J. Berry Nursery—the folks behind the Hollywood Hibiscus line of tropical hibiscus—has entered into a collaboration with American Farms, a Florida-based producer of annuals, perennials and tropical flowering plants. In the agreement, American Farms will offer Hollywood Hibiscus liners through the broker network. The grower will begin with five varieties—Rico Suave, First to Arrive, Disco Diva, Heartbreaker and Leading Lady—and will broaden their offerings as they ramp up production of the line.

  

As you’re making your plans, you should know American Farms will be offering two liner sizes—a single-stuck 72-cell Preforma tray and a multi-stuck pinched quart which packs eight to a shuttle tray.

American Farms will be the third grower to have Hollywood Hibiscus in production, joining Vista Farms and Botany Lane Greenhouses.

Friend and tropical plant marketing guru Marta Maria Garcia of Nature’s Way in Miami couldn’t not write in to respond to an item I presented two editions ago on how to keep the momentum going for houseplant supply and demand. Here’s what she had to say:

“Houseplants have been a fantastic gateway product to introduce new consumers into our industry. Like any consumer brand, you recruit with product X and then the consumer graduates to the next product in the category you designate for them to move on to. I think we should all take a step back and say, ‘How can I reimagine my tropical shrubs, fruit/veggies, potted floral, annual, perennials, etc. and make this the next product for them to try?’ Reimagine the packaging, care information and usage. One thing our industry does not lack is depth of product offering. It is up to us to make this happen and get it in front of them. If the brand Cheetos reimagined itself with the spicy Flaming Cheetos, I’m sure we can spice up our different categories and get these plant parents to trade up to other plants.”

In a follow-up email, when I asked Marta Maria about how to find those next plants that will generate interest, she cautioned growers to “test and see what can be commercially grown successfully” and sold as plants that consumers can be successful growing. I’ve heard from more than one source that they’ve seen a lot of houseplants being sold just stuck in the pot and shipped without a chance to root. No roots = less of a chance for consumer success, right? It’s exciting to feel our products are in such demand now. Imagine how long you can keep this customer if they receive top-notch plants and are continuously successful with them all.

I thought for sure I asked y’all what your top “It” houseplant is for 2021. Looking back at the last Tropical Topics, I did no such thing!

But that oversight can be remedied. Here’s the lowdown: Green Profit’s December Style issue is well underway, and in it we are taking some educated guesses as to what 2021’s most in-demand houseplant will be—the one that will appear on Instagram 10 times a second, in the background of all the Zoom meetings, the plant all the customers will be asking for. That kind of popular.

In asking the readers of buZZ!, I have had several multi-nominated plants: any of the “strings of” plants (Ceropegia species and cultivars), dracaena as a “what’s old is new again” suggestion (three times!) and this beauty from my friend in the Hawaiian Islands, Ricard Criley:

That beauty is Ceropegia sandersoniae. Okay, that was nominated only once, but this plant makes you think that nature is pretty amazing, isn’t it?

So, what will it be? Weigh in with your “it” houseplant of 2021 HERE.

I know for sure that I did indeed inform you about the Tropical Plant International Expo’s intention to open registration “later in October.” And yes, TPIE registration is open. Just head over to www.tpie.org to register and find out about hotels. And don’t forget—the January 20-22, 2021 event is being held in Tampa, Florida, not Fort Lauderdale.

FNGLA’s Linda Adams tells me that their friends at the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) are once again helping with sessions at the Create Theater, all of which will center around “How to Design with Plants.” Each instructor will incorporate TPIE’s 2021 keywords–inspiring, exciting and essential. Those folks always do a great job.

Get excited to find some inspiration at TPIE this January. Attending is essential! Stay tuned for further educational session information in the coming weeks.

No, I’m not talking about the band Nine Inch Nails (founded in 1988, not 2005). I’m talking about the National Interiorscape Network, which is celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

Founded by Dick Ott, NIN is a partnership of entities with an interiorscaping focus—interiorscaping companies, building managers or allied suppliers et cetera—who believe in being better by working together. Sharing best practices, benchmarks and a boatload of resources can really benefit your business and grow your revenue along the way.

I think we all realize after going through the unfamiliar territory that is COVID-19, going through difficult times with partners will help you get to the other side. Professional networks such as NIN work. Find out more about them at www.interiorscapenetwork.com.