You're the current vice president of IGSA and have an impressive collection of indoor houseplants. What got you into this?
Having grown up in the Bronx, I had little awareness of greenery. When I was assigned an exercise for an Aesthetic Realism class to write daily about something I liked, I found myself drawn to plants. I was fascinated by their beauty, form, and function. Like any newbie, I started collecting plants and killing more than I kept alive. But the more I learned about indoor horticulture, the more I was determined to create a green space in my apartment. Craving companionship and knowledge about my latest obsession, I was thrilled to discover IGSA doing outreach at the Union Square Farmer's Market in lower Manhattan. I dutifully attended meetings and formed friendships through which I became part of a community while gleaning horticultural information and assembling a collection of healthy and beautiful plants, many of which are difficult to find.
How long have you been an IGSA member?
Seventeen years and counting. I’ve loved every minute of it.
Name the different plants you have and your favorites.
A lot of succulents, orchids, aroids, sansevierias, bromeliads. As far as my favorites, I gravitate to whatever is blooming at the moment. I take special pride in an orchid I rescued from the garbage outside on the street. I had no idea what the color would be but it’s a beautiful cream and magenta. That has a special place in my heart.
Explain the plastic globes you assembled for smaller plants. How did you do that?
I had some plastic hemispheres when I had done some art exhibits. I began experimenting with hardware to assemble them together and was able to create globes. I originally had glass versions but they were too fragile.
Having grown up in the Bronx, I had little awareness of greenery. When I was assigned an exercise for an Aesthetic Realism class to write daily about something I liked, I found myself drawn to plants. I was fascinated by their beauty, form, and function. Like any newbie, I started collecting plants and killing more than I kept alive. But the more I learned about indoor horticulture, the more I was determined to create a green space in my apartment. Craving companionship and knowledge about my latest obsession, I was thrilled to discover IGSA doing outreach at the Union Square Farmer's Market in lower Manhattan. I dutifully attended meetings and formed friendships through which I became part of a community while gleaning horticultural information and assembling a collection of healthy and beautiful plants, many of which are difficult to find.
How long have you been an IGSA member?
Seventeen years and counting. I’ve loved every minute of it.
Name the different plants you have and your favorites.
A lot of succulents, orchids, aroids, sansevierias, bromeliads. As far as my favorites, I gravitate to whatever is blooming at the moment. I take special pride in an orchid I rescued from the garbage outside on the street. I had no idea what the color would be but it’s a beautiful cream and magenta. That has a special place in my heart.
Explain the plastic globes you assembled for smaller plants. How did you do that?
I had some plastic hemispheres when I had done some art exhibits. I began experimenting with hardware to assemble them together and was able to create globes. I originally had glass versions but they were too fragile.
What's your philosophy about watering? Share your techniques on sustaining such beautiful plants.
There are styles of watering. Some people tend to overwater and others underwater. I lean toward the latter and pick plants that can adapt to it. I believe any technique is more art than science. I look at it as a meditation on life. I accept what is, but I learn from others or what I gather from the Internet. Sometimes I’ll use worm castings, usually in the spring, sprinkling them into the soil. I favor the least intervention to get the most positive results.
What about your plants gives you the most joy?
I like the flowers in the winter, the act of taking care of them, feeling the textures of the leaves, their beauty and colors, even if they’re not flowering. Some have very complex geometric patterns while other leaves are very lush.
Tell us about your aquarium and what's inside of it.
I use it mostly to propagate “starts” but it looks like a mini-jungle. The lights are on a timer for 12 hours a day. I also use it as light source in the house.
Your apartment has minimal light, yet you have a wide variety of amazing specimens. How do you pull it off?
I determine what plants will perform best under my light conditions. When I was first getting serious with my collection, I started out with desert cacti, but I discovered I didn’t have the right light conditions. I am able to grow jungle cacti and lower light succulents though. The same goes for orchids. You have to learn about a plant's habitat and compare it to the conditions you have at home. Some of the succulents I have are native to South Africa, but they grow underneath plants and are not out in the blazing sun.
Where have you obtained most of your collection?
Most of them I have gotten from the Indoor Garden Society, either at the plant sale table or from other members.
IGSA is recruiting new members. What would you say to them to visit or join?
Our presentations and guest speakers are unique and experts in their field. You’ll learn a lot, discover the joy of cultivating your own collection, and have a great time. I invite you to join us at a meeting and be bitten by the indoor gardening bug.
There are styles of watering. Some people tend to overwater and others underwater. I lean toward the latter and pick plants that can adapt to it. I believe any technique is more art than science. I look at it as a meditation on life. I accept what is, but I learn from others or what I gather from the Internet. Sometimes I’ll use worm castings, usually in the spring, sprinkling them into the soil. I favor the least intervention to get the most positive results.
What about your plants gives you the most joy?
I like the flowers in the winter, the act of taking care of them, feeling the textures of the leaves, their beauty and colors, even if they’re not flowering. Some have very complex geometric patterns while other leaves are very lush.
Tell us about your aquarium and what's inside of it.
I use it mostly to propagate “starts” but it looks like a mini-jungle. The lights are on a timer for 12 hours a day. I also use it as light source in the house.
Your apartment has minimal light, yet you have a wide variety of amazing specimens. How do you pull it off?
I determine what plants will perform best under my light conditions. When I was first getting serious with my collection, I started out with desert cacti, but I discovered I didn’t have the right light conditions. I am able to grow jungle cacti and lower light succulents though. The same goes for orchids. You have to learn about a plant's habitat and compare it to the conditions you have at home. Some of the succulents I have are native to South Africa, but they grow underneath plants and are not out in the blazing sun.
Where have you obtained most of your collection?
Most of them I have gotten from the Indoor Garden Society, either at the plant sale table or from other members.
IGSA is recruiting new members. What would you say to them to visit or join?
Our presentations and guest speakers are unique and experts in their field. You’ll learn a lot, discover the joy of cultivating your own collection, and have a great time. I invite you to join us at a meeting and be bitten by the indoor gardening bug.
A native of the Bronx, born to Puerto Rican parents, Brenda attended the Bronx High School of Science and Fordham College, graduating with a degree in math. She has worked in the tech industry for the City of New York and corporate law firms. The current vice president and former president of IGSA, Brenda now resides in Gramercy Park in New York. She has a special love for her miniature Schnauzer, Charlie, and her passions include origami and beading.
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