Who gets your plants when you die?

[Nick_G]

I've left mine in my will to our local BCSS branch. Who gets yours?

[AnTTun]

Good question Nick. OK, not too cheerful topic but unevitable one day. Except for me, I'm immortal

[Lyn]

I often wonder this myself, and what would happen to them, hopefully it will be a very long way off for us all :-) XXXX

[jfabiao]

I'm "only" 51 and plan to worry about that much later.

Anyway, the plan is to sell whatever's worth something and leave the rest to a local botanical garden. My son has zero interest on cacti (or plants, for that matter) and there are no local associations.

[Nick_G]

The trouble is it could happen at any time, maybe tomorrow. I'm only 56 but I've been to a lot of my friends/workmates funerals over the last few years. When we drew up our wills my wife wanted to know what to do with my plants if I should go first, she'll have enough to worry about without the bother of disposing of them. She's keeping one, a Pyrenacantha that we have in our front room, part of the family now.

[DaveW]

I think it's not so much what to do with them since that comes later, but to find somebody who will instantly step in and look after them meanwhile. Usually the family has too much on their plate at the time and the plants get neglected, not watered or the heating is not switched on at the start of winter, therefore by the time their attention returns to the plants they have often been damaged or killed. The local BCSS branch is one custodian you can use, but if not ask another enthusiast in advance to step in for their immediate care and tell the family who it is.

Also your local BCSS Branch will often arrange to auction them off for your family since they will have a better idea of their value than outsiders or selling as a single lot.

[topsy]

Hi All,

It is very sensible to make sure that some arrangements have been made, as you say Nick, your partner does not want the added worry of what to do with a treasured living (hopefully!) collection. A static collection such as a model railway, glass paperweights or Moorcroft ceramics does not require urgent attention. Chances are that the plant collection will need to be disposed of during the worst months of the year, or someone has become ill during the spring, did not want to get rid of their treasures at that point, or the partner decided to retain the collection as it reminded them of their dear departed, and when winter arrives and heating is required for the collection they suddenly realise that it is a burden.

My/our collection is very much a joint collection and should my partner go before me then I will have to get rid of many plants, those which are too big for me to handle, those which are too awkward to handle (Opuntioids), and those which I truly can see no point in hanging onto. Should I go first then I hope he would dispose of all the mesembs according to my wishes, thus freeing up half of a 36 foot greenhouse ++. We each have plants which we would not like to be parted from, but they are not necessarily the same plants.

In some ways it is more of a problem when it is a joint collection, but whatever the circumstances it is important to recognise the best/right time to pass on plants which have been treasured. Too many good plants have been spoiled beyond recovery all for the sake of the deceased's wishes not being made known or written down.

I can hear the Plant Heritage/National Collection aficionados advocating their services, but I am not convinced that is the route to go.

We all like to think we are immortal, but facing the facts, which we should learn from our plants, we are not. There is the hope that passing on our plants at the right/best time may give our plants a better chance of immortality.

Suzanne
Mesemb Study Group

[Aiko]

Assuming I will see my end coming I will sell off / give away most of my plants but keep a few (almost all non-cacti, I think), mainly Pseudolithos, Othonna, Mitrophyllums, Monilaria and some Bulbines. Mostly small stuff.

[Wilk]

Mine are coming with me, though I have no imminent plans. Tender species inside the coffin and hardy species planted on top. Time Team will have a field day when they dig me up in 300 years time.

[Herts Mike]

I think that this is a really good subject which I wrestle with from time to time without coming up with any obvious solution.