Episode 9: A Variegated State of Mind (Season Finale)

It is the last episode of the year! We are wrapping up the season with a packed episode, spilling some plant tea, diving deep into the science of variegation, and rating some truly bizarre plants.

We start by debunking a questionable article about "windowless rooms" (sorry, Enid!) and clearing up the confusion behind the mysterious "Philodendron 69586" floating around the internet. Then, we shine our Provenance Spotlight on a collector favorite: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell'.

Finally, we get into our main topic: Variegation. Why does it happen? What is the difference between chimeral and genetic variegation? And why was 2020 the "Variegation Gold Rush"?

Thank you to all our listeners for an amazing year. We will see you on January 6th for Season 2!

In this episode, we cover:

• ☕ Spilling the Plant Tea:

  The Windowless Room Myth: Discussing a "clickbait" article claiming plants flourish in windowless rooms (and why Enid Offolter was mentioned in it).

  The Number Game: Solving the mystery of Philodendron "69586"—it is actually a typo for Philodendron bettewaterbury (or related to Croat's accession numbers).

• 🔦 Provenance Spotlight: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell'

  A hybrid of P. pastazanum x P. gloriosum created by John Banta in 1988.

  The touching story behind the name (honoring a friend lost to the AIDS epidemic).

  A tribute to John Banta (1932–2021), a prolific hybridizer who also worked on seedless raspberries and Anthurium crosses.

• 🎨 Deep Dive: A Variegated State of Mind

  The Science: How cell mutations in the meristem cause variegation.

  The Types: Explaining Genetic (stable), Chimeral (unstable), Viral, and Induced variegation (remember Pink Congo?).

  The Purpose: Hypotheses on why nature produces variegation (herbivore deterrence vs. camouflage).

• 🏆 Rate That Weird Plant:

  Lophophora diffusa (False Peyote): A cactus that looks like a "green ball of clay" or... a pimple? https://www.reddit.com/r/BotanicalPorn/comments/1pnyc56/lophophora_diffusa/

  Ravenala madagascariensis (Traveler’s Palm): Famous for its stunning, electric-blue seeds. https://www.reddit.com/r/plants/comments/1pownid/strange_blue_fibers_in_this_seed_pod_ive_never/

  Microcoelia aphylla: A leafless orchid that photosynthesizes through its roots. https://www.facebook.com/groups/52597049839/?multi_permalinks=10162133715749840

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Plants: Philodendron 'Dean McDowell', Philodendron bettewaterbury, Monstera 'Thai Constellation', Lophophora diffusa.

  People: John Banta, Enid Offolter, Fabio Silva (Listener Shoutout!).

Connect with us:

Email | Website | Reddit

Next Episode: We return January 6th with a huge interview!

In Episode 07, Tanya is pre-recording before traveling back to Czechia and braving the frozen north (Reykjavik), and Jos is embracing his inner Grinch. We dive deep into the science, myths, and market impact of Tissue Culture—is it saving the hobby or ruining it? Plus, we rate a plant that literally looks like... well, lips.

In this episode:

Spilling the Tea (News):

• Holiday Cactus Confusion: Do you have a Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter Cactus? Jos explains the difference (and blames capitalism).
• 2025 Trend Watch: An article claims Hoya and Rare Cacti are the "new" IT plants. We react (and spot the "mealybug" in the room).
• Book Club: Tanya recommends "The Plant Book" by Tammy Huynh—a perfect last-minute gift for the plant nerd in your life.

Feature: The Truth About Tissue Culture (TC):

The Science: How we clone plants from a single piece of tissue (and why "shoots before roots" matters).

The Market Impact: From the $1,000 Monstera obliqua Peru crash to mass-market availability.

The Stigma: Are TC plants weaker? Does it kill the excitement of collecting? Tanya and Jos debate the "authenticity" of lab-grown vs. seed-grown.

Genetic Anomalies: Why mutations like the Monstera 'Thai Constellation' are actually TC's "happy accidents."

Rate That Weird Plant:

• Selenicereus anthonyanus: The dragon fruit plant that actually looks like a "Fishbone" Cactus relative.
• Palicourea elata: The infamous "Hooker's Lips" (or Labios de Puta)—nature is getting provocative.
• Monotropa humile: The ghostly white "Corpse Plant" that gets a perfect 10/10 weirdness score.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Book: "The Plant Book" by Tammy Huynh
• Video: Kaylee Ellen: "What Really Happened to Rare Plants"
• Plant Provenance: https://plantprovenance.com

Connect with us:

• Email: PropCulture@hortikult.com
• Website: https://hortikult.com
• Facebook Group: Spill The Plant Tea