Tuesday, January 20, 2015

My haul from the Portland Nursery "Houseplant" sale

Even though I'd planned to be at the Portland Nursery Houseplant Sale bright and early (that means about 10:30 am for me) I woke up feeling poorly with a long list of things I needed to do (see, even I can admit I didn't "need" to go to the sale), I almost didn't go. Finally I came to my senses and checked it out. I really didn't plan to get anything, well maybe that Dyckia marnier lapostollei I missed last time, however sadly it was gone.

So I wandered around, checking out all the offerings, and whaddya ya know, I ended up with quite the haul...

Their tillandsia were included in the sale, 30% off the already low price of $5.99 for these guys! (making them just $4.20 ea!)...

I've never seen a Tillandsia bulbosa with an orange bloom, usually they're pink/purple. Of course that might still be what it turns into...

This one, with it's flush of pink, will look lovely tucked in with some dried protea flowers I've been hanging on to...

And these two, they're huge!

I've also learned the importance of looking up. If I hadn't looked up then I never would have seen this beauty hanging from the ceiling. Meet Ludisia discolor...

That foliage makes me swoon!

The only hesitation I had in buying was the fact that it's an orchid. Orchids have issues. I'm not sure I'm up for caring for a plant with issues. Any advice?

These little beauties (I bought two) were in the houseplant section, but their tag says their hardy to -10F...

My thinks that's something that can most definitely go outside, in the spring of course.

They have the most amazing colors! Iridescent blue and green...

And those red undersides!

The other thing I had to have (and the only cactus/succulent!) was this cute guy.

I love his blue color and the way his mean spikes turn from brown to white.

The green chevron patter is pretty great too. Anyone know what he might be? The tag had the super helpful name "assort cactus"...

I'm still kind of freaked out that I bought an orchid...(oh and the sale runs through the 28th of January, if you're tempted)...

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

32 comments:

  1. That Selaginella is a cool plant, so colorful! I checked out a recent houseplant sale that had lots of interesting little cactuses too, but no names on the tags. I was tempted but frustrated by not knowing what I would be buying, so I didn't get any. They all require pretty much the same care, right? Sun and little water and warmth? Still, it would be nice to know specifics. Great score on the Tillandsias.

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    1. Indeed, care is all pretty much the same, but inquiring minds need to know!

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  2. But that orchid has super fabulous foliage, worth the exception!

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  3. Oh, that Spikemoss! Gorgeous!
    As for the orchid: bright, indirect light; once-a-week soaking-and-draining; and well-draining "orchid mix" potting soil when repotting seems to be Ben's success formula.
    Nice haul!

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    1. Thanks Jane! Interestingly the orchid is currently in just regular old potting soil.

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  4. Me, too. That spikemoss! Red! I've never seen it that color. We have blue, green and gray in our mountains but nary a tinge of red. It curls up so tight in summer you would never know it was there. You can spit on it or give it some water and it opens up, sometimes called resurrection plant. Phenomenon is called "poikilohydry" according to Wiki, new word for the day. Anyway, thanks for showing it to us.

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    1. poikilohydry, who knew? I do have a resurrection plant I bought years ago at Paxton Gate. I forgot about it (poor thing) but when I did find it and give it a good soak it came to life just fine.

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  5. Nice haul! You might have to water that selaginella relatively frequently. They like high humidity and don't like to dry out. My horticulture advisor had a big Ludisia discolor in her office and it did fine. Mine isn't looking so great at the moment because I had it in a really dark spot and it didn't appreciate the move to Wisconsin. MulchMaid's advice is good. It's care is more similar to a regular houseplant because it's a terrestrial orchid rather than an epiphyte.

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    1. Ya, I did some research on the selaginella and saw it can be difficult to keep alive. One of the plants went outside already (in a protected location) and the other one is still indoors. We shall see.

      Thanks for the Ludisia discolor advice, sorry yours isn't doing so well.

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  6. I've never expected much from orchids, but in my experience they thrive on neglect...and who cares if that one ever blooms?

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    1. Exactly. I'd actually prefer this one never blooms.

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  7. Love the jewel orchid! That ruby spikemoss is gorgeous, too.

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  8. I almost brought home that bulbosa, but I decided to limit myself to three tillys and a haworthia. I hope you post a photo when it blooms! Speaking of the sale, I was just told that you shouldn't repot succulents until spring even if they are indoor plants. Is there any truth to this?

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    1. Hmmm, I hadn't heard that potting "rule" and certainly have broke it. Perhaps they're concerned about water? If I do repot a succulent I keep it on the dry side.

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  9. Yes I have orchids I have had for many many many years(oh I sound like I'm old) and yes do not coddle them just love him like you do all of your other plants and he will do fine ,may never bloom but with foliage like that who cares.

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    1. Thanks for the words of wisdom, and yes, I think blooming would actually detract from the plant.

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  10. I love the foliage of that orchid! and I had never seen the Selaginella...you always find cool plants :)

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  11. The orchid foliage is beautiful! They have little ones of these at Flower world and I'm always tempted. In my experience with orchids, it would be best to throw it away now and save yourself the heartache of watching it die. The newspaper had an article about how easy orchids are to grow and I do have a few that I haven't yet killed - give it time. I've never seen Selaginella with red undersides; what a great plant. Glad you made it to the sale!

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    1. I am anticipating a slow decline, and thus won't be too disappointed when it happens. Thanks for understanding.

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  12. In my experience, orchids are pretty tough. Good luck!

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  13. I was just there today and while I was waiting for my plants to be potted up I was admiring the ludisia discolor they were also doing and I couldn't believe it when she told me it was an orchid! I would have been tempted to get one myself otherwise. I have red selaginella too and I love it, does great in the terrarium it's in. It looks like you got a great haul!

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    1. Hi there, a new Portland blogger! That was pretty much my reaction when I read the label, "it's an orchid?!" Of course then I almost put it back, but ah well, maybe it will live. I bet a terrarium is the perfect location for that spike moss.

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  14. That foliage is to die for. Mum and I both have the view that we won't ever start with orchids because once you start it'd probably be really hard to stop collecting (and there's only so much room). Wonder what the flower will look like?

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  15. I remember seeing that Ludisia foliage at the MBG orchid show a couple of years ago and thinking WOW, and your photos produced the same reaction!

    Also, I'm going to have to find a Tillandsia with reddish hues -- so nice!

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  16. My Mom had a Ludisia discolor for decades, so it's likely very, very hard to kill.

    The Selaginella is way cool, very exotic.

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  17. I have a Ludisia discolor that I got at Flower World about a year ago. It's done well for me and I don't do anything special with it. It's in a bright window but has no direct sun. It's flowering now. It's the only orchid I've ever had that re-flowered successfully.

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  18. i think that blue cactus is melocactus azureus, it doesn't have its cephalium yet so it will still grow

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