Whenever I get time in life, I dedicate my time to gardening. Well, I don't have a genuine garden that considers as a garden. General people consider open space as a garden where basically they grow fruits and vegetables. I live in a 500 Sft one-room studio for around 4 years without any balcony. So, no matter how much I desire to design and creating an actual garden for myself with 600 Sft, it's not possible. So, instead of thinking of a large space for a garden, I had decided to focus on the interior garden and green space in my home.
The story started 2 years ago when I purchased the first orchid for my home. I have created a small zone for growing plants, basically on the window sill, and collected and grew some plants there. Most of my plant collections are basically decorative and plants for the interior. I couldn't grow anything else except chilies, but, only once a year. Sometimes I am lucky, sometimes not. This year my dog destroyed most of my chili's plants.
I collect plants mostly instead of growing. I have purchased few plants already, for example, ferns, orchids, Poinsettia, peace lily, succulents, and cactus. My small window sill space is now full of plants and they really give me peace. I feel good when I see them growing and flowering always makes me happy.
Anyway, I always purchase plants from local stores or nurseries. I used to purchase from superstores but later I understood it's a waste of money. Before purchasing any plants, I do some research on the plants because my window is north facing so not all plants are appropriate for the space. Always keep in mind that not all plants are for the interior and not all plants are appropriate for home, You have to know from which direction, sunlight is coming in your home and how much natural light your home get every day.
After doing some research I have understood that orchids, ferns, succulents, and devil's ivy are the best choice for my home. Other plants don't survive at my home for a long time. That's why I mostly collect and purchase orchids.
I have done research recently about why we should purchase plants or seeds from a nursery rather than a superstore or big stores. I have mentioned that I used to buy plants from superstores because superstores are easy to go and handy. But after doing research, I have realized that it's always good to buy seeds and plants from a nursery. I support small businesses but also I prefer quality.
In departmental or superstores, plants look fresh and beautiful especially decorative and flower plants. It attracts customers so easily and because of the beauty and cleanliness, we buy plants from superstores instantly. But, the reality is in superstores, to keep the plants fresh, they use chemicals and because these plants don't get enough sunlight every day, they die quickly. On the other hand, in the nursery, you will always get fresh plants and most of the nurseries use fertilizers instead of chemicals. Even, you will find natural, fresh seeds there instead of packet seeds.
A few weeks ago, I went to one and only professional shopping mall in Kharkiv called Nikolsky. While browsing around, I have found a small flower shop. Basically, it was part of the big superstore called Silpo. They have opened a section for plants where they sell mostly orchids, anthurium, peace lily, some decorative plants, and hydrangea. The plants were displayed in such a way that can easily catch someone's eyes. They had beautifully wrapped with gift papers and, was a perfect gift for plant lovers. So, I decided to go to the shop to check those beauties, after all, why not.
I have a huge soft corner for orchids and while seeing the orchids, I had found a beautiful orchid plant. But when I checked the price, I was stunned for a while, because the price was around 50$ just for a regular colored white-pink shaded orchid. My friend once told me not to buy orchids from superstores, she clearly told me to buy from local stores or from a nursery because the price is cheaper there according to the quality. And also, it's not necessary to buy an orchid with flowers, if I am lucky, next year I will get flowers on the same plant, she said. I instantly recalled her words and after seeing the price, I told to myself, enough. I am not that crazy enough to spend 50$ on an orchid that I can buy from a nursery spending around 20$.
I don't have any complaints about large stores because their marketing strategy and selling price is different besides they always purchase these plants from the nursery after all. Their business strategies and monopoly is different and they are doing competition with other stores after all. No matter how much beautiful these plants seem, they are comparatively much cheaper in a nursery or local store than the selling/asking price of big stores. Now, my second question was who actually purchase these plants? The answer is many people because these plants look gorgeous and they look good too as a centerpiece of the home.
I had checked the prices of other plants too, they were overpriced. From my understanding, various factors work behind the overpriced, that's why I personally think if it is possible we should buy from nurseries. Not only you are helping a small business but also you are getting fresh plants as well.
After my understanding, I started buying plants from the local stores or a nursery. I also wanted to help small businesses so it's a win-win situation. Recently, I have bought Anthurium for home and so far the plant is doing great.
I am not talking about the quality only, I am just describing the whole scenario.
What do you think about this topic? I might be wrong but I really wanna know your thoughts as well.
That's all for today, folks...
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