Nong Nooch: The World's Wildest Botanic Garden - Plant One On Me - Ep. 144

In a world that is sometimes too reserved to move away from tradition, it can be refreshing when someone takes a chance to break away from the norm. Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens in Thailand is one such example. Instead of doing what every other botanic garden does, they have set out to do something different-and it seems to be paying off!
In this initial episode, I take a tour of the epic gardens of Nong Nooch to explore not only their grounds-but their philosophy on plant conservation.
Stay tuned here because there will be more tours of the gardens coming in subsequent episodes.
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"Plant One On Me" is a channel produced by Summer Rayne Oakes of Homestead Brooklyn that is primarily focused on houseplants and outdoor gardening. Our mission with the channel is to bring people closer to plants by bringing plants closer to them through engaging, entertaining, and educational content.
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[@kathymacomber4502]

I was a naturalist in a state park and inner city kids were afraid of the forested areas- what a wonderful place for children to fall in love with nature.That man is amazing

[@HisameArtwork]

yeah, most kids and men hate gardens or are bored of them, this is a good way to "trick" them into seeing some greenery. though makes me curious why it's always women that are more interested in gardens, is it just a social thing like cooking and child rearing?

[@kathymacomber5115]

I think more men are getting interested in gardening and plants..and what a fabulous place that is.please stay safe.

[@mikehunt4986]

@@HisameArtwork Yes, that's exactly what it is, just like men tend to be more interested in sports and action movies. Of course you're not supposed to say those things in these overly-sensitive politically correct times we are living in but it is the truth.

[@suburbanhomestead]

This made me reflect how we have a tendency to value things only when we lose them. If we stop to think about it, endangered rhinos and elephants are as exciting as dinossaurs. Yet here we are idolizing what’s gone while displacing and destroying the living beauty around us.

[@theresafleetwood4962]

Wow so glad someone else feels this way. We keep pushing to investigate space when we haven't even scratched the surface of our own world. Sad. Always too little to late like our attitude to global warming. 👍

[@summerrayneoakes]

I think that's so well stated Siloé. Humans in general, are such reactive beasts. I always think of Baba Dioum's quote of "we only conserve what we love, we only love what we understand...." that I used his full quote in the extinction film I produced many, many moons ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/anrbd4R9p99_atk. What I appreciated about his view is that he recognized that he has a role in plant conservation, but it's only going to work if he can appeal to his customers to make ends meet and he's not afraid to try something different....car"gardens", and largescale replicas of animals, etc. There is SO MUCH we're losing on a daily basis, it can be debilitating to even think about it, let alone comprehend it. I'll be curious to hear also what you think of the research and conservation collections they have ....but that's in the upcoming episodes... Hope you are well! Great to hear from you here.

[@mercerlewis7252]

Suburban homestead! Elephants Rhinos. Is it in these viewers hands? These visitors of gardens? We are visitors and viewers, not speakers, not ambassadors. We have few followers, just our family and few friends. Trust though,! They love plants and animals, and statues of the past. It's what makes them, its what's makes me. Show me! We're all here together.

[@mercerlewis7252]

Summer, you left out a key note in your reply and quote "we will only understand what we are taught." Naked or not nature will not die. Humans are not nature. I am 29. By the time I'm one hundred, 30, 80, or 50 I'll either be here or I won't. That can be said for every human, or every plant or animal species, or the human species' as a whole. Nature though, is dirt and beyond. As and ambassador and voice, maybe even a teacher... yes, we all need to level up, right? Sometimes though you all tell us what's wrong with us. Like we're addicted to dopamine or something. While we're just living in nature. I'm given a tool. I'll use it, right? To feel good and thus survive. So bottoms up and sweet dreams. I'm here with you and so is everybody else! Happenings happen.

[@mercerlewis7252]

What are we gonna do about it?

[@bradmiller9584]

What a wonderful example of the philosophy of "meeting people where they are" culturally to pique interest in the gardens. I love that they make this garden "for the people" while still maintaining an amazing collection from a botanical standpoint.

[@summerrayneoakes]

It's a fascinating viewpoint. Out of all the botanical gardens I've traveled to (and that's only a smidgen of what's out there in the world), this is the first time I've heard so different of an approach. I'll be sharing more of their private and research collections in the upcoming episodes, so will be great for you to see those too!

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

Something to think about is that Thailand is quite a tropical country so the tropical plants that are considered “exotic” in the West just aren’t as much of a draw.

[@celesteuy2780]

I love kampon, his vision for his garden is unique.. And he is very truthful about intially saying his first cap is about the money.. As the garden's owner he is very hands-on, makes him look very very humble.. People are lucky to be working around him

[@marycollins8356]

It is so good to see Kampon! About 35 years ago, he came to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden to collect seeds, especially from our palms. He came three times over the years (1980's) and I helped him each time. I have an open invitation to visit Thailand and see his garden. This was a great video!!

[@Angelwrites]

So cool!

[@celiashen5490]

Have you visited yet?

[@marycollins8356]

@@celiashen5490 No, I have not.

[@celiashen5490]

@@marycollins8356 I hope it makes it onto your list of adventures.

[@roberthemedes1064]

This is how all Botanical gardens need to evolve and thrive in a social media/Instagram world. Bring the people in with dinosaurs and sculptures and flowers, and then let the people end up discovering the flora.

[@missanna208802]

This is actually disgusting. I think it is great that the gardens are figuring out how to get people in, but the thing people actually need is a really good education about why plants are the most importnat things on earth, what their local plants are, etc etc. Also, even if you cannot appreciate immediately what grows locally because you have seen it all your life, if someone who does appreciate it can show you why they appreciate it, you are also more likely to appreciate it as well. I have lived in the same place all my life and never appreciated the native plants-partly because I had no idea we had so many and despite me loving plants, it took someone who appreciates the natives to show me the wonderful things we have in our own "backyard" so to speak.

[@roberthemedes1064]

@@missanna208802 to you it's disgusting, but Botanical gardens need to do a different approach to survive and thrive. 99.99 percent of the population arent like you or me that will just go to a Botanical garden just to admire and learn more about the plants. So get over your disgust because if you actually had to run and manage a Botanical garden, you'd be doing all types of creative and entertaining things to drive people into visiting the garden. Otherwise your attendee base would just wither and die off since you would only be appealing to an extremely narrow base of people and it takes a lot of money, time and effort to run and operate a Botanical garden, especially a very large one.

[@muneermazlan4492]

Yup very true

[@ff985]

Something Kampon Tansacha said stuck with me - that there's different cultural lenses on appreciation of nature, and a lot of that comes from how we're educated and taught. From my city-living Western lens, I might prefer the wild aesthetic but that is a learnt behaviour, but his "unconventional" approach isn't so unconventional, it's just viewed through a different cultural lens with different things influencing it :)

[@andrewflex2177]

12:40 When the guy suddenly asks for pictures, he says that he's from Indonesia. He also mentions that he came from Ketambe Gunung Leuser, the lungs of the globe in Bahasa he says Paru-paru Dunia. I love how you greet him with Selamat pagi or good morning in English.

[@unsupabundit5290]

Plants are growing everywhere in Thailand. We have warm weather all year long so we look at plants and we say its a common thing. I think that's why we have to bend nature to make it more interesting to us. Adding the dinosaurs is a brilliant idea.

[@Weifengast]

This botanical garden is on my bucket list now. My next family vacation destination. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@summerrayneoakes]

You're welcome

[@sharonramsey3363]

@@summerrayneoakes . .

[@franzsela3891]

I visited Nong Nooch wayback in 2009 and oh boy, it has changed a lot. It’s even more breathtaking. I am in awe of its visionary owner.

[@PrashantSharma-xh1ko]

I am just blown away with his idea of connecting children into nature .. awesome.

[@ElSueno97]

This is officially the coolest botanical garden I’ve seen, it’s sad that he says his customers don’t have time, I would come to Thailand just for that

[@jessebenitez210]

Awesome esp.the old man's vision.Thank you" Plant one for me"

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Anywhere that can grow and conserve plants gets my vote. 🌴

[@richnovotny5008]

All I can say is This is Art Passion It's a gift to all We need more of this in our world Thank you

[@waznahnaan]

I got goosebumps listening to these two men explain their point of views...especially kampon...the issues they mentioned, made me really reflect hard on my own community and my country..and those explanations are due to summer's questions..so, hats off to you, summer...thank you 😁

[@mommye8573]

I just love the way you throw your questions to your guests. Aside from enjoying the informative plant Kingdom, it is very nice to hear the wisdom of your human sources..

[@sallyhenry1716]

How interesting...when you listen to him explain why his botanical garden is this way I get kind of mixed emotions. I do understand why, he is simply giving his people what they want and also surviving! After all that’s a lot of land and he is making it work! I do like the dinosaurs LOL! and by staging plants among them I think there are some people who will look and want to know more about the beautiful cacti that surround it! And how wonderful you have a tree in Thailand with your name, gotta love that! Thank you for sharing this very unique and playful garden!👍🏼

[@summerrayneoakes]

You're most welcome.

[@rynebozzell]

Summer, I love your videos; love love love. In this video I think you were in the presence of a really great being, someone who has found a way to preserve his passion and himself in a way most of us do not realize. Even in this crazy modern world, wisdom survives.

[@ButterflyLoverGirl]

This man is my spirit animal. I love his idea of how to get people to experience and love nature in a different way. Especially children who need to learn how to appreciateand respect nature now before it's too late. I love him.

[@newmanmansell760]

They are nice wholehearted people working on those botanical gardens!😉🙏The creative thought gone into making the gardens is 'The child within you' so to speak. And I love how they enjoy plants and nature. That's everything😊

[@jeanneeguizabal471]

This is the most amazing tour yet! Dont know what I enjoyed more, but I have to say this is one of the most breathtaking gardens I have ever seen.

[@summerrayneoakes]

There is more coming from this garden, so stay tuned. We go deeper into their research and conservation collections

[@josefinacajoles3853]

Beautiful

[@MELODIMUSIK]

13:27 “Selamat Pagi” 😁

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Beauty on a grand scale! I love how the park is tailored to the visitor and responsive to the times.

[@MiuraNidu]

Real Gem! The owner's vision is more beautiful than the garden itself! Yes, it is different but surly he has created the next generation's garden. As usual Summer and her team rock! 💐

[@beckymontecalvo5329]

Such a beautiful place. Hes just turning back the clock. Goinging back it time. Helping people appreciate a slower pace of life. The way God wanted use to enjoy his earth our home

[@phily8093]

Your videos are so incredible. I have watched dozens of them over the last few days after just finding them. In these strange lockdown times, I feel like I've travelled the world and been to these wonderful places. Your tours are so in depth, and so inspiring. Please keep doing them, and I wish you well.

[@rottenrafflesia]

I love the double-sided discussion of thai horticultural aesthetics, its ability to attract people but also how it is more human-oriented. you always give great insights on gardening as a multifaceted interaction between human and nature.

[@summerrayneoakes]

Pleased that you enjoyed!

[@barbaracole4314]

600 acres, wow that's quite a garden or park , I would love to visit a place like this... summer u do travel all over, what an exciting job or career , ur very fortunate

[@letstalkabout584]

When we were at Nong Nooch Garden, we were impressed and surprised by this wide variety of highlights. The garden is so big that you can't see everything in one day. That's why we'll visit him again soon.

[@ainurii2934]

So nice of him. At first i dont really agree on how they put plants with all that stuff because u know it will decrease the nature's value. But when i hear what he explains. I agree. We need a different approach to let the future kids know about nature. Because all young generation loves natures

[@raclark2730]

One more reason to love Thailand, very cool.

[@thedivide3688]

Man I would be in heaven working here...

[@Cwmarion]

Its cool. He is like a kid in a candy shop you can tell he likes it as much as the kids.

[@nephewchowhai5982]

Thanks for showing a beautiful large flower garden.

[@Angelwrites]

"You can tell the world this is your tree in Thailand." so epic!

[@mdmnyc41]

What a fabulous project that nice man has envisioned and implemented. My grandson and I would love to visit, him for the dinosaurs, and me for the plants. This is one of many reasons Thailand is on my travel bucket list. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

[@lotus....]

I just loved this video. The dinosaur and cactus garden is unique because its so textural. Just look at the textures of the dino scales and the different cacti. Mesmerizing. That's what really makes it work. The curator knows what he is doing :) Love him and his art.

[@stardoll1995]

Such a big area! 😮 And such a big variety of plants! 💓

[@jimini1976]

I was in the zone until I heard Chumbawamba, Song played in my head the whole time. What an amazing place,Thanks Summer👍 ,,,,,,Pissin the night awayyyy ;)

[@heyowey]

Same lol! That caught me off guard 😁

[@summerrayneoakes]

haha. I had to leave that in the edit.

[@4polyglothyunjung814]

Wow!!! It’s an amazing place!!!

[@marieandruby]

At first I felt conflicted seeing the dinosaurs mixing with the plants but then listening to his concept and reasons I fell in love with it. Awesome place and man. 👍🌿💚

[@summerrayneoakes]

Wait till you see the collections they have behind the scenes. It really gives more credence to his philosophy, but I, like you felt the same until I heard his story out and considered it. Thanks for watching!

[@user-ow7bi3se2b]

YESS!! :)

[@thuydao8945]

He is a very well deseving rich 👏👏👏👏💕💕💐

[@tykesmargarites484]

Wow... Gigantic garden

[@fancypanda1993]

Amazing how flexible this place is and how fast he responds. I am glad to have learned this place exists. Thank you for sharing

[@kreghines5539]

I had never heard of this place before. They have a good business strategy balancing something for everyone in the family that encourages them to tell their friends. I would prefer they have the plants in more realistic ( natural like ) setting but I understand why they do it that way in order to survive financially. Besides, who doesn't like dinosaurs? Ha! I also like the creative way they stabilize their columnar cacti with those wooden ( bamboo? ) cages. Works & blends well with the other sculptural elements. Thanks for sharing.

[@summerrayneoakes]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@uscit5509]

I think these videos must have billion views, more relaxing and close to nature peacefull i cant explain in words realy

[@ApproximatelyCee]

Wow! I’ve never seen anything like these garden! When you think about it, it’s a really good idea for piquing children’s interest in plants. I grew up in a large city on the West coast. My elementary school had a small vegetable garden, but it’s really the only garden I ever saw until I was an adult. I never saw a flower garden until at age 16, a dear friend of mine took me to see a large garden with blooming azaleas and rhododendrons growing over several acres of land. And then when I was in my early 30s, my husband took our 4 children and me to the Elizabethan Gardens in Roanoke on Manteo Island. I was in heaven! I haven’t been able to find anything like it close to home, but I’ll keep looking. I live a few miles from Ithaca, NY. Thanks for showing us such a unique garden. Those gigantic orchids are crazy huge!

[@JL_Loki]

This is beyond awesome!

[@asnamutin5829]

Amazing....the way of giving attraction, cultivating and motivation using the nature. Well well well done!

[@marggebito-on9129]

Beautiful botanical garden💕🍀🌿🌸🌹🌻🌷🌈❤️💚

[@exponature9602]

I like the owner. Hi is so smart.

[@glovanajnbaptiste2272]

Wow !!! Like 👍🌵🌱🌵

[@gabbyelloren]

This video made me cry, so much love for mother nature!

[@brendasoh7578]

What an innovative exciting way to showcase plants, great attraction for kids and tourists!! Amazing !!

[@tahoe4beauty]

The more I watch of Summer's videos, the more my level of appreciation rises. Lately I've been keying in on the extreme talent of who ever is operating the camera. All the casual cuts from one angle to another, and the subtle floating lens movement while driving in the jeep couldn't be easy. Well done, I would love to see a video showing the who and how... of all this great camera work! 🎥

[@juliereis146]

Now I know why I want to go to Thailand 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@linoleumbonypart385]

On my bucket list now....

[@7mallison]

I just love me some summer raine, look how she's walking down the hill, you feel the pure joy in her heart through the computer..

[@bushrashaikh5240]

Love love love it❤️

[@mteamfive9028]

Wow Wow WOW!! incredible video. Thanks for taking us along. I want sooo badly to go see it now! If this captures the attention and imagination of our future leaders/ world citizens, then its priceless!

[@milindparab]

Oh What an honor to plant a tree with a legend along with you. Your videos are fantabulous. Cheers.

[@antonietabueno4770]

Wow! The best botanical garden I have seen on video! Hope to vist someday💜

[@belindacharpentier628]

Wow. Love this series

[@acerone10]

F A N T A S T I C!!!!!!!!!! This is amazing. Some gardens in the US have glass sculptures to bring in people. Do anything that works.

[@dianemiles2720]

Check out the Missouri Botanical gardens. They have a huge orchid collection, bonsai collection, and rare plant conservation plus a crazy koi collection too. It may be in St. Louis but it is world renowned.

[@summerrayneoakes]

Oh I will! On my list.

[@petercardona1559]

When I visited half of me felt "this is cool" like I ate a funny mushroom. The other half of me screamed "HERESY" and I'm still conflicted about the place 😂🙈😂

[@petercardona1559]

@sailor soul 👍

[@summerrayneoakes]

I was split down the middle too. What I've concluded is though the gardens are not my "taste", I can appreciate that he's meeting his customers where they are at and I can really appreciate that he wants to try something different and new. Did you get to see the research/conservation collections by chance? Some of those are coming up in the future episodes.

[@petercardona1559]

@@summerrayneoakes I did not get a chance to peek behind the curtain but I'm sure you got all the access so I'm looking forward to that!

[@stephanie_a333]

*WOOOOOW!!!!* Thank you for this awesome tour.

[@tsukarangemmar6858]

I promise to myself that I going to visit this place after COVID

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

Wow...just WOW!! That loss of habit makes me so sad.....so many people positively employed. Thank you for this tour. I am age 69 and not likely ever to be able to travel again. This is such a treasure to see! When I was about age 5 my neighbors gave me a tree and I planted it in my backyard. I am a senior now and I have never forgotten my tree and have been back several times to monitor its growth. It is very large now. It wil always have a special place in my heart.

[@Milquetoast702]

I love it and his gesture really touched me! What a honor!

[@markwitte303]

holy crap. this is amazing.

[@Nulife23]

Wow! Amazing place and great to hear of its history and vision.

[@cenedraleaheldra5275]

Holy Smokes. WOW WOW WOW. Wonderful. Moving with the time. Well done. WOW. Very unique.

[@ViGirl71]

Would love to visit this exquisite botanical garden. Breathe taking. 🌱🌵🌸💕

[@instakillgaming]

This dude is a legend

[@hopegardens3057]

this is amazing....thank you for sharing!

[@rmcc42]

I am a retired horticulturist and have been interested in and worked with plants most of my life. I have worked with bonsai for over 50 years. I have been lucky enough to visit many botanic gardens in my life. I had the luck and pleasure of visiting Nong Nooch gardens a couple of years ago and to me it has to be the most unusual and fantastic gardens I have ever seen. My only regret was that I only had one day to spend there. I will only say to the people responsible for creating this place "Thank You"!!

[@zebulundocallas]

Just wow.

[@christinaeilers3562]

I like his ideas, very unique planning.

[@mandyparmar496]

Beautiful

[@brendakirk7250]

That place is amazing

[@kenclarkeis]

Really interesting and thought provoking garden and ideas. Truly a garden for 21st century. I loved you symbolically planting the tree. If it works and it looks like it does then that’s the point. Looking forward to the next in this series.

[@summerrayneoakes]

Really good to consider different strategies and techniques. No one size fits all solution for sure. I would consider this guy a maverick to a certain extent. One of my friends actually traveled to Thailand after and sent me photos of the tree and the name plaque, so I was happy to see that it actually took.

[@johnvincenti5805]

Wow!

[@awake8794]

Amazing!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Oh I wish I could see that place, but alas only in my dreams. Thank you for showing us that very unique garden, I really enjoyed it. I think it’s a great concept, something for the kids and something for plant lovers. It holds everyone’s interest 💚🙃

[@sandhyaraju4654]

One of the best inspiring videos for the year. We have a lot of nature heros to follow and appreciate. @summerrayneoakes thank you for sharing 🙂 As I always think your love for plants is infectious 😃

[@summerrayneoakes]

My pleasure.

[@tinnu123]

Thanks for sharing, both gentleman are par excellence

[@medolhiloutherie8077]

This is wow..

[@SimplySueLee]

That gramatapyllum is everything! ❤️❤️❤️

[@parthasmukherjee4774]

Thanks a lot for bringing the garden to the fore! Plz keep it up!

[@garlicbread2418]

Thank you. Looking forward to further episodes of your guiding tours.

[@sproutingresilience4787]

This is so cool, and in way more than just a botanical quay!

[@markkevinlustre3936]

I loved how things has changed right now with regards to people's appreciation of plants. Let's all agree that way before the pandemic and lockdowns, plants aren't actually that big of a thing for most people, even me. But looking right now, people are now realizing the importance and beauty of plants. Before, they are just the finishing touches of these dinosaur sceneries and field trips, but now, people are more inclined in knowing them and taking care of them. And that's such a great opportunity for us to relive the wonders of nature that has been struggling to fight because of modernization and continuous destruction of nature. What I just hope is that people would really continue the torch of plant conservation and care for the future generation to see, and to preserve what Earth should be naturally. And lastly I also hope that as much as we progress as people and nations, as much as we continuously innovate and adapt to modern technology, I hope that nature and plants would also be there flourishing and blending with the world.

[@nachig4754]

Wow, mind-blowing !!! Thank you Summer, super cool

[@xilovebowiex]

Truly iconic ringtone

[@summerrayneoakes]

Haha. Gives you all the feels.

[@starbucks7125]

This the second time i watched this. This garden is so unique and i love the intention of his approach in order for the plants to be a part of children's life. I remember when i was a kid i didnt know how much i live plants until i moved out alone and lived in condo type apartment that doesnt have enough space to accommodate plants. Every piece i have is really a treasure and they make me happy each day.

[@ajerohaydee13]

Someday I will be here🙏❤️thank you for what you do❤️😍

[@silasd7348]

This place is cool. I really like the dinosaurs combined with the plants. Felt like Jurassic Park!