Arid and Aroid Event Management in partnership with Robinson’s Magnolia and Manila Bulletin had presented to the general public “Colors Garden Show” a plant show which showcases landscape exhibit, bazaar and among others.
This had been the main objective of the group not only showcasing rare plants and outstanding plants but leveling-up the horticultural industry to the international market.
Colors Garden Show in Robinson’s Magnolia
Robinson’s Magnolia is a forefront in promotion of fish, cat, dog, bonsai and other hobbies within their mall premises. This annual show hosted by Arid and Aroids had attracted record number of sellers, participants and quality exhibit. It was the place for plantitos, plantitas, halamoms and even batang halaman hobbyists to visit.
The general visitors and buyers came as far as Iloilo, Fairview, Antipolo, Bulacan,Pampanga, Valenzuela, Novaliches, Cavite and within New Manila, Quezon City.
Minimum health standard and protocols were met by the organizers. There was a BIG Sale of rare plants last February 13, 2021, one day before Valentine’s Day. It was dubbed BIG SCAM SALE! Among the big plant on sale were Anthurium veitchii and Anthurium regale
Well-known celebrities like Ms. Aubrey Miles, Robinson’s Magnolia officials and selected guests were there during the grand opening.
Sellers
Among the short list of sellers included Tres lola’s, Lots cactus garden, Crazy hardenera, Hardin ni wowa, Benguet, blooms&spikes, Cali’s living obsessions.
Sanseviera Boncel variegated types are again a big shoo-in again for collectors and ordinary hobbyists.
Overall, The mood was very festive and despite the quarantine restrictions, people still lined-up and bought practically anything they can find at the booth. Again, My heartfelt ” Congratulations” to the Arid and Aroids Team for the wonderful experience at the show.
Plantiquarians, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, batang halaman will always on a look-out for cheaper and trendy plants this coming 2021 and 2022.
Many are looking for small plants which can fill their limited space. They can be grown with minimal care. The crazy and abnormal rise in prices are brought by the limited supply and high interest by the general public in plants. This is called as plantdemics meaning plants are in demand.
75 Trendy Plants in the Philippines for 2021 to 2022
63. Nephrolepis exaltata ( Boston Fern)- This is a popular fern found in almost every part of the world. often grown in hanging baskets or similar conditions. They are grown near entrance or hung on main window. It is believes to invites good chi or good fortunes into one’s home or business.
62. Caladium hybrids – Popularity of caladium hybrids will still be strong up until early 2022. Newer varieties and more colorful spotting will be flooding the local market. However, the prices of the caladium especially the older cultivar varieties will slowly taper off since there are a lot of backyard growers propagating those varieties.
61. Dracena sanderiana – popularly called Chinese lucky bamboo, lucky bamboo, friendship bamboo, ribbon plant, water bamboo and corn plant. This is very common and is found in almost every homes, business establishments and offices. This plant is quite hardy.
Commonly peddled by ambulant vendors, The demand for these plants will still be strong. Some people believes it bring good luck or good chi in homes and businesses.
60. Aloe vera and related species- Aloe had been quite popular succulent plant in the country for several decades. Aside from the medicinal value that the plant is known for. This can be grown in pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions.
mature plants can bear flowers and it is highly attractive. There are between 550 to 560 species of Aloes in which a lot are highly decorative. There are also several hybrids.
59.Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig , ficus tree, balete. This is highly ornamental and commonly propagated in many garden centers. MMDA and some local government unit had planted hundreds if not thousands of this ficus along road side in the mid-1980’s to early 1990’s.
NASA determined that this plant was effective at removing common household air toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. Hence the popularity of the plant.
Weeping fig cultivars and its variegated types are in demand like ‘Danielle’, ‘Naomi’, ‘Exotica’, and ‘Golden King’ since these are much fewer compared to the ones found in garden centers, streets and parks. Propagation is quite easy- one can propagate Ficus benjamina thru seeds, air layering and to some extent cutting from stems with roots.
58 . Ficus elastica commonly called rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, banyan tree or Balete.
Ficus elastica
Photo credit: pixabay user: tortic84-2633672
Another well-known type of belete tree. One can encounter mature Ficus elastica in many parts of the country. According to some botanists, this was probably introduced into the country by Indian and other southeast Asian traders before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. Some would otherwise dispute this theory, Since the range of this ficus is found in Southeast Asia.
In the United States, This can be grown in sub-tropical areas of Florida and in USDA Zones 10-12.
Some of the cultivars varieties includes Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’, Lemon Lime among others surge in popularity during the enhanced community quarantine in early part of 2020. In recent visit to local garden centers in Metro Manila. Prices for the common types had been falling due to increase supply. An example was the 1 foot cutting newly established Ficus elastica ” Lemon Lime” which sell between Php 1,500 to Php 2,000 would now averages between Php 750 to Php 1,200. Variegated forms will still be in demand.
Croton or San Francisco
Photo credit: pixabay user:pixasandid-356019
57. Crotons hybrids- Locally known as San Francisco. This was popular as hedge plant, potted plant in the countryside for a long time. The leaves are used as accents in flower arrangements. Large scale farms like Costa Farm would grow these in large volume. Other Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan would have different cultivar varieties.
There are hundreds of cultivar varieties to grow and these plants are easy to propagate.
Epipermum aureum also known as pothos, money plant, taro vine
Photo credit: pixabay user: sweetlouise-3967705
56. Epipermum aureum and varieties ( pothos, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant, and taro vine) are just few of the common names given by sellers and backyard gardeners. The plant is a member of Araceae family. Price of the more common types have begun leveling off but the variegated forms are still in demand.
Photo courtesy of Mr. Lebon Ong, Dennis Lao and Mr. Jorge Sahagun
55. Asplenium australasicum plicatum Cultivar Variety ” Mini Philippine Cobra” This is a compact growing mutant fern (gamma irradiated Philippine Cobra) of Asplenium australasicum plicatum2021 population finally released to the industry. This is a project of Mr. Jorge Sahagun of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) in Quezon City.
Compared with the older variety in the market, This particular form is ideal for small growing area, office, condominium spaces. Fern collectors are already waiting for its release next year, There are already some reservation for this mutant form for release in 2022.
Note: These are just a partial list of the 75 trendy plants for 2021 and 2022! Happy Growing to all .
Special Mention : Mr. Lebon Ong, Mr. Dennis Lao , Mr. Jeorge Sahagun, Mrs. Letty Manalo, Ms. Esperanza Sanchez
Plantiquarians, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, batang halaman will always on a look-out for cheaper and trendy plants this coming 2021 and 2022.
Many are looking for small plants which can fill their limited space. They can be grown with minimal care.
75 Trendy Plants in the Philippines for 2021 to 2022
Episcia hybrids :Photo courtesy of Mr. Delmer del Rosario
68.) Episcia hybrids – Episcia and its hybrids are grown for several decades in the country, The prices are still quite affordable. They are usually grown in hanging baskets, elevated pots, semi-indoor garden and in some cases indoor culture.
There are ten species it contains are native to Central and South America with hundreds of man-made hybrids.
Episcia GREEN Tea
These plants are easily grown and are easily hybridized with exciting marked or patterned leaves. Majority of the flowers are red (rarely orange, pink, blue or yellow) flowers. Unlike other plants, These can be grown in wide array of set-up such as small containers, pocket garden, carpet, terrarium, vivarium and even dish garden.
Photo courtesy : Mr. Delmer Del Rosario
Philippine Episcia Growers Society FB group had more than 2,000 members which can attest to the popularity of the genus. The retail prices of episcia had significantly grown over several months period.
small plants or plantlets price range from are about Php 150 for ordinary varieties, Php 250 up for new hybrids, Php 400 up for cleopatra, picasso and other chimera types
67.) Zamia furfuracea – ( commonly called cardboard palm or cardboard cycad. Other names include cardboard plant, cardboard sago, Jamaican sago, and Mexican cycad ) This is type of cycad which originally found in Veracruz state and Eastern Mexico.
The cycad is getting some attention among palm, cycad and plant collectors since it survive with minimal change since the Jurassic era.
When Zamia furfuracea was introduced to the country in the early 1970’s, This was used by Mr. Ely Bardenas in many of his landscape projects. It was planted in big pots and used as focal point in many private subdivisions.
Online selling sites base in the United States, one foot Zamia furfuracea and Zamia floridana (native to US) only cost $14.99 or about Php 730 pesos. However, one must bear in mind that there are additional cost like freight, import taxes, custom duties and others that would increase the prices of the plant.
Zamia furfuracea is grown as hedge plant in a pocket garden in Quezon City
There are compact types and variegated types of Zamia furfuracea which were exhibited in local plant shows. price is quite elastic over the past few years, For local cycad and plant collector, this is more affordable compared to Encephalartos and Dioon.
The leaves are sometimes use during palm sunday as substitute for Cycas revoluta or young fronds of coconut leaves ( palaspas). One must be careful with this cycad as this can be toxic to pet animals and to even human when ingested.
photo courtesy of pixabay user:duplex-87749
66.) Cycas revoluta – commonly called sago palm, king sago, sago cycad, pitogo, Japanese sago palm.
As a group, the cycads are commonly considered “living fossils,” their lineage little changed over more than 250 million years. The plants is native to Ryukyu islands, parts of Taiwan and Fujian province in China.
Cycas revoluta was introduced during pre-hispanic era with early contacts from Ryukyus, Taiwanese and Chinese traders might have brought the plants.
It is propagated via seeds or basal offset. The leaves are use during palm sunday as alternative for young coconut palm fronds for palaspas. The leaves can stay green for several days during the holy week ( mahal na araw, semana santa) which makes them desirable symbol in warding off evil spirits which would roam during the lenten season. There were several superstitious beliefs surround this cyad, that local growers would covet this plant.
Cycad sago is extremely poisonous to animals (including humans) if ingested. But in some parts of Ryukus islands (Amami islands) the pith is processed and used as a source of flour.
The process is ardous and long process. The trunk had to be cut down and had to be de-barked or peels first then soaked. Soaking the starch from the stem or the seeds helps leach out the potent toxin known as cycasin, which can cause death.
The chopped fragments are dried in the sun and then fermented. material is placed in a bamboo basket and leached many times with water. The water is caught in a wooden tub in which the starch is allowed to settle. them out.
Mashing the starch slowly removes the toxin. the flour is used in making edible pastry known as sotetsu mochi and sotetsu miso.
Asplenium musifolium grown near the entrance of a homeowner somewhere in Quezon City. The owner believes that this fern brought them good luck, good health and prosperity. This fern had been growing in their pocket garden for more than 10 years.
65.) Asplenium musifolium and related species – Plant sellers, traders and collectors would all agree that Asplenium musifolium ( bird’s nest fern) and related species will still be popular for 2020 and 2021. These ferns are not only grown for their aesthetic value, the fern roots can be sustainably harvested for use as pasdak in horticulture industry. There are several folk tales and superstitious beliefs which surround growing this fern in our country.
Some also believe that these ferns brings good luck and invites prosperity in our homes. Some would hung several bird’s nest fern on the eve of their homes or one’s entrance.
serious collectors would covet the more expensive forking types, variegated types.
64.) Microsorum punctatum fulcra CV “Salisi” – This is an underrated Philippine fern species. The demand is slowly picking up. Its curly fronds are the main attraction for this species. The care and fertilization is similar to Asplenium musifolium and native ferns.
Whenever this particular fern variety would appear in private collection. This would elicit some excitement among local collectors.
Microsorum punctatum furcatum CV” SALISI” -photo courtesy of Mr. Lebon Ong
Background Story : This was a true story of greed and was told countless of times by plant collectors, garden society members, sellers at the former Manila Seedling Bank Foundation. This happened between 14 to 15 years ago.
Personalities involved – Microsorum punctatum furcatum cv ” Salisi” a mutant form was acquired from a Gubatum/ Gubatum Harbatum/ Hablotii ( jungle collected plant trader). The said personality is infamous in Okinawa and many Southeast Asian countries. – Let us give the code name: Okimon ( known in the international orchid and plant scene as a collector having the rarest plants of them all)
Plant and Orchid Trader ( code name: Mr. Seller or Mr. Descendant of an Emperor in China ) was presumed to be co-owner of the plant, since the original plant owner was his BFF. “Best Friend Forever”.
Eccentric Woman Trader ( Ms. EWT) Ms. EWT is well-known in the entire Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, as resource person, plant seller and plant collector/ influencer.
Rich Society Matron (Mrs. RSM) was a rich business woman from Antipolo, Rizal province.
Sales Girl from a nearby plant stall
Microsorum was the joint ownership of Okimon and Mr. Seller who were known in their respective field. The fern was allegedly stolen during a plant show in broad daylight sometime in 2006 or 2007 by Ms. EWT. It was Ms. EWT who stole the mutant fern under the command of Mrs. RSM. ( collector of rare plants among others).
When the owner learned that the fern was stolen, Mr. Seller went around and almost went to the community police precinct to file a report on the lost/ theft.
Neighboring plant stall sales girl took notice on the commotion on Mr. Seller’s booth. They pinpointed that the eccentric woman trader took the plant just borrowing for show and tell.
Mr. Seller immediately went to the stall of Miss Eccentric Woman Trader and confronted the person. The fern was held by the rich society matron, According to Mr. Seller, it was for sale for 5 digit amount. When the rich society matron learned that the fern was quite expensive, It was returned back to the former owner.
Took a while for Ms. EWT and Mr. Seller on a speaking term. The incident also brought the dark side of each party involve- back biting and back stabbing each other’s personality.
news of the alleged stolen reached even far flung provinces and plant society members would visit the stall of Mr. Seller/ Descendant of the Emperor just to see and take photos of the fern in question.
The news was quite big that even international fern collectors from the other parts of the world took notice. It was later bought by a rich eccentric businessman for 5 digit sum higher that what was initially offered. Occasionally, when this fern variety would pop-up in local market or garden center. Those who knew the story would always remember the story and call this fern as Microsorum SALISI… in reference to the incident.
Special Mention : Mr. Delmer del Rosario – administrator of Philippine Episcia Growers Society FB group, Mr. Lebon Ong, Arid and Aroids, Mrs. Aldemar Sanchez, Quezon Memorial Circle plant center administrator.
Please wait for the rest of the list in my following post… Happy New Year 2021
Plantdemic and the plant craze among plantiquarians, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, batang halaman will extend from 2021 and early part of 2022.
Some plant farm owners and industry experts believes that there will be some price adjustments for some of the well loved plants that people fancy for most part of 2020.
75 Trendy Plants for 2021
Cymbidium Hybrids
69.) Orchids – Dendrobium hybrids, Vanda hybrids, Cattleya hybrids and allies,Oncidium ( dancing ladies or dancing dolls) hybrids, Cymbidium hybrids, Phalenopsis hybrids, Catasetum hybrids, Vanilla orchid, and native orchid species will still be popular among backyard hobbyists, amateur collector and hospitality industry will need a lot of these flowering plants.
Flowering orchids like Dendrobium hybids, Phalenopsis hybrids, Mokara, Cymbidium hybrids are in much demand as their bloom can last between two weeks to at least a month (with proper care and maintenance).
Growing orchids is still popular hobby and there are several FB group with tens of thousand of member, forum sites and other social media sites which caters to the proliferation of this hobby and how to grow these plants. There are a lot of misconception, myths and fantasy on orchids that there are people who still regard growing them as therapeutic, business, lucky, challenge or just for aesthetic purposes.
Aerides quinquivulnera species
Native orchids are also popular. However, there are some issues that one must always take into consideration. Getting your native orchids in the wild poses threat to the survival of many of these plants. Be sure that the orchids are from reputable orchid dealer, farm or had been cultivated for a long time by the grower.
Old cultivar varieties like Dendrobium Jacquelyn Thomas which was developed way back in the 1970’s, Dendrobium University of Hawaii, Dendrobium Caesar, Dendrobium bigibbum hybrids are slowly making a come back in the local market. These old hybrid cultivar varieties are quite hardy in the long rainy climate and their flowers are long lasting.
Vanda merrillii ( photo courtesy of Mr. Lebon Ong and Mr. Ramon Calado)
Some native orchids will not survive the hot climatic conditions of the lowlands, While there are some endangered orchids still traded online. Try to read books, magazines, literature and online sites which can give accurate information.
Native orchids and fern allies
For long time collectors and hobbyists would refer any jungle collected plants or orchids as Gubatum/ Gubatum Harbatum/ Hablotii.
Proof to the pudding is that some well known and established orchid farms located in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna,Davao,Cebu, Quezon and Cagayan de Oro are expanding.
What to look for ? miniature orchids, jewel orchids, ground orchids, old cultivar, crosses, varieties and new orchid hybrids are in trend.
Do not forget to visit this blog for more plants in the list ! Happy New Year 2021.
Sources, Reference, Bibliographies:
Hansen Eric, Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust, and Lunacy Paperback – Illustrated, February 27, 2001
Green Scape Plant Canter recently open their doors to the general public. The soft opening happened last November 9, 2020 with a little over half a dozen plant stalls selling many kinds of ornamental plants, soil, plastic pots, plastic plants, orchids, tillandsias, caladiums, poinsettias, cacti, succulents, culinary herbs, guzmania, philodendron, dracena,indoor plants among others.
plant stalls
Green Scape Plant Center
caladiums,aglaonemas, philodendron,asplenium nidus, plastic pots and poinsettiasfor sale
Green Scape Plant Center was envisioned to cater the plant lovers, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, platiquarians and city folks within Barangay Ugong ( Valenzuela), Barangay Bagbag, Barangay Talipapa, Sauyo road and adjacent barangays within Novaliches. The area had stalls selling all sort of t-shirts and cheap shoes,before it was converted into a garden center.
Dracena fragants, aglaonemas, guzmania, ornamental pandanus, crotons and culinary herbs
I have met Mr. Bal Brutas (0961-5226879) for inquiries and landscaping job
Green Scape Garden Center is not completely filled-up. Customers might have a hard time looking for amble parking area.
Note: Compared to the bigger plant center in other parts of Metro Manila, the plant stalls offer few selection of plants, pots and soil medium for sale.
Address: Green Scape Garden Center
Mindanao Avenue corner Quirino Highway, Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City ( In front of Hortaleza Beauty Center)
Operations: Everyday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm depending on the stalls
Collectors Connection 