Run a garden centre or social club and would like a fun, informative evening on all-things houseplants? Reach out to BBC Gardeners' World's Joe Bagley to begin discussion into hosting a plant talk at a location of your choice!
There's no denying that houseplants are firmly back on trend for all ages or abilities. Bursting with many benefits of well-being, indoor horticulture can offer a new hobby for those looking to delve into the world of greenery - at very little cost.
Amassing around 1,400 houseplants in his small apartment, BBC Gardeners' World's Joe Bagley has played a part in inspiring the nation to welcome nature into their home. He now touring the UK with his well-received talks on all things houseplants, with presentations ranging from Orchids, Cacti & Succulents, Terrariums & the Basics on Houseplant Care. Scroll down to find out more...
This talk is fantastic for those who are looking to ‘dip their feet’ into the world of houseplants. Packed with fascinating tips on plant behaviour & horticultural history, real-world tips and no-nonsense information, session guests will have an entirely new viewpoint in growing indoor plants. Feel free to encourage your guests to take photos of their poorly/healthy houseplants beforehand so he can give the once over or diagnose any issues & remedies. Topics that will be mentioned in this talk include:
Watering - When to water, how much & what type of water is best.
Locating Your Houseplants - Suitable locations & why the right placement means everything to your plant!
Feeding - Includes nutrient deficiency symptoms, brand recommendations and extra tips better variegations (leaf patterns & colour).
Repotting - How often to transplant & which soil is best. Joe also owns a successful repotting business, so he can supply small batches of soil to the show, too at your request).
Pests & Diseases - Straight-to-the-point information on eradicating pests & diseases (leaf-spot disease or root rot) without the use of chemicals.
Joe’s Top Ten Recommended Plants - Air purification, easy-care/beginner plants, pet/child-friendly, plants with unusual leaves/colours/flowers & plants for certain rooms.
This talk is perfect for Cactus & Succulent lovers who would like to learn more about their history, fascinating facts & top tips on caring for them. Mentioned plants will be Aloe Vera, Sansevieria, Yucca, ZZ Plants, Amaryllis & of course, Cacti!
Along with the following subheadings, there will be a Q&A session at the end to diagnose any issues or queries in regards to your members’ plants at home. Feel free to encourage them to take photos beforehand to show to Joe during the session.
Watering - The importance of Joe’s watering phrase of ‘Drenches between Droughts’.
Locating Your Houseplants - To sunlight, or not to sunlight?
Feeding - Nutrient deficiency symptoms, brand recommendations and extra tips on elongating flowers on Orchids, Peace Lilies & more.
Repotting - How often to transplant & which soil is best. Joe also owns a successful repotting business, so he can supply small batches of soil to the show, too, at your request).
Pests & Diseases - Straight-to-the-point information on eradicating pests & diseases (leaf-spot disease or root rot) without the use of chemicals.
Orchids are a core line in all garden centres across the UK. In this talk, Joe will be explaining the importance of Orchid care, ideal locations & common issues the audience may have seen or experienced. People are also invited to take photos of their own plants to get any problems they may be experiencing diagnosed by an expert – like a ‘Houseplant MOT’!
Watering (The Colour of the Roots) - Explanation into the four colours and how each signify an Orchids health & hydration status (simply, whether it’s been watered or not!).
Feeds - Briefly discussing the different feeds on the market for your flowering friend and how it’s important for its overall health and chance of future blooms.
Repotting - How to repot successfully without the risk of damaging the roots through ‘Transplant Shock’. Mentions the ideal ‘bark’ and plant pot to use & the best time of year to repot.
How to Achieve Yearly Orchid Blooms - How keeping a specimen pot-bound, exposed to a some sunlight & cooler temperatures may invigorate a new stalk of flowers. ~
Pests & Issues- Simple-to-follow advice in spotting and addressing common pests without the use of chemical pesticides on your Orchids. The causality of said issues & remedies to fix it. Also will mention some methods on pruning & care whilst you’re away on holiday.
One of the biggest stigmas when growing a houseplant is the fear of killing it. Whether it’s a rogue yellowing leaf or the whole plant beginning to keel over, this can seriously put off a newly grower when beginning their botanical journey. In this talk, Joe will bust the common misconceptions in houseplant growing, along with providing fantastic tips and remedies on the following mini-topics:
Pests, Diseases & Root Rot - Simple-to-follow advice in spotting and addressing common indoor pests without the use of chemical pesticides.
Yellowing/Browning Leaves - A great way to start the talk, as not all dying leaves indicate an unhealthy plant. Includes remedies, fertilisation tips & problem identification.
The Difference between an Under-Watered & Over-Watered Plant - Many potted-plant growers often get confused with internet searches when querying about their wilting/unhappy plant. Joe will spill the beans on how to tell if your plant has been subject to feast or famine… (In a watering context!).
Q&A Session - Feel free to encourage your guests to take photos of their houseplants beforehand so that he can give detailed advice/explanation into diagnosing any issues & remedies during this final part of the talk. He can also bring in potting mixes & a selection of pots to repot/revitalise their houseplant.
This talk is reserved for garden centres or plant shops that have the power to order 'tot' plants in 5-6cm pots in time for the workshop. Joe can invoice & supply the terrariums, potting mix & drainage layers if the hosts can get access to these products in time.
Please contact Joe on 07880926554 via SMS, iMessage or WhatsApp messaging to discuss this further! 😊