Plant community: @little.ooak

Marlies - Little.Ooak

1. When and how did you get into the plant world?

Along time ago! My family always cared for green around us and my greatgrandfather was a very experienced gardener, he showed me allot when I was young. When I was 19 I got my first real houseplant for my own home from my mother, I still have it too. My interest grew out into a hobby for the last 16 years, I can't imagine not having this much green around me.

As for the community I wasnt aware of this until Botanika Houten in spring 2023 and im so happy i made the step to make @little.ooak and be a part of it

2.        What kind of plant lover are you? (Are you about quantity or quality? Do you have a specific collection, or youlove a bit of everything?)

I love all kinds of plants! Although my attention gets easily caught by philodendrons and alocasias and other plants from the Araceae genus. Im a big fan of big pretty leaves! 

3.        If we talk about plants, what is your strength? And what would still like to learn?

P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E. although I do not consider myself a patient human being; its something I do trust in with my plants. They are my form of therapy, trusting the process and above all, watch and learn. I dont think i will ever be done learning more about plants but I wished I knew more about better and natural plantfood, more balanced per plant and season.

4.        Where do you usually get your plants? (swap, tuincentrum, private sellers, local plant shops, online e-commerces?)

Anywhere actually! I recently went to my first plantswap (@bmboplants) and i loved it. But supermarkets, local plantstores, markets, as long as the plants look salvageable and pestfree I take them home with me.

5.        As a plant lover, what is a green place that you would like to recommend to the community? (it can be a shop, a city, a garden center, the house of another plant lover)

Kasteel Haarzuilens is a amazing castle with an amazing garden near Utrecht. I tell you this with a little pride as my great grandfather was a garderner in these gardens in his time. 

If you don't like castles, the Soesterduinen is also an amazing area in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, its sandy dunes with dense forest around just doesn't stop being magical to me.

6.      What plants do you have on your Wishlist?

Philodendron Warocqueanum and Philodendron Spiritus Sancti, i am just in love with those long defined leaves but im so glad I got that patience part covered. They will be on my list for some time to come..

7.       What is your absolute fav plant?

Monstera Adansonii, it's simple but also very adaptable to your own needs. I love that this simplicity comes with a real junglevibe from baby on and can make a real statement if growing on mosspoles.

8.       What is a plant event that you would love to participate in? (Doesn’t need to be one of my events, it can be something organized by someone else, in another city or something still not organized)

I'm not sure yet! I do love all the events around me and love to connect to other plantlovers, for now i'm all in for plantswaps and who knows what the future holds!

9.  What does Youplant Amsterdam represent for you?

Youplant pushes all the right buttons for me, the vibe, the community and serenity of plants and their possibilities. Something I totally resonate with! 

10.  What is your best advice for someone who wants to start a plant hobby?

Just do it, buy those plants and keep learning. Some could die and some will thrive and thats all just fine, we all deal with the same problems and keep learning while the process unfolds