ANN/THE STAR – “I’m not as plant-blind as I used to be,” said garden enthusiast Peter Chong.
“If you’d asked me about a philodendron before, I wouldn’t have had a clue. But now, whether I’m walking down a city street or hiking in the forest, I can spot and identify these beautiful plants with ease! It’s become such a joy for me!”
Chong and his friend Lone Wong, small business owners and the duo behind ‘That Plant Doctor,’ are plant specialists dedicated to helping “plant parents” thrive on their green-thumb journey.
Passionate about rare and striking flora like platyceriums, monsteras, philodendrons, and begonias, Chong and Wong have not only built a successful business but also a growing community – fostering connections, forming international friendships, and promoting sustainable living.
Before diving into the world of plants, Chong, now 40, dabbled in everything from banking to coffee supply and real estate, while 34-year-old Wong, an advertising and graphic design major, ditched his “super boring” graphic design job after just three months to join the family business.
Both were industrious young men searching for their perfect gig, and it looks like they’ve finally found it in their leafy passion.
Chong and Wong’s journey together began as a simple hobby nurtured in their gardens and shared over countless cups of coffee. Their fascination with the diverse world of plants gradually grew into something more significant.
Chong recalled being fascinated with Wong’s beautiful home garden at the time, almost half a decade ago. He said, “I liked plants but didn’t know how to get into gardening. After seeing Lone’s garden, I couldn’t stop thinking about having one of my own.”
Living in a condo with limited space, Chong faced challenges in sourcing plants and gardening supplies. “I had to travel far to get what I needed, and it was time-consuming and labour-intensive to bring everything up to my condo,” he explained. These challenges sparked an idea. Seeing a gap in the market, the duo decided to create a business that provided everything a gardener needs in one place.
Sustainability also became the heart of the duo’s business. They started using lightweight, eco-friendly substrates like pumice and perlite, making it easier for urban gardeners to manage their plants.
“We also don’t use chemicals in our products. They are safe for the ecosystem, children and pets,” said Wong. Their commitment to sustainable practices is not only good for the environment but also aligns with their goal of promoting a deeper connection with nature.
Chong and Wong’s different living situations – Chong in a condo and Wong in a landed property – gave them diverse perspectives on plant care and decoration.
PLANT PEOPLE PLAYGROUND
However, apart from the plant essentials (pots, media, volcanic stones), the duo realised that another important ingredient was very much in short supply – support.
They started meeting other plant sellers, learning more about the plants, and exchanging ideas. Their efforts quickly paid off, and they found themselves with a burgeoning collection of plants and a growing community of fellow enthusiasts.
“That’s how we came up with the idea to start Plant People Playground, an area at our office space in Sungai Buloh dedicated to experimenting with plants and conducting workshops and community gatherings, too,” Wong explained.
“We have so many different types of plants – staghorn ferns, anthuriums and a collection of paludariums – here. It has created such a vibrant ambience and has the power to make one feels good,” added Chong.
The duo also have another brand, called Kawan Rusa, specialising in platyceriums or staghorn ferns. It started around the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic, when they had free time and people from around the globe were rekindling their love affair with plants – mainly aroid plants (common houseplants like aglaonemas, monsteras, philodendrons, pothos and zanzibar gem) – and sharing their stories on social media. “We noticed a booming interest in platyceriums,” said Wong. “Which prompted us to experiment with these plants, to explore their unique qualities and how they could be incorporated into home decor, even in small spaces since they could be mounted on the wall. This was during the MCO and we had a lot of free time to play around with ideas.”
For aspiring growers, their advice is simple, “Start small, learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to experiment.” – Ann Marie Chandy
