My STORY
Hello and Welcome to Curry's Post Carnivores
This is my story of how a humble home-grown carnivorous plant collection became the amazing adventure it is today.
Hi and thank you so much for dropping by. My name is Lee and I’m the proud, albeit slightly obsessed, owner of Currys Post Carnivores, a small, home-based nursery nestled in the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. What started as a curious experiment with just two little plants has grown into a heartfelt journey and a thriving passion that I am now thrilled to share with others.
How it all began…
In 2017, we moved to Curry’s Post and rented a quaint cottage with sweeping dam views and sunrise skies that stole my heart. Country life was bliss… except for the flies 😄. So I thought, Why not a Venus Fly Trap!
In March, I brought home my very first two plants, a Venus Flytrap and a Trumpet Pitcher. I popped them into a glass roasting tray on the kitchen counter and eagerly awaited the demise of those pesky flies!
Being the impatient guy that I am, my collection RAPIDLY expanded, and before long I had a whole counter-top full of plants! Of course, like most beginners, I made every mistake possible: bad lighting, overwatering, overfeeding, you name it. Many of those early plants didn’t make it, but the seed of passion had been planted, and I was in too deep to give up.
Lessons, Losses, and a Second Chance
A year later, we bought our forever home right next door and lovingly named it “A Far Away Place”. With rolling hills and endless skies, I was in heaven. In 2021, I put up a small polytunnel for veggies and decided to give carnivores another go… Properly this time. Armed with newfound “wisdom” and a lot of humility, I purchased another batch of plants. After months of reading books, late-night research marathons, and countless YouTube videos, I sat back and hoped for the best! And guess what? This time the plants thrived!
My veggie tunnel was soon pulled down (hey, it’s all about priorities 😄), giving way to the “Dead Zone”. A greenhouse filled with toothy traps, sticky lures, and towering pitchers. It quickly became my weekend happy place (my hubby still checks in to make sure I haven’t been eaten 😄), and after a long day at work, a walk into the “Dead Zone” becomes my ultimate getaway from all the stress of the day!
One of my proudest moments? My Heliamphora (Sun Pitcher), native to Venezuela’s misty peaks, produced its first flower. That gave me the confidence to dive deeper, and soon I was propagating and growing from seed.
A Dream Takes Root…
By 2023, my collection had exploded. Over 100 different species, including some of the rarest and trickiest to grow. That Christmas, my hubby surprised me with the ultimate gift: he registered the domain and designed the logo for Curry’s Post Carnivores. It was the nudge I needed to share my obsession with the world. After nearly a year of late nights and pestering poor Mark with 100 million website questions, (this site being my first attempt at web design, so I am extremely proud, while Mark is extremely tired 😄), the site officially launched in September 2024.
With the love and encouragement of family, friends, and the incredible support from fellow plant enthusiasts, I’m finally living my dream! Not just growing these fascinating plants, but also connecting with amazing people who share the same spark. And best of all? I’ve had the joy of helping others take their very first step into this magical and addictive hobby, and get to relive my excitement with each and every single encounter.
And then came the air plants…
When my carnivores went to sleep for winter, I discovered a whole new passion – Airplants. Their strange shapes, endless varieties, and fascinating growing conditions snared me in like a trout to a lure! Today, I not only grow carnivorous plants but also import rare Tillandsia varieties from the United States, offering a diverse range of these unique and fascinating gems for both beginners and serious collectors alike.
Curry’s Post Carnivores is more than just a nursery! It’s my passion, my peace, and my way of connecting with like-minded plant lovers.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned collector, I’m so glad you’re here and I cannot wait to share the joy of growing these extraordinary plants with you. Please never hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries, questions or if you just want to share some pics of your own amazing babies.
From my garden to yours, thank you for popping by, and I look forward to interacting with you!
Lee 🌱