Friday, July 12, 2019

So about that Austin Fling raffle prize...

When last I photographed that bright chartreuse ModDish planter, from Steel Life, I had just returned home from winning it at the Austin Garden Bloggers Fling. I was actually writing about another planter in that post, one I'd finally planted up (ten months after purchasing it) with a succulent—Obregonia denegrii—I bought in Austin.

In that post—dated May 25th 2018—I mused about how long it would take me to plant up the ModDish. Well I can now say for sure; 1 year, 1 month and 2 weeks.

I never have planted the small orange ModDish I got at DIG, before they closed. Instead it gets filled with whatever strikes my fancy, currently some large grey pebbles and a Tillandsia xerographica,

So, anyone what to make a bet on what I finally put in the chartreuse planter?
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Anyone?
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Would you be surprised if I said bromeliads? No, of course you wouldn't be. Here's the lucky line-up...

That big guy on the right (below) is to blame. I stopped by Garden Fever a day or two before leaving for the Denver Fling and they'd just gotten in a shipment of plants. He was sitting just to the side of the cash-stand as I paid for my purchases. I lusted, but I left. And he haunted me all night and the next day. I went back and thankfully he was still there, he might be a Neoregelia 'Pimiento', dunno for sure. Bromeliads in nurseries are not usually well labeled, at least in these parts.

After purchasing the big guy I decided he belonged in the chartreuse planter, and I needed another bromeliad to keep him company, at 16" wide the planter called out for more than one. I set off for Portland Nursery intending to pick up just one more bromeliad. I came home with three. It happens.

Not wanting to go the gravel mulch route, I started taking small plastic bags with me on walks. I collected lichen and moss, as well as small sticks.

Here it is all planted up and mulched.

Part of the mental block I'd had when it came to using the chartreuse planter was where to put it. The shape seemed to want to be on a table, but our patio dining table is just too small. However, having already staked out territory for the fern bowl, I realized I could tuck the ModDish right in on its left.

The collected moss and lichen make a great mulch.

The previously empty apotspot vase/planter also got an upgrade with mossy sticks and bromeliads...

Just a few more photos of the new bromeliad plantings...

It may take me awhile, but I eventually figure it out.

Weather Diary, July 11: Hi 81, Low 64/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

25 comments:

  1. Keeping the pot on the ground allows to view the Bromeliads from above, which in my opinion is their best 'side'. I wondered how you'd fit everything in one rather shallow planter... but it fits!

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    1. Luckily bromeliads don't need much soil.

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  2. Well that looks freaking amazing. You were lucky to win this. I think Steel Life is no longer in the planter business.

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    1. Yes I was, and ya, I think even last summer they had moved on.

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  3. That looks great! Love the mossy/licheny mulch.

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    1. I'm watching it carefully to see how it holds up cause I want to repeat it.

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  4. I'd have found that possibly-'Pimiento' hard to resist, too. But looking at the completed planter, it's the smaller maroon-spotted chartreuse bromeliad that really makes the composition work. Worth the wait!

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    1. Isn't that interesting how your perspective shifts when they're all together? That's why I couldn't not use them all.

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  5. Perfect placement and great choice of companions. You do so well with bromeliads. By comparison mine are looking very sad.

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    1. I just wish they could stay outside year round, that would be so amazing.

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  6. This looks terrific, Loree. I think using collected moss and lichens is brilliant!

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  7. Oh, that is perfection! I love bromeliads. I may divide one of my ground-hardy matchstick bromeliads and pot in a chartreuse container! I can collect lichen here, but alas, no moss.

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    1. Thank you! The moss around here dries up in the summer, but it's amazing how fast it's green again when the rain returns in the fall.

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  8. That big bromeliad is gorgeous! And it does look like 'Pimiento'. Would you believe I had it on my short list to order from Michael's and then took it off? I couldn't decide between it, Neoregelia Perfection, and Vriesea 'Sunset', so I cut them all. Might need to add one back in.

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    1. I love that you specified this was your "short list"...makes me wonder about the long list. Oh, and I would go for Neoregelia 'Perfection'... that's hot!

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  9. Looks good! Bromeliad and Succulent growers sure do always seem remiss about tagging their plants.

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    1. And for whatever reason I find it really hard to educate myself on the bromeliads. I find the succulents so much easier.

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  10. Perfection! I love the combination of colors and textures. Bromeliads suit bright colored metal containers. Looks like it was a fun journey too!

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  11. That red and green foliage has me lusting. Perfect plants for that color container.

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  12. Well done. Nice to see that your love affair with bromeliads is still going strong.

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