Back in 2012 I wrote about a nursery I'd only visited through their chain-link fence. It happened more than once too, I'd attempt to visit Cactus Mart, just outside Fillmore, CA, only to find them closed. This was truly a sad state of affairs.
So imagine my surprise when Gerhard and I drove past Cactus Mart on our way to Santa Barbara last April, for the Bromeliad Summit. Some 7 years after I wrote that blog post and it was still there. With nurseries seeming to going out of business left and right I was pleasantly surprised. Of course we didn't have time to stop then, but they were open on our way back to Davis (Gerhard's home base) and so we pulled in. Finally!
![]()
Naturally everything was too large for me to take back home on the plane, but that's never stopped me from dreaming.
![]()
![]()
Wow, those are some darn impressive Dyckia.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Propagation cuts I assume? Interesting to see the fibers inside.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Gerhard was seriously considering adopting a rusty new pet. If there had been room in the car I think it would have happened.
![]()
Tiny pink flowers on a hairy brain. That's what my eyes see.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Yes these were small enough to take home, but I can also get them at our grocery store nursery for about the same price.
![]()
![]()
This place is quite large, going on and on and on...
![]()
![]()
If only I were driving a truck. Well, and lived somewhere I could grow these things in the ground.
![]()
Carcasses of agaves that have passed on.
![]()
Odd pattern of leaves. Agave weevil?
![]()
![]()
This one almost looks like it bloomed, but then started to grow a new plant right out of the center.
![]()
![]()
Now those are some fire sticks!
![]()
About here is where we turned back. So much to still to see, but a long drive ahead of us.
![]()
![]()
Looks like this is the "to be weeded" section...
![]()
And these are the afters...
![]()
What the? Did this poor agave offend someone?
![]()
So tempted by those perfect spikes.
![]()
I should have saved this photo for Valentines Day...
![]()
Gerard pointed out these ginormous bromeliads were going for some ridiculous price like $15.
![]()
But how to get them home!?
![]()
That little problem didn't stop him though. This 5-gallon spiky Bromelia pinguin (which barely fit in the back of his car) was destined for his garden back in Davis (see photos here).
![]()
And because he's such a nice guy, Gerhard made sure I got my own little bit of the Cactus Mart too, he sent me a pup off his Bromelia pinguin. It's the large one on the left, on the right is a small xPuckia 'Sparkle' he sent along as well. It's a hybrid between Puya laxa and Dyckia fosteriana x platyphylla... ha, that just rolls off the tongue doesn't it?
![]()
Weather Diary, Aug 30: Hi 85, Low 56/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
So imagine my surprise when Gerhard and I drove past Cactus Mart on our way to Santa Barbara last April, for the Bromeliad Summit. Some 7 years after I wrote that blog post and it was still there. With nurseries seeming to going out of business left and right I was pleasantly surprised. Of course we didn't have time to stop then, but they were open on our way back to Davis (Gerhard's home base) and so we pulled in. Finally!
Naturally everything was too large for me to take back home on the plane, but that's never stopped me from dreaming.
Wow, those are some darn impressive Dyckia.
Propagation cuts I assume? Interesting to see the fibers inside.
Gerhard was seriously considering adopting a rusty new pet. If there had been room in the car I think it would have happened.
Tiny pink flowers on a hairy brain. That's what my eyes see.
Yes these were small enough to take home, but I can also get them at our grocery store nursery for about the same price.
This place is quite large, going on and on and on...
If only I were driving a truck. Well, and lived somewhere I could grow these things in the ground.
Carcasses of agaves that have passed on.
Odd pattern of leaves. Agave weevil?
This one almost looks like it bloomed, but then started to grow a new plant right out of the center.
Now those are some fire sticks!
About here is where we turned back. So much to still to see, but a long drive ahead of us.
Looks like this is the "to be weeded" section...
And these are the afters...
What the? Did this poor agave offend someone?
So tempted by those perfect spikes.
I should have saved this photo for Valentines Day...
Gerard pointed out these ginormous bromeliads were going for some ridiculous price like $15.
But how to get them home!?
That little problem didn't stop him though. This 5-gallon spiky Bromelia pinguin (which barely fit in the back of his car) was destined for his garden back in Davis (see photos here).
And because he's such a nice guy, Gerhard made sure I got my own little bit of the Cactus Mart too, he sent me a pup off his Bromelia pinguin. It's the large one on the left, on the right is a small xPuckia 'Sparkle' he sent along as well. It's a hybrid between Puya laxa and Dyckia fosteriana x platyphylla... ha, that just rolls off the tongue doesn't it?
Weather Diary, Aug 30: Hi 85, Low 56/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.