Prop Culture

Hortikult Digital Solutions, s.r.o.
  • 5.0 (2)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • DAILY SERIES

Jos Vanden Abeele and Tanya Quintieri are here to spill the plant communi-tea! This is a show for houseplant lovers, collectors, breeders, and hobbyists who want the gossip, the drama, the science, and the real talk about the changing plant community. Get the unpotted secrets, follow the trending drama, and join the mission to build a more sustainable, connected plant community. Email us at propculture@hortikult.com

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  1. Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 1)

    EPISODE 1

    Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 1)

    Happy New Year and Welcome to Season 2! We made it back. Tanya is (mostly) healthy, Jos is caffeinated, and we are starting 2026 with a guest we’ve been dreaming of hosting since Day 1: Dr. Thomas Croat. The Man Behind the Name You likely know Dr. Croat as the “Godfather of Aroids”—the man who has described over 1,300 species and collected more plants than probably anyone in history. But in Episode 1 of Season 2, we got to hear the stories before the fame. He told us about his early adventures sailing from St. Thomas to South America on a sloop, a journey he chronicled in his memoir Under the Spinnaker. Lacking the equipment to dry and press plants, he spent months just observing—visiting thousands of habitats and learning Spanish by immersion on the back of trucks and trains. It’s a fascinating look at how a young botanist built the foundation for a legendary career. Also: Can Moss Survive Space? In our news segment, we discussed a mind-blowing study from Science News. Scientists attached spores of the moss Physcomitrium patens to the outside of the International Space Station. The conditions: Vacuum of space, intense UV radiation, extreme freeze/thaw cycles. The result: After 9 months, 86% of the spores came back to life and grew. The takeaway: If we ever move to Mars, this moss is definitely coming with us. Plus: Jos breaks down the history of the Philodendron spiritus sancti bubble. Is it still the “Holy Grail” now that you can buy it in a tissue culture bag? Rate That Weird Plant We close each episode with a segment we call “Rate That Weird Plant”. Check this episode’s weird plants below. Eulychnia castanea f. Spiralis Posted on Reddit by Planta_Samantha. Dendrobium wassellii Posted on Houzz by malteseproverb. Cynomorium coccineum Posted on Science Photo Gallery by Bob Gibbons.

    1h 2m
  2. Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 2)

    EPISODE 2

    Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 2)

    After a chaotic start involving a "brain cell frying" recording mishap, Tanya and Jos are back for the second episode of Season 2. We dive into the legacy of the late orchid legend Paul Gripp, discuss the evolution of "rare" versus "collector" plants, and Tanya makes a confession about a certain "betrayal" regarding the IAS Tropical Plant Expo. In the second half of our interview with Dr. Tom Croat, we explore the mysteries of wild hybridization, the "Aroid Bubble," and Tom’s advice for the next generation of botanists. To wrap things up, Jos tests Tanya’s gag reflex with a round of "Weird Plants"—featuring a succulent you can eat and a Magnolia fruit that Tanya describes as a "biological abomination". In this episode, we discuss: In Memoriam: The life and work of "The Last Great Orchid Explorer," Paul Gripp.Terminology: Why we’re ditching "rare" for "Collectors Plants".Market Trends: Buying plants in 2026—from car park "drug deals" to Palm Street live streams.Science with Dr. Tom Croat: Why hybrids are rare in the wild and why an Anthurium can be identified by its leaves alone.Rate That Weird Plant: Rating the Dorstenia foetida, the "Doll's Eyes"Actaea pachypoda, and the "NSFW" Magnolia macrophylla. Connect with us: Email: PropCulture@hortikult.com Website: hortikult.comSubstack: hortikult.substack.comYouTube: @prop.culture

    58 min
See All Season 2 (2)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Jos Vanden Abeele and Tanya Quintieri are here to spill the plant communi-tea! This is a show for houseplant lovers, collectors, breeders, and hobbyists who want the gossip, the drama, the science, and the real talk about the changing plant community. Get the unpotted secrets, follow the trending drama, and join the mission to build a more sustainable, connected plant community. Email us at propculture@hortikult.com

Information

  • Creator
    Hortikult Digital Solutions, s.r.o.
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Prop Culture