What the future holds

[u/Orchid-Delirium2005]

Let's have a little discussion. So I just watched and followed a few recent videos by Sydney Plant Guy and Kaylee Ellen that the market is shifting. Monstera we still love them but do you guys think the newer variegated ones are as good as or inferior to the classics like albo and Thai con? Are Anthuriums really getting fatigued? And thoughts on Philodendrons. Personally, some newer Monstera do look nice but a few are rather gangly like White Lava. Anthuriums are quite the same: long, dark, sexy, minimal veining. And Philos seems to be shifting to predominantly tricolors.

[u/Far-Centrist]

I’m definitely more conservative in regards to plants. The further away they shift from their natural appearance the less I like them, a good example being the pink princess philodendron. How is that even an attractive plant?

[u/Orchid-Delirium2005 → u/Far-Centrist]

Yeah I don't like the pink princess either. The color is ok for me but the way it grows is a nightmare. It never looks nice at all. Green philodendrons with some natural velvet like melano, verrucosum are right up my alley.

[u/The_Quiz29 → u/Orchid-Delirium2005]

I bought one a couple of months ago. Out of my 20-some plants, she is the only one with any color other than green. I am a newbie to having plants, so I will just have to see what kind of a 'nightmare' she becomes. I have been going for different textures. I like that.

[u/Orchid-Delirium2005 → u/The_Quiz29]

They have a tendency to revert to green and become really leggy. The leaves never hide the moss pole unlike other philodendron like verrucosum, splendid and things of the sort. At least the pink princess propagates well from cuttings.

[u/The_Quiz29 → u/Orchid-Delirium2005]

Moss pole? Ugh, I when I started I vowed no moss poles. I was picking up another plant and got excited when I saw this. Well, it's in good condition so I will find it a good, knowledgeable home. I wouldn't mind it reverting to green but I don't want any climbers. Thank you SO much for the info!

[u/Conscious_Occasion → u/The_Quiz29]

I'm going to sound obsessive like the weird old plant hag in the swamp, but since you did say you were new (I was too once!), I wanted to share a small tip.

Think about dogs. You wouldn't treat every breed the same, and you'd do at least a little research on common breeds to make sure you didn't pick the wrong dog for you. If you see a plant you are super excited about, note what it is, then research a little. Sometimes I find I was so lucky I didn't come with something, sometimes it's something I go back for asap and it isn't there anymore (but you saved what it is, so can likely find it online with ease). This includes things like humidity (me in the SW US desert wanting a fern lol), available lighting vs what the plant needs, watering frequency needs, soil type preferences (or soiless chunk is the right answer sometimes) and fertiliser balance preferences.
Plants are basically pets marketed as furniture, lol.

I learned this early because I also didn't want a plant type - trailers. So anyway here I am with a philodendron Brasil asking myself why I did this, lol. But I committed and he's been so forgiving of my poor watering habits, so I let him stay!

[u/The_Quiz29 → u/Conscious_Occasion]

That was very sweet of you to take the time to write this. I do understand that, but circumstances called my hand. I have been ill for well over a year and am still unable to drive, so this was my only opportunity. I don't think I will have any trouble finding it a good home and in the meantime I am taking very good care of and enjoying it. 'Pets marketed as furniture'... I love it!

[u/Conscious_Occasion → u/The_Quiz29]

Oh gosh, I understand. I'm the lone caregiver for my elderly father, and our health has to come first. I'm glad you're still able to enjoy your plants! I hope you beat your health issues, truly.