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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Molbak's visits the desert southwest - More Fun with Alison

Our second stop (Flower World was actually the third) on the Lassie and Outlaw nursery hop was Molbak's in Woodenville.  Their notoriously huge offering of holiday decor of all kids (oops, that should have been of all kinds- thanks Danger.) is a bit overwhelming in one sitting so today, we'll look at some things from arid areas.

That huge opuntia was a serious temptation but the price made me think twice.  Perhaps it'll still be there during the January houseplant sale.

Alison grabbed one of these variegated aloes just about to burst into bloom.  One would have come home with me too if one didn't already live with me.


Oh, that blue color!



Look, glochids that don't come off in your skin!



Pretty good looking faux cacti.

Chrysanthemums aren't really desert plants but the colors suggest the southwest.







These imitation plants require no care whatsoever.  I wish you an equally carefree time as the crush of holiday activities and preparations begins.


27 comments:

  1. I'm always so jealous of your awesome nurseries! I think I have that Opuntia in my garden... Let me know if you'd like a couple of pads as a Christmas present!

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    1. We are very lucky indeed. The high price of that specimen (nearly a hundred dollars) kept me from buying it at full price. I would love a single pad but wouldn't want you to remove it from a plant you love.

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  2. I am always amazed at how much you get out and about. I am trying to not to tempt myself with any new new holiday goodies so I am not visiting many cool shops. But I did splurge on a big Boston fern instead of a Poinsettia this year.

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    1. A great idea to get a plant other than a Poinsettia. They're lovely, cheerful, and bright but your Boston fern will last for years!

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  3. "Their notoriously huge offering of holiday decor of all kids is a bit overwhelming" kids as holiday decor would be very overwhelming...so loud and full of energy. Were they hanging from trees?

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    1. That would be overwhelming indeed and a little too much like being at work. Thanks for the laugh!

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  4. Renee beat me to it! That big opuntia is probably Opuntia robusta. Easy to find and I also have it so no need to buy one.

    That's cool they have a more interesting selection of Southwest style ornaments than we usually see here.

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    1. Their offering of all kinds of ornaments is extensive, with many themed areas done up to the nth degree.

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  5. Molbak's is my favorite nursery. They are a bit pricey, but looking around is free and everything is done so tastefully. Among the cacti I spotted Euphorbia milii. I love those bright little red flowers.

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    1. I love Molbak's too. Pricey but they do several sales through the year. They really slash prices of seasonal stuff big time.

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  6. I'm on the hunt now for a cool pot for that variegated Aloe. Mine wasn't about to bloom but I did choose one with lots of offsets (even better than flowers in my opinion). So funny how I didn't even notice all those cactus-themed holiday decorations.

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    1. That's right, offsets on your new baby. It's such a beauty and gets more golden if given stronger light.

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  7. Cacti seem to be big this year. I was sorely tempted by some cacti vases the other day but my better angel whispered "FOCUS, focus on your list, you selfish sod".

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    1. You should get those cacti vases as a reward for listening to your better angel for a while.

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  8. I don't know what I'd do if we had anything close to as many cool nurseries as you get to visit. All those tempting goodies, and I don't have that variegated aloe so I'd have to start there of course.
    Good luck with the holiday prep and hopefully there's plenty of time to enjoy it as well!

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    1. Luckily, my sister hosts Christmas and most of my "shopping" consists of online gift card buying and making things so I just get to enjoy the season.

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  9. So many plants and no place to have them. I love the cactus ornaments. I would never see these around here.

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    1. Cactus everything seems to be popping up all over the retail market here.

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  10. You and Alison do get around! Do your local garden centers push aside all their usual offerings to make way for Christmas trees and decorations in late November? In recent years, all ours seem to transform themselves into tree lots, which has this gardener saying "bah humbug!"

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    1. Many of the big nurseries that also carry extensive interior decor simply replace the summer stuff with fall/harvest stuff and then the holiday carnival. Christmas trees replace summer annuals, dormant perennials, etc. in outdoor areas. As soon as the trees clear out, it's time to move in the bare root stock and begin the season again. It would be frustrating in your area when winter is prime planting time to find plants replaced by tree lots.

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  11. You guys in the PNW really have all the fun! ;) and I love those Christmas ornaments!

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    1. Sometimes I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming and that I actually did end up in the PNW (sort of by accident really.)

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  12. Another stunning display of succulents and cacti. What a temptation all of them are, I would be hard-pressed to leave without a dozen or more new acquisitions. You and Alison have the best times. :-)

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    1. It's a treat to have such a fun fellow plant addict so nearby to share these field trips.

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  13. Nice selection. Looks like a succulent holiday.

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    1. Molbak's does a great job with everything they undertake!

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  14. Looks like a fun store, especially if you love succulents.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.