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Plant Friends! We are kicking of Season 3 with your top most requested episode out of any topic, a 101 episode on how to care for the Marantaceae Family, and understanding why on earth they can be so dang tricky to care for! I would say that “why is my calathea or prayer plant browning at the tips” is one of my most frequently DM’d questions on instagram. I think this Marantaceae family has some of the most gorgeously patterned leaves I’ve ever seen and I’m excited to have this episode to help us keep them happy and healthy in our urban jungles! And friends, I have the worlds most perfect guest to walk us through the beauty and complexities of this amazing family of Plants.

Marc Hachadourian is the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchids at the New York Botanical Garden. I have been hearing about Marc for over a year. His amazing plant brain, friendly personality and passion for plants is kind of legendary and I’m so excited to introduce you all to him. I’m so thankful to the New York Botanical Garden for lending him to us for this episode.

If you are a New York based listener, Plant Friends, I can’t stress enough how in love I am with the NYBG. The garden is so easy to get to (just hop on the metro north) and is just filled with acres upon acres of plants. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to do or see there. Last year I made it to their Orchid Show and their Train show. Marc will tell us a little more about this upcoming Orchid Show: Singapore which is running from February 23- April 28^th. If you are in NY, and probably suffering from season affective disorder, run don't walk to the garden for a planty adventure.

In this episode, we learn:

–       What Marc does for the NYBG

–       What plants fall under the Marantaceae Family

–       Prayer Plant, Calathea and Stromanthe- their differences and similarities

–       Why do the leaves fold up and down as in “prayer”

–       Why the bottoms of many Marantaceae are purple

–       Why the tips brown and how we help avoid this

–       Why humidity is so important for the Marantaceae family

–       Marc answers a collection of listener questions

Thank you Marc for joining us to give us so much amazing information about the Marantaceae family. The NYBG Orchid Show: Singapore runs February 23 to April 28^th. For more information visit www.nybg.org But the Orchid show is just one of so many amazing installations that are always happening at the NYBG. Go for a visit and you’ll see all sorts of Marantaceae IRL for yourself!

I want YOU to be on an upcoming episode of Bloom and Grow Radio!

“Plant Fail Lessons” will feature lessons that listeners have learned from a “Plant Fail”. Have you killed a plant and learned something from it? Do you have an inspirational nugget you want to share with our community? Here are some steps and tips for a great recording:

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Thank you again to Wallygro for sponsoring this episode. To learn about your indoor and outdoor options for your OWN vertical garden or greenwall, head to wallygro.com and use BLOOM20 at checkout for 20% off.

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