On the Ledge podcast

19/07/2024

Episode 300 is here! Woohoo! This is the first of four Late Night OTL episodes, so just be aware this contains swearing ... plus loads of fun planty chat, gossip and even some practical advice!

Host Jane Perrone chats to follow plant lovers Sarah Gerrard-Jones and Tea Francis in this special Late Night OTL episode.

10/07/2024

This is one of the things I am working on at the moment. Narrated by me, the words are those of the respected Irish gardener and horticultural writer William Robinson. The Wild Garden was revolutionary in its time - this, the third edition, came out in 1883 - and its influence is still being felt today. If you have wondered about the origins of the naturalistic garden style, many consider this book to be pivotal.
This audiobook should be out in a couple of weeks on Audible, Spotify and other audiobook platforms. Comment WILD below if you want me to send you a reminder about this once it's published.

28/06/2024

I have a spare pair of tickets for the Hampton Court Palace flower show (any day July 2-7) and the Tatton show in mid July. If anyone is interested get in touch - first come first served!

14/06/2024

Flipping heck - the 300th episode is approaching fast ... and I would love to hear from you! I'd love to know what you've learned from listening to On The Ledge, whether you've been here since ep 1 or have just found the show. I've set up a link on Speakpipe so you can record a short piece (under 1min please) or you can email me a voice note to [email protected].
https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/282109/2/bgdb5597ioe3tfvv

06/06/2024

Jonny and Ben turned out to be the loveliest (and funniest!) podcast guests for On The Ledge, but this was an episode with a difference - it was recorded LIVE in front of an audience at Malvern. The Malvern Spring Show recently played host to the first Houseplant Festival and I loved getting a chance to meet these two and also support the excellent work of Sarah and Ian . Thanks to everyone who came, listened and asked questions!
To listen click the link in my bio or check your pod app - episode 297.

23/05/2024

Check out Jane’s pick of her favourite Houseplant Studios at the Chelsea Flower Show

10/05/2024

Have you caught the seed bug yet? This episode may help you
out...

03/05/2024

One of the best parts of my job as creator and host of On The Ledge is going to visit growers at work - I had a wonderful chat with Somerset;s Tony Irons () about all things succulent, in particular Lithops. You can hear his interview in episode 292, out now - I usually publish episodes every other Friday, but this is an extra to celebrate the start of the growing season!
Check the link in my bio to listen now.

03/05/2024

SURPRISE! An extra episode for you brings more succulent goodness with grower and seller Tony Irons.

Host Jane Perrone talks to Tony Irons about why he loves Lithops (stone plants) and more

26/04/2024

ROAD TRIP! Hayley Stephens of Mint Plants tells me all about hitting the roads of Britain to go and rescue venerable collections of succulents in On The Ledge this week.

Host Jane Perrone talks to Hayley Stephens of Bristol-based cactus and succulent sellers Mint Plants to find out about their mission to save plants from the skip.

15/04/2024

A shoutout to listeners in Aotearoa New Zealand, Ireland and Canada - if you happen to be a premium Spotify subscriber you can now listen to either of my audiobooks for FREE as part of your 15 hours of audiobook listening a month. Remember, you can also sign up as a Patreon Superfan and get access to both audiobooks as well as lots of other bonus content!

Each houseplant history in this beautifully illustrated collection is accompanied by a detailed care guide and hard-won practical advice.

12/04/2024

Let's get growing! Find out how with Alina Smith from US seed sellers Plantflix...

Jane Perrone talks to Alina Smith of US houseplant seed sellers Plantflix about how to get started growing from seed, and answers a question about a Homalomena.

20/03/2024

I can't wait to chat to Matt Pottage about houseplants at the Lindley Library - do book your ticket now! It's on April 23....

New: Urban Gardening Club. This session - meet the houseplant experts for tips on accessible, affordable and achievable gardening in London.

01/03/2024

This week's show is - how can I say - enlightening?

Host Jane Perrone talks to Darryl Cheng about the science of light for houseplants and how a light meter can up your houseplant game, and the Q&A covers how to tame an agave.

24/02/2024

I've done some videos for the Gardeners' World website ... check this one out on orchids ...

Find out how to check the roots of moth orchids to know when they need watering, and the best ways to water a moth orchid, in this video guide. Find out more...

16/02/2024

A blast from the past - On The Ledge is seven this month, so I am going back into the archive to air an episode that first went out in 2017....

A blast from the past as I replay an early episode of On The Ledge all about those annoying houseplants pests, fungus gnats, plus I answer questions on saving a damaged cactus, rusty watering cans, flowering plants for Easter.  

05/01/2024

The first episode of 2024 takes a deep dive into the world of the illicit trade in cactus ... and I get to the bottom of a prayer plant that's full of holes.

I discuss the illegal trade in succulents and find out what makes cactus poachers tick with Dr Jared Margulies. Plus I answer a question about starry marks on a prayer plant.

02/01/2024

Want something to read? I contributed to this piece by Alice Vincent about the rise of Epipremnum aureum (devil's ivy) for the Guardian...

From offices to shops to bars and cafes – the heart-shaped leaves and twisty vines of the pothos are climbing up a bare brick wall near you …

29/12/2023

No new episode today, but if you are missing your OTL fix, there are a few things you can do:
- Join my Patreon and unlock more than 100 bonus podcast episodes plus my two audiobooks.
- If you have an Audible or Spotify account, you can listen to Legends of the Leaf as part of your monthly subscription.
- Check out this page which arranges OTL episodes thematically and also lists (scroll down for this one) my appearances on other podcasts.

If you’re new to On The Ledge, where do you start listening? Sure, you can just binge your way through, but if that isn’t for you, this guide will help you find episodes that cover the stuff you want to know.

15/12/2023

It's the final part of my begonia top ten today, with the spotlight on Begonia 'Silver Jewel' and my begonia care tips. I explain why rhizomatous begonias like this one benefit from a more free draining potting mix, and why it's important to use heavy pots for big cane begonias.
Click the link in my bio to listen now.

14/12/2023

My On The Ledge Begonia top ten is back for the final two parts today and tomorrow. Begonia no. 9 is Begonia 'Thurstonii', the only shrublike begonia to make the list.
This is the only begonia in the top ten that I currently don't own, but I've seen it in various locations including the beautiful specimen at the in London, pictured here.
Click the link in my bio to listen now.
Part ten will include my final begonia pick, plus some care advice for all the begonias in the list.
Thanks to Matt Collins for the fab photos of the Garden Museum specimen.

13/12/2023

FINALLY Legends of the Leaf is available as an audiobook on Audible as well as other audiobook platforms! For some reason it took an age to be approved, but it's there now at last. You can listen with an Audible subscription, buy as a gift or a one-off for yourself. If you sign up to my Superfan patreon tier you can listen as part of your membership.

04/12/2023

If you haven't caught up with my top ten begonias, now is a great time to check it out! Today's begonia is the super-hairy Begonia longiciliata (more commonly sold as B. sizemoreae).

Find out my top ten Begonias for the average room - no terrarium required!

24/11/2023

A zesty episode this week. Plus a Monstera that's gone a bit mad.

Struggling to keep your potted citrus alive? I chat to Byron Martin of Logee’s Greenhouses to find out his top tips for keep lemons, limes and more alive in your home.

17/11/2023

No new On The Ledge episode today, but you can hear me talking about houseplants on another podcast! I talk about death plugs, principles of growing houseplants and my new houseplant cards.

We borrowed our guest's phrase 'happy, healthy house plants' this week as it aptly describes a nirvana that many of us struggle with.  Jane Perrone is a gardening writer and podcaster whose articles many will have read in the Guardian, Financ...

10/11/2023

"I don't want to stare at a piece of plastic..." why I hate orchid stakes.

To stake, or not to stake? I look at the arguments for and against staking moth orchids (aka Phalaenopsis) plus I answer a question about houseplants in films, and we hear from Helen in Meet the Listener.

03/11/2023

SURPRISE! Just for Halloween week, an unscheduled extra episode of On The Ledge where I get deep into the world of horticultural crime fiction...

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02/11/2023

Woohoo! The audiobook version of Legends of the Leaf is out now on Spotify! It'll be coming to Audible in the next few days. If you're a Spotify premium subscriber you can listen for free.

Listen to Legends of the Leaf: Unearthing the Secrets to Help Your Plants Thrive on Spotify.

27/10/2023

An experiment this week! It's a bit rough and ready - you miss the bits at the start and end - but I thought I'd try uploading my interview for this week's show to YouTube. Let me know what you think!

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/leca-clay-pebblesSign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant sc...