A couple of weeks back a fellow Portlander tagged me on Instagram to tell me about a plant sale she'd found and thought I would want to know about. It was only for the weekend, and I'd already missed the Saturday hours...
But this photo, well it had me planning to head over there on Sunday...
And I'm glad I did. Here's my haul...sorry, that big guy kinda hides the other two plants.
This is a "branch" off a plant that looked a lot like the hanging one above, in the Instagram photo. The owner said that basket had fallen to the ground and broke into pieces, so he was selling them individually. He gave me this one.
It, and it's friend with the red fruit, are now living with a few Tillandsia on one of my metal trellis.
Ya, they're hanging at an angle that makes it hard for the water to stay in the cup, not ideal long term... but I'm trying to keep it well hydrated.
This bad boy got a tall metal pot and pride-of-place in the shady corner.
The fellow who was holding the sale had spent much of his life in Miami, when he came back to the PNW he brought plants, cause that's what we plant people do, right? Sadly he's loosing his eyesight, and was rehoming many of his treasures. I'm thrilled I could adopt a few and will remember how lucky I am to be able to see their beauty every time I walk by them. We take so much for granted as we go about our daily lives. Things that can change overnight...
Thus was such an excellent and unexpected plant haul! And only $20 for all three...
Thanks @julineb!
Weather Diary, Aug 2: Hi 103, Low 65/ Precip 0 (dry day 46)
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
It looks amazing. Will the ones hanging on the trellis be planted eventually? (I thought they needed soil, but I've never grown Bromeliads).
ReplyDeleteProbably, they can get by with surprisingly little soil.
DeleteVery sad that this fellow is loosing his eyesight. You're right, we take so much for granted...Glad you got some of his treasures to cherish.
ReplyDeleteI remember the night I broke my ankle, thinking I'd never take walking for granted again. Of course I do though...
DeleteNice! That big guy is a stunner.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteFantastic finds! I've been wanting to get more bromeliads this summer but haven't been able to find any like yours.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we need to plan a trip to Rare Plant Research while you're here. He's not usually open to the public (wholesale except for a couple of functions each year), but maybe he'd make an exception. That's where Peter and I each got quite a few nice ones early this year...
DeleteMy grandmother and mom both had macular degeneration and it's hereditary, so I am always paying attention to my eyesight. So sad to hear about a gardener losing sight, but so lovely that his plants are finding new homes.
ReplyDeleteMy father has macular degeneration issues, it's something I worry about.
DeleteExcellent word-of-mouth via IG! I hope someone reads this post to that nice gentleman.
ReplyDeleteHe said the diagnosis went back to the 90's. He seemed fairly at piece with it.
DeleteAnd you didn't tell me??? Just kidding (sort of). You know I don't need more houseplants. What a great haul! That biggest one looks to be Vriesea ospinae var. gruberi. How big is it? Mine is an absolute monster and I wish it was one of the more compact forms, though maybe it will be smaller in the next generation now that it's bloomed and has a pup. Pretty sure I see a bloom spike starting in one of the rosettes on yours, too! Nice find! The one with the berries looks like maybe Aechmea miniata. So many Neoregelias, I can't even hazard a guess at the branchy one.
ReplyDeleteDoes the fact I thought about it mean anything? Ya probably not. I thought I might message after I got there, once I knew if there was much left, but by the time I did get there it was so late (the sale only ran until 1pm)...excuses, right? The big one is about 2ft across, and yes, there is a bloom forming. Thanks for the ID, oh and he said the branchy one was 'fireball'...
DeleteYou know I'm just giving you a hard time. It's very unlikely I would have rushed to Portland even if you had told me. I am a little envious of your new Vriesea, just because it's a double(or more?) and more compact. My monster is over 2 feet with just one rosette. Oy. I'm just waiting for the pup to get big enough to separate so I can save a little room in the house.
DeleteWhat a great haul. It is always sad when collections have to be sold on, but I often feel we leave it too late and end up loosing plants or seeling the plants in a real state. So in some ways great that he is seeling them on in their prime and knowing they are going to such a good home.
ReplyDeleteHe was definitely being proactive, although I got the feeling the rest of his collection was still pretty vast.
DeleteA bittersweet story. And a good reminder to enjoy what you have right now! I hope it comforts the man to know he has sent his plants to loving homes! The big boy is huge! Happy you were told about the sale : )
ReplyDeleteThere are no guarantees for tomorrow, right?
DeleteWell, the seller found the right home for his treasures! I agree with Evan on his ID for the large bromeliad - I have one of those too.
ReplyDeleteHas yours bloomed?
DeleteSaying goodbye to beloved plants is pretty darn tough, but if he is like I was, his heart is full knowing most have found appreciative homes! I'll never forget the fellow that bought my very old Christmas cactus that I'd had for 45 years and it was huge when a neighbor gifted it to me! He was almost in tears because he was replacing the one his grandmother gave to him, he was so excited and respectful of it's age! I'm still smiling... Enjoy your new beauties!
ReplyDeleteGreat story Sheila!
DeleteWhat a beauty that large one is! I'm wondering if maybe you could make a wire coil, pull it down into a 'basket' and bend a hook at the top to hang the red ones? Just an idea. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a fabulous idea! Thank you...
DeleteWell done Loree ! And so bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
Delete