The Plant Daddies finally give this iconic carnivorous plant its due time on the show. And then some. What should you do with that struggling flytrap you bought in a sealed container? Are terrariums needed (or even appropriate)? What's the deal with dormancy? And when is the right time to massage them? Of course we're always right - but we may have some updates to the care advice we gave the last time we mentioned these a couple years ago...
Feb 24, 2021•49 min
This week we share our experiences with navigating the diverse world of Facebook Plant Groups, which can be great sources for care info, plants, community, and potentially frustration. Thankfully, the hosts of 2 Girls 1 Plant join us, because they have much more experience than we do, and were happy to share some excellent tips, tricks, and best practices to get the most from your online plant communities! Can Matthew tell BTS from BST? And what's a thunder-dome?
Feb 16, 2021•53 min
Today we thought we'd cover an obscure plant that you may not have seen. Just kidding! Matthew literally saw it in the background of a movie last night. We take a deep dive on this most iconic of tropical houseplants, Monstera deliciosa, including care stories and struggles, their edible fruit, and we even manage to mention that there are variegated ones, and the compact Borsigiana. What took us so long to cover the plant in our logo? And is this Stephen's favorite plant that he has no plan to g...
Feb 09, 2021•38 min
Peace Lilies may be ubiquitous, but they aren't often talked about among plant hobbyists. Do they deserve more attention? The Plant Daddies explain what Spathiphyllum offer for both new and experienced plant parents, and even help dispel some myths. Matthew shares some unusual varieties you may not know, and Stephen talks about chickens and baby corn. No, not a typo.
Feb 02, 2021•35 min
In this month's informal Chill 'n Chat episode, the Plant Daddies search their memories for plant-related travel inspiration, hopefully providing some tips and ideas for whenever tourism is possible again! Soon, we hope? And Stephen bought another Adenium… but for Matthew this time, so he wants to give a pep talk. We go through so many travel stories that you may leave this one wondering how old we are.
Jan 27, 2021•32 min
The Plant Daddies are ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into their houseplant trend predictions for 2021! Anyone surprised that Aroids and Hoyas feature heavily? They're also ready to vent about the 'It Plants' that disappointed them the most last year. Do the laws of physics apply to these plant fads? Let's just humor Stephen and say "yes." Then Matthew shares why we haven't released that Philodendron Birkin episode yet.
Jan 19, 2021•46 min
We kick off 2021 with Maria Failla of Bloom and Grow Radio, who shares her perspectives on classes at the botanical garden, plant care for mindfulness, and she even guesses our plant parent personality types. Did Maria help the Plant Daddies begin to find themselves? Did Matthew put down that Gardenia? Does he sing Memory? Prepare for some surprises.
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min
2020 is coming to a close, and the Plant Daddies are ready to come clean with closing thoughts on the episodes this year, including corrections, updates, further details, and even some changes of heart. Stephen laments the current pest-mageddon in his home. His solution? Moving. Then he accidentally gets Matthew started on Monstera obliqua. Sorry, everyone! And are we gifting any plants this year?
Dec 22, 2020•49 min
Or should we say another closer look? In the spirit of the holidays, we've decided to give Euphorbia pulcherrima, AKA Poinsettia, AKA Cuetlaxochitl, the full episode treatment! We fill in the gaps with facts galore, botanical, AND horticultural history - including four minutes of our own vintage audio! We even laugh through an industrial greenhouse growing guide that on its own probably protected us against fungus. This is an unusual episode, but we like it!
Dec 15, 2020•25 min
On this very special episode, we discuss the Strelitzia, specifically S. nicolai, the White Bird of Paradise. This plant was formative to Matthew's journey as a young plant parent, as we suspect it is for many others, too. After Stephen recovers from shocking past "care" stories, he comes around to "this isn't terrible at all!" Is pruning going to help keep these small? Can the orange-flowering S. reginae bloom indoors? And Matthew low-key promises a gift to Stephen - we should all hold him to t...
Dec 08, 2020•39 min
In this month's Chill 'n Chat, we kick back and muse about how we approach plant gifting and which plants we'd gift - even to brand new or yet-to-be plant parents. And If you're shopping for an advanced hobbyist, we at least take a stab for you (but good luck with that!) In other news, we hear about Stephen's forgotten Orchid and a Croton Matthew hates. Nice, right? And check out our new merch shop! https://plantdaddypodcast.threadless.com/...
Dec 01, 2020•45 min
We don't want to say this episode is dense... but it's certainly heavier than our preferred well-draining potting mixes! You can't say we didn't warn you! We set out to understand the semantic differences between dirt, soil, and "all-purpose potting mix," picking apart the various components like peat, perlite, coir, charcoal, and - screw it, we just call our friend Miles, who had a few surprises - even for us. Is this potting substrate so simple that it's actually the most complex of all?
Nov 24, 2020•54 min
Join us as we chat about some plants we don't really like but "sort of grow!" Don't worry - as always, we manage to find several species in Tradescantia and related genera that we want (and for which we think we have room?) Is Stephen's cruel, sparse aesthetic starting to rub off on Matthew? How is this is one of Stephen's roughly three ornamental plants? And which one of the Plant Daddies likes them "compact and densely hairy?" As a bonus, we including ideas for those living near nuclear facili...
Nov 17, 2020•38 min
Ready for more good news out of Georgia? *wink* We sit down with Colah B Tawkin from Black in the Garden, another community-focused plant podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion about her inspirations, past and present, how she REALLY feels about her own plant parenthood, and what's next for her - including Season 3 teasers and a whole new podcast! She leaves us gushing over Cree Summer, Rebecca Sugar, and composting… And wait, how did she know we've been dumped before?
Nov 10, 2020•53 min
You're in for a treat this week - it's another plant we both love! And wow - tangent city, OK? We each try to recall the same fateful plant shopping trip from years ago, but will we agree on the particulars? Matthew claims this is Stephen's Plant Daddy origin story. Oh, right, we're talking about the Purple Pitcher Plant. Is this a good first Carnivorous Plant? Do they need a dormancy? Can I grow one indoors? Well, at least for the last one, it's better to ask if you should.
Nov 03, 2020•47 min
While we check in on our winterizing efforts and recommendations for movies and TV, we also talk about Stephania erecta, Stephania nova, Tylecodon, and [many] other plants. But don't worry - we still argue! Stephen claims that all succulents are "his thing," and then Matthew gives us a glimpse of the inner turmoil a Fiddle Leaf Fig, thoughts about a potential Dracaena, and a sliver of unoccupied window can cause him. Stephen offers a useful solution that will take nine years.
Oct 27, 2020•48 min
Does a Cardboard Velvet Plant sound appealing to you? Not to Stephen either... but we've all had Goal Plants, the extra-special ones that may be expensive, difficult to find, challenging to grow well, (or even keep alive,) but we continue striving to succeed with them! Anthurium clarinervium is that plant for Matthew, and Stephen can oddly relate. He then makes an awkward, good-faith stab at explaining why this Aroid is so popular. Matthew boldly declares that this is the most beautiful foliage ...
Oct 20, 2020•41 min
Looking for a succulent that you may find interesting and probably can't kill? Mother of Thousands, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, might be just the choice! Want to listen to us go back and forth on whether we like it or not? We swear we don't loathe this plant (well, one of us doesn't), but we do ask if it's irresponsible to grow it, and provide a medical disclaimer... Stephen waxes, but Matthew doesn't take the bait. He is too "sick of picking up dropped babies."
Oct 13, 2020•35 min
Do you sit and laugh as friends struggle through Latin pronunciations? So does Stephen! But don't worry - we agree on a flower (for once) and all is forgotten. Jewel Orchids, including Ludisia and Macodes, are the foliage plants of the Orchid family, and we ramble on until we've covered Corybas, Lepanthes, and even Phalaenopsis with noteworthy leaves. We’re just glad Matthew didn’t title this episode “Notable Ornamental Species and Hybrids of Goodyerinae for Indoor Recreational Cultivation.”
Oct 07, 2020•45 min
Pull up a chair and join us for a "truly unstructured" episode as the Plant Daddies catch up and chat about their new and old plants, including Monstera dubia, Stephania nova, Begonia grandis, Peacock Ginger, Bamboo Fern, and well… more (who are we kidding)!
Sep 29, 2020•53 min
We talk shopping for plants online this week! While it's already a familiar routine for many plant parents, the prospect of buying a plant, sight-unseen, to have arrive in a box on your doorstep might seem intimidating. We want to discuss some of our experiences and learnings in using the internet to gain access to even more of our plant wants… or as Matthew would call them, "needs." And what's the deal with importing plants and Phytosanitary Certificate? Assuming we're correct, listen to find o...
Sep 22, 2020•48 min
The Plant Daddies are proud of their Maidenhair ferns these days, but do they really love them? And is growing these famously finicky plants proof of some sort of core plant skill? Matthew subtly calls Stephen abnormal. Later, Stephen picks at Matthew's brain looking for traumas (again).
Sep 15, 2020•38 min
Moving with plants has been Matthew’s life for the last week, so today you get to listen in on a casual geeky plant chat between the Plant Daddies, as one wraps up a move across town with over 400 plants, and the other contemplates a move himself. We talk strategies, process, challenges, and outcomes for Matthew’s plants, and unpack the hassle involved in moving with "more than a few" plants! Was anything dropped or smashed? Press play and end the suspense!
Sep 08, 2020•31 min
We sit down with Scott Cain, the creator and curator of Boys with Plants, to talk about Plant Daddy-hood in Australia and the evolution of his well-known IG feed - including a new ventures that may include some Plant Daddies you know! But before that, we vent about aphids, moving across town, and update you on some fragrant/smelly plants, and those canaries Matthew talked about a while ago.
Sep 02, 2020•38 min
Looking for an ideal plant for your walk-in aviary or dart frog habitat? Ok, just… please join us for an overview of the commonly-available tropical Bromeliads you're likely to encounter, and some useful care tips including strategies to manage their decline after flowering. All we ask is that you forgive the 18 pronunciations of Aechmea, Vriesea, Guzmania, and Neoregelia that we stumble through. We at least give each the same number of syllables throughout, ok?
Aug 25, 2020•39 min
Please join us as we think about a plant "we don't think much about!" Crassula ovata might be the Pothos of succulents, and is an ideal introduction-to-plant-parenthood plant - Matthew has had his since fourth grade! We'll throw in some fast-track Bonsai ideas, more Adenium trauma, and Stephen teasing Matthew about his plant pests.
Aug 18, 2020•35 min
Do you think Matthew can do a short episode about Orchids? LOL, of course not, that was a joke! We'll walk you through the care of showy, colorful Cattleyas, the Queens of Orchids, before embarking on a mildly opinionated journey through their horticultural history and taxonomical… well, "confusion" would be putting it nicely. Have you ever had to choose between hedgehog and Cattleya Orchid ownership? And for once, Stephen has something he wants to add at the very end!
Aug 11, 2020•53 min
Have we uncovered a carnivorous plant that Matthew likes more than Stephen??? There's Nepenthes care information in this episode somewhere, but prepare for emotional bombshells and debates about whether tropical pitcher plants should even be brought out of greenhouses and into homes in the first place. Is this what happens when a tropical foliage plant person and carnivorous plant person try to have an episode about the plants we BOTH care about?
Aug 04, 2020•35 min
We're back! Do you have "too many plants?" Of course you don't. And we don't either, but we'll share some tips and tricks to help you manage your "substantial" collections, whatever their size, more effectively and efficiently! But first, we have a lot to catch up on after our hiatus, so stay tuned to hear how Stephen turns home workouts into pest patrol and every tv show and movie Matthew has watched recently. Did you miss us? More importantly, did Kirstin Dunst miss Matthew?
Jul 28, 2020•46 min
It’s the Season 1 finale, y’all! The Plant Daddies bring Missleidy the Plant Lady on to talk about drag, her background in plants, and recommendations for living the urban jungle life. But first, they reminisce about their first year of podcasting, things they've learned, and the plants they’re surprised to be into right now - Stephen literally has leafy tropicals, and Matthew is baking succulents under grow lights. Thanks for listening, we’ll be back in a couple weeks! As always, happy growing!
Jul 01, 2020•59 min
