On Tuesday, June 7th, a plant exchange is happening at the Callander Public Library. Local green-thumbs and plant enthusiasts can share cuttings, pick up some handy plant-care tips, and socialize with fellow growers.
The event begins at 6 p.m., but registration is required, so call 705-752-2544 to make that list. The plant exchange is a new venture put on by the library and Lynn’s Urban Roots, a flower shop on Callander’s Main Street.
Lynn Boissonneault owns and operates the flower shop, and she explained how during Covid, a lot of people took to houseplants as a new “pass time,” and many “started to form a plant collection.” Some got quite serious with their collections, seeking rare varieties to place by their windows.
As some of these can become pricey, she started to organize a few plant swaps where people could bring in cuttings to trade with others. Now, she’s looking forward to bringing the next swap to the library.
The overall goal “is to help people out” with some knowledge and information “so that they can succeed with their plants,” Boissonneault said, adding that it will be a nice time to get to know some new people interested in house plants.
“It’s very gratifying watching a plant grow from a new cutting,” she explained, noting that with proper care, certain potted plants can thrive for many years.
What’s Boissonneault bringing to the swap? The final list is subject to change, but she’s thinking some polka-dot begonias, a cartoon cactus, and a syngonium or two might just hit the spot. Keep that in mind when you’re choosing your cuttings to bring, but if things double up, that’s fine too.
And you don’t need a plant to participate, you’re still welcome to join in even without a cutting in hand. “It’s an information session as well as an exchange,” Boissonneault explained, so anyone interested should take the stroll to the library next Tuesday eve.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
