Event Details

About the Instructors

Carl Alexander, founder of RVA Tropical & Exotic Plants, leverages his lifelong passion for plants to cultivate a thriving community of enthusiasts. His agricultural background, honed at John Bowne HS in Queens, NY and through the Future Farmers of America (FFA), empowers him to curate engaging classes, workshops, and events. These experiences attract over 300 attendees from across the region, fostering a deep appreciation for plants and building a community exceeding 3,900 strong.

John Jefferson is the owner of Chimera Tropicals, a rare and exotic plant nursery in Richmond, Virginia. He is passionate about aroids and is dedicated to growing the hobby and introducing young people to horticulture. He is a skilled grower and hybridizer with a deep understanding of aroid taxonomy and cultivation. John is excited to be an instructor for the upcoming philodendron roundtable. He is also a board member of the International Aroid Society. 

Miranda Springston is a plant enthusiast with a passion for growing and caring for plants. She has worked as a greenhouse grower and interned at Norfolk Botanical Garden, where she gained experience in propagating, maintaining and treating plants for pests and diseases. Miranda is knowledgeable about a variety of plants including houseplants, annuals and tropical plants. She is also an avid home gardener; her own collection of plants includes Haworthia, Philodendron and Begonia.

Maks Zagorodniy is a plant instructor with over 25 years of experience growing and propagating tropical plants. He is passionate about helping people learn about philodendrons and has been specializing in them for the past 5 years. Maks is a moderator for the RVA Tropical and Exotic Plants group on Facebook and is excited to be an instructor for the upcoming roundtable on philodendron care.