Prop Culture

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

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

  1. S02E07 | Guess The Guest! Plant Diplomacy, NoID, and some really weird plants that have us in the gutter

    3D AGO

    S02E07 | Guess The Guest! Plant Diplomacy, NoID, and some really weird plants that have us in the gutter

    Tanya is officially back in Europe, but her "Queendom" is in a state of emergency. Between dry rot and a thrips infestation on her Thai Constellation, she’s facing the reality of leaving her collection in the hands of a "non-plant" husband for seven months. In this chaotic and hilarious episode, Tanya and Jos are joined by a Mystery Guest—a well-known figure in the plant community who is currently moonlighting as a student of the drums. Together, they explore the concept of "Orchid Diplomacy," the science (and laziness) behind plant watering gadgets, and a deep dive into the "John Does" of the botanical world: NoID plants. In This Episode The Mystery Guest: We introduce a future collaborator who loves animals, working out, and is currently not terrorizing her neighbors with an electronic drum set. Can you guess who she is? Potting Mat Post-Mortem: Why The Guardian wrote 280 words on a plastic mat and whether they are actually a "shit bin" for your kitchen repotting sessions.Watering Woes: Jos questions why people find watering so challenging, while our Mystery Guest makes the case for the "lazy" glory of self-watering pots and watering globes.Orchid Diplomacy: The 70-year tradition in Singapore of naming orchids after world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.Travel Log 2026: Jos is heading to China to judge Anthurium at the Sensoria Fest Exposition alongside industry legends.Tanya and the Mystery Guest are prepping for the Southeast Plant Show and the IAS Tropical Plant Expo.The Rise of the NoID: * Why a "NoID" is actually a badge of honesty in a world of mislabeled hybrids.How "bench crosses" and forgotten labels pollute the botanical lineage.The valuation gap: Why a name is the primary currency in the collector's market.Weird Plant Ratings (The "In the Gutter" Edition): Dermographism (Dinteranthus): Described by the girls as "flowery anuses" or a "bag of dicks," Jos insists it's just a "finger fig". Rating: 6/10.Cyphostemma juttae: A "troubled bonsai" that looks like a giant ginger root or "Groot upside down". Rating: 6/10.Welwitschia mirabilis: A desert survivor that only grows two leaves for thousands of years and was compared to an "STD in soil". Rating: 7/10.Substack: Prop Culture on Substack — Leave your guesses for the Mystery Guest in the comments! Instagram: @prop.culture.podcast Website: Prop Culture on Hortikult YouTube: @prop.culture Connect with Us: propculture@hortikult.com

    1 hr
  2. S02E06 | Plant Show in Thailand – Interview With Anastasia Shokhrin @foliage_fancies (and IAS Treasurer)

    MAR 31

    S02E06 | Plant Show in Thailand – Interview With Anastasia Shokhrin @foliage_fancies (and IAS Treasurer)

    In this episode, Tanya and Jos bridge the gap between the royal gardens of England and the bustling plant markets of Bangkok. We look into the high-maintenance "Plant Shuffle" of King Charles III, discuss the evolving trend of physical plant journaling in a digital age, and get an update on the European collector scene with the upcoming My Botanica events. The highlight of the show is an international interview with Anastasia Shokhrin (@Foliage_Fancies), who joins us live from a quiet corner of a Bangkok mall to discuss her frequent plant-hunting trips to Thailand. From the legendary reveal of the 'Devil Monster' to the "fun" logistics of US customs, Anastasia shares what it’s really like to bridge the gap between a tropical paradise and the arid climate of Colorado. Finally, Tanya tries to redeem herself in the "Rate That Weird Plant" segment with a highly endangered pitcher plant and a flower that looks like a sitting monk. In this episode, we discuss: The Royal Treatment: Why King Charles’s houseplants are moved into a "spa" greenhouse every time he leaves his Highgrove estate.Analog vs. Digital Tracking: The pros and cons of physical plant journals and Jos’s custom-built breeding app.My Botanica 2026: Jos announces his debut as a seller at the upcoming Nieuwegein market in the Netherlands.Interview with Anastasia Shokhrin (@foliage_fancies): The Thai Advantage: Why she prefers picking specimens in person at Chatuchak market over buying in the US.Importing 101: The reality of shipping massive Monstera and the crucial "two-week mark" for acclimation.Climate Adaptation: How to rehab humidity-loving Thai plants for Colorado’s 20% ambient humidity.Weird Plant Ratings: Nepenthes Clipeata: A highly endangered species from Borneo that Jos gives a harsh 1/10. (https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahsplants/p/CSuLPHhL_PN/) Adenia perrieri: The Madagascan "Bottle Tree" with stunning geometric, snowflake-like leaves. (https://www.instagram.com/philodendron/reel/Czw-yS_Syhv/) Darwin’s Slipper (Calceolaria uniflora): A mountain plant from South America with a bizarre relationship with the "unremarkable" seedsnipe bird. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calceolaria_uniflora)Resources & Links Mentioned: Foliage Fancies: Follow Anastasia’s plant adventures on Instagram @foliage_fancies (https://www.instagram.com/foliage_fancies) My Botanica: Upcoming European plant markets in Hamm, Ulm, and Nieuwegein. (https://mybotanika.de/)Plant Provenance: Track the history and lineage of your collection at https://plantprovenance.com.Connect with Us: Substack: Prop Culture on Substack (https://propculture.substack.com/) Website: hortikult.com/podcast (https:hortikult.com/podcast) Instagram: @prop.culture.podcast (https://www.instagram.com/prop.culture.podcast)YouTube: @prop.culture (https://www.youtube.com/@prop.culture)

    59 min
  3. S02E05 | Podcastathon Special: Why the IAS Matters, Interview with ATL Plant Room

    MAR 20

    S02E05 | Podcastathon Special: Why the IAS Matters, Interview with ATL Plant Room

    In this special "Podcastathon" edition of Prop Culture, Tanya is joined by Ashley (@ATLPlantRoom), the Marketing Chair for the International Aroid Society (IAS). Together, they pull back the curtain on what it means to be part of the world’s leading organization dedicated to the Araceae family. From its "book club" origins in 1977 to its current role as the official international registration authority for aroid cultivars, the IAS has evolved into a global powerhouse for plant science. Tanya and Ashley discuss the tireless work of the society's all-volunteer board and explain exactly how your membership dues and donations fund critical conservation, research, and preservation The IAS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit powered by passion, not payroll. Here is why your contribution—whether time or money—is a direct investment in the future of the plants we love: 100% Volunteer Powered: Every hour of work, from the President to the committee members, is donated. This means your money goes directly toward research and conservation, not administrative salaries.Funding Global Research: Last year, the IAS awarded $35,000 in grants. These funds support projects like:DNA testing every single Anthurium species to map their true evolutionary history.Protecting threatened habitats in Indonesia from mining and unregulated collection.Studying aroid diversity in the Philippines to support biodiversity management and food security.Official Authority: The IAS is the official International Cultivar Registration Authority for the Araceae family, ensuring that the history and naming of your favorite plants stay accurate and consistent.Becoming an IAS member unlocks a world of exclusive resources: Scientific Access: Unlimited digital access to every issue of Aroideana (the flagship peer-reviewed journal) and the quarterly newsletter.Expert Education: On-demand access to Aroid Guides and monthly virtual "Aroid Hours" with experts.The Tropical Plant Expo: Get $5 off tickets to the annual show in Miami and early access to the "Aroids After Dark" impact dinner.Exclusive Community: Join the members-only Discord and get early access to limited-edition merchandise drops.We all love bringing nature into our homes, but that hobby often comes with a carbon footprint. Use this Podcastathon as an opportunity to offset your impact by supporting the society that protects these plants in the wild. Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation directly to the IAS at aroid.org/donateJoin: Become a member today at aroid.org.Volunteer: Apply to join a committee (like Marketing, Education, or Community) and help us grow.Follow Ashley @ATLPlantRoom on all social platforms. Visit aroid.org to support the mission IAS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroidsocietyIAS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalaroidsocietyIAS on Discord (members only): IAS on Substack: https://aroid.substack.com/IAS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-aroid-society IAS Cultivar Registry: https://aroidcultivars.org

    40 min
  4. S02E04 | Daffodils, Community, and What’s the Deal Plant Content IP & Content Theft?

    MAR 20

    S02E04 | Daffodils, Community, and What’s the Deal Plant Content IP & Content Theft?

    In this episode, Tanya and Jos bridge the gap between historic botanical discoveries and the modern digital landscape. Jos shares the incredible story of a South African plant rediscovered after 200 years, along with the "Daffodil Fever" of the Victorian era. Tanya updates us on the "generational cold snap" in Florida and how it’s affecting both commercial crops and private collections. The conversation then turns to the ethics of the plant community. We examine plant content theft, including how influencers are targeted by content scrapers and AI face-swapping scams. Finally, Jos brings a trio of "weird plants," ranging from a "brain cactus" to a New Zealand oddity known as the "vegetable sheep." In This Episode, We Discuss: Botanical Rediscoveries: The story of Prismatocarpus fastigiatus, found again in South Africa after being "extinct" for two centuries because botanists were looking in the wrong place.Florida’s Deep Freeze: The impact of the recent 50°F temperature drops on tropical landscaping, Disney World's foliage, and internal vascular damage in fruit trees.Daffodil Fever: Exploring the history of the Narcissus, the "Mrs. R.O. Backhouse" pink daffodil, and the slow-burning game of breeding these bulbs.The Pinecone Trick: Nature’s hygrometer—how to use pinecones as a low-tech visual dashboard for soil moisture.Building Community: Announcing Plant My Event (a free calendar for plant gatherings) and why meeting in person at libraries and "plant chore parties" is the future of the hobby.The Ethics of a Repost: A serious look at IP rights, "content scraping," and why citing a creator in a caption isn't a legal substitute for permission.Weird Plant Ratings: The Brain Cactus (Echinopsis eyriesii f. cristata) – A 4/10 for weirdness. (Link)The Anchor Plant (Colletia paradoxa) – A geometric 9/10. (Link)Vegetable Sheep (Raoulia eximia) – The New Zealand cauliflower-lookalike that earned a 10/10. (Link)Mentioned in this episode Plant My Event: plantmyevent.com — Share and find local plant events for free! iNaturalist: The platform helping botanists rediscover "extinct" species.Google Lens: A primary tool for content creators to track down stolen intellectual property.Connect with us Email: propculture@hortikult.comSubstack: Prop Culture on Substack — Join the conversation in the comments! Instagram: @plantprovenanceWebsite: hortikult.comYouTube: @prop.culture

    53 min
  5. S02E03 | Plant Shipping, the History of A. 'Ace Of Spades' & Designer Plants

    FEB 19

    S02E03 | Plant Shipping, the History of A. 'Ace Of Spades' & Designer Plants

    In this episode, Tanya and Jos explore the cutting edge of plant science and the "wild west" of online plant selling. We start with some major news regarding the EU’s New Genomic Techniques (NGT) and what "designer plants" might look like in the future. We also dive into the drama of Reddit, discussing the audacity of a buyer asking for a free replacement plant four months after purchase—because they were in a coma. Jos shares his "hard way" lessons from launching a plant shop, and we discuss the heartbreaking news about Liverpool’s struggling botanical collection. Finally, we reveal the complex history behind the legendary Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ and ‘Queen of Hearts’ before rating a new batch of "Weird Plants"—one of which Tanya can only describe as "Minecraft-esque" and phallic. Key Topics: The transition to Substack and leaving Spotify.CRISPR and NGT: Are we ready for drought-resistant indoor plants?.Liability and shipping: Who is responsible when a plant arrives in "shreds"?.The true origin of ‘Ace of Spades’ and the TC "contamination" that created ‘Queen of Hearts’.Weird Plant Ratings: Solanum uleanum, Bulbine bruynsii, and the "fugly" Cynanchum marnierianum.

    49 min
  6. S02E02 | Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 2)

    FEB 13

    S02E02 | 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 PlantConnect with us: Email: PropCulture@hortikult.com Website: hortikult.comSubstack: hortikult.substack.comYouTube: @prop.culture

    58 min
  7. S02E01 | Interview with Dr. Tom Croat (Part 1)

    JAN 27

    S02E01 | 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
  8. E09: Season Finale: The Truth About Variegation, P. Dean McDowell, & Weird Plants

    12/31/2025

    E09: Season Finale: The Truth About Variegation, P. Dean McDowell, & Weird Plants

    Episode 9: A Variegated State of Mind (Season Finale) It is the last episode of the year! We are wrapping up the season with a packed episode, spilling some plant tea, diving deep into the science of variegation, and rating some truly bizarre plants. We start by debunking a questionable article about "windowless rooms" (sorry, Enid!) and clearing up the confusion behind the mysterious "Philodendron 69586" floating around the internet. Then, we shine our Provenance Spotlight on a collector favorite: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell'. Finally, we get into our main topic: Variegation. Why does it happen? What is the difference between chimeral and genetic variegation? And why was 2020 the "Variegation Gold Rush"? Thank you to all our listeners for an amazing year. We will see you on January 6th for Season 2! In this episode, we cover: ☕ Spilling the Plant Tea: The Windowless Room Myth: Discussing a "clickbait" article claiming plants flourish in windowless rooms (and why Enid Offolter was mentioned in it). The Number Game: Solving the mystery of Philodendron "69586"—it is actually a typo for Philodendron bettewaterbury (or related to Croat's accession numbers). 🔦 Provenance Spotlight: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell' A hybrid of P. pastazanum x P. gloriosum created by John Banta in 1988. The touching story behind the name (honoring a friend lost to the AIDS epidemic). A tribute to John Banta (1932–2021), a prolific hybridizer who also worked on seedless raspberries and Anthurium crosses. 🎨 Deep Dive: A Variegated State of Mind The Science: How cell mutations in the meristem cause variegation. The Types: Explaining Genetic (stable), Chimeral (unstable), Viral, and Induced variegation (remember Pink Congo?). The Purpose: Hypotheses on why nature produces variegation (herbivore deterrence vs. camouflage). 🏆 Rate That Weird Plant: Lophophora diffusa (False Peyote): A cactus that looks like a "green ball of clay" or... a pimple? https://www.reddit.com/r/BotanicalPorn/comments/1pnyc56/lophophora_diffusa/ Ravenala madagascariensis (Traveler’s Palm): Famous for its stunning, electric-blue seeds. https://www.reddit.com/r/plants/comments/1pownid/strange_blue_fibers_in_this_seed_pod_ive_never/ Microcoelia aphylla: A leafless orchid that photosynthesizes through its roots. https://www.facebook.com/groups/52597049839/?multi_permalinks=10162133715749840 Mentioned in this Episode: Plants: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell', Philodendron bettewaterbury, Monstera 'Thai Constellation', Lophophora diffusa. People: John Banta, Enid Offolter, Fabio Silva (Listener Shoutout!). Connect with us: Email | Website | Reddit Next Episode: We return January 6th with a huge interview!

    47 min
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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.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Hortikult Digital Solutions, s.r.o.
  • Show Website
    Prop Culture