Nigel just got back from a train trip to California, a little vacation on his own. He had a rebate voucher from Amtrak that paid for a trip there and back on the Coast Starlight, so in between he spent a couple of nights (and one day) at Disneyland. While he was away,
Watson's Nursery posted on Instagram that they were having a 40% off sale on houseplants, so I decided to take myself over there to check things out.
They had some interesting ferns.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-5BprzW9KrSj2eM-VjEAXcO_KGuzLh4rwTvuW7dzRJKTpgzWkySnbCwJHYu5KHD7qkDrcXr_BJ2gEWv_lvBF88olW8JAU0VRsHzwE7BoqnXaj_OdOJsWBrbDyGS8ZoBcVMsoRq9IvWM/s640/IMG_1775.jpg) |
Some lush staghorn ferns |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2iKDkd92AgCpY36SaIXSBsB4AormLh-BTUW-4E0V47fIyM3QGCStO4wETqL-31bbEymjwvDMnsguv5ktVwZwZ8cf8U_SK2odO-0pBtK1MoWIpgmQTqZnkyQqcpeN0vITp20XjNaRNxU/s640/IMG_1779.jpg) |
Simply labeled Pteris sp. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m-nfJJ3YBxzx0MyBYLiw4lA9Nj_F7OLyD9izS9nqq7VN_GDuj-GlL0vxKJrxLHDY64LRFnx7OkRpXYkZ0wLUIQ-u8evyfnQ5gPS4jkm7p90h7Em6jjguE4PqLeJZexv1N5E4ka220Bk/s640/IMG_1782.jpg) |
Eyelash fern/Actiniopteris semiflabellata |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uMgAbXOuMvwf2q5NQAoLt-EUC_fQhRv5TAQkj_jnaXoQ_FQTzR6RKgcUUTiUFh7mabo20Ciso-J1Gufql8LFtQNLwqyn4EPX-FeRXk3LTd3BlbsWu7hISSVofW7wzqdPnPdPe1Us3Ks/s640/IMG_1783.jpg) |
I was tempted by this heart fern/Hemionitis arifolia, but I've heard it can be finicky to keep alive. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy6356XqrAEH93TCy_5zXPZe6p4EgT993zvjobWRepBDEG5N8SwqM2Uscr7IZTFTVhtUH3shZmvIv3Gk8ERCAW4oflVwhEVn6x8hS46XNDbUe5gOBi_7HUFjWXtU2roYzHUvVqcYnwKE/s640/IMG_1784.jpg) |
Button fern/Pellaea rotundifolia |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOiCCd9Er10T24vI40TeTbvVYSdugTvDvX8YaeuKRpXf35AMR3vVS0-G7nNdK5_xSqm0FyzBEfoW5R1o6DjZC5vCJjmU8imQ0UouiR5KGwMbPtS-38IZUl3ONZOZcDEi7eOms8S4NLk0/s640/IMG_1777.jpg) |
Variegated brake fern/Pteris ensiformis |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTzSHKklAUUNf44I7wM7t0ogQ0jbbJu5z2-bGgcRLsAdHHe6OhsThMwmJgKdpaMiiefu6oM0JZI4cJLmg_BvVaaLzJzq69N8N_LAcSo7_ibuRDLLq-BkPFvuKn2KeydKsayfRZXT9AfY/s640/IMG_2020.jpg) |
Technically not a fern, Cycas revoluta (Sago palm) looks a lot like a fern |
I also considered the prayer plants.
And this remarkably colorful Cordyline.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXSFt3wUbk9w6yOjvt_w1R59eiOuc4otzuOiAIVBbkLf5kJmhlt2SsCebn7BRgg-G_Err7kAFi2memT4ivJikNInIyaklnKkn_dxBRpV3w2dogUJT-gf4-BhaBGo45OJwoEfR6wlAxsw/s640/IMG_1805.jpg) |
Cordyline terminalis 'Cherry Cordial' |
A couple of months ago, I was visiting Watson's when they had just started putting a green wall together. If you scroll down through their Instagram feed
here, you'll find a couple of videos about the process of putting it together. It turned out fabulous.
The Bromelaids in the wall reminded me to check out their Bromeliad area, where I found some wonderfully lush specimens.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3ppKAi5G0m8LJD9UkN9qyeEuMKhUpEs4Bo56jkfjIvubFyQTyuh8PQs8oBcWku94AqYQPyjrsYiuv2HGRHYT1PnJYjoNYJf7LPGt5PkDys3hjXOh2HTLw_pzAaSxxmcOhGDQpmIV1UY/s640/IMG_2017.jpg) |
This flowering Vriesea had babies popping up already in the center |
I found a small but interesting selection of Dyckias from Little Prince of Oregon on their succulent table.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8T7a4Voes1xktuXdzMcf-Uu2QTVeNufpIsTJibfol5xFrrllmA3qpcPSplXJuqxJrjd8tFg7ba5sXWrlE0cU3U6J7unfnxYhVHEQzMS2sq_j0jYlQ4Oy3a4jPIUOYzO6NDpafXfmIcw/s640/IMG_1768.jpg) |
'Grand Marnier' |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleyl6-k-Co4L3bRJaXgQh543GPWBRFJFVDNoUYoQ894pyn5HTqpNb23pvKtPVY7bBwlBu_ET0E3jY99V1y4-OHi6qmzXSncM82QMIgILBj7vHaySbXrnKd56WZOGln1VeT4RacihiWQE/s640/IMG_1769.jpg) |
'Grape Jelly' |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d0AVdSzHFroDQ7r-DgCTVMSwudrMqnJ5zFa3YCb94LHkNJmH_ihkmwhnbEc_NhI6eX6SCIrZ44n9F0uXW1gNPfXX8S313iXxsr0Q41PU8l3qtWKuhxpsNDqiJh8_rFTmk67ttILXgVM/s640/IMG_1771.jpg) |
'Burgundy Ice' |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMI1Qaw5VKmdSN6-Hdgw1J7xGf8shEXGbuH8kdPYJNgo93LolGL41k-LoNS0Xesuzh9MGH2FGq8X5mzlhWGbWXD5QFuCNABhhRHn20fhWmE6XraVjig7GBa_YiVJriZmf1kv1Q4r9WF0/s640/IMG_2022.jpg) |
Most of these were simply labeled either Aloe or Gasteria, including that strip in the center, which I'm pretty sure are Aloe aristata. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQIm0IxMz1cBqSq9gUPrFca4GouNKtvAtQq9qawdbWYb7FhjAqGRn1FmnuXz0kTUc__PMaTr4cmjgwRGdn9DQsRVwg3Z8EEb2R3sIOv27CqsT3dUBez4iH8ZgiYqYHzr2fiN3xKsp66A/s640/IMG_2005.jpg) |
Mangaves! 'Inkblot' |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsAhKzncgVbF7MD0tjbyEu5XG0yvlwvmClOnFE6eU94eqMA1Mm69huTsr-MQzLAKsVuRaln0yJPdBye6DgrYluZga0AEmUFrWZz8FMZpYtbxWnb42HyD20DGbOwgufplvnivd0iodTQY/s640/IMG_2006.jpg) |
One Mangave 'Falling Waters' |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xwCbW5wYYDAPME6mBdxzBNFOR3pNcuPY4H9xGAyRh1mwsiK7LIFragS7bnwz7rOQxMJJahPrDy9U48ptEihgBgRcwP9dWJj5ZOPMtT2NXXL_SLSqPMh5BEQeMgDFSfRBcW98-vOypgw/s640/IMG_2003.jpg) |
Rows of fluffy Echevaria |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZLTAYyDijGcjPT6bXBVX0jxbsgkrdOAW_N6qbuIpZxaSt0IdIEZRCbE9j-w4YbH5gKL2XL2PUqZBLQe4sufrKTD1Y0oUpSSYFAL0Zy6BU91UfoV_h8VVZC1-wmCj0CAjz_lKrVhunaY/s640/IMG_2002.jpg) |
Various tiny pots of cactus and succulents |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcsLoFs8UYMY6J3z2Ew6ygK68YORjjACAD-bkSVhIzbRfTdzOFYMxiE58IupinijYkbJUZt5QJDw6-aVLxHy5PF4Bn_QUiUKKo7X92e4YXUaKqTLOCnHIi9Z_Ps7Uu3VfNEZ-5VCFbd0/s640/IMG_1773.jpg) |
I liked the look of that chocolatey, wavy Echeveria, but there weren't many to choose from |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkttP79oNGmg4qjRClFyWCoRMuVjgF5oklQmIPP0EevIkoaHRzzHZxhlovyUNrk79iSnwTdgwM7cAWQStA_3sRbRs1LUBRyf76BNPucOYDjHoj5zd0PtbPM5KbI9nSV94QYitQtO1xG0/s640/IMG_1772.jpg) |
Crown of thorns/Euphorbia millii |
Little knobbly, stripey Gasteria
They had some intriguing wooden containers and driftwood pieces, but of course, they weren't part of the sale.
I wasn't sure if these were included in the sale or not, but they gave me ideas.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TX-DxuYp27nt1ySTVx9le6rN446RGMEMS2_2mmFVh9ICNc8x_JVL2sqLv5Jv8eH0mqFcZ6POusIJ-0oo4nJRLEnaiWxBq_m-exthIWbfWH5d3UUJJYKBSfWTimfLuaDbhkXkMMs1TS0/s640/IMG_1806.jpg) |
Cool, but not $90 worth of cool, especially since I could get the plant for considerably less |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn1URt-g67Y9z1nEXqNtCrT8WNoLhrN1EaAFF8nTKEuIzd9IOoJFA2evf67Az6cph9Dce_wgxlEIz8YmAqLdsqh1i5s2Heu_Yh0viMPQXcluU2hy5hX5-xHvVvZ62pWqpeqi0MNf32rE/s640/IMG_1807.jpg) |
I don't know if those fungi are real dried specimens, but it's an interesting use for them |
Unfortunately, perusing the sale also meant having to endure this...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kvQ7408dMW4wvGjxquZUN9nWubZ6OL-E70yJRw4w3VbpOqPT5Fqzhrffdh8zH48ljlc_RbjNqlb5165W1oeWzFNet_fHhn0g9RRUJ6fW8axySyhoJL4xpDKshJvM2dYscRgQogVOZpc/s640/IMG_2028.jpg) |
I'm old school, seeing Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving doesn't just make me shudder, I find it annoying |
What did I bring home? One of those little chocolate Echevaria, a Crown of Thorns, a staghorn fern, two Aloe aristata, and a few Dyckia, two 'Grand Marnier' and one 'Burgundy Ice'.