Growing Unique Plants In Your Home

Growing houseplants really took off as a hobby during the pandemic and continues to grow. The history of keeping exotic plants under glass began in earnest with the Victorians as explorers brought back orchids from the far corners of the earth.

This informative presentation by Master Gardener Warren Marchioni will cover the discovery, biology and the care and maintenance of a variety of  tropical plants in your home and outdoors during warmer months.

Besides talking of  how to source and raise tropical plants in your home and outdoors, Warren will also explore propagation, a method of creating new houseplants from vegetables in your kitchen.  You will also learn about botanical diversity from collecting unique houseplants in your home.  The talk will feature some exotic plants such as the parachute flower, bat flower and the climbing sea onion. More familiar orchids are also discussed.

Warren’s working career prior to retirement was first as a fishery biologist for the federal government.  Later, he became a science teacher in public and private secondary education, as well as adjunct teaching at the university level.  His interest in plants began with teaching biology when he realized that youngsters generally did not find plants particularly very interesting.  In order to get their attention, he would have some exotic plants, such as carnivorous ones, on display in class. So a way to stimulate exploration  in students led to a lifelong hobby.

This program is being presented in partnership with the Master Gardeners of Essex County Speakers Bureau.