On The Ledge

I learn about the science of tissue culture and what it means for the houseplant industry with the help of Chris Reynolds, founder of tissue culture lab Seedless Labs. Plus I answer a question about an ivy and a Dracaena called Norman, and we hear from listener Karl. Full show notes: https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/10/23/episode-161-tissue-culture-explained Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Professor Nox Makunga of Stellenbosch University in South Africa joins me to explain the pigments that give houseplant leaves their colours, I answer a question about a 'Silver Ripple' Peperomia and we hear from listener Mia. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/10/16/episode-160-leaf-botany-part-four-pigments

Illustrator Katie Vaz talks to me about her new book My Life in Plants and I answer a question about plants for a south-facing window. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/10/7/episode-159 Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

It's the final part of my run-through of the various things you can use to make up your houseplant potting mixes, including perlite and vermiculite; plus I answer a question about a mixed planter. For the full show notes, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/10/2/episode-158-an-a-to-z-of-potting-mix-ingredients-part-three Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

In the second part of my potting mix ingredients A-Z I work through from C to L, plus I answer a question about watering citrus trees, and we hear from listener Theresa. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/9/25/episode-157-an-a-to-z-of-potting-mix-ingredients-part-two Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Find out about my crowdfunding appeal on Unbound for forthcoming book Legends of the Leaf: The story behind 25 iconic houseplants and the secrets to making them thrive. Pledge your support here: https://unbound.com/books/legends-of-the-leaf/ For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/legendsbook Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

I am joined by fellow houseplant expert Mr Houseplant, aka Vladan Nikolic, to discuss the ingredients that go into your plants' pots, plus I answer a question about finding name-appropriate houseplant gifts. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/9/18/episode-156-potting-mix-ingredients-an-a-to-z-part-one

It's time to answer some listener questions! Distorted Monstera leaves, watering techniques and black pepper plants all come under scrutiny in this Q&A special. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/9/11/episode-155-your-listener-questions

Prices for so-called unicorn plants have gone sky high as the houseplant trend continues to explode, but this week I am asking: is any plant really worth that much? Plus I answer a listener question about marks on a moon cactus and we hear from listener Basma. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/9/4/episode-154-the-price-of-rare-plants Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Organic grower Claire Ratinon joins me to talk about her new book, How To Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving The House and racism in horticulture, and I answer a question about a jade plant with tiny leaves. Please note, this episode includes swear words. For the full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/8/27/episode-153

This week I find out what silicon does for plants, answer a couple of questions about brown spots on leaves, and we hear from listener MV. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/8/21/episode-152-leaf-botany-part-three-silicon Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Warning, this episode is seriously relaxing! I read from a Victorian book on indoor gardening that should provide the perfect aural backdrop to a chill-out session, some plant care or even an afternoon nap. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/8/9/episode-151-the-relaxation-episode Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

In this milestone 150th episode, I lay out my manifesto for On The Ledge and answer a question about growing tomatoes, plus we meet listener Lydia and look back at some highlights from the last 50 episodes. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/7/19/episode-150-the-on-the-ledge-manifesto Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

I find out how you could become the guardian of a major houseplant genus, and answer a listener question about making terrariums. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/7/16/episode-149-terrarium-tips-and-national-collections

Guttation and CAM (aka Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) are central processes for many of our houseplants, but what do they involve? Terrestrial ecologist Dr Polly Schiffman explains all (and we find out which is her favourite!) Plus I answer a question about a lanky Pilea and we hear from Joe from Texas in Meet the Listener. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/7/9/episode-148-guttation-cam

If you've ever been flummoxed by a houseplant that came with a label marked simply 'foliage', this episode will help you start to figure out the name of your new addition. Plant expert Jaco Nel of app SmartPlant joins me to explain the clues he looks for when trying to name plants, and attempts a live plant identification. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/7/3/episode-147-identifying-houseplants Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

When it's unusually hot, you may feel the strain: your houseplants can struggle too. I offer up some tips to help your plants cope with a heatwave, and Doug Chamberlain of Vermont Hoyas joins me to answer a listener question. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/6/26/episode-146-houseplants-heatwave-hoyas

Tyler Thrasher is the host of podcast Greenhouse Rants and a brilliant polymath who breeds succulents, has designed and crowdfunded his own plant journal and much, much more. He joins me to talk about why he loves creating Crassula hybrids, racism and the plant community, and why some of the best plant info is not found on the internet! For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/6/19/episode-145-tyler-thrasher

If you enjoy a blast from the past, you'll like this week's profiled plants: three species that were once ubiquitous but have been inexplicably ignored in the current houseplant revolution: the piggyback plant, Swedish ivy and Pilea 'Moon Valley'. And I answer a question about an unusual potential source of water for bromeliads. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/6/5/underrated-houseplants Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder your copy of my forthcoming book Legends of the Leaf now! https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Mealybugs are one of the most common and hard-to-treat pests you'll encounter as a houseplant grower, so it's high time we devoted a whole episode to these furry terrors! I interview entomologist Dr Raymond Cloyd to find out what they are and how to get rid of them. Plus, I answer a question about a droopy Calathea. For full show notes, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/6/2/episode-143-mealybugs Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Ever wondered why the leaves of your houseplants are different in shape? Professor Enrico Coen of the John Innes Centre joins to me to explain. I co-opt Stephen of the Plant Daddy podcast to help me answer a question about a Nepenthes, and we meet listener Mikaela. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/29/episode-142-leaf-botany-part-one-shape Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my new email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Preorder Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants https://is.gd/KLhwKK Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Alice Vincent (@noughticulture on Instagram) joins me to talk about two new planty projects: her book Rootbound, and an audio guide to sowing seeds - both perfect lockdown reading and listening material. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/22/episode-141-alice-vincent Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

In the final instalment of Diva Week Mireia of Instagram account @borngardening joins me to discuss Alocasia 'Polly'. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/15/episode-140-diva-week Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Today's diva plant is Begonia maculata 'Wightii', the polka dot begonia: Daniel Minton of Instagram account @minstera_ offers up some expert care tips on how to keep it looking lush. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/15/episode-140-diva-week Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Maidenhair fern, from the genus Adiantum, are some of the biggest divas of the houseplant world. Matthew from Plant Daddy Podcast joins me to find out how to get your plants looking good. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/15/episode-140-diva-week Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

It's Diva Week! I'm bringing you expert advice on how to care for five demanding houseplants, broken down into bite-sized episodes every weekday. Today: begonia vine aka Cissus discolor, with care tips from horticulturist Leslie Halleck. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/15/episode-140-diva-week Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

It's Diva Week! I'm bringing you expert advice on how to care for five demanding houseplants, broken down into bite-sized episodes every weekday. First up: Ficus lyrata, the fiddle leaf fig, with care tips from expert grower @planttrekker. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/15/episode-140-diva-week Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Want to know more about On The Ledge mascot Wolfie? Your wait is over. Plus I chat to orchid expert Dr Manos Kanellos to answer a Dendrobium question, we hear form listener Gabby and you can hear me pottering in my shed in a new soundscape. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/wolfie Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

I talk to Philip Oostenbrink about his National Collection of Aspidistra cultivars and answer a question about watering snake plants, and we hear from listener Roos. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/5/1/episode-138-aspidistras Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

I chat to fellow houseplant podcaster Maria Failla about life under lockdown in New York and how her podcast Bloom & Grow Radio began, plus I answer a question about the begonia vine, Cissus discolor. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/4/24/episode-137-maria-failla-bloom-and-grow-radio Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

I answer a question about buying houseplants from big box stores, we meet listener Lynne and we hear a song about plants from Mark Truesdell. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/4/22/midweek-bonus-5-i-love-my-plants Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants http://legendsoftheleafbook.com Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/house... Join in #HouseplantHour on Twitter every Tuesday 9pm UK time (4pm ET): https://twitter.com/houseplanthour

Steve Hickman joins me to talk about a flowering houseplant that deserves more attention: Clivia miniata. And in Meet The Listener, we hear from Rose. For full show notes visit www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/2020/4/17/episode-136-clivias