Kassi Luja
kassiluja.md@gmail.com
“Roses, roses, roses, roses.”
That’s the popular item the Poly Plant Shop has been busy selling, according to employee and environmental horticulture science junior Leslie Gray.
Along with roses, the plant shop has been taking orders for various bouquets, arrangements, chocolates and balloons with personalized messages the past month with a vintage theme for the love-filled holiday.
“We try to do some sort of theme in the shop,” sales manager and environmental horticulture science senior Aly Crofford said. “We all kind of get together and think (of) what would be fun. Everyone can relate to vintage; it’s nostalgic.”
For those who aren’t a fan of flowers but want a plant for Valentine’s Day, the plant shop is also selling succulents along with other plants.
“We grow most of our plants right on site,” Crofford said. “(The Poly Plant Shop) is totally student-run. We do all the management. We’re all Cal Poly students. It means a lot to us, we put so much into it.”
As a student-run shop, co-manager and graduate student Hannah Drasil said they try to cater to all price ranges and make sure there are affordable options for Valentine’s Day.
“All prices go up around Valentine’s Day,” Drasil said. “It is expensive, roses especially.”
While prices do rise in general with Valentine’s Day, the Poly Plant Shop is accessible to students and staff members who are on campus and looking for something to purchase for the holiday. These orders can also be delivered anywhere on campus.
“I think it’s a good way (for) students to support another Cal Poly-led program,” Drasil said.
Gray echoes Drasil’s sentiments.
“Everything that we do is all done by students,” Gray said. “It’s kind of fun to support the school and it’s just like a Cal Poly pride thing.”
The Poly Plant Shop is located on campus as part of the horticulture unit. Those wanting to purchase plants or other items can stop by the shop, order online or call in orders.