These enthusiasts have sourced more than $100K worth of rare plants
Some Edmonton plant enthusiasts are joining together to purchase rare plants from around the world.
‘Edmonton Plant Group Orders’ is a Facebook group that began when plant hobbyist Bonnie McRobb made an order for 100 plants.
“It was just going to be a temporary group and I guess everybody wanted more afterwards,” said McRobb.
The group started in February and quickly became busy and permanent. They support their passion for plants by making bulk international orders on unique types that would otherwise come with a hefty price tag.
“We can’t keep up with our hobby especially on rare plants if we go to the local stores and they’re $200-$300. If we import plants from Indonesia they’re $30,” McRobb said.
The group has imported plants of all patterns, shapes, and sizes from places such as Indonesia, Ecuador and Thailand.
With plants coming overseas, McRobb says exporters must provide certification that the plants are free of disease and pests. Importers also must have a permit in order to pick the plants up directly from Canadian Border Services.
“Sometimes the Canadian Food Inspection Agency wants to inspect them and to make sure they’re all legal plants,” said McRobb.
Not all plants purchased by Edmonton Plant Group Orders are sourced beyond the border. They’ve also ordered plants from Canada and even sometimes local sellers who offer wholesale deals.
McRobb says local plant stores are welcome to join the online group if they’re looking to get in on the purchases.
“If you’re a store and you have a discount you can offer for wholesale prices you’re welcome to come in and offer that to us ‘cause we love deals.”
So far, the group has already spent around $100,000 on plants imported from outside of Canada. Some members have found a way to earn cash by reselling their plants and clippings, while others are content just keeping their collection to themselves.
“Some people spend their money on purses or shoes or whatever, but we spend our money on plants,” said McRobb.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.