Why, How, and ... something more important than money? 

Hey, friends. I was asked to provide some links to the products I use to film, so I've done that in the description. Hope you find it helpful.

I’ve watched all your videos and wait for them to come out. WHY? Because you’re so sincere,so interesting, and knowledgeable. And every time I have asked a question you answer and help. Thank you for being you and helping us Hoya lovers

This video is for anyone who has thought "Yeah, I could start a channel," but hasn't. What you have to offer is valuable--share it. I love my planty RU-vid community, and I owe them (you) an enormous debt of gratitude ☺

Your videos are like sitting with a friend, drinking coffee and chatting about plants.

Authenticity is hard to find. You are it.

I'm sure I can speak for the other viewers but your approach to sharing your story and just being yourself makes watching your videos so enjoyable. Your funny, you make me laugh and I have learned so much from you. Long covid has been a difficult journey for you, but you have been a blessing for us. I see only great things for your utube channel. Have a wonderful Iowa evening my friend.

I KNEW that it was your engagement level that boosted your channel so much. Creators really under estimate the importance of engagement. I love your channel and your community here!

What I was looking for, Dave, was a mature hoya plant lover. I no longer watch the trendy, the verbose, the inexperienced, sometimes unimpressive videos. I'm serious about my hoyas. Everyone was pretty much repeating the same, many who started out as "experts" abandoned their channel or took a hiatus due to mental health reasons. So I had to figure it all out myself until.. Dave, Sober Plant Guy came along and said what I wanted to hear regarding the facts of hoya care. Thank you for chosing this platform. Your down to earth personality and honest reviews and experiences is what I look for each week. I look forward to your next. Your fellow long covid fan, Dee, NY

Your love of plants is so obvious! I have made your trellis, made and used your insect preventative and bought the same bonsai scissors!! My Hoya Jennifer should arrive tomorrow. You are the best, Dave.

When I ran across your first video, I was like hang on, this looks different, I loved the name and I absolutely loved how you grew your Hoyas but more importantly you have a PERSONALITY which strangely seems to be lacking on plant RU-vid. Sometimes with others it feels like I’m listening to a shell of person holding a plant. You’re building a great community. Keep at it ❤

That brief journey, is almost parallel to what I experienced a couple of years back. The covid left me debilitating for almost a year ( memories I'd rather not relive) always grew plants, all kinds. It's in the blood. My mom and grandfather were/are gardeners. F tends always told me to do a channel. I procrastinated. Did it,but unlike you, wasn't really successful with it. One, I'm not a talker, and I'm self conscious being in front of a camera. So basically, I did it for myself, just to have a video diary of my plant journey. There's been plants I've had in the past that I no longer have that I've grown beautifully and wish I had taken pictures/video of. My first hoya was a pubicalyx pink silver that purchased 25+years ago that i grew hanging from a tree in my mom's backyard, that I named 'Endora' from the 70s show 'Bewitched', the most gorgeous thing I've ever grown. 18 feet of lushness. I have one picture of her buried in an album somewhere.I still have remnants of her, but i wish i had the forethought to take video. As they say with the internet...once its out there, it's there forever. So those will never get lost in a fire or thrown away, and I can always refer back to them years from now.

I'm proud to say that I subscribed if not right at the beginning, at least a video or two in. Your editing skills have indeed improved but I'm so glad that your sense of humour hasn't diminished. Thanks to the information you've provided, my hoya collection went from 4 to 18 in less than 3 months. I'd love to get more, but my landlord didn't approve my request to knock out and build more windows in my apartment. 😂 Must be a Quebec thing. Keep doing what you're doing, my friend. And keep the butter knife handy. 🇨🇦👍

Congratulations this is one of my very favorite channels. Keep it up. I love it.

I subscribed to your channel because you were quirky, honest, funny (sometimes oddly funny), and you have knowledge of Hoyas, which I love. Thanks for not cursing because I don't just don't like it and it nice to have your channel on my list! Congrats. So happy for you. Now how in the crap do we get rid of fungus gnats. Gee Marie, three days of my first pests and they just aren't going away. I have only seen about 20..... and I HOPPED on it asap. I hate fungus gnats (stupid things). :-) Once again, congrats. I am sincerely happy for you.

Every morning, I make my coffee and look to see if you’ve put out a new video. You are crushing this plant-tuber platform! I’m very happy for you. And happy for all of us Hoya lovers who constantly seek new, and very entertaining content. Thanks for all your hard work, Dave!

OMG Congratulations! 🎉 This is by far my most favourite plant channel. I have learned so much from you and my plants are reaping the rewards and my confidence as a plant carer has greatly increased. Thank you! So happy for you.

I like your videos because you’re a positive person and you love to talk about plants . Glad to see that you’re enjoying success with RU-vid

Apart from the great information you give, you brighten my day with your calm personality & sense of humour. Always look forward to your uploads. Best wishes from New Zealand 🇳🇿👍👍👍

You have done soooooo well Dave, I love your warm, friendly, informative videos. I have learnt so much especially about my Hoyas. I don't think many of them would have survived without you and my hubby is getting ace at the DIY trellis frames. Thank you Dave and please keep going. 😊

Congratulations, Dave! Very well deserved!!

Hey Dave I’m so glad you started this channel, you are amazing, such great knowledge, this is our world too, not just for the young and beautiful, I can relate to you a lot we are also related by now I bought some of your offspring. Cheers to many many years of growing plants together, 🤗

I'm so happy you got monetized quicker than you expected. I love watching your videos and have watched all of them. I'm still waiting for a greenhouse tour 😉

Dave you are such a genuine soul. I just look forward to your videos. Very inspiring ❤🇯🇲

You’re an amazing creator. I find you really soothing! You got me more hooked on Hoyas (I was already pretty hooked but more so now). I’ve also managed to get my hands on a really affordable cutting of Sp 4 WMZ 🎉. £11 on eBay - it wasn’t pretty - a one leaf one stem cutting with a hole through the middle of the leaf. But it was affordable and I knew there was a chance of it growing. Happy to say after letting it sit for a couple hours in the cabinet I grabbed it out to see the roots and they were fab and it even had the start of a new growth point growing out of the node! Thankyou for making your videos and sharing your journey with us you’ve inspired us all. I was eagerly awaiting your next video after watching all 32 within a couple of days. I might now go back and watch them again in the order you suggested! 😂

The video that got me, was your soaping up your plant outside and the pumping of your sprayer.😂😂😂

I love this! I’ve been thinking about making videos myself for a long time and I’m ALMOST ready but MAN is it scary! It feels very vulnerable to show my plants and my home and myself to the world. I’m going away for a couple weeks and then I’m really truly gonna give it a shot in September. But I have no equipment- just my iPhone. So I hope the quality isn’t terrible. Also I totally feel you on the chronic illness, mine are different than yours but the plant hobby has been so helpful in getting me moving and focusing on something else. I strongly believe in the mind-body connection so anything that gets my mind focused away from my pain, helps reduce my pain. So maybe the learning curve of filming and editing will be really good for me too. Here’s hoping. 🤞

I also watched all of your videos and have purchased one of your plants, NGG It's doing so well! You have done a fab job with these videos! I have taken your advice and my Hoya's are doing very well! I really love the information you provide as I'm new to Hoya's. Thank you and keep on with the videos!

I just found your channel last week and have not gone through to the beginning ones yet but I subscribe right away because I found you sincere and genuine.

Love your channel have enjoyed watching all your videos look forward to them every week

Thank you for sharing your journey. We all have to start somewhere for a hobby such as plants. Your knowledge has been very helpful. And your sense of humor was a plus to the video.

So happy that you're still making videos. I really enjoy your videos because you make Hoyas approachable. You're the Midwestern version of my favorite plantuber (I think he's yours as well). I'm glad to have interacted with you, albeit through email, but it was enough to make me a fan. Here's to many more videos!

Hi Dave! I've been with you from the beginning! I love that you say what you really feel and not popular opinion! I also like that you're not 25 (lol, I'm not either! It's relatable!) And I really enjoy your plant content and sense of humor! Keep it up! Your channel is fabulous 👌 ❤🎉 edit to add that I sincerely appreciate it when you answer questions that I ask on your channel! ❤

I have unsubscribed to so many plant related YT videos as they doesn't make any more sense to me but you are in the few i will continue to learn and enjoy the content. Thank you for sharing your story and experiences.

I love your channel so much! Great facts and great personality. It took me 5 years to get monetized on RU-vid. Advice like yours really helped me stick it out. 💗

I’m so proud of you. I knew your channel would grow fast. ❤ your videos are just so fun and informative.

I’m glad you put this out. I had no idea you were new at this. Idk which of your videos I watched first, but it was enjoyable. I don’t watch planty videos because I’m a new grower. I’ve been growing plants for 45 years and have had more success than I deserve. It just came naturally to me. I watch to see the variety of plants available. I haven’t watched any of your recent videos because they seem to focus on Hoyas & I’m not a fan of that genus. Good luck on your continued success and I do hope you fully recover soon!

Yeah!! Congrats Watch all your vids Keep up the gd work

Great video! Thank you for sharing a bit more of yourself ❤

Congratulations, Dave! 🎉 I wish you the very best for the future. Really inspiring. I've been thinking about starting a channel myself and this video is just what I needed.

Honestly, I came across one of your videos a while back and was disappointed that you mentioned that you would only buy hoyas from sellers like Ric and April, and not "some random Etsy seller". As that random Etsy seller, just trying to compete with the big names, that hit hard. But RU-vid kept recommending your channel to me and eventually I gave in and watched. I appreciate that you are openly sharing your knowledge of all things, even becoming monetized on RU-vid! While I do hope you'll reconsider supporting a small business, you have earned another subscriber in me with your knowledge and sincerity.

So true! Any idiot with a phone can make a video but that doesn't mean they know what they're talking about

I thought it was great when you said you were bored with the unboxing videos and proceeded with a more of a how to and a what to approach. That hooked me. I love youtube for so many reasons. My bible teacher is number one by far. Thanks for talking about how disconcerting this long covid has been for you. It certainly isn't obvious. I'm a senior and my cognitive is like a bad stick shift. Yikes! But oh well. Still I am learning. When the plandemic rolled in life changed dramatically. Horticulture considered an essential business and I started collecting some orchids. Then the hoya market got a hold of me. And it's therapy. My first experience with rotten roots was with orchids. Show me the roots!

Wishing you continued success and recovery! 🤘

Dave, you've become my favorite. Love everything about your channel. It's helpful, inspiring, entertaining and comforting. Thank you, Dave! Good luck 💚

I enjoyed hearing your RU-vid origin story. Congratulations on your monetization! RU-vid recommended your first video to me and I’ve been subscribed ever since. You’re one of my favorite planty people on the internet. Keep up the amazing work!

I agree with so many of the other comments….you are authentic, have some realistic life experience, and relay cohesive plant information. I am not so much into the Hoyas, but still watch and learn. Thank you for your inspiration and your leap of faith!

I ran into your videos from googling a plant I had just purchased and I wanted to get care info (New Guinea Ghost) I really enjoyed the video so I started watching more and ended up subscribing, then couple month ago you posted your New Guinea Ghost again and it was Sunstressed so beautifully I asked you how you got yours to Sunstress like that and because of your response/advice I finally got mine to Sunstress! Thank you for all your help, these videos are my fav thing to watch on RU-vid.

Sage advice

I’m happy for you. Your content is great and engaging. I, too wear my hats in the house and carry all my plants to the sink for watering. Above all I’m obsessed with My Hoya. Looking forward to your next video. 😃

Congratulations!🎉 That’s Iowa charm for ya!😉

Thank you so much for this! I like your plant videos, and your humour; but this ehat xou just told, I love it. Keep going, you‘re awesome!

Thanks for sharing and being sincere.

YAY!!!! Good for you.

Thank you for sharing your story on how you got started! I'm sorry you are a long covid victim. I'm really happy you are here sharing your love of Hoyas and plants though! You're doing an amazing job! I would love to buy a Hoya from you! How do I go about it?

I am so sorry Covid affected you in the way it has!! I heard of long Covid but didn't realize it could be so debilitating. How wonderful that you were able to find your niche in plant care!! I have been through some traumatic experiences in life and it has affected my memory, brain etc... and I find myself repeating myself and saying "um" a lot in my videos. I am a new subscriber of yours and just started my own plant channel about a month and a half ago so I really love and appreciate this video and I hope I can be as successful as you!!❤❤(If you decide to watch any of my videos, feel free to give me any tips or advice or feedback you think might help me improve!!)

I really like the honesty revealed on this video. Very humbling but you shared it anyway. Thanks!!

I totally dig your channel and didn't know it was so new. If you were in Cleveland we'd totally be pals 😚 In the before times, before covid, I had the obligatory big box store variety of houseplants: Pothos, ZZs, tradescantia, ferns. I too, only watched youtube for music videos, or DIY projects around the house 😅 Of course after my job sent us home due to covid, my collection grew a bit...then I happened upon a mature monkey tail cactus in a local nursery that was not for sale. I became obsessed and ordered a few monkey tail pups online but really had no idea what to do with them. So I went to youtube and found Wild Fern. Then came the IKEA greenhouse videos. Then all these cool plant channels!!! Soooo 200+ plants later my collection includes anthurium and hoyas(!!) and philodendrons and my monkey tail is almost 3 years old and is cute as can be!!!

hi Dave! this is the actually the first video of yours that I’ve watched and as a new creator myself, I find your honesty and camera presence refreshing! 🙂 although I probably fall into the category of young ppl who make videos about plants they know nothing about (guilty 😂), we also need more content creators who do their research and bring a different vibe to the community. awesome growth, keep it up! 💚

This has been one of the best videos you've ever made. So glad you took that risk and tried!

Congratulations on reaching your monetization goal so rapidly! I enjoy watching your videos because of your Midwestern personality (I’m from KS originally) and your unmistakable but understated Hoya knowledge. I’ve watched your videos since YT suggested your 1st one to me :) I’m sorry you have long COVID; one of my family members suffers from POTS (which can occur in long COVID); I am dealing with brain fog issues, so I feel for your situation. There are just not enough long COVID/dysautonomia doctors/clinics in the US.

I do enjoy your videos. I have about 15 plants and propagate the (2) Hoyas for gifts to my friends. I'm sorry to hear about your journey through Covid. You are not alone and many understand your circumstance. I love the Hoyas and plants you show. But, actually, i watch because you have a great insight and calming personality. You are good at giving strong life lessons. We all need that. Thank you.

Super proud of your work ❤and accomplishment with your channel 👏 continue teaching us....I love it❤

Love your authenticity. I only have one hoya, krimson queen, but I enjoy your content nonetheless. I think that seeing your thinking has many implications beyond hoya. I'm inspired to get more hoya and then I'll be watching even more carefully for those invaluable hoya nuances!

Love watching as this develops into the awesomeness that is you. We've been friends for as long as we have because of your genuine drive for learning through actual experience, care and all around a wonderful human... cause for me it ain't based on your looks, brother🤪♥️

This is a great message to put out there - love your honesty and how proud you are to be yourself

Hi Dave! I just wanted to give you an update. My first video went live this morning! Thank you for all your advice. It’s still scary but exciting too! ❤

I call you "My friend Dave in Iowa!!!"

Thanks for sharing your story! It’s so encouraging! On top of all the great contents, I love your channel as you sound just like Mr. Roger! It’s so soothing and calming! 😂

Congrats Dave, Ilove your videos and have watched since day uno. Its nice to see you succeeding knowing how it feels living with ME/CFS/LC for several years myself now. I started with a back injury and following several ops I have chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I struggle with work now, I have tried several jobs and I burnout and end up really unwell and at 41 its not ideal. I’d love to film my planty collection along with my cats becasuse they love getting in on the act!! I have procrastinated about it for several years and have just never acted on it because I feel intimidated and self conscious. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD so I’m worried about consistency, Ive never filmed or edited before in my life so it’s nice to know you were also completly new to that element. Its nice to hear about your back story, look forward to future vids

Enjoy your videos, I,m learning a lot from you Thank You!

I love that you know who you are and that it's ok with you 😊

I enjoy your videos. Keep em coming! :)

If you can do it, maybe I can too! I just wanna share my love of plants and I gets so excited and I want to talk about them and why not film it while I’m doing it? I’m such an introvert and I worry about being judged. I don’t know if I could handle any negative comments online. My house is a wreck and I got kids and dogs and cats, but I also have a beautiful house plant collection of almost 200 plants in a variety of genius and I’ve learned a ton in the year and a half since I started collecting them. I filmed a little tour of just my bathroom plants, but I haven’t had the guts to send it to anyone to watch.

Right on Dave. I’m super glad for you and happy that I found you so I can learn some cool shit about hoyas. I decided to throw in a little swear for you😊

I love your vids. You are doing great with care to give as much information as possible. One thing I’d ask for is when you are talking about Hoyas, can you let us know if in your experience, they do better hanging or trellised? I bought a flagellata Hoya and it was growing up. So I clipped the tendrils to the small hanging basket and the tips dried off. They were not tight at all. All 3 dried up. Though it likes to tendril up, it likes to be free lol. If you could add your experience such as this that would be great. I have an insularis that I’ve had since November and it’s only popped off 2 leaves (recently). I’m wondering if it wants a trellis but I do not want to lose any part of it. Not sure what to do with that one.

I simply love you.

I enjoy having you as a guest in my home

As long as I feel that I get a true, good, "Profesional" content I'm in. Word of advice, if you feel you don't have something to say at a specific week don't feel the pressure to put something anyway, I think it will suck all your energy, trying to think how to be anovated.

you have a good channel.

Wondering why you named your channel Soberplantguy?

Your story is inspirational, though not surprising, given your passion for plants. Your friendly approach and delivery remind me of that popular school teacher kids go to for sincere advice, without heavy handed, authoritarian instructions. You enjoy experimenting with your plants, and encourage viewers to enjoy doing the same. Kudos to you, and thanks for all your help. 🪴

Congratulations Dave! I truly believe that good things come to good people. Having a good work ethic and good sense has helped your channel as well. 😊. Wishing you all the best and continued success on this channel. This was an excellent idea for a video and it was fun to learn. Thank you. 👌🪴🥰

Congrats on your success so far! I was an early subscriber too. Keep up the good work! 🎊🤗🪴