In 2022, I often call home when I’m at the Trader Joe’s Bollinger. I’m unsure how this tradition started, but it probably began as a courtesy to the master chef of the Kang family (aka my mother), who hardly ever leaves the house. Oftentimes, I am asked to show her the row of succulents on sale. Up until last Saturday, I had not been asked to make a purchase of any plants.
What caught her eye on Saturday was an aloe brevifolia on sale for $3.99. Soon after asking me to put the spikey little critter in my shopping basket, my mom had a change of heart. Mentioning how carrying the succulent might be too much for my weak arms, she asked me to place it back. I did as told.
Not long after the call, I had a change of mind. I grabbed the aloe brevifolia and checked it out. Holding the little baby succulent on the walk home was somewhat of a hassle, but nothing I couldn’t handle; the size and weight made it similar to a cup of pearl milk tea.
Mom squealed with excitement when she found the baby aloe brevifolia sitting on her desk. Compared to her placid expression upon being presented with a box of Walkers shortbread last week, you could tell she really loves succulents. For me, it was awesome seeing the old lady so ecstatic; $3.99 (and working my arm muscles a bit) was chump change to pay for that delight.
PS: a Google Lens search reveals that the plant I bought may actually be a Faucaria Tigrina
