NEWS East London LETTER

Bromeliad Society August 2014 South Africa Established: 25 July 2009

Our aim is to promote and encourage awareness and interest in Bromeliads in East London and all of South Africa!

ELBS is an Affiliated Society of Bromeliad Society International

Change - Do we need it or not? Dudley Reynolds

As time marches on and more research is done on all subjects, change is inevitable. Do we need change? I know as a person becomes older we become more reluctant to change and we are quite happy with what we know and understand. Now with DNA testing, which has been around for a while and being researched with more advanced scientific methods we have already seen change in the bromeliad family. What we knew as 56 genera has already been increased by further development and division. My keen interest in orchids over the last few years has dwindled slightly due to the massive changes in nomenclature. I just cannot grasp all the new names, what I used to know as has changed so much, my brain is too old to learn new names. Fair enough, orchids are a much bigger family to their neighbourly epiphytes, bromeliads. Do we need change? Of course we do! What will be the extent of the changes? Well, that remains to be seen and left up to the taxonomists. Maybe our grandchildren who inherit our collections will be speaking a whole new language one day. Food for thought hey?

Tillandsia Diaphoranthema

Today I am going to discuss a subgenus, Diaphoranthema . There are 55 and subspecies. This is characterized by the following:

• The flowers are few and small. • They differ in leaf shape, flower number, number of bracts and morphology. • The embryo in relationship to the seed: normally the embryo of a bromeliad seed occupies a third to a quarter the volume of the seed pod. • In Tillandsia diapho ranthema the embryo almost fills the entire seed pod. The seeds are parachute type, and are wind distributed. • All these species self pollinate themselves.

The Diaphoranthema subgenus is divided into a further six groups which are: Tillandsia caliginosa, myosura, loliacea, rectangula, capillaris and recurvata .

Some examples from the above groups: Tillandsia andicola - many trichomes Tillandsia bryoides - now known as Tillandsia minutiflora Tillandsia andicola Tillandsia bryoides Tillandsia capillaris

Next meeting: Sunday 28th September at 2.30pm, to be hosted by Andre and Maureen Eybers at 28 Kersboom Crescent, Bonza Bay. Please remember to bring a chair for yourself!

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Tillandsia capillaris Tillandsia erecta - easy grower and pups freely. Tillandsia funebris - interesting form Tillandsia gilliesii - similar to T funebris in form. Tillandsia rectangula - nice leaf shape. Tillandsia funebris Tillandsia recurvata - commonly known as ‘ball moss’.

Tillandsia tricholepis - Tillandsia erecta Tillandsia gilliesii lovely moss-type species. Tillandsia usneoides - we all know this as ‘’ or ‘old man’s beard’.

Tillandsia Diaphoranthema Tillandsia recurvata subgenus is the most widely distributed of all the subgenera of tillandsia Tillandsia tricholepis from Florida in the USA to Southern Argentina. Tillandsia rectangula There are at present six subgenera of tillandsia. There are approximately 620 species in the genus Tillandsia usneoides and there are still new species being discovered in remote areas of Central America.

I have brought a few Tillandsia cyanea examples of species from the other subgenera, with the exception of s u b g e n u s

Pseudoalcantarea , which Tillandsia grandis comprises 4 species, one being Tillandsia grandis, which develops into a massive specimen, with a flower spike of Tillandsia crocata Tillandsia lindenii approximately 3 metres!

Subgenus Anoplophytum has 45 species of which a few are well known to us: Tillandsia aeranthos , albertia na, araujei, lorentziana and stricta .

Subgenus Phytarrhiza has 37 species. Examples include Tillandsia anceps, cacticola, crocata, reichenbachii, lindenii, cyanea and narthecioides .

Subgenus A llardia includes approximately 191 Tillandsia ionantha Tillandsia bulbosa species. Some examples are: Tillandsia arenicola, chaetophylla, confertiflora, edithae, secunda and reuteri.

Subgenus Tillandsia comprises of 269 species, some of these are the pseudobulbous types such as as T. bulbosa, streptophylla and intermedia and also includes the poplular ionantha varieties.

This level of detail might not interest all tillandsia collectors but I found it very rewarding to research, to share what I have learnt and to show you some of my tillandsia collection.

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Show and Tell

Lyn Wegner showed us a beautifully coloured Neoregelia carcharodon 'Rainbow' x (Fireball x pauciflora ) and then she showed us a really ugly, tatty, colourless bromeliad. The same but grown in too much shade in a pot which was lying on its side between other bromeliads. We will see the plant again at a future meeting and watch this 'ugly duckling' turn into the 'Cinderella' it actually is.

Pete Pfister right, brought along a few interesting and unusual ananas he found on display at Spargs shopping complex. One had developed loads of pups around the base. The display was Neoregelia carcharodon 'Rubra' x ('Fireball' x provided by a local pineapple pauciflora ) farmer.

August Meeting and News

Dudley Reynolds welcomed quite a crowd for the end of August meeting held at the home of Larraine Parathyras on a hot Spring afternoon. It was good to see some visitors join us for a busy and interesting meeting and also to enjoy a walk around Larraine's beautiful garden which will be one of the gardens ‘on show’ for the Pam Golding Garden Show in October. It is full of lush well established shrubs, colourful baskets of annuals and a new shady corner where a huge tree has been chopped down and its trunk used to mount a host of bromeliads. Paved walkways lead you around the garden which wraps around the house. Beautifully laid out, with trimmed shrubs and mass plantings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with all of us Larraine, it is always so inspiring. Dudley shared his passion for with us once again, this time all about the sub genus Tillandsia Diaphoranthema.

Some views of Larraine's stunning garden. Right: Larraine with her host’s plant that she chose, Neoregelia ‘Petra’.

Member news: • Our condolences to Robert and Sanet Petschel on the loss of a much loved gran. Thanks • Larraine Parathyras for hosting the meeting and providing some give-away gifts for the lucky draws. • Sue Pema, Christine and Koos Steyn and Larraine Parathyras for providing Admiring Larraine's bromeliads mounted on a delicious eats for tea. recently chopped down tree trunk, Nevelyn van • Pete Pfister, Larraine der Walt, Barbara Black, Pete Pfister, Sue Pema and Miriam Kennard. Parathyras and Lyn Wegner for plant give-aways.

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Tea Duty

September: Lynn Friend, Peter Pfister and Miriam Kennard. October: Billy and Sheila Gerretsen, Barbara and Eddie Black and Brian and Bridget Kroger.

To facilitate catering, please confirm with Maureen Eybers (076 534 6054 or [email protected] ) if you are unable to provide eats when you are on duty.

Library Book Review by Brenda Wegner

Bromeliads for Modern Living by Louis Wilson

Dr Louis Wilson had at the time of going to press in 1977 assembled more than 2000 bromeliads, representing 200 species in his private collection in East Lansing, Michigan. He got his bromeliads the hard way – climbing trees and fording swamps in the Central and South American jungles where these spectacular plants grow wild.

Some of the topics discussed: Pick your Bromeliad for your environment, Light, Temperature and Water Requirements, Fertilize for Vitality and Beauty, Hanging Bromeliads and Bromeliad Trees, Many from one Plant, Pests and Diseases, Disorders of Bromeliads and more. Although this book was written a long time ago it was informative and I found the section on pests, diseases and disorders interesting.

Raffle Winners for August

Only Society members can buy tickets for the Raffle Draw. They can be bought for R5.00each from Norma Hart at the meeting. Country members can buy raffle tickets from Lyn, your winning bromeliad will be posted to you. The Attendance Lucky Draws are open to members and visitors at the meeting. Members are encouraged to bring special bromeliads for the raffle draw selection. They will be paid for their plant if it is chosen by a winner.

Congratulations to our August Winners!!

Raffle Winners • Di Kriel chose Vriesea ‘Nova’. • Nancy Brindley chose Billbergia ‘Hallelujah’. • Brenda Wegner chose Neoregelia ‘Beach Party’. • Fransie Rademeyer from Napier chose Neoregelia 'Blushing Tiger' x 'Gespacho'. • Chris and Delia Bogaards from Nylstroom chose Vriesea ‘Nova’. • Christo van Wijk from Pretoria chose Vriesea ‘Margarita’. • Chris van Zyl from Somerset West also chose Vri esea Vriesea ‘Margarita’ Neoregelia 'Blushing Tiger' x Vriesea ‘Nova’ ‘Margarita’. 'Gespacho'

Attendance Lucky Draw Winners • There were many lucky draws and give-aways to choose from.

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Upcoming Society Events

28th September: To be hosted by Andre and Maureen Eybers at 28 Kersboom Crescent, Bonza Bay at 2.30pm. Topic: A seminar from the New Zealand “Cool Broms’ conference DVD - ‘Bromeliads Light up your Life’ by Nigel Thomson.

26th October: To be hosted by Brenda Wegner at 19 Putney Avenue, Nahoon Valley at 2.30pm. Topic: Lyn Wegner will share her experiences of the 21st World Bromeliad Conference in Hawaii.

30th November: End of year function hosted by Eddie and Barbara Black.

Upcoming International Events

16 - 19 April 2015: 18th Australasian Bromeliad Conference, Parramatta, Australia hosted by the Bromeliad Society of Australia. For more information go to www.bromeliad.org.au

Member’s Corner

Spring has brought some unwelcome though interesting visitors to local gardens!

Andre Eybers: I was told this is a Brenda Wegner: Here is a Spotted Dudley Reynolds also had a

Boomslang and it was on top of Bush Snake sunning itself on some recent visitor to his garden. the wall where my bromeliads neos. They are non venomous and are mounted on sleepers. coming out of hibernation looking for a mate. They lay about 16 eggs.

From Rupert Partridge in Kenya : A request for bromeliad seeds, does anyone have any to sell or any suggestions? You can contact Rupert at: [email protected]

Andre Eybers: (left) The Hadedas got into my shade house and caused havoc looking for worms amongst my cryptanthus.

Lyn Wegner: Look what I came across today! A nice surprise, my Tillandsia cacticola is blooming!

From Gerrie Brits in George , (Currently visiting his daughter in California). Dalene and I had the opportunity to visit some gardens in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco in California. Two of the gardens were quite big with a large selection of bromeliads. It was a great day to get to know some of the gardeners over there, some of whom have actually visited South Africa! The first garden was that of Tom Henthorne, overlooking San Tom Henthorne’s garden in Sonoma County San Francisco.

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Francisco Bay. The garden was on a very steep terrace, which allowed for very beautiful landscaping amongst big old established trees. The second was the beautiful Worth and John Narvaez Garden, with one of the finest palm collections in California in combination with agave and bromeliads (right).

From Fransie Rademeyer in Napier in the Western Cape: Nothing exciting to report except that I was in the lucky draw for the second time in one year. This made me have a closer look at my broms, growing everywhere, even on the heap of leaves that I wanted to disguise when our Bietou Rivier church group had their meeting here. From a distance my broms look lovely and I get lots of compliments, but on closer inspection I saw the signs of all the hammering they had to take during a particularly cold, soggy wet winter and gale force winds. I was overcome with guilt, because I basically took care of my veggies during the winter and was abundantly blessed. I removed some of the worst affected bromeliads, just to realise that they were again, one step ahead of me. All the mothers have perfect pups. Fransie Rademeyer’s precious raffle wins. Mini bromeliads grouped together in What incredible, unselfish plants! I bless the a pot, a vriesea variety and Aechmea ‘Shining Light’ have survived the day they came into my life. I hope you all Western Cape winter. have a lovely springtime.

Are you looking for a special brom that is on your wish list? Advertise it here and who knows, one of our members might have it for you!

From the Editor

When are we happy bromeliad collectors? When we have every brom we can lay our hands on? Or, growing what we have to perfection in the best conditions possible and thereby have our plants reward us with optimal “gorgeousness”!!! Decisions, decisions, trying to deny yourself the pleasure of that extra special one you just have to have to fill that gap in your collection is a battle of willpower! Oh, just give in! if it makes you happy and you not robbing the bank to get it, why not?

Do bear in mind that we have booked a stall at the Nahoon Laerskool Annual Christmas Market to be held on Friday the 7th November. This is an opportunity to sell some of your bromeliads and promote our society and hopefully gain some new members!. You can start selecting and grooming some of your broms for the market now, they must be potted up in clean pots, plants must be in good condition and free of debris. Two labels need to be in the pot, with your name, plant name and price. Just think, if you sell a few, you could have some welcome cash to splurge on that new brom you have your eye on!

In the meantime, we all wait with great anticipation to hear and see what Lyn brings back from the “Bromeliads in Paradise” Conference in Hawaii !! Definitely loads of feedback from the conference where she would have heard about the latest research in hybridization, newly discovered species, developments in international standards for cultivars, or tips and tricks from a life-long bromeliad grower. There are sure to be a few beauties brought home for those avid collectors amongst us to drool over!

Many thanks to all who keep in contact and to those of you who sent in items for the newsletter this last month, it is good to share! Do remember to support the Pam Golding Show Gardens of East London in aid of local charities being held on the weekend of 4 - 5 October. You can enjoy some of our really stunning local gardens, plus support our society members, Larraine Parathyras and Brenda Wegner who are participating in this worthwhile event.

Here’s hoping to see you all at the next meeting at the home of Andre and Maureen Eybers. Happy bromming!

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This is a publication for the East London Bromeliad Society, South Africa for the interest of its members. Articles may be used by non profit societies with acknowledgement to the above.

Committee Members:

Chairman Dudley Reynolds 079 488 2360 [email protected] Vice- Chairman Dr Peter Pfister 043 748 1317 082 625 5533 [email protected] PRO & Secretary Lyn Wegner 043 736 1737 082 970 2293 [email protected] Treasurer Eddie Black 043 7212775 0825505347 [email protected] Editor & Publisher Barbara Black 043 7212775 072 1787 421 [email protected] Librarian Brenda Wegner 082 743 2141 [email protected] Raffles Norma Hart 043 7211364 084 602 3953 Catering Maureen Eybers 043 748 2254 076 534 6054 [email protected] Event Co-ordinators: Brenda Wegner 082 743 2141 [email protected] Larraine Parathyras 043 726 3167 082 594 4559 [email protected] Eddie Black 043 7212775 0825505347 [email protected] Zoo Co-ordinator Dudley Reynolds 079 488 2360 [email protected] Member Andre Eybers 043 748 2254 082 572 2448 [email protected]

You can view most of all the bromeliads mentioned in meetings or in the newsletter at the following websites: bsi.org (Bromeliad Society International) where you can access the BSI Cultivar Registry, the BSI Journal online and lots more interesting stuff. fcbs.org (Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies). This is a very useful site to reference many bromeliads where you can clarify identification or just trawl through the site and add to your wish list! .

Being affiliated to the BSI gives us access to the BSI Journal, which is available in the library or you can access it online. Copy and paste the following into your browser: http://members.bsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9 You will be asked for a username and password, which is: Username: 6841 Password: bsi

Remember that you can find ELBS on Facebook : [email protected] You will be able to upload your photos and comments on the wall. Our page and other bromeliad related sites are becoming a useful and informative forum to meet up with other like-minded folks. There are also many other sites that you can join and become part of a world wide online sharing environment.

Photo Credits: fcbs.org, Barbara Black , Lyn Wegner, Andre Eybers, Brenda Wegner, Dudley Reynolds, Gerrie Brits and Fransie Rademeyer.

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