“These three are mostly Calathea, and the little one is a derivative of orchids.” Plants under her arm, Stéphanie came to drop off her “babies” for his vacation time. Last summer, the young woman had mandated her neighbor to water her plants, but he let them burn out. So, this year, she preferred to entrust the most fragile to a professional. “They still require a little daily care”she admits.
Price of babysitting: 20 euros for one month. And it is at Nicolas Talliu, founder of the Society for the Protection of Plants (SPV). Guarding is one of its activities with a common philosophy: the fight against plant abuse. “When you buy a plant, you have the same responsibilities as when you buy an animal.he judges. It’s to say: ‘I made a commitment to have something alive, behind it I have to respect the watering, that I respect the conditions, that I listen to it a little’. People who support it come to see me spontaneously.”
Who says professional plant guardian says skills. Nicolas is a former nurseryman, former sales and landscaping consultant. And he not only does babysitting, he also advises his clients. “I will always give a little debrief when entering or leaving the plantshe says. Last time someone dropped me off a plant and said they had just repotted it, and when I got here I saw it was completely moldy.” He then allowed himself to change the pot, which was not holed. A small mistake that can be fatal “especially before the holidays”he smiles. “It’s a blow to come back and tell yourself that you shouldn’t leave and in fact, you shouldn’t repot…”breathes Nicolas.
The residents occupy the offices, the stairs, the furniture, the doorsteps of the halle des Girondins, a huge common workspace. Nicolas modifies the exposure of the plants according to what he observes in them.
“One of my first clients loves sending me her plants because each time she finds them healthier. She says ‘I don’t know what I’m doing to them, but if I come back and they’re beautiful , it’s more pleasant to come home.”
Nicolas Talliu, founder of the Plant Protection Societyat franceinfo
And as with the pet, he sends news of his proteges to the company’s Instagram account. Throughout the year, with his Society for the Protection of Plants, Nicolas Tallieu recovers plants destined for the dumpster and gives them a new life, resells them to individuals whom he directs in their care. An enthusiast who therefore never takes a vacation in the summer.
In Lyon, a company pampers your plants while you go on vacation – Report by Mathilde Imberty
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