Bromelcairns Bimonthly Newsletter of Cairns Bromeliad Societ Inc. 2012 # 4 P.O. Box 28 Cairns Queensland 4870 Austalia

President Dave Weston 0740578604 V-President Karen Stevens 0740361086 Secretary Lynn Hudson 0740533913 Treasurer Monica Stapleton 0740331330 Librarian Maria Grant 0740370161 Editor Lynn Hudson 0740533913 Editor Assist. Moyneen Charlton 0740337390 Member Concierge Nalda Wilson 0740544825 Popular Vote Steward Karen Cross 0740545497 OIC Raffles Karen Stevens 0740361086 *Honorary Life Member - Grace Goode O.A.M.* Honorary Life Member - Kay Edington Life Member - Lynn Hudson Life Member - Robert (Bob) Hudson ******************************************************************** Aims of the Society Promote and Develop Interest in Bromeliads through Friendship To Co-operate with similar Clubs throughout the World ******************************************************************** Membership Fee: $15 Single, $25 Family, Country Member $25. $7.50 junior (if not in family membership) Meetings start at 1.pm sharp first Saturday of the month. Please bring a cup and a chair.

Library: All books & magazines borrowed are to be returned in good order to the following meeting. If not on wait list, they may be rebooked. Display/Sales: To participate, a member must be financial and circumstances permitting, have attended at least three meetings in the past six months. Where the society is charged a stall fee - 20% of sales are deducted for club funds. No charge venue & meetings - 10% of sales is deducted. All to be clean, free of disease, named and price tagged. Show Plants: Must be the property of and in the custody of the entrant for the past three months. For Society Shows the entrant must be financial and have attended at least three meetings during the past six months. Pens, Plant Tags & Pots: available at each meeting.

If reprinting article, wholly or in part, please acknowledge Author & Newsletter. Any article will be Emailed on request to [email protected] 2 Club Actvites & Around te Members JULY: From Moyneen - Todays meeting was at the home of Helga Biro located in Whitfield, a lovely leafy suburb. Helga's garden seemed very protected with plenty of dappled light and trees providing shade and spots for epiphytes to grow superbly. It is very neat and ordered with many treasures and hidden pockets of interest like a remarkable collection of xNeophytum including 'Galactic Warrior ' and 'Firecracker'. Another plant attracting discussion and admiration was her pitcairnia with strong red coloured stems that combined with the red painted chair and other splashes of red gave the garden such a sense of life and fun. Of particular note was Helga's collection and presentation of driftwood and other things to display her many tillandsia. Thank you Helga for sharing your garden with us. * The topic was aechmeas and Lynn showed many said most of them like a lot of warmth, some will even take all day sun like angustifolia, purpuro-rosea, blanchetiana, mariae-reginae, recurvata and its’ hybrids, however ‘Pink Goddess’, ‘Mild Chilli’, ‘Rakete’, ‘Saturn’ and soft leafed aechmeas need softer conditions. Aechmeas do not really like the cold and grow easily in our area. MINI SHOW – Aechmea 1st. Aechmea mariae-reginae variegated – Dave Weston 2nd. Aechmea ‘Vin Rose’ - Marie Giddins ! 3rd. Aechmea ‘Pink Goddess’ – Kath Radloff POPULAR VOTE: NOVICE - Bromeliad: 1st Aechmea ‘Pink Goddess’ – Kath Radloff 2nd. Billbergia nutans - Paul Venturi Crypthanthus 1st Cryptanthus ‘Tartan’ – Wendy O’Bryan 2nd Cryptanthus ‘Marion Oppenheimer’- Kath Radlof Tillandsia Moyneenʼs Tillandsia ʻHoustonʼ 1st Tillandsia stricta - Paul Venturi !2nd. Tillandsia stricta - Kath Radloff OPEN - Bromeliad 1st Neoregelia ‘Brian Webber’ – Bernice Mark 2nd. Aechmea pectinata - Bernice Mark 3rd. Neo. correia-araujoi x ‘Sands of Time’ – Rob Giddins Cryptanthus 1st Cryptanthus ‘Anne Collings’ - Bernice Mark! 2nd Cryptanthus ‘Arctic Storm’ - Dave Weston 3rd Cryptanthus ‘Houston’ - Marie Giddins Tillandsia 1st Tillandsia ionantha – Lynn Hudson 2nd Tillandsia ‘Roma’ - Karen Stevens rd 3 . Tillandsia stricta - Rob Giddins Karenʼs Tillandsia ʻRomaʼ !!!!!

Club Actvites & Around te Members August: Thank you from our Hostess Maria I just wanted to say thank you to all the members and guests that came to the meeting at my home at Holloways Beach - my favourite place (except when there's a Cyclone and possible storm surge). I was thrilled with the turn out and that you enjoyed my home and the venue I provided. I received lovely comments from a lot of people on my garden which unfortunately hasn't received the attention it deserves in the last few months. Just knowing everyone felt relaxed enough to enjoy my place has inspired me to give my bromeliads more attention - I know just about all of them by name even though I may get the pronunciation wrong sometimes. To win 1st place in the Mini Neoregelia section was such a surprise especially with the lovely entries brought to the meeting. I do love my little Neoregelia 'Small World' - one of my favourites. The Dengue Team gave a great presentation and I was thrilled that they could attend my meeting to provide this ongoing research information to all who attended. My garden will again be one of the venues on 2013 programme. It was great to have you all here. MINI SHOW – Neoregelia 1st Neoregelia ‘Small World’ - Maria Grant 2nd Neoregelia ‘Palmares’ - Dave Weston 3rd Neoregelia ‘Pheasant’ - Brendon Leishman 1st Neoregelia ‘Red Macaw’ - Dave Weston 2nd Neoregelia ‘Painted Delight’ - Brendon Leishman 3rd Neoregelia ‘Justins Song’ - Bernice Mark POPULAR VOTE: NOVICE - Bromeliad: 1st Neoregelia ‘Torch Dancer’- June McGlew 2nd Neoregelia ‘Apricot Nectar’ - Kath Radlof 3rd Neoregelia ampullacae Hybrid - Wendy O’Brien Crypthanthus 1st Cryptanthus ‘San Juan’ - Paul Venturi 2nd Cryptanthus ‘Cafe au Lait’ -Kath Radloff Tillandsia 1st Tillandsia ‘Tanya Marie’ - Kath Radloff OPEN - Bromeliad 1st Dyckia ‘Arizona’- Dave Weston 2nd. Neoregelia ‘Painted Delight’ - Brendan Leishman 2nd Neoregelia ‘Justins Song’ - Bernice Mark Cryptanthus 1st Cryptanthus ‘Marion Oppenhiemer’ - Karen Stevens 2nd Cryptanthus ‘Arctic Storm’ - Gail Taifalos Tillandsia 1st Tillandsia neglecta x stricta - Lynn Hudson 2nd Tillandsia xerographica - Dave Weston 3rd. Tillandsia stricta - Gail Taifalos ! !!!Cairns Show 2012

Congratulations Rob Giddens - Guzmania lindenii. Grand Champion Bromeliad AND Grand Champion Pot Plant of the 2012 Show AND the Runner Up - Vriesea ʻPatriceʼ! From Moyneen - When looking at the photos my son described it as "Interesting the juxtaposition and reverberation of colours and refraction of light illuminated." I was a little taken aback with his statement, he is no gardener, but he was clearly impressed by the visual aspect of the plant and I think we can all agree it really was something special. Entries this year where of a high calibre, showcasing the Best of Bromeliads and making judging very challenging. As suggested every year, it is well worth members taking time to be there for the judging. I would say the judges, Chris, Kurt, Graeme and Barry, did us proud with their thoroughness and attention to detail.

In some classes they were provided with multiple "star" quality plants and a lot of time was spent searching for what could eliminate some of the field. It is an intensive job and took them many hours - for which we are very grateful. Steps Judges used when selecting winning plants especially relevant in some sections where at a glance there seemed so many beautiful contenders. 1. Eliminate any plant with scale 2. Eliminate any plant in a dirty pot 3. Eliminate any plant not central in the pot (no it is not measured! Lynn) 4. Eliminate any plant not secure in the pot or needing a top-up of mix 5. Plant should be mature with good conformation What is required is an excellent plant together with excellent presentation. I know Lynn has said all this many times but I thought it would be a good reminder and help members to understand why they may have missed out in some areas. It is impressive to see entries in all categories and to know the efforts people have gone to both growing and transporting plants for the event. I could be biased but I would say it was definitely a show stopping display of well grown bromeliads! I was very proud of everyone's efforts. The judging was followed by the traditional after show " Hudson BBQ". Another great evening ! Great food & company. Judges Chris and Graeme attended and Chris spoke on their behalf relaying some of the observations and challenges of the days events. Champions were acknowledged and numbers tallied - another year done and dusted. Moyneen Charlton, Assistant Editor 2012 Show Report The past 12 months were not kind to bromeliads, especially those grown in our gardens. Some days were extremely hot, bleaching out the colours, burning bromeliads that had lived all their life in the sun and also spot burning of plants even under shade cloth. We had lots of windy days, not only drying out our plants but also blowing them over. Winter has given us good leaf colour but the lovely crisp days has also slowed growth. Many aechmeas, vrieseas and guzmanias have surprised us with wonderful inflorescences, many we have not seen previously. There were 214 entries by 16 persons, 5 plants were entered by 3 non members. Lynn 58, Rob 29, Bob 25, Bernice 24, Dave 17, Marie 15, Gail 13, Marguerite 11, Nalda 4, Gloria 4, Karen S 3, Karen C 3, Brendan 3, Jacque 2, Ellen 2, Wade 1. Congratulations to each person who entered the competition. Overall standard was very high, many plants were perfect. Some were not so perfect, entered in case no others were entered. Again judging the neoregelias was hard - conformation deleted some. Some were almost perfect but not mature, whilst others in the section were mature. As soon as I saw Guzmania lindenii, I knew it would be Champion Pot Plant of the Show - just beautiful and perfect. Congratulations Rob. Judging was good, I am certain Olive Trevor would have selected the same.The stand out judge was Chris Young. I consider he would be a very acceptable judge for the future. He has good bromeliad knowledge, and while a member was an excellent grower. A very big THANK YOU to Moyneen who again gave me hours of her time. Lynn

Points achieved: Lynn 69, Rob 31, Bob 23, Dave 14, Bernice 11, Marguerite 6, Karen S 3, Karen C 3 , Gloria 3, Brendan 3, Marie 3.

At our August meeting President Dave brought along a few examples and gave us an insight to some of the colour and marking features of Neoregelia. Neoregelia Marking and Colouration Anthocyanins: These are pigments produced by the plant and appear to serve a number of purposes. In Bromeliads this is particularly evident in the Neoregelia. Anthocyanins can be produced in response to some form of damage or stress incurred by the plant. The very dark colours which in many cultivars produce an almost black colour to the leaf surface are thought to be the result of damage to the upper layer of leaf cells by intense light conditions. This trait is most evident on the leaf surfaces which receive the greatest amount of light. Often under close examination there will be areas of leaf tissue which on the surface appear to be sunken or depressed, what has occurred is that the leaf cells below the epidermal layer have collapsed as result of the light damage and the anthocyanins have flooded in from surrounding leaf cells to protect the damaged cells from pathological attack by bacterial and fungal agents. The anthocyanins also serve to provide the plant with an inbuilt sunscreen probably by interfering with photon transmissibility. Anthocyanins are also produced in Neoregelia in response to seasonal change. The reason for this colour change in the plant is not fully understood however it is regulated by the day length and temperature. Shorter day length induces an increase in the production of anthocyanin in the plant, cooler temperatures also markedly afect the intensity of colour as a result of greater anthocyanin production. Nearly all Neoregelia are epiphytic, many have a habitat which seasonally can be considerably more exposed to the elements than at other times of the year. Many of the forest types in have a greater percentage of seasonally deciduous trees than we have in the Australian rainforest. These forests under dry conditions which generally occur during the colder part of the year tend to have a more open canopy due to the seasonal leaf fall. It is quite likely as a result of the more open canopy that Neoregelia increase the anthocyanin production to not only provide protection from higher light intensity but also to help provide protection from the colder dryer conditions. Flowering in Neoregelia typically occurs during winter and spring, (the coolers dryer months in their natural habitat), and as we have observed the leaf colour in Neoregelia can change dramatically producing vivid reds pinks and mauves as the plant comes into flower, the principal purpose no doubt being to make the plant more conspicuous to its pollinators. Trichomes: Neoregelia generally do not have a particularly obvious amount of trichome development on their leaves unlike some other bromeliad genera such as tillandsia. Neoregelia “Bird Rock” however shows quite distinctly how the trichome development afects the appearance of the plant. The leaves are quite dull and lack luster, although a nice plant with good colouring. Neoregelia “Bird Rock” does not compete with those neoregelias that have almost no trichome layer and thus have a glossy sheen to the leaves, a good example being Neoregelia “Red Macaw”, which has the wow factor due to the glossy foliage. Marbling and Spotting: In most cases where neoregelia have patterning or spots over the foliage the feature can be traced back as an inherited genetic characteristic from a parent. Several types of markings can be induced due to the lower temperature in the cup where the meniscus line meets the surface of the developing leaves in the centre of the plant. Particularly during colder weather the reduced temperature at the meniscus/ leaf interface is sufcient to cause damage to the layer of cells under the epidermis, the resulting inflow of anthocyanins to the damaged cells creates the characteristic marks known as “water marks” as in the circles in Neoregelia concentrica.

There are several types of spotting which can be found on various neoregelia, generally the dark and often brown or purplish coloured spots are attributable to genetic traits of the plant, these spots also tend to be quite circular in outline. However, there is another type of spotting which is characterized by a lack of any colour within the spot mark, where there is some colouration it is usually from a secondary influence such as anthocyanin. These spots on close examination are devoid of chloroplasts which are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis within the leaf. The reason for the absence of the chloroplasts may be attributable to a virus which has interfered with the chloroplast development whilst the leaf was undergoing cellular development. Spots of this type are often elliptic or irregular in outline.// While visiting Grace Goode, Alan showed me his beautiful hybrids and he sent me his story on his hybridizing to share with you all. Thanks Alan. The Differences Achieved Breeding With Vriesea ʻRed Chestnutʼ by Alan Phythian I first became interested in breeding vrieseas while I was still an avid orchid grower and doing a bit of hybridising with Cattleya orchids, at the time vrieseas were very hard to come by. I manage to get a pup of Vriesea ‘Red Chestnut’ from another grower only because I had an orchid he wanted. This grew into a lovely plant but not being satisfied I thought it may be possible to reverse the markings and have a predominately white plant. I believe I was one generation away from doing this when I met a chap who unbeknown to me was that generation ahead of me. Not only did we become great friends but Jack Koning also shared some seeds of his plant he named Vr. ‘White Bands’, some of the results of this selfing turned out to be outstanding plants and I in turn registered one of them as Vr. ‘Maroochy Arctic Star’. While this was going on I also decided to go the opposite way and try for red plants so I crossed my reddest Vr. ‘Red Chestnut’ with Vr. ‘Angela’ and obtained a good result I named Vr. ‘Maroochy Flame’. Vr. ‘Angela’ is a very strange plant as there are dozens of different clones around but only a few of them are reliable to use for breeding. There is nothing more frustrating than to have seed pods on a plant for about twelve months only to plant them and find out the seed is infertile. With good conditions it is possible to see a result in four years from seed to a mature plant but I think the hardest part of vriesea hybridising is the sitting up at night waiting for the flowers to open and the pollen being dry enough to be accepted by the other plant - you can bet that one flower will be ready at about 8.00pm and the other not until 2 or 3 am, a lot of TV watching goes on and the little disinterested wife can become quite annoyed. Vrieseas in nature are pollinated by small bats at night. I also was lucky enough to breed some very nice plants in between these extremes of colour such as Vriesea ‘Maroochy Pearl’ as you can see in the photos.

I sow the seed into round take away containers in a very fine bark mix such as Searle’s Premium Potting mix which I put through a 6mm sieve and then sieve out the dust through fibre glass fly screen. I then sterilise this with boiling water drain off the excess water when cool enough and then sow the seed on the surface of the bark making Vriesea breeding cont. sure the seed is not covered, this is very important. I transplant the seedlings when about 20 to 25mm high to either community pots or sixty four cell trays. When about 75mm high they can be put into individual pots and regularly potted on to encourage growth. If and when a bit of fungus appears I use Milton Baby Bottle Sterlising Tablets to spray on seeds or plants as the case may be at the rate of one tablet to one litre of water this seems to fix the problem. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************** Member Showcase Rob Giddins

I was first interested in serious bromeliad collecting after my wife. Marie and I visited the Cairns World Conference. I enjoyed the stunning displays but unfortunately Marie felt sick in the crowded sales area venue and we had to leave. I did however buy a couple of broms there, one being Neoregelia ‘Perfection’. I am firstly a collector then a hybridizer and finally a seller of bromeliads, only by necessity. As everyone knows bromeliads have babies and the more bromeliads you collect the more babies you have. Marie, however loves the interaction with the public that selling entails, so we make a good team. My hybridizing passions are Vrieseas, Billbergias and Neoregelias. I have a breeding programme in place at our property called Bulguru. Marie says, "give him a seed, any seed, and he will plant it" It is encouraging to receive some nice comments on the world wide web with regards to the quality and colour of my hybrids. Comments and critique are always welcome as I try to learn from as many people of vast experience that I can. Marie and I joined the Cairns Bromeliad Society and the Bromeliad Society International to have more interaction with like minded people, to learn and have a relax. We enjoy our bromeliad friends in the Cairns Society and through our bromeliad growing, have made friends not only in Australia but all over the world. It is pretty exciting when you get congratulations from not only your local friends but also your peers and cyber space friends. The internet has made interaction really attractive as a means of keeping in touch with the many people who I would love to meet "one day" and also make it possible to source new and exciting plants that as collectors we "must" have. I am hoping that as a "young" grower I have many years left to achieve what I want to do in my little hybridizing world. While I am very excited at having won the Grand Champion plant, Champion Bromeliad and Reserve Champion Bromeliad of the Cairns Show, I was still not as excited as my Mother who has always been a plant fanatic, a show judge and a former member of the Bromeliad Society. She was stoked !!!! It was really interesting to visit the Cairns Show while the judging was on and listen to what the judges had to say, and why they made the decisions they did. It was a bit unfortunate that I could not be there (traffic) when the judging started so missed out on all the comments on my Billbergia entries which would have been of particular interest to me as it appears they did not perform well on the day. There are several special bromeliads on my want list but the importers are not ready to release them yet, as they are building up stocks. On a recent quick business trip to Brisbane, I was fortunate to be able to purchase some new and interesting plants from two importers in South East Queensland. Luckily an extra suitcase on the flight home was quite inexpensive. Marie and I have different ideas with regards to "interesting plants" but we both have our orders in for when they become available. In all honesty I had decided not to put plants in the Show, I was just too busy, however thanks to encouragement from Olive Trevor, we got in and did the best we could for the day, which ended up being memorable in more ways than one. Rob. ! “Bloomin Broms” & the 2012/2 sad side of human nature. by Lynn As Cairns is distance isolated from other societies and large bromeliad growers, I thought we could have an annual learning weekend. These began in 2009 and Dave named it “Bloomin Broms”. We invite speakers from southern societies, paying economy airfares and provide their accommodation. General Public are invited to attend the seminars on Saturday by registering, and on Sunday we have plant sales and cultivation demonstrations open to all. It has been very successful, a good learning weekend. This year I suggested Harry Luther may like to be a speaker. Within the hour of my sending an email offer, Harry accepted and chose September as the date. We have all been very excited and Registrations Forms arrived. Then I received an email from Tasha asking if they could attend with their 12 week old baby. The final line “I would really like to come and listen to the speakers as we are very much into broms, but if it's going to be too much of a hassle and you don't want a baby there, then we won't bother to come.” I replied that it was not our policy to have babies, toddlers or children at meetings, especially when we have guest speakers. President Dave concurred. The reply I received - “Wow the ultimate discrimination!!!!!!!!!!!!!”. Next morning I received a threatening email which I also forwarded to Dave - who was at work. Within a few hours Tasha was on cyberspace and suddenly there was a feeding frenzy like a shoal of 36 piranhas - I knew, or knew of, one third of them. Most of the comments were directed at me very personally but I got really mad when they started maligning our society and members. So in the wash up Dave replied “she should be reminded of her original stance and then given the opportunity to attend on the basis of the undertaking she provided that there will be no disruption on account of the infant.” Yes they are registered. Not a popular decision with anyone that I know - most agree babies should not be exposed to large groups, especially in ‘flu season. Registrants have paid to attend and our society has paid almost $2,000 in airfares. “just wander out and back in as needed”...“no disruption on account of the infant.” - impossible! If it were an ordinary meeting I would have said ‘yes’, but not all day at a special seminar event like this. The slander included comments by non members that I should leave the society instead of being a “domineering tyrant”; “Aaron: more people would join if she was not there”; “Tasha: makes members cry with the way she treats them”; “Tasha: she is a dictator that turns us all away”; “Rose: they talk about her behind closed doors .. I still have friends that email me and call me all the time about her”; “Aaron: other members have for years, kept it in the dark instead of addressing it”; Wendy: Surely with so many people upset in one club you could have elected new people”. “Marie: It takes a warrior to make changes and to do the work required. If anyone thinks they can make a difference then join the club and have your say.” I agree and here is how. Each year we have committee elections and I hand out a list of the duties of the committee members. Each year we encourage members to take up any position even for just one year. I have received many phone calls & emails supporting me. Olive and Len Trevor: “ You have given as much to bromeliads as anybody I know. People who do nothing never get criticized. The critics contribute nothing and do this in an effort to put themselves up. You have a great group in Cairns entirely due to all the work you have put into it over the years. None of the other country centres have a great group such as yours. Thinking of you and trying to tell you your real friends love and respect you. Love Olly. George Stamatis: I know it's lies Lynn. Lies and raw ugliness, and totally inappropriate for a public forum. The rudeness of many people angered me. You have my support, and the support of many others I am sure.

Adlai Stevenson ~ If they will stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling the truth about them. *They would be amazed if they knew what I know!! The truth is stranger than all this fiction.L On 23rd July 2012 Grace Goode OAM, was 95!! Apparently I had promised to spend the day with with my Great Poobah. Due to our Show I could not go until Sunday. At the meeting of the Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society they made a big fuss of this wonderful woman, showering her with many accolades. The Monday party was was a lovely day, mainly family and neighbours and some friends I was very happy to catch up with, it. There was a cake topped with two candles number 9 & 5 - well that saved the Fire Brigade a visit! There followed a few more days of laughter and tale telling. Each day Grace would disappear to the shed and work out on a rowing machine, plus she would spend 15 minutes peddling on her exercise bike on the verandah! She still lives alone, goes up and down the stairs - sure she is a little slower but that brain is still quick and she still loves telling and listening to jokes. We hope you have a happy year Grace and we look forward to sharing many more days and jokes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Getting Even Last week we found an old straggly cat at our door. She was a sorry sight. Starving, dirty, smelled terrible, skinny, and hair all matted down. We didn't know what to call her so we named her 'Pussy.' We felt sorry for her so we put her in a carrier and took her to the vet. He decided to keep her for a day or so. and said he would let us know when we could come and get her. Bob (the complainer) said, 'OK, but don't forget to wash her, she stinks.' He reminded the Vet that it was his wife (me) that wanted the dirty cat, not him. Bob and the Vet don't see eye to eye. The Vet calls Bob 'El-Cheap-O' and Bob calls the Vet 'El-Charge-O'. They love to hate each other and constantly 'snipe' at one another, with Bob getting in the last word on this particular occasion.

The next day Bob had an appointment with his doctor, who is located in the same building, next door to the Vet. The Doctor’s waiting room and office was full of people waiting to see the doctor. A side door opened and the Vet leaned in - he had obviously seen Bob arrive. He looked straight at Bob and in a loud voice said, 'Your wife's pussy doesn't stink any more. We washed and shaved it, and now she smells like a rose. Oh, and, by the way, I think she's pregnant. God only knows who the father is!' Then he closed the door. Now THAT, my friends, is getting even ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~From Dan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ? They Take The Psycho Path * What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall? Dam! * What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long? Polaroids * What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work? A Stick * What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow? Spoiled Milk. * What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire? Frostbite. * What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches? A Nervous Wreck.

* Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs? Right Where You Left Him. * Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils? Because They Have Big Fingers. * Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive? Because It Scares The Dog. * What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover ? The location of the dirt bag. * Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Fall Down? Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat. * What Do You Call Santa's Helpers? Subordinate Clauses.

* What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand? Quattro Sinko Nothing just happens or just gets done, Someone has to make it happen or do it.

Megan & John Welch * FERtLIZERS * FUNGICIDES * WATERING SYSTEMS * POLYPIPES * POLY FILMS * * SPRAYING EQUIPMENT * SHADECLOTH * PLANTER BAGS * PLASTIC POTS * Cnr. Brown & Little Spence Sts. Cairns Phone: 07 4035 2670 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hudson ’s Bromeliads Down Under Bromeliads & Tilandsias Bob & Lynn Hudson ABN 66 951 932 976 47 Boden St. Edge Hill Cairns Phone: (07) 40533 913 email: [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20th. WBC Sept 24 - October 1, 2012 Caribe Royal Hotel, Orlando, Florida Registration Fee (in United States Dollars) $US 160 on or before February 28, 2012, $US 175 paid between March 1, 2012 and August 24, 2012, then $US 200. All plus BSI membership. Remit Registration & Payment to: Dan Kinnard, BSI Membership Secretary 6901 Kellyn Lane, Vista CA 92084-1243, USA or on line at bsi.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cairns Lovebirds - bred by Karen Stvens 6 Alabama Street, Whiterock, Qld. 4868 Phone 0419021302 [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Collins Ave Flowers offer unique, individual and beautifully crafted flower arrangements; fragrant Italian soaps; scented candles; hand blown & designer double glazed vases and Clifton umbrellas. A fantastic range of pots, plants, baskets & hampers. Fully stocked at Shop 2, 138 Collins Ave, Edge Hill Qld. 4870. Christopher Thompson & Joe Palcak Ph 074032 0697 info@collinsaveflowers.com.au ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Bromeliad Cultvaton Nots” by Lynn Hudson A little ‘how to’ book. Cultivation made easy. Basics in language anyone can follow. “Bromeliads Under te Mango Tree” by John Catlan A ‘must have’ book to help you think and grow your bromeliads better. Both available in bulk at reduced price. Contact Lynn on 07 40533913 or [email protected]