REASONER: THE HIBISCUS 303 varieties of hibiscus now being origi likely that south may soon be nated in Florida, and with the interest known as the leading center of hibiscus shown and the number of experimenters culture, rather than Hawaii, as at the now raising seedlings, it is not at all un present time.

BROMELIADS IN FLORIDA HORTICULTURE

Mulford B. Foster the Carolinas, and even the southern Orlando section of Virginia can claim some bromelaids, Florida can boast fifteen The cultivation of for orna native , twelve , one mental horticulture is followed on the and two catopsis. This af premise that beauty is a necessity in your firms the fact that bromeliads like it life and mine. Horticulturally brome- here and therefore conditions are favor liads have been developing, and in Flor able to the introduction of others from ida they can provide a very pertinent afar. addition to our gardens, creating more If the bromeliads had not had to de interest and decorative value than pend almost entirely on the wind for many other previous additions to the distribution we mighthave had still Florida scene. more species here in Florida. The ones Bromeliads in Florida are a natural. we have, no doubt, came by way of And in considering bromeliads for Flor and Mexico, as our native brome ida horticulture first of all we must be liads are also found in these aware that they are already here in the countries. We might say that many species of usneoides, (the centuries ago these air-fed, air-domiciled, ubiquitous Spanish ); in Tillandsia air-borne seed plants established the utriculata (the "Fountain Plant"), vicin first air communications between this ity Vero and Merritt Island; in Tillandsia country and our Latin American neigh tenuifolia of southern Florida; in the Til bors. Man who feels that he has ad landsia fasciculate, (Cardinal Plant), vanced so considerably in the air needs dense in the cypress swamps around only to study the ages old history of air- Kissimmee; and in Tillandsia recurvata minded plants. (Ball Moss), noticeable in trees along The bromeliads which have already with the and prominent on traveled on their own as well as the ones telephone wires all over Florida. Just which have traveled in the stomachs of why they seem so happy on telephone beast and bird are now coming into wires would afford a very interesting Florida as introductions to horticulture study. by the man made air routes. There are ten other bromeliads less The native members of this great conspicuous in Florida. All but three of family (commonly known as the pine the seventeen bromeliads native to the apple family) here in Florida are all are growing in Florida. creating, thus, their own While other States, , , natural tree garden. You can see these 304 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1948

tree gardens when you travel from Or south we have seen as many as 5,000 air lando to Kissimmee or Holopaw; when plants living in one tree and although you go to Melbourne or Vero; when you crowded, evidently quite happy. There cross the Tamiami Trail or explore in seemed to be no evidence that the tree the Royal Palm Park, or even in any was burdened or imposed upon, rather it native hammock. Thus the feature of was adorned, apparently enjoying being an air garden already being established host to harmless epiphytes rather than naturally, encourages the garden builder the harmful parasites. to go ahead and make a tree garden on In using bromeliads in Florida garden the oaks or palms in his own yard using designs we have not limited our use of not only the natives but the horticul- them to the air or tree garden. This turally introduced exotics. Good gar versatile family has produced members dening means, in one respect, doing what which can be utilized in the rock garden, nature has already done especially in in the cactus garden, in the sheltered general planting utilizing native material garden, on the seashore, and on the wherever possible. So, in planning a patio. These, of course, are the species tree garden for the home owner we which have been introduced from the always try to include some of our hardy other American countries; except for one native species, the Tillandsias or wild species, the bromeliads do not grow pines as they are sometimes called. outside of the South, Central, and North While man likes the little pat on his American countries. mental ego as being original we doubt There are already a number of exotic very much if he ever is, rather he simply bromeliads in Florida horticulture; these rediscovers and reapplies the features came into Florida by way of Europe and principles which are inherent to where years ago they were choice house everything throughout nature. So, and conservatory plants. while air gardens might be something No doubt the early introductions of new to many people, Floridians can bromeliads into Florida came through point out to visitors our well established the enthusiasm and appreciation of them air gardens where not only bromeliads by Dr. Henry Nehrling, Mr. Theodore flourish but also epiphytic members of Mead and Reasoner Brothers, all of other families such as orchids, cacti, whom had outstanding collections of pipers, and ferns. bromeliads at one time which they re It is interesting to note that the native ceived mostly from the European collec bromeliads in Florida occur on nine dif tions of bromeliads. You may have read ferent species of conifers, those being the exuberant writings of Dr. Nehrling five species of pines, two of cypress on this great family of plants. Florida, (Taxodium) on one white cedar and even now, 20 years since, remains host to on one red cedar. Of course, the rough the introduction of many new brome bark and great spreading branches of the liads; Florida now has one of the world's live oak make this tree an ideal host for outstanding collections. From this collec the air plants. tion bromeliads are being dispersed and The tree gardens of Florida, however, sent to many other countries not only to are but a sample of tree gardens that bolster and renew the old collections exist in the . In the Americas but to distribute the new species that FOSTER: FLORIDA BROMELIADS 305 have been discovered in the past few A third bromeliad which has already years. been in Florida horticulture a long time There is one exotic bromeliad which is the Bromelia serra, a large, sticky ter came originally from which has restrial which resembles the pineapple already adapted itself to Florida gar plant and even produces a cluster of dens, and so much so that you might say fruits with a pineapple flavor. This it is common. It reproduces rapidly in bizarre looking plant is quite a sight in our loose sandy soil; it also loves climb bloom. The center leaves turn brilliant ing up an oak tree; grows well in any flame-scarlet and out from them a great area of thick leaf mold, or can do just white cylindrical flower head, containing as well in a pot. If you see no other red bracts which cover maroon flowers, bromeliad you will see this one. It is a emerges gradually over a period of con pyramidalis, having a plain siderable time. No one can cease to green leaf-tube which sends forth a thrill over this glorious display. brilliant torch-like head of flowers late In our travels in South and Central in the summer. America searching for new bromeliads bracteata, an introduced ex for introduction into horticulture, we otic, while not so common a bromeliad have found a bromeliad adaptable to as the Billbergia pyramidalis, is never almost every Florida condition. theless becoming distributed around For example: For our mangrove Florida gardens. It is a native of the swamps there are beautiful Porteas, a Caribbean area and so should be at home of the bromeliads which produces in Florida gardens. It stands our frosts showy flower stalks; these thrive in of Central and South Florida very well. Brazil on the roots and trunks of the It produces heavy succulent leaves with mangroves. Perhaps you have been big teeth, the plant sometimes becoming confronted with the problems which a 5 or 6 feet high. In the spring a tall mangrove forest present. Let this prob spike of brilliant red bracts and berries lem be an opportunity for making an is produced which remains in full color usual garden by establishing the large for as long as 6 months. It is an rosettes of the Porteas on the multiple- but adapts itself in porous soil very well. rooted mangroves. These Porteas are The discolor, intro also quite adaptable to other parts of duced many years ago, while not quite the garden. as well known as either the Aechmea We have found and introduced into bracteata or the Billbergia pyramidalis Florida the gorgeous genus of Quesnelia is nevertheless, around in many collec whose species Q. quesneliana grows right tions throughout the State. It is the down to the sand dunes of the beach first bromeliad that started my collection front in Brazil. This large rosette of 20 years ago. Its beautiful satin-green light green leaves produces a great leaves on the topside and the soft maroon watermelon-pink torch for a flower stalk underside make it a most pleasing plant. creating a glorious sight down the beach. The long 3- to 4-month sustained bloom One of the smaller types, Aechmea of brilliant red berries with blue petals nudicaulis, can take the heat, drouth, and give it an added charm that few plants tough conditions of the littoral or the have. first line of growth back of the actual 306 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1948 beach. This bromeliad along with Two excellent rock garden bromeliads others will undoubtedly become a fa have proven to be in the genus miliar plant personality among our intro Neoregelia, N. spectabilis (Painted duced seaside planting as the years go Fingernail) and N. marmorata (Marble along. Plant) and hybrids of these. Their Numerous genera of this versatile leaves become very red in full sun and family grow as epiphytes in the moisture- their wire-like roots fasten themselves laden cloud or rain forests of Colombia, eagerly on the porus rocks of either Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Dutch Guiana, coquina or limestone. The Neoregelias Honduras, Costa Rica, to mention only are more of an epiphytic type of brome a few countries whose bromeliads have liad but they have adapted themselves found and can find favorable new so remarkably well in our own rock habitation in the moist jungles, either garden and others of central and south natural or man-created of Florida. Two Florida that now we are recommending members in the genera Catopsis and them as a colorful, novel addition to Guzmania are already growing here in home-made rock gardens. the State down on the lower tip of the Not to be forgotten are the Pitcaimias, Florida peninsula. They like excessive a terrestrial leafy bromeliad which can moisture and dark shade. Other mem be happy in the shaded garden either bers in these genera could make inter among rocks or near a pool. A number esting additions to the wild or natural of the species remind one of tufts of ized gardens of Florida. grass such as Pitcairnia flammea until A large number of terrestrial brome they produce their brilliant red tubular liads are growing on or among rocks in flowers on a branched spike which in their native haunts in Brazil, Peru, Chile, some species continues to bloom for 2 and elsewhere in the Americas. So, as months, such as P. corallina. introduced exotics, we have bromeliads Why don't we have all of these recom in the genera of Dyckia, Hechtia, En- mended bromeliads now in Florida gar cholirium, Bromelia, Neoglaziovia. Or- dens? Well—some of them are like cen thophytum, and Aananas which make tury plants to dig and to pack when excellent rock garden plants. These are collecting them in , so only gradually being introduced and propa a few are taken. Those few are badly gated for the "new look" in rock gardens. damaged in transit and quarantine upon A number of Dyckias have already been entering this country, it takes a year or in cultivation and general distribution so for them to make the adjustment to for a number of years, but there are our side of the equator, and propagation many more, even more attractive, to be is not fast. In other words, plant intro made known to the rock garden fancier. duction is a slow process. The other genera named are unfortun Bromeliads used as patio or house ately very much less known but hold plants in Florida have few rivals in much interest for the courageous gar decorative plant form because of their dener who will risk something new. They brilliantly colorful flower spikes, their not only have interesting and tough splendid leaves, and because of the foliage but brilliant spikes of flowers of minimum care required. endless variety and color. On the patio for either sun or shade FOSTER: FLORIDA BROMELIADS 307

there are several choice bromeliads now, and what the future holds for awaiting placement. With a reasonable Florida pineapples depends on research amount of rain or watering they ask for into better growing requirements pecu no other care. These bromeliads can liar to Florida. be selected from the genera Aechmea, There are other members of this Q u e s n e 1 i a, Billbergia, Neoregelia, family which have commercial potenti Dyckia, Hohenbergia. alities but whether or not they will be In the home the Aechmeas, Nidu- developed here in the State remains to lariums, Neoregelias, Billbergias, and be seen. Undoubtedly the Florida Cryptanthus make unusually successful climate is favorable, but the soil condi indoor plants because of their charac tions are so dissimilar to the indigenous teristic adaptability and from a decora spots where the commercially potential tive standpoint, because of their highly bromeliads grow natively that there colored foliage with their brilliant and must be considerable research done to long-lasting flower stems. Bromeliads bring these plants into successful pro lend themselves admirably to certain duction. color schemes of the home, also to Excluding the pineapple productions formal and informal furnishings. And of Cuba and Hawaii, Brazil has possibly for the busy housewife their need for gone further in a commercial develop only a minimum amount of care is always ment of this family than any other coun a desirable quality. try with their Neoglaziovia variegata, a Looking on the economic side we find tough whip-like bromeliad which pro that there are just two outstanding duces an excellent fiber, finer and more species of bromeliads which are used durable than linen. This has become commercially in Florida, the pineapple a very productive industry in north from Brazil and the Spanish Moss so Brazil in the states of Bahia Pernam- prolific over this State as well as in buco, and Paraiba. other States and other countries. This The bromeliads yield another excellent- "moss" has been successfully gathered, fiber plant in Aechmea magdalena which dried, and cleaned with a resultant fiber is utilized extensively by the Indians in that makes excellent upholstery fiber Mexico and Colombia for twine and now used extensively in airplanes, furni rope. So far as we know it has not been ture, and automobiles. This manufac industrialized but holds considerable turing is being carried on near Jackson potentiality, and, undoubtedly could be ville and Ocala, as well as in a number more favorably adjusted to our Florida out-of-State locations. soil than the Neoglaziovia. Another large scale use of tha Spanish Generally speaking, the versatile Moss which we all are acquainted with, bromeliads have already given Florida is its use as shade over plant beds. In a most interesting native flora; they have stead of an expensive lath house Span added by their introduced species an ish Moss draped on chicken wire serves unusually different decorative value for as a relatively inexpensive shade house. the home garden, and hold within the 52 Pineapples, the best known bromeliad, genera varied commercial potentialities at one time were grown commercially on whenever they can be adapted to a much grander scale in Florida than Florida conditions.