Behind every one of Natura’s installations is a team of horticultural experts who take ownership of your plant’s care and maintenance. Meet one of our lead Horticultural Technicians from Sarasota, Florida and find out what fuels her passion for plant life.
At Natura, we’re immensely proud of our award-winning design team and people-centric sales processes. And, while each member of our team is an invaluable cog in the greater Natura wheel, we wouldn’t be a leading interior landscape and plant maintenance firm without our expertly trained team of horticulturalists.
With this in mind, we’ve decided to spotlight a few of our plant technicians to show you how much love, care, knowledge, and passion goes into our clients’ plantscapes.
Guided by her passion for plants and greenery, Bobbie transitioned early in her career from the food service industry to start selling plants at a nearby garden center. This was all in pursuit of a career in horticulture—pretty ironic for someone who once believed she could never keep a plant alive, right?
But, when Bobbie’s husband bought her a potted plant for her apartment, the green bug bit and the rest was history. A few years after embarking on her career change journey, Bobbie pivoted from sales to plant care and hasn’t looked back since.
After starting out with one potted plant that she doubted would survive, the plant whisperer now has over 200 personal houseplants and a variety of exterior plants in her care. And, despite all her plants having vastly different needs, Bobbie has the knowledge to determine exactly what her plants need at any given time.
“Seeing the plants I care for grow and thrive is what drives my passion for plants and motivates me in my work. Making customers happy by ensuring their space looks beautiful is so rewarding,” says Bobbie.
Taking care of her own plants over the years has significantly broadened Bobbie’s professional maintenance knowledge. Her plants have given her the tools she needs to determine exactly what plants need in terms of light, space, placement, water, and other facets of plant maintenance.
So, what’s her secret? What does Bobbie do to ensure each of her plants stays healthy and vibrant over time?
“I try to keep a good watering schedule, and I fertilize regularly,” she says. “I also try to not be afraid of cutting things back when needed, which keeps plants looking healthy for a longer time!”
Bobbie also loves experimenting with different soil alternatives, like Natura-PONTM, Natura’s exclusive potting soil alternative. This nutrient-dense substrate boasts a carefully selected blend of minerals, promoting optimized aeration and water-retention capabilities.
As a plant maintenance specialist, Bobbie’s job often means having to problem solve on the fly. This past summer, for instance, one of the interior landscapes she maintains was at risk of drying out.
“We were in a drought, and it was tough trying to keep the plants hydrated. So, I decided to cut everything back when the clients left for their home up north during the summer.”
Bobbie’s goal was to have all the plants re-grown and looking healthy by the time her clients returned. Aside from just cutting back, she also used a bloom booster and added some Hortisorb™ to the container to keep the plants from drying out.
“Everything came back nice and healthy. I was so pleased that the decision worked out to my advantage,” she says.
Much of what Bobbie’s learnt over the years has been through trial and error, which is why she supports amateur plant parents and loves to share her knowledge.
However, she points out that plant maintenance enthusiasts can’t experiment and sharpen their skills on someone else’s dime. She believes there is also power in professional plant maintenance to ensure optimal plant health.
“Our customers pay for plant care services, and it’s so important for them to receive professional care,” says Bobbie, adding that plant technicians have a deep understanding of different plant species. This includes encyclopedic knowledge of plants’ specific needs, and insight into their maintenance requirements for optimal health.
“Your plant technician can identify issues like pests or diseases early and provide the right treatment. Regular maintenance by experts ensures your plants are healthy, vibrant, and grow to their full potential,” she concludes.
Keen to see what Bobbie’s personal plant collection is like?? Follow her on Instagram!
Rest assured that our horticultural technicians, like Bobbie, will always have your back. If you need some proper plant care but don’t know where to start, reach out to us for a complimentary consultation.