RANT: Plant thieves are so annoying

7 years ago

Since I sell some (very few) of my plants (to support my habit), I keep an inventory of what I have. This morning, while moving plants back outside, I was short one of a certain type of brugmansia. It wouldn't be a big deal except that's the third one of just those that's gone missing. I tried to convince myself the last two must have died or I must have given them away, but I don't believe that now. I can't imagine why that's the only one that's being stolen, but it seemingly is, because nothing else is gone.

I give away more plants than I sell, and if someone asks me for something, I usually give it to them. if I have multiples, or at least give them a start from it. I lived in the ghetto for a year, and not one of my plants was stolen. People asked me for some, and I gladly gave them or traded them, but not one of them disappeared. That they are disappearing from my courtyard means someone is intentionally trespassing on my property to do this, and I feel violated. It's not the plants, it's that sense of insecurity it causes that bothers me.

I like leaving my courtyard gate open during the day so that the neighbor cat can get in, She likes to sit in the sun in my chair and chase lizards in my garden. Also, it increases airflow, which is very important since it's walled in on two sides and two sides are flanked by the building. I hate having to lock my gate, and only usually do so when I'm leaving for an extended period of time. I leave it unlocked but closed when I'm just walking down to the store or going to wash clothes at the laundry room. Now I feel unsafe in my own space, and will have to keep it locked at all times.

I don't even feel safe posting what I'm growing now on forums, because someone may figure out where I am, or someone who has already been here may come back and start stealing plants, or even worse, break into my apartment.

I've never felt unsafe inviting fellow gardeners into my courtyard to pick and choose what they want, after all, gardeners are the nicest people. Now I do, and that's just terribly sad to me, because it brings me such joy to share my small bounty with others. So from now on, I'll be less trusting and more cautious, which makes me very, very, VERY sad.

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Comments (7)

Glenn Jones(9b)
7 years ago
I feel for you and understand how you feel having been through it before. I sorry and hope the problem solves itself soon.
dirtygardener
Original Author
7 years ago
Glenn, I remember when your neighbor's kid stole all those plants from you. That was just crazy!
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User
7 years ago
Yes they are annoying and I'm sorry you are having this problem, but this is how it is in this world. My FIL grew roses for many years, he actually had people dig up entire bushes in the middle of the night. He was very generous and very proud of his roses and if anyone had ever stopped and asked he would have not only given them one, he would have given them a dozen. I frequent a local family farm here for produce and when the old lady was alive, she actually had people work in tandem, one would keep her busy in the produce barn while the other would be stealing her lovely plants that she had all around her giant live oak trees. That's some bad Karma being unleashed is all I can say.
Glenn Jones(9b)
7 years ago
DG they never did keep their promises and the kid is in and out of jail.. Lucky they moved.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
7 years ago
DG that's truly sad. I too would feel violated if someone was sneaking in my property to steal something.

After reading your post it makes me think that I should put a lock on the GH door. I would be devastated if someone stole any of my orchids.
Pea
7 years ago
The community center where i work has a rose garden...one night someone came and stole out of the ground all the more expensive plants and left the common so you know it wasn't some kid wanting flowers for mom.
dirtygardener
Original Author
7 years ago
Rita, bad karma, indeed.

Bea, that may not be such a bad idea, although, if it's plastic, thieves have been known to just slit the sides open.

My friend in Punta Gorda had a HUGE greenhouse and when they were on vacation, someone drove up a truck and emptied her entire place, even dug up plants out of the yard. She was in an isolated place out in the country. I was driving down to water and take care of the plants for her, and it was so hard telling her about it. Luckily, the sheriff knew exactly who had done it, and most of the plants were recovered. He took me with him to identify the plants, which all had colored tags on them. He arrested them on the spot for burglary, destruction of private property and grand theft, and some really sweet people from the place my friend worked loaded up their pickups and cars, toted the plants back home, and repaired the greenhouse. I slept there for the next few nights, and when they got home, it was like nothing had happened.

I still have a plant that she gave me; my giant stapelia. My mom had one for many years and when it died, my friend gave me one to take to her and a cutting for myself, which grew into the gorgeous plant I have today. They moved out of state, and I lost touch with them, but I think of her often and all the adventures we had growing plants together.