a part of this. Once again thank you for letting us know.
Louder! Plant influencers should to talk about this topic a lot more. Sellers should investigate their distribution chain. We are all responsible for preserving forest and natural habitats.
I've never done rare plants, I'm just not into that kind of ego. Also thrilled not to hear of peperomias on the list of smuggled plants, they're my favourites.
My favorites are also peperomias
thanks to all beautiful human beings in the video for their work, this is so important! thank you!!
Wow, thanks for shedding light on this. I know the first time that I realized not all plants are being sold ethically/environmentally when I found out Venus fly traps are vulnerable when they are sold so plentifully in supermarkets. It is crazy finding out how little money goes so far. I think a good fundraiser for a plant shop could be a recycling fundraiser: encouraging people to bring their used bottles for money since a couple bags are already like $60
I had no idea! Wow , thanks for sharing this Summer xx
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
This is the reason why I don't buy "exotic" plants.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you summer for this very informative plant issues and awareness of protecting endangered plants.
Thank you so much Summer for tackling this topic.
My vice is orchids. I only buy from sellers I know, that are mostly growing seedlings. At least when it's a seedling, I know that plant wasn't wild. You can usually tell if an orchid is wild collected, because it will be totally beat up.
Summer I'm totally agree with you! I've been cautious about the indoor plant I bought and I actually just buy something easy to find rather than rare plants..such as pothos, philodendron, dracaena or typical succulent. I also make sure that these plants are not being grown at land so it won't disturb native plants and soil.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you for making us aware of this problem and the IUCN. I hope you inspired plant shop, sellers and content creators to follow your lead!
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
I've been cultivating lots of plants in my living space for quite a few years now and it breaks my heart to watch plants, the very things I love so dearly, becoming more and more nothing but another commodity. Especially the "rare plant" craze seems to be mostly driven by peoples need for status and admiration. I understand that there are complex psychological reasons at play here but in the end, I can't help feeling disgusted by it. That "rare" plant you show of on social media does not show that you are a capable collector, nor does it reflect well on your financial responsibility, it just showcases your insecurities, your willingness to put your selfish needs over the well being of the thing you pretend to love.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Ahh there was a video about the extinction of Nepenthes species from smuggling and poaching in South east asia by redfern natural history.
This is good of you to also talk about this issue :)
I feel like everyone in the plant community should watch this video
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Thank you for bring this to light for everyone.
The rare houseplant craze must stop. It's insane. People in poorer countries cant b blamed for seeing an earning opportunity and trying to carve out a living.
Could the poorer poachers not b supported to set up a nursery under the appropriate tuition to raise and sell indigenous plants? Xxx
The third world has to be blamed, they can't be completely alleviated of responsibility
Of course the root issue of smuggling is economic. Ensuring that money is flowing into the areas of endangered species. Pay people to repopulate plants in the wild rather than smuggle them.
I remember the case of the italian raid with chilean cactus. The guy had been in the Atacama and north region of Chile like 7 times in 18 months, and he was only caught on the last trip. So is horrible to imagine just how many species he was able to smuggle before getting caught
What a piece of S*** . They should've fine him heavy and use the money to bring back the plants to Chilie
One thing we can do as Plant Enthusiasts is not always seek out the rarest of the plants from online sellers. It is difficult to know the source of plants, from where it is collected. If it's a new and rare plant just resist yourself and wait till they are grown in abundance by your local nurseries.
Thanks for sharing this topic Ms. Summer
This is such a valuable video, I really hope this can be seen by as many people as possible
Thank you for this.. i have 1 rare plant and thats going to be my last.. this is a gentle reminder for me.. thank you! I have always loved common plants 🥰
Thank you so much for the topic about rare plants.Big help to all of us👍
If possible I would love a more in-depth video on specifically Indonesia. It's a hot bed of biodiversity. But over the past year dozens upon dozens of random Etsy shops have popped up from all over Indonesia selling rare houseplants. I struggle with understanding where these plants are sourced from. I'm pretty sure you don't just walk up in the forest and find a Florida Ghost but I know you can walk up upon a Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor. I'd like to avoid plants that are wild caught if possible so as to not encourage the overharvesting of these biodiverse ecosystems.
thank u sm for highlighting this !!
rare species are rare because their habitats are threatened.
Thanks for covering this very important and complex topic
It’d b nice to know which ones are “hot” but really because they’re rare for a reason so lovers can avoid falling into that trap. I love this channel! Took environment science in school so this has been in my mind lately. Keep up all the great work!
Great topic. I’ve noticed a dramatic spike in social media about plants I’ve never heard of and lots of energy around rare plants. Question:
Are Etsy stores required to have nursery licenses? I know sellers on FB marketplace do not, as I’ve sold some of my plants locally there without a license (don’t worry, nothing rare. Just a few extra spider plants and such). I see all kinds of stuff on Etsy. It’s kind of a Wild West atmosphere (read “lawless”).
Actually, I just looked this up and it appears that if you’re selling on FB you really should have a license. Oops. I think people aren’t getting in trouble for small sales, but I can see the potential for some real problems on Etsy or Marketplace.
Wonderful video! Thanks so much for sharing this vital info!
Awareness, what a beautiful word. Thanks summer 😊
Thank you summer. This is very informative and very timely...
Here in Toronto every other convenience store sells plants. I have seen them sell various succulents that I am pretty sure are endangered in the wild but since they do not provide a species name it is difficult to look into it. The store owners themselves don't know much, they just sell the plants... unless the plants perish first :(
Omg I will totally regularly donate Adsense to IUC! I cannot believe how far a little money went. 😮
Agreed!!!
people should be informed about this.
One of the most important information in video in this time ! Thank you ! Slowly I am hearing more on this topic, which is so vitally important for our ecosystem for life on our planet 🌍
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
Makes me thankful for all the man made rare plants
This 👏 needs 👏 to 👏 be 👏 heard! 👏
One of the best video on plants....and your best informative video of your channel. I am with your channel for last 2 yrs. And I am proud to be .
Enjoy tour work.I appreciate your views.
With Love from SAM
Guwahati Assam INDIA
Is there a website with resources on plant conservation and what questions we should be asking our nurseries and online stores before buying? It would be super helpful to see something like this available, especially if we could vett and certify stores that are doing their part for conservation efforts and have a list available.
You are such a beautiful human being, Summer. Inside and out ♥️
Thank you! As someone working on this issue, it's so important to spread this information.
I really like bromeliads. Especially the unusual and unique. It's a concern. But, I try to source from well known, honest vendors.
I can fully understand that desire! You start off with a few commercial hybrids or mass produced plants; that goes well, so you try a few species varieties. Then you hear about/read about more and more unusual species and, like precious stones, very few people have the rare/exciting/desirable plants. You are better than others, or hope to show that you are, so you want them!
Stick with the well-known vendors, even if they seem expensive.
It *is* a concern
I had no idea! Thank you so much for this!
So glad you covered this 👏🌿
There should be a 5% plant preservation tax on all plant sales
Thankfully, I have common plants that I purchased as cuttings. I've never purchased an adult plant, or spent more than 20$. I refuse.
Its simple: Promote more local plants. They are much easier to take care beacuse they literally belong there :)
If by local you mean native, I agree that's best for gardens and bonsai, but this is a houseplant channel and its pretty hard to grow native plants indoors unless you live in the tropics.
Thank you for this informative content, which can be helpful to us "Plant-Parents" to open our eyes to whom or which "Plant-Seller" to look for....This is not a competition of who has a better or expensive plant collection...it is about of being a reponsible "Plant-Parent" we should be. 💚🌿🌱
Such an important topic, thank you so much for sharing this information with us. I do believe, like many instances, marketing trends play a huge role in consumer buying and consumer interest in certain products. The more popular or trending the product, the more people want it and the more difficult the plant for example is to get, the more people feel they need to have that plant, thus, the influx of sellers finding new ways to get those rare or popular plants to the market. That instant gratification (which is so much how our fast paced world works now) you brought up is definitely a great point. It is so important to educate the public about this topic more and make this an ongoing conversation to help combat this serious problem.
Appreciate this topic. Hope plants are not sell for profit and pleasure only without making sure they are still sustainably living in their origin/ habitat.
Very important topic! Thanks for sharing
Thank You, Summer! Thank You a lot!!!!
Excellent, interesting video. Thank you for addressing this. I hope someone is working with the various plant societies, who in turn can work with their clubs on sales and purchase guidelines, member education, donations, etc.
Great topic. It's now very concerning to see rare Papua's endemic orchids traded irresponsibly in Indonesia regardless restriction set by the province's government. We can even find many cases easily here in youtube, and tell if those orchids are taken from the wild instead of nursery. So sad.
I had stop purchasing rare plants since last year because they are costly as well as it is hard to relate with them and we very disappointed when they die
Now i full my plants which are easy to take care and cheaper but looks very beautiful
Summer- Do you have a list or reputable organizations ppl can donate to to help? I used to work in tropical plant sales in the 90's and Im amazed at the huge variety of plants available today and have thought of this issue often
All the patented cultivars being sold online without propagation rights is also gonna come down hard on sellers soon.
Wow, I just found you’re channel, I love your apartment tour you did and showed your kitchen lol . It really shows your love for plants! I just started my own indoor garden. My friends taught me about propagation and now I’m going crazy collecting clippings from friends and growing them out! Anyways I love all the videos your share! It’s very nice to see other people’s gardens and than take ideas from them! Too bad you weren’t in Toronto I’d help you build some more shelving for your plants throughout your apartment! I love recycling material and turning them into things for my plants!
What a big eye opener this video was and is for me. Very Informative and I’m thankful for this video and know more about this issue and pay more attention now on where I get and buy my plants.
Speaking of stolen plants, I recall a few years ago, early in the morning, a couple driving very slowly in their vehicle, dashing out frequently, grabbing plants/planters off of people's front steps and putting them in their car! I called police and gave them the particulars! My guess is that they might of had a store and wanted to sell them in their shop! Disgusting!
Thank you so much for raising awareness, I'm gonna share this!
This is why I refuse to buy air plants. Especially since I live in fl where they're being stolen.
This is an old problem going back to the Victorian era. Appealing to individual's behaviour's of lust, greed and possession will do very little. Canada has very strict controls regarding the import/export of plant material. I am aware the U.S is very lax in these controls. Lobbying your Gvt. may be another route to take.
Please also incluse Alocasias aka 'Elephant Ears'. My country (Philippines) is home to endemic alocasias only found in our country. I have seen people poach then by the thousands and sell them for $1 each. Not only are they poaching but they are destroying the market for the plant. People are sticking to poachers because of their cheap price but they also give wrong care tips which lead to the plants dying.
Alocasia sanderiana, Alocasia sinuata and The newest one is Alocasia sp. Samar/Leyte which is only found in Samar and Leyte Island, Philippines. I have seen posts in facebook with pictures of hundreds of uprooted plants just lying on the ground dying.
☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️
I hope this gets more popularity
Oh Summer this was so informative! Thank you❤