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.

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

Connect with us:

• Email: PropCulture@hortikult.com
• Website: hortikult.com
• Substack: hortikult.substack.com
• YouTube: @prop.culture

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.