Hi, I'm Melissa — the plant lady behind Crooked Finger Farm.
If you've found your way here, you probably share at least a little of the same obsession I have with rare and unusual tropical houseplants. Welcome. You're in the right place.
The Nursery Notes is where I'll be sharing what I'm learning, what I'm growing, and what's happening down in my licensed basement nursery. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at the propagation bench — the wins, the experiments, and the occasional humbling lesson that only a plant can teach you.
How It All Started
I've been growing plants for as long as I can remember. It's genuinely in my blood — I seem to have a natural sense for what plants need, though I'll be the first to tell you that they are always the ones doing the teaching.
Everything shifted when I discovered that rare tropical varieties could be sourced online. My creative mind opened up completely. Since then I've been using rare tropicals to build serene, living indoor spaces throughout our home — always pushing into more advanced varieties, always watching in quiet amazement as they grow.
Crooked Finger Farm itself got its name from our small home property, which we share with a wonderful collection of exotic rescue creatures: a green iguana (our logo inspiration), ball pythons, turtles, frogs, and fish — most of them lovingly contributed by my husband Tom. It's a full house, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
What to Expect Here
In The Nursery Notes, I'll be writing about:
- Plant care deep dives — going beyond the basics for Anthuriums, Hoyas, Monsteras, and more
- Propagation tips — what's working in my nursery right now
- New arrivals and hybrid updates — first looks at what's coming to the shop
- Seasonal growing advice — how to adjust your care routine as the seasons change
- Honest lessons learned — because every grower has plants that humble them
I hope this space becomes a resource you return to — whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting to fall down the rare plant rabbit hole.
Thanks for being here. The plants are glad you came.
— Melissa, Crooked Finger Farm