Floresta Melbourne Workshops & Speaker Series

Workshop: Soil to LECA Made Easy

Curious about LECA but not sure where to start? Join The LECA Queen for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn step-by-step how to move a plant from soil to LECA,  the semi-hydroponic method that makes plant care easier and more predictable. You’ll learn the science and practicalities of growing plants in LECA, as well as your own plant and pot ready to live the semi-hydro life.

You’ll leave confident, with your first plant successfully transitioned into LECA, and everything you need to look after it at home.

Nora, known online as The LECA Queen, is a Melbourne-based plant educator and content creator specialising in growing indoor plants without soil. Through her YouTube channel, social media platforms, and thriving online community, Nora has helped thousands of plant lovers master semi-hydroponic growing. Her teaching style is practical, beginner-friendly, and packed with tips you can start using right away.

Workshops: Make Your Own Hydroculture Terrarium

Forest or Koi Pond

Everyone has owned a terrarium that turns brown and gets relegated to the garage, so Kate from HABIT Plants wanted to change that with their terrarium range built around hydroculture principles and ease of care. Now you can build your own!

In this 1 hour hands-on session, you will learn how and why hydroculture terrarium techniques can keep your terrarium looking good for years. Learn composition, use of hardscaping, proportion and care. You will create a 12x12cm cylindrical terrarium; glassware, substrate, hardscape, plants and tools will all be provided.

For the Forest Workshop: You will have a chance to add some animals to your forest from the selection provided, but if you have your own that you would like to include in your new miniature world, bring them along on the day.

For the Koi Pond Workshop: In this workshop, you will also be integrating a handmade resin koi pond (please note that these are provided premade).

Workshop: Kokedama for Beginners

Get ready to get your hands dirty—in the best possible way! In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn the ancient (and slightly addictive) Japanese art of kokedama making.

We’ll cover two techniques:

The charmingly rustic style (a little wild, a little “nature just threw this together”)

The neat wrap style (for when you want your moss ball dressed to impress)

You’ll make two small kokedamas—one of each style—so you can go home feeling like a plant stylist with range.

BYO apron (or clothes you don’t mind getting dirty), hair tie, and a bucket-load of enthusiasm

Warning: Once you start making kokedamas, you may find yourself moss-wrapping everything in sight. Proceed at your own risk!

Workshop: Botanical Hat or Lapel Pin

Join Renee for a Creative Pin Workshop!

Unleash your creativity by handcrafting a unique and stylish hat pin or lapel pin. You will have the option to select from a beautiful array of Australian botanicals and add a delicate feather to make your design truly one-of-a-kind.

This workshop is perfect for nature lovers and creative souls. Come along and create something beautiful!

If you have a hat, feel free to bring it along, and we'll design and fit your pin at the end of the workshop.

Speaker Series: The Care & Cultivation of Arisaema

We are delighted to invite you to a special free talk on the care and cultivation of Arisaema, presented by Jane Tonkin of Tonkins Bulbs and Perennials. Often called “cobra lilies” or “jack-in-the-pulpits,” Arisaema are woodland perennials admired for their architectural forms, bold foliage, and striking spathes. With more than 150 species found around the world, they offer gardeners a fascinating challenge — rewarding patience and care with some of the most dramatic displays in the plant kingdom. In this session, Jane will share her extensive knowledge of these extraordinary plants, drawing on years of practical experience growing and trialling unusual bulbs and perennials in Australian conditions. Her talk will cover:

  • The natural habitats of Arisaema and how to replicate them in cultivation

  • Soil preparation, drainage, and watering techniques

  • Seasonal cycles and dormancy management

  • Propagation methods and dividing mature clumps

  • Advice for successfully growing Arisaema both in the ground and in pots

This will be an invaluable opportunity for both beginners and seasoned collectors to learn practical tips for success with Arisaema, and to ask questions of one of Australia’s leading growers.

About Jane Tonkin

Jane Tonkin is co-owner of Tonkins Bulbs and Perennials, a renowned Victorian nursery specialising in rare and unusual plants. Alongside her husband Peter, she has built a reputation as one of Australia’s foremost growers of bulbs and perennials, supplying keen gardeners and plant collectors nationwide.

With more than two decades of horticultural expertise, Jane has developed a deep understanding of cultivating challenging and lesser-known species in local conditions. She is a familiar face at garden festivals, plant fairs, and specialist society events, where her approachable style and infectious enthusiasm inspire audiences to explore the diversity and beauty of unusual plants.

Speaker Series: Growing Hoya in Melbourne

We are excited to present a free talk with Callum Merritt of Habit Plants, who will share his expertise on the cultivation of Hoya — one of the most beloved and diverse genera of ornamental plants. Known for their wax-like leaves, cascading growth habits, and clusters of starry, fragrant flowers, Hoya are equally at home in hanging baskets, trained on trellises, or integrated into outdoor tropical-style plantings.

In this session, Callum will provide practical advice on how to grow Hoya successfully in Melbourne’s unique climate, covering both indoor and outdoor settings. His talk will explore:

  • Choosing the right Hoya species and cultivars for your conditions

  • Soil, potting mixes, and watering practices to encourage strong growth

  • Light requirements indoors and outdoors, including tips for acclimatising plants

  • Training and pruning techniques to showcase growth and maximise flowering

  • Pest management and seasonal care tailored to Melbourne’s variable weather

Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of how to care for these resilient and rewarding plants, whether you are just starting a collection or already have a few treasured specimens.

About Callum Merritt

Callum Merritt is a botanist and plant specialist with years of experience cultivating rare and ornamental species. Before founding Habit Plants, a consultancy focused on personalised plant care and maintenance along with the sale of rare collector plants, Callum served as Head of the Hoya Department at Paradisia Nurseries, one of Australia’s most respected growers of exotic and rare plants. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing one of the country’s most extensive collections of Hoya, gaining invaluable knowledge of the genus and refining his expertise in propagation, husbandry, and display techniques. His work at Paradisia helped cement his reputation as a leading authority on Hoya in cultivation.

Today, through Habit Plants, Callum continues to share his passion and practical know-how, offering consulting services to individuals, businesses, and plant collectors. His engaging teaching style and depth of knowledge make him an excellent guide for anyone wanting to understand how to bring out the best in Hoya, both indoors and outdoors in Melbourne.