Classy Crassulas, Elegant Euphorbia, Kewl Kalanchoes

13 years ago

A rather rude reply to one of my recent posts, referencing "low-rent Jades" has made me ponder the absurdity of associating plants and socio-economic class.

I grow certain plants for their aesthetic value. It may be beautiful, or ugly, but something about it appeals to me. I don't say, "I like it, but it's too common." I have an Aloe which I bought as A. harlana, a rather uncommon species from Ethiopia. As it turns out, it is most likely A. hemmingii, a more common species from Somalia. But does that make the plant any less attractive to me? Certainly not, it is a beautiful plant. I never saw certain plants as fashion statements, as some others do. People should grow what they like, regardless of the fashion of the day, or without fear of being deemed "low-rent".

Now a little story. There was a time when a certain food was considered only fit for prisoners and animals like dogs and pigs in this country. If the prison keepers had chosen to try that ultimate in "low-rent" food, they would have been surprised to realise they had been missing something truly good. I am sure the prisoners never let on. Now what was that food? Lobster!

Christopher

Here is a link that might be useful: My original post

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Comments (11)

newnewnie
13 years ago
I still think the guy was just teasing :)

Also, eww seafood - let the prisoners have it all!
jojosplants
13 years ago
Hi Christopher!
I couldn't agree more! I buy my plants, anything for that matter according to what I like, and could care less what anyone else thinks!

I buy plants for many reasons. That's one of the best things about succulents, and cactus, the huge variety!

My husband and son like the "strange" looking ones. LOL! So we have quite the collection going. :)

We have very similar taste. :) I love Aloe hemmingii, had one till frost got it. ;( Also have the other you got recently, A. Dapple green. :)

I just read the other post you linked.
That person is new, and has done nothing but leave rude posts!

If were happy with our plants, that's all that matters. :)

I hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day! Looks like your son did well. :)

JoJo
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pirate_girl
13 years ago
I somewhat missed this post the first time. It's a terrific little tradition going on w/ you & your son. Congratulations on it as it's something he will certainly remember w/ affection in future years.

Jojo's right, the offending commentor is new & has ruffled feathers in a number of different places. He appears to be about blunt & nasty comments, along w/ plants.

I'd ignore him altogether & keep up w/ nice traditions & your lovely plants. You know what you're doing & what's important. Forget him, sorry he was so offensive to you.

I hadn't heard the lobster tale before, interesting.
jojosplants
13 years ago
I had heard ages ago lobster was considered trash and thrown in compost piles.

Thanks for the story Christopher. And look at what the darn things cost now! LOL!

It is a great tradition you have. :) we have some similar ones here.

PG is right, try and ignore the guy. If anything around here is "low-rent" i'd say it's him.

JoJo
xerophyte NYC
13 years ago
There's nothing wrong with saving a few bucks on low rent.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying common plants for their beauty and other qualities.

Mother nature has many different flavors, enjoy them all!

x
kaktuskris
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the positive comments!

Christopher
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years ago
Although Jades are a dime a dozen, truly spectacular examples are in short supply.
As Tolkien described his Hobbits (not Jade 'Hobbit'), you can know them for a hundred years
and they can still surprise you in a pinch! I feel that way about Jades.

Josh
jojosplants
13 years ago
X~ and Josh~
Well said and so True!

Not to mention a Jade is one of the easiest to share and and spread happiness. :)

JoJo
puglvr1
13 years ago
I personally love Jades and so many other plants, a few plants I'm not crazy about... but I would never criticize anyone for liking it or make rude comments just because I don't like it or its common and inexpensive. Variety is the spice of life. Enjoy what you like!
mocropot
13 years ago
I can not agree more with Puglvr1 and JoJo! How can you apply all that classification to growing plants? I grow what I like, I do not care for any classification. You can not be wrong with any plant. I am still fighting with " low-rent" Jade, because it is hard for me here in FL to grow this plant, but I really like it and hope to have some luck one day.

Helen
puglvr1
13 years ago
Hi Helen, don't give up on Jades...I use to kill Jades and Succulents when I moved to FL till I found Al's mix. I attribute most of my success growing these to that wonderful soil-less potting mix(NO peat). I've had a jade for 3 1/2 years now, before I found this great mix I would have given up, chances are it would be dead by now,lol... It's really a challenge growing them here unless you have the right potting mix and keep them on the dry side and out of our rainy wet/humid summers. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:467683}}

Classy Crassulas, Elegant Euphorbia, Kewl Kalanchoes

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