Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Black Friday, my way

Black Friday sales are not the slightest bit appealing to me, I can't think of anything that would tempt me to wade into the ugly teaming mass of shoppers looking for a deal. Of course it's quite a different matter when an online sale on plants, from a vendor you trust, shows up in your inbox. And when you're already planning to visit their website to pick up a gift for a friend, well then how can you not do a little shopping, right?

Here's my recent Black Friday weekend haul from Bird Rock Tropicals.

While I didn't have to leave the house to make this purchase it wasn't without it's own bit of drama. The first notice I received from the USPS said it would be delivered on Wednesday the 28th (great, it shipped on the 26th, just two days in transit!). It wasn't delivered on Wednesday and then the date was Thursday by 8pm. Nothing showed up. Mid-day Friday the shipping update read something like "your package is taking longer than expected to be delivered", this is after it had been scanned as arrived in Portland on the 28th. Where was it? The post office didn't seem to know.

The box finally showed up Saturday evening, the coldest temperature these guys probably had to suffer was around 41F. That and being in the dark for almost a week, I'm cautiously optimistic they'll be okay.


What's in there!?

A pair of Aechmea recurvata v. benrathii

Here's an early summer purchase of the same kind of plant blooming right now in the basement, and yes, there are a couple of pups already forming.

Aechmea recurvata 'Bronze Age' looking quite different than it does on the website (here).
Tillandsia secunda v. major (vivipara), I can't link to the page on the BRT website, cause they're sold out. It's a fabulous Tillandsia.

And lastly Aechmea recurvata v. recurvata, isn't that color fabulous?

Sadly this will probably be my last online "impulse plant purchase" for quite a few months, the weather being an issue going forward. Thankfully the Portland Nursery Houseplant Sale is coming up mid-January...I think I can make it until then...

Weather Diary, Dec 4: Hi 48, Low 40/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. Great Black Friday purchases, like you I avoid the stores as much as possible at this time of year. I love buying things online. That is great color on that last one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I finally ventured into a couple of brick and mortar shops last Thursday and they were surprisingly empty. What a blessing!

      Delete
  2. What a lovely bit of shopping without the madness of the masses. Fingers crossed your 'Bronze Age' will turn bronzy soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so different! Hard to see the color changing that much.

      Delete
  3. Your Black Friday method of shopping is much more appealing than standing in line somewhere to get a cheap T.V. Nice haul but it's sad to think that the mail order plant shopping has to be suspended until the weather warms back up. (Is it April yet?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really don't do much online plant shopping, so I should be okay. You though...

      Delete
  4. Nice haul! The orange Aechmea is wonderful. I try to do all my holiday shopping on-line now as I can't stand the traffic or the crowds but I did swing by a plant nursery for a little Christmas shopping yesterday - and of course brought home a few things for myself as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Christmas has come early! <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love shopping in little, out-of-the-mainstream venues but this year has been the year of online shopping (mainly). Unfortunately, postal delivery seems to be understaffed and we find parcels in the strangest places. Luckily the one that rested under a tree for several days before we discovered it was double-bagged in plastic. (no noticeable damage)
    rickii

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yikes! That sounds like the behavior of our Amazon delivery people, our postal carriers are so considerate.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful Brom choices.

    Hope you get to visit Bird Rock in person: it's heaven for plant lovers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. uh oh... i feel another plant purchase in my future...

    ReplyDelete
  9. When I was at a really great local grocery store yesterday, I was drooling over indoor plants like beautiful little white-flowered Cyclamen and gorgeous Cymbidium orchids. Had too many errands to buy plants and let them sit in the car in the cold, but I am thinking a trip to our local orchid greenhouse might be a good treat right about now. Totally agree about Black friday shopping in person. I hit my fave local stores before the event.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I killed a Poinsettia one year, by leaving it in the car while I took care of various errands. It's a real concern!

      Delete
  10. GlassRockGardenDecember 12, 2018

    What was your shipping cost? The website says: Shipping & Box Fees - Billed separately for shipping, boxes ($5.00) & phyto ($105.00 ea), charges once your order is ready to ship. Orders will not be for $0.00

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!