Are We All SMUGGLING RARE PLANTS?

Are We All SMUGGLING RARE PLANTS? - Ep. 237

Рет қаралды 67,390

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 278

@dandavidvalecruz7269 3 жыл бұрын

This is a timely topic. Thank you very much for highlighting this issue. Our country, the Philippines, is highly vulnerable to plant smuggling from Hoyas to Aroids to Orchids. I really hope it changes the perspective especially to those collectors who use plants as status symbol.

@ao188 3 жыл бұрын

not just those but also other genera most likely carnivorous types

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

C...☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️

@namyism 3 жыл бұрын

This was so needed ..every other video is a rare plant haul these days..

@superhap 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, like showing off all the rare plant just for instant gratification or social likes.

@MissOrchidGirl 3 жыл бұрын

Great topic to address, very happy to see people with large platforms put out educated, mature and responsable content, rather than.. well you know 😋 I'm not surprised to see this topic from you, but it doesn't take away any of the joy! Great job! 👍🧡

@riawhetstone3725 3 жыл бұрын

Love your channel! Glad to see you’re a subscriber as well 😊

@imberrysandy 3 жыл бұрын

Yay!! My two favorite mom plant youtubers!! ❤

@alejandraponce6214 3 жыл бұрын

I think, you and Summer are both very mature and educated on the topics you guys touch. That’s why we like both of you! ☺️

@pleek5504 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you summer for bringing up this topic. Here in Philippines, many plants like alocasias, hoyas, native orchids and Nepenthes are poached from the mountains and sold on Facebook. Many people here disregard the importance of leaving native flora alone, and overlook the fact that they are important for the ecosystem and not mere ornaments

@beccogiallo 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad that all I want and all I can get locally are the most common and easiest to take care of.

@kchoik2738 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! The fact that the Asian market plays a big role in illegal trades doesn't surprise me at all. I'm a student from Hong Kong and living in Taiwan. I've started to develop my enthusiasm for succulents and cacti since a year ago. Yeah, as a collector, I'm trying to collect as much species of cacti as I can. But I never buy rare and expensive plants because I read about the smuggling problem which has been informed by the western societies. However, most of the houseplants growers in Taiwan and Hong Kong don't care about it. They are trying to buy the rarest and trendiest plants shown on the social media. We can't underestimate the influences made by the social media. People never wonder where these rare and beautiful plants are from. They simply wanna own them and take pictures to show off to the online community. I had talked to one of the experienced sellers regarding the smuggling problem. He is a huge influencer here in Taiwan. His response was so heartbreaking. He simply doesn't care at all. He thinks that human beings have been doing bad things to the nature and this will never stop in the future. So why care about conservation? This is a devastating statement. And I've noticed that sometimes houseplants growers, especially the new ones, are so much influenced by trend. Some fashion idols in Japan keep rare and endangered caudex plants, for example Pachypodium gracilius. And people simply follow them and start buying these plants. We all know these plants are all smuggled or they had been grown in nurseries for years, which is unlikely to happen because the trend hadn't started at that time. Every houseplants lovers should be alert to the smuggling problem. If we are true plants lovers, we love the nature. If we only love the plants but not the nature, we are just some selfish thefts stealing from the nature.

@Lvnature_ 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the topic.Big help for mother nature❤

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

🎉☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@@Lvnature_ ☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️

@oishd6077 3 жыл бұрын

Totally love this video! The rare plant hype is real and it's a scar in thid beautiful gardening community. Recently on reddit , someone purchased monstera dubia for 2 dollars from a local seller that didn't know "what it is worth" and there was a comment saying "Maybe you should buy some more from there and resell them on FB to make a good buck" Like, seriously?? Why wouldn't you want everyone enjoy things in a more attainable reach. I absolutely hate the "rare plant influencers" that hype up some plants beyond the average person's reach. I am currently reading Carlos Magdalena's The Plant Messiah. It's a beautiful book on plant conservation...and it's so interesting. You should definitely look into that book! Kudos for putting out this video!

@jonesie8377 3 жыл бұрын

I know you left it for Summer, but I’m totally gonna check out that book 😊

@oishd6077 3 жыл бұрын

@@jonesie8377 it'd be my absolute honour that i could make another person read that terrific book. It's packed with information about how this man, Carlos Magdalena , saved some of the most rarest plants from absolute extinction. Plants like Ramosmania rodriguessi, only one specimen was left of it. Nymphae thermarum , the world's smallest waterlily, no one could save it from extinction by growing it from seeds for decades , he with his "Plant Messiah" powers was able to do it with the last 5 seeds of that species available on earth. He saved some real rare and endangered plants,not influencer hyped stuff. I hope you enjoy it! 💚 (And sorry for the rant.. i get too excited about plants 🤣)

@ludovicabattista3448 2 жыл бұрын

@Oish Poish I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. I WANT TO THANK YOU, you gave me inspiration to find this book and reach out to mr Magdalena for my research. Also, I am looking out for people who have direct experience with this, my research really relies on personal stories of being at contact with these issues in order to get substantial and effective. Would you want to answer some questions about rare plants hype or you plant experiences reach out to me :)

@oishd6077 2 жыл бұрын

@@ludovicabattista3448 wow your topic is quite interesting 🥺 I am really glad i could help a stranger on the internet. 💚

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

☮️💞🕊️🌍♻️🌱🌱💫Unexposed to plant production science and structure of ecosystem. They become predators .... Rather than producers and wardens convenient and rewarding learning how to produce and preserve plants and be rewarded in every possible fashion.....,.🌍♻️🌱🌳🌱🌲🌏👁️👁️☮️

@axeperienz1048 3 жыл бұрын

i felt bad and guilty 😔 this will change my perspective as a buyer and plant lover ... thank you for this video 🙏🏻

@rodolfopierre2129 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t think you should feel bad, these plants are already illegally poached, what’s better not to buy them and let them die, I think it’s better just to educate people and try to stop the poaching but if they are being sold buy them take care of them and love them

@ludovicabattista3448 2 жыл бұрын

Hi @AXE! I am a post-grad student doing a research-based project about houseplants/humans relationships, connection to and objectification of nature, and I am presently focusing on the political and ecological implications of plant trades. Since the final goal of my research is, among other things, to outline various tools to raise awareness about this and make people connect more consciously with plants, I'D BE DELIGHTED to have a chance to ask you few questions about what exactly in this video made you feel like that! (also, personal comment: don't feel bad, it's not about you, it's about society as a whole)

@Karincl7 2 жыл бұрын

@@rodolfopierre2129 no if you buy them you maintain the market

@katherineforsythe4598 3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou for addressing this issue. As somone who works in succulent conservation, it's heartbreaking to see what's happening on the ground.

@vkklynn88 3 жыл бұрын

I’m so grateful for you shining a light on this and using your voice to educate those who need to hear it!! 💜🪴😘

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@tzeyuan4398 3 жыл бұрын

Its sad to say that some are even proud to showcase their stolen plant from the forest. Im from Malaysia, a country with very rich flora fauna diversity. Im in a facebook group named 'Begonia Malaysia' and came across a post asking for the species of begonia that the person has just got his hand on it. I noticed the background is in the forest thus i asked him if it was from the forest and he admitted it. After that, i gave him some advise and he was like ok. After awhile, i still see him with more post of diff begonias.... Thats just so sad

@marigonzalez8344 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing rare plant conservation awareness to the forefront. Instead of contributing to their demise, hopefully sellers and suppliers will stop taking advantage and be part of the solution.

@Jackalope6768 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for addressing this, Summer. We need more depth of thought and consideration of the effects of our actions like this in the plant community.

@user-ge6ku3kv7t 3 жыл бұрын

I found out something was growing local to me and I thought about trying to find and collect it. This video really opened my eyes to why that's wrong, I was able to find the plant through my botanical gardens. I'll still go and see if I can photograph them but, leave them alone. I'll definitely put my money into conservation of the plants I love that are endangered or hard to find and being poached instead of trying to buy them.

@Rodrok 3 жыл бұрын

Very thankful for the peace of mind and support I have found in plantcare and the plant community during this pandemic era.

@karmagallery9922 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I live in HK and I believe many of us may not even aware of the illegal import plants. We just grab what we find in the flower market and I noticed there are shops selling more import plants then there were quite some years ago.

@Truthseeker-kc8rd 3 жыл бұрын

I really noticed a surge in the availability of rare plants online these days,especially aroids .people are gettingin to flaunting mindset just like they do with furniture.This video explains everything .you really enlighten people through your content.Respect 💚

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@veronicaalejandra20 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this video! Watching this made me emotional because this is such an important topic to make people aware of, thanks again!

@Izsmelfie 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the awareness on this topic. Now I know to be careful when I go to buy a plant.

@miracudrag 3 жыл бұрын

I've never done rare plants, I'm just not into that kind of ego. Also thrilled not to hear of peperomias on the list of smuggled plants, they're my favourites.

@s.w2934 3 жыл бұрын

My favorites are also peperomias

@mayraocampo7770 3 жыл бұрын

What a timely and conscientious episode. And just the eye-opening nudge we need in order to take action. Thanks so much Summer.

@m11nt 3 жыл бұрын

This is the reason why I don't buy "exotic" plants.

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@Stumpybear7640 3 жыл бұрын

The rare houseplant craze must stop. It's insane. People in poorer countries cant b blamed for seeing an earning opportunity and trying to carve out a living. Could the poorer poachers not b supported to set up a nursery under the appropriate tuition to raise and sell indigenous plants? Xxx

@dt4676 3 жыл бұрын

The third world has to be blamed, they can't be completely alleviated of responsibility

@viiiderekae 3 жыл бұрын

Ahh there was a video about the extinction of Nepenthes species from smuggling and poaching in South east asia by redfern natural history. This is good of you to also talk about this issue :)

@laurenervin1404 3 жыл бұрын

What an important video! I really hope this inspires other shops and content creators to do the same! This was SO eye opening, and I now at least know what questions to ask when purchasing the plants I love so much! THANK YOU❤🌿🌞

@saraj3206 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for addressing this topic. Classy and full of integrity as always 👏

@Lvnature_ 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the topic about rare plants.Big help to all of us👍

@minicat3640 3 жыл бұрын

My vice is orchids. I only buy from sellers I know, that are mostly growing seedlings. At least when it's a seedling, I know that plant wasn't wild. You can usually tell if an orchid is wild collected, because it will be totally beat up.

@danielawilliam 3 жыл бұрын

I remember the case of the italian raid with chilean cactus. The guy had been in the Atacama and north region of Chile like 7 times in 18 months, and he was only caught on the last trip. So is horrible to imagine just how many species he was able to smuggle before getting caught

@mounag8518 3 жыл бұрын

What a piece of S*** . They should've fine him heavy and use the money to bring back the plants to Chilie

@karenjeansantos 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this.. i have 1 rare plant and thats going to be my last.. this is a gentle reminder for me.. thank you! I have always loved common plants 🥰

@goodpeople5676 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best video on plants....and your best informative video of your channel. I am with your channel for last 2 yrs. And I am proud to be . Enjoy tour work.I appreciate your views. With Love from SAM Guwahati Assam INDIA

@rheashumblesanctuary9976 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you summer for this very informative plant issues and awareness of protecting endangered plants.

@vannee2426 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this♥️♥️our community is love I know we would not want to be a part of this. Once again thank you for letting us know.

@Yoliplanting 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Summer for tackling this topic.

@thunder402 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for bring this to light for everyone.

@myapopova 3 жыл бұрын

Here in Toronto every other convenience store sells plants. I have seen them sell various succulents that I am pretty sure are endangered in the wild but since they do not provide a species name it is difficult to look into it. The store owners themselves don't know much, they just sell the plants... unless the plants perish first :(

@KC-gj4bi 2 жыл бұрын

One of the most important information in video in this time ! Thank you ! Slowly I am hearing more on this topic, which is so vitally important for our ecosystem for life on our planet 🌍

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@rfire25 3 жыл бұрын

So glad you covered this 👏🌿

@WanderingNoldo 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for covering this very important and complex topic

@gregorybenesisto3172 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you summer. This is very informative and very timely...

@gemgen101 2 жыл бұрын

It’d b nice to know which ones are “hot” but really because they’re rare for a reason so lovers can avoid falling into that trap. I love this channel! Took environment science in school so this has been in my mind lately. Keep up all the great work!

@blasthp3182 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this topic Ms. Summer

@akia_lani8661 3 жыл бұрын

This is such a valuable video, I really hope this can be seen by as many people as possible

@ichimelody88 3 жыл бұрын

Summer I'm totally agree with you! I've been cautious about the indoor plant I bought and I actually just buy something easy to find rather than rare plants..such as pothos, philodendron, dracaena or typical succulent. I also make sure that these plants are not being grown at land so it won't disturb native plants and soil.

@KoushanjoonAshia Ай бұрын

@jonesie8377 3 жыл бұрын

I had no idea! Thank you so much for this!

@shreyas.loves.plants 3 жыл бұрын

thank u sm for highlighting this !! rare species are rare because their habitats are threatened.

@innershifttv 3 жыл бұрын

Of course the root issue of smuggling is economic. Ensuring that money is flowing into the areas of endangered species. Pay people to repopulate plants in the wild rather than smuggle them.

@ilariaz.143 3 жыл бұрын

Awareness, what a beautiful word. Thanks summer 😊

@larab5214 2 жыл бұрын

Summer- Do you have a list or reputable organizations ppl can donate to to help? I used to work in tropical plant sales in the 90's and Im amazed at the huge variety of plants available today and have thought of this issue often

@gudrunorca 3 жыл бұрын

This 👏 needs 👏 to 👏 be 👏 heard! 👏

@mommawildflower957 2 жыл бұрын

I so thankful for this video ❤

@coyotedreams3902 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Thank you for this video.

@lunathebulldogtran7385 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, I just found you’re channel, I love your apartment tour you did and showed your kitchen lol . It really shows your love for plants! I just started my own indoor garden. My friends taught me about propagation and now I’m going crazy collecting clippings from friends and growing them out! Anyways I love all the videos your share! It’s very nice to see other people’s gardens and than take ideas from them! Too bad you weren’t in Toronto I’d help you build some more shelving for your plants throughout your apartment! I love recycling material and turning them into things for my plants!

@ernestabark 3 жыл бұрын

Thank You, Summer! Thank You a lot!!!!

@JMarieLifestyle 3 жыл бұрын

Such an important topic, thank you so much for sharing this information with us. I do believe, like many instances, marketing trends play a huge role in consumer buying and consumer interest in certain products. The more popular or trending the product, the more people want it and the more difficult the plant for example is to get, the more people feel they need to have that plant, thus, the influx of sellers finding new ways to get those rare or popular plants to the market. That instant gratification (which is so much how our fast paced world works now) you brought up is definitely a great point. It is so important to educate the public about this topic more and make this an ongoing conversation to help combat this serious problem.

@superhap 2 жыл бұрын

people should be informed about this.

@vivianepassos4645 3 жыл бұрын

Very important topic! Thanks for sharing

@scotiawillow 3 жыл бұрын

Speaking of stolen plants, I recall a few years ago, early in the morning, a couple driving very slowly in their vehicle, dashing out frequently, grabbing plants/planters off of people's front steps and putting them in their car! I called police and gave them the particulars! My guess is that they might of had a store and wanted to sell them in their shop! Disgusting!

@plantbased_plantamazed 3 жыл бұрын

You are such a beautiful human being, Summer. Inside and out ♥️

@katherineforsythe4598 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! As someone working on this issue, it's so important to spread this information.

@burstallpass4394 3 жыл бұрын

This is an old problem going back to the Victorian era. Appealing to individual's behaviour's of lust, greed and possession will do very little. Canada has very strict controls regarding the import/export of plant material. I am aware the U.S is very lax in these controls. Lobbying your Gvt. may be another route to take.

@SonnyZia 3 жыл бұрын

Its simple: Promote more local plants. They are much easier to take care beacuse they literally belong there :)

@tie-dye-cacti 3 жыл бұрын

If by local you mean native, I agree that's best for gardens and bonsai, but this is a houseplant channel and its pretty hard to grow native plants indoors unless you live in the tropics.

@BeaLovesU27 3 жыл бұрын

This is why I refuse to buy air plants. Especially since I live in fl where they're being stolen.

@fredtodhunter2643 2 жыл бұрын

There should be a 5% plant preservation tax on all plant sales

@karlwhalls2915 3 жыл бұрын

All the patented cultivars being sold online without propagation rights is also gonna come down hard on sellers soon.

@tanyal7122 3 жыл бұрын

Oh Summer this was so informative! Thank you❤

@Milquetoast702 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this Summer

@carolinasantos120 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks! I only ever thought about plants that would do well in my home charakteristics… so, what is a no go in therms of buying?

@romitpatel8262 2 жыл бұрын

So how did these old European and American Botanical gardens and green houses collected the Rare plants in the first place?

@stardoll1995 3 жыл бұрын

Local plants are great because of this. 😊

@pooja3295 3 жыл бұрын

Smuggling plants ?? Wow we humans smuggle and poach absolutely anything huh. I thought plants are developed through tissue culture or something.. :/

@cherylyeo25 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Summer yes indeed! Its definitely supply / demand and human greed. Very timely as there are articles about plant / houseplants / green collections being the next 'it' w rare plant(s) sold for USD20k - 50k. And that 2/3 sec of instagram / social media fame ... and then what?!! lets not put plants / nature into that category ... would be most sad that ... after all this hype and we see plants being ditch / abandon .. for the another 'it'

@littleminna 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you covered this topic. It's crazy how this thing about getting rare plants has become such a hype, I think the influencers have something to do with it. Personally I admire the beauty in rare plants, to look at in videos or pictures but I am not buying outrageously expensive plants. It's crazy! Who can afford that? Not me anyway. However you are right about the "plant anxiety " thing you said in the beginning. I do recognize myself in that. I never had anything else but orchids because any other plant in my hands died. Until last year Covid I decided to research on caring for plants. Started with a few but as that went well started buying more plants, it's an addiction. 😂 My husband says enough plants now. 😂 I really don't have that many, and I only buy affordable plants you can get in the local gardening shop. But yeah can't help wanting more. LOL.

@littleminna 3 жыл бұрын

Regarding the illegally obtaining of plants I have a true story for you. My cousin who lives in Costa Rica found a small orchid lying on the street in the area she lives. She picked it up and sent me a picture. I told her it looks like an Oncidium orchid (I know some about orchids as I have had quite some of them, though I only get the hybrid kinds from the store). Anyway it was a really small structure of two bulbs I think, I told her that won't survive like that it needs bark or something. Anyway my cousin said that it is a bit of common knowledge there that certain young guys, drug addicts, go out into the forest to get these rare plants and sell them so they can buy drugs for it. I was horrified!!! 😱That's terrible. Poor plants. 😭

@pungkynandapratama3390 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for raise awareness about that I'm living in Sumatra where tons of species growing happily in the wild here but because international demands make the wild plants wipe out quickly in the wild. Sadly Aglaonema tricolour one of the example they're extinct in the wild because so difficult to see them in the wild now, the other species is Alocasia dragon scale that wipe out from the wild. People poached in the Protected area because increase demands from outside country and because of lack of knowledge people just take it and take it alot from the wild Plant mafia buy from local people very cheap and sell to other countries with skyrocket prices, lots of people don't know about the plant Please take responsibility when you want to buy plants especially in SE Asia and you need make sure the plant that you have from legal breeding or registered nursery Don't contribute to local extinction with buy plant from black market or someone who don't care about plant conservation. We can help nature in small way with take responsibility and questioning ourselves "where your come from? When you love plants you'll love plant in whole way and would protect them not only on your house but in their habitat

@marygorchidsmore2058 3 жыл бұрын

So sad to know these facts! Thanks ever so much to share these information with us! I hope people who do these shamefully actions, put away their greed and think of their wrong doing before these lovely species go instinct! Very sad!,,

@moriahmaR 2 жыл бұрын

Well needed content

@kaki572 3 жыл бұрын

This is such important information. I also worry about our houseplants being planted in the ground where they have the potential to become invasive. Can you include the link for the IUCN Red List? Thank you for doing this!

@aspirativemusicproduction2135 Жыл бұрын

Almost every plant influencer talks about imported plants. I've been buying my plants in big box stores and big nursery. I have few hard to find plants from places like Walmart of all places. At least they were mass produced at some point. Online shopping makes it easy for some people to shop for rare plants. And I don't know what's the solution. People will not be able to easily verify the origin of a plant and if it was produced in a nursery and I don't know if they care. I am not saying everyone should buy Golden pothos and call it the day but people should become aware some plant shop out there may not grow all their plants from cuttings since the demand has increased and selling a plant for attractive price may be very appealing I don't know how we can stop that.

@weareparamore1597 3 жыл бұрын

In philippines, plant smuggling skyrocketed during pandemic while the plant hype is happening. Mostly in provinces jungle

@JyotirmoyDas 3 жыл бұрын

One thing we can do as Plant Enthusiasts is not always seek out the rarest of the plants from online sellers. It is difficult to know the source of plants, from where it is collected. If it's a new and rare plant just resist yourself and wait till they are grown in abundance by your local nurseries.

@mysterious7215 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this wonderful video

@jonirojonironin5353 3 жыл бұрын

Almost all of my plants are rare/exotic since I only grow caudiciforms. But they're all seedlings and most of them are still very small like my Pachypodium namaquanum and enigmaticum :D

@davidguerrero5753 3 жыл бұрын

Loved loved loved this video!

@godsrabbit9452 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video.

@dumuzidtherisingphoenix 3 жыл бұрын

when the industry enter the chat... license,certificate,patent(will you only buy hybrid?)

@botanyboy5454 3 жыл бұрын

Good topic for timeliness ! 👏

@richardleesl 2 жыл бұрын

It is great for America to have a license when it comes to nurseries. But it is non-existence in most countries out there. How can most people tell if the plants sold are not harvested from the wild? I still think to stop the crazy rare plant craze, is to stop this horrible habit of buying rare all the time. There are so many plants out there, why choose something which will affect the environment and the plant extinction.

@sannevanbeers Жыл бұрын

But what about the main stream plant stores in Europe (I live in the Netherlands) that sell rare plants?? Because they surely have a licence but I’m seeing more and more rare plants becoming main stream or just popping up for about a month and sold really cheap. I’m so confused, are those plants also poached or endangered and smuggled, how can I ever know if the plant I buy is not somehow originally poached?😢

@vlong7112 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this 🙌🏽

@roselynmvm 3 жыл бұрын

Great topic. Bringing awareness with a larger platform is something very important. Many of us don’t know much and don’t understand the magnitude of the problem and how it’s spreading to all levels in the industry. Big thank you, Summer. I do have some questions though. When you asked what happened to the plants that are confiscated from smugglers, the response was the plants are brought to botanical and conservation centers, but, why are those plants not returned to their natural habitats? And why is it ok to keep them for research and “environmental protection” but not returned? Whoever buys the plants from smuggling would probably also let them survive. I feel like when you asked those questions you got a little bit of a dodge response from that lady. Why is it ok for these organizations to keep this plants to display to the public, potentially also make money with them, but not for the smugglers? It almost sounds to me like “switching of hands”, rather than doing the right thing. The plants should be returned to the natural habitats regardless of potential for smuggling again, or one kept for research and reproduction to make it a more common plant and save it from being too “rare”. No one should keep the majority of the stolen plants other than the original habitat where they were taken from. It seems wrong to me.

@LulaMae21 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know for sure about plants, but with corals and dart frogs, there is concern that they have been exposed to pests and pathogens in captivity which do not exist in their native habitats, and that they could expose other native species to these pests and pathogens, and cause a negative impact on their environment.

@roselynmvm 3 жыл бұрын

@@LulaMae21 that absolutely makes sense for coral and animals. But I’m not sure that plants have those issues, at least not to the same extent. Plants can be treated for any pests or bacteria (e.g. using a bit of hydrogen peroxide when watering them) so they won’t necessarily bring foreign pathogens to their original habitat. I don’t know but it seemed wishy washy to me that these organizations get to keep most of these stolen plants. It’s almost like a “legal” way of smuggling. It reminds me of the issue with stolen ancient indigenous artifacts, were museums are allowed in present time to hold these artifacts with the excuse to show to new generations, and with the excuse they can “take care of them properly “, instead of returning them to indigenous tribes and original owners. I understand the conservationist aspect of it, but they don’t need to keep most of confiscated plants out there. They should be investing in programs to repatriate these specimens to their original habitats, and we heard zero about it from the people been interviewed in this video. I would not be surprised at all if they’re withholding these plants as an attraction to make money in their show rooms 😒

@LulaMae21 3 жыл бұрын

@@roselynmvm There may be pathogens (viruses, fungi, etc.) for which there is no treatment. There may be no local laws to protect the specimens, so that being put back into their natural habitat means they'll just get swiped and sold again. Their natural habitat could be getting destroyed. There may be laws that make it difficult to just throw them back in their native habitat. I can envision any number of scenarios that would make it difficult to bring them back to their native habitat. You don't even know if these botanical gardens are even displaying them, or if they're being kept back in areas not open to the public. Just because something "seems" a certain way to you doesn't mean it's anywhere close to the truth, and lobbing accusations at organizations working to fight smuggling is rather unkind.

@roselynmvm 3 жыл бұрын

@@LulaMae21 rude much??! that woman SAID they’re not returning any plants and they’re showing them as rare specimens. And you’re the one assuming A LOT. Not all habitats were these plants come from are being destroyed, and putting them back doesn’t mean necessarily they would be stolen again, specially if authorities are being alerted. I’m actually from where many of these plants are being stolen from, and have lived near other areas with the same problem, and the forestry police is heavily involved in securing areas that are susceptible to smuggling. It’s just all bullshit excuses. Stealing is stealing, regardless of any “pathogens” 🙄

@LulaMae21 3 жыл бұрын

@@roselynmvm The organizations taking in smuggled plants are not the ones stealing them, and you cannot reasonably accuse me of "assuming A LOT" when you're basically accusing these groups of colonialism and nefarious intentions. That's much ruder than anything I said. Not sure where you supposedly live, but plants are being stolen from the wild even in national parks in the US, so it's not just a problem where you live, it's a global problem. I also never claimed the "excuses," as you so derisively call them, are definitely the reason the plants aren't being returned. I said I could imagine a number of scenarios why they MIGHT not be able to be returned. Habitat loss is occurring in a number of areas where endangered plants and animals come from, which you'd know if you actually live there, and pathogens and pests are a real concern for actual scientists and environmentalists.

@blakewilding8699 3 жыл бұрын

Glad this video was made

@onetwocue 3 жыл бұрын

What about the plants from Thailand on ebay being sold to USA buyers, how does that work?

@ladystardust9707 3 жыл бұрын

This is terrible. Not only are these people poaching and smuggling plants, they're preying on innocent people that may not know any better. I own two "rare" plants. I made sure I got them from reputable sellers, and engaged in a dialogue to learn the plant's origins, if it was endangered, etc. I personally refuse to import a plant from another country, as I feel that there is too much potential for something bad to happen. There's a special place for people who intentionally disturb nature, for the sake of profit alone.

@Banano91f 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing 😊

@emilyplantsmusic 3 жыл бұрын

YESSSSSSS THIS IS MUCH NEEDED 💚 🙏

@Roses6858 2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to get some rare plants and maybe see if there is any where I Australia can send them off to, to see if they can be bred to produce more of them and see if they could possibly be repopulated. Maybe they will be returned to protected areas. This may sound selfish but I love plants so it disappointing seeing influencers show off and not really take care of so I'd love to take care of one and see if some lab or something that will breed and maybe re habit them to safer environment. Though I'm talking about ones that aren't sold in suspicious websites, but I'm guessing they will be only sold to suspicious websites

@schoolinJOO 2 жыл бұрын

it was shocking when i heard about the spiritus de sancti; i told my dad about it, an arborist and landscaper- he was shocked, as was i - i hate to say i don’t want to act as a consumer to those who deserve my patronage but, yeah, i am - sorry

@sobreezymimi7622 3 жыл бұрын

Gosh Summer What's up we missed you!

@janecurtis5726 3 жыл бұрын

Great topic!

@sjain8111 3 жыл бұрын

unfortunately the desire to collect is causing a great deal of harm; the natural world is suffering from the gathering of plant and wildlife species - legally gathered plants inevitably fuels the desire for illegal collecting. There is no good solution when we place a monetary value on life