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
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.