MAY ANNOUNCEMENTS May 2020 UPCOMING EVENTS

Bromeliad Society

Vol 53 No 5 MAY ANNOUNCEMENTS May 2020 UPCOMING EVENTS

WATCH THIS SPACE

Plantastic May by Earthstar Designs Hello Bromeliad Buddies,

Things seem rather harsh everywhere but we can be positive about an outstanding spring and our bromeliads are looking quite splendid. In fact, the bromeliads (and other plants as well) have grown and duplicated like mad. So, to that end, we have a fun Show and Tell included. You will see a lot of beautiful plants in this edi- tion and contributors are always welcome. We all love to see the successful plants around the club. It’s really uplifting and we sure need a push of good things these days.

Cheers, Mary, Cherie and David

P.S. Enjoy the Show and Tell...

PRESIDENT’S fer a refund, you may receive a full refund PAGE through the end of 2020 by contacting the Bro- meliad Society International (BSI) Membership I missed seeing Secretary at [email protected]. everyone last month, but we need If you would like to register for the 2021 WBC, to stay safe and registration is $315 per person through the end healthy. I hope you of 2020. You must be a BSI member to regis- all are well and tak- ter. If you are a current BSI member, please ing precautions to register at https://www.bsi.org/members/. If stay that way. We have no idea when we will you are not a member, you may join the BSI be able to meet in person again, but we will try and register for the conference at https:// to stay in touch and keep you informed with the www.bsi.org/new/join-the-bsi-or-renew/. You Bulletins, website, and emails. should be able to make hotel reservations for the 2021 WBC through the BSI website shortly. With social distancing still recommended and If you made hotel reservations for the 2020 West Gray Metropolitan Multiservice Center WBC, please remember to cancel them. closed at least through the end of May, we have canceled our May 19th meeting. We will keep If you have not done so already, please renew you updated on the status of our June meeting. your BS/H and Cryptanthus Society member- Should this continue, we are looking into hold- ships. Allyn Pearlman ([email protected]) ing virtual meetings as an alternative to face-to- would be happy to help you with this. Also, face meetings. This is new for most of us so, please go to https://www.bsi.org/members/ to we need to determine whether-or-not this is renew your membership for the BSI online or possible and if it would be useful for us. We will https://www.bsi.org/new/join-the-bsi-or-renew/ keep you informed on our progress. to join the BSI on line or to print a form to renew/join by mail. The Officers and Board of Directors have also decided to totally cancel the Show and Sale for Don’t forget there is a new electronic Journal 2020. We had discussed a possible fall show membership option for only $25 for individual and sale but with no location available or identi- memberships, $35 for dual memberships. There fied and the virus outlook unknown, we did not is also a new low rate of $15 for the first year for believe the options were viable. We do have an electronic Journal membership for first time some other ideas for the Fall should conditions members, $25 for first time dual memberships. improve like a possible Fall ABC’s, Fall Sale, Please let me know if you have any questions. and of course our VP Linda Whipkey is still working on programs. I hope you all are enjoying spending time with And as for next year, don’t forget the 2021 your plants. Please be careful, don’t overdo it, World Bromeliad Conference (WBC) in Sara- and stay healthy. I hope to see you all in June. sota, Florida planned for June 8-12, 2021. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota with a trip to Selby Gardens and optional tours for pur- chase to Tropiflora and Michael’s Bromeliads. Take care, There will be speakers, plant sales, show, rare Cherie plant auction, and a banquet. If you registered for the 2020 WBC, your registration will be transferred to the 2021 WBC. Should you pre-

2 Whipkey’s Word May 2020

Acclimate

The balmy days of spring are almost over. Plants still in their winter quarters need to be moved to their summer homes soon. But be careful. Plants (like people) don’t like things to change too fast. They need to acclimate to their new surroundings. Let’s make acclimate our word of the month.

Google defines acclimate as: “to become accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions.

First let’s consider people. COVID-19 has changed our world in a multitude of ways. I don’t know about you, but I have been staying home and avoiding crowds. When I do venture out it is to a world of isolation, masks, closed stores, and little traffic. Strange terms like self-quarantine, social distancing, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, community spread, flattening the curve, and personal protective equipment (PPE) have become common in conversation. Meetings have been canceled; people are not working, or working from home. Isolation has become the norm. Yes things have changed, but so will our behaviors. Things look bad, but remember that we, like our plants, in time we will acclimate to our new normal whatever it may be. Hopefully we will soon be back to having some form of monthly meetings. Hang in there and take of yourself and your plants.

Speaking of plants, you need to think about your winter growing conditions. I bet they are similar to mine. The plants have low light, they are crowded, and there is less than ideal air circulation. Not a good situation. The growth, if there is any, is weak and lanky. Plants under these conditions are sus- ceptible to pests and diseases. But be careful when you move the plants to a better location. They will need time to acclimate.

Putting the plants in a place where they will get better air circulation will help matters considerably. Most pest problems, including brown scale, will probably disappear when there is better air move- ment. However, black fly speck scale (Gymnaspis aechmeae ) is a more serious problem. If the in- festation is bad, it is probably best to put the plant into the garbage can. If you wish to save it, you will probably need to quarantine it and treat with an appropriate insecticide. Carefully read the com- plete insecticide container label. Make sure the chemical you choose is approved to treat scale. Read and follow all instructions carefully.

Your plants summer home should allow it to get optimum sunlight. But, this can be tricky. Remem- ber that word acclimate? Plants don’t need much time to acclimate to better air circulation, but brighter sunlight is a whole different matter. A wise “old” nursery man, Dennis Cathcart, once told me that in order to acclimate a plant to brighter light it should be moved multiple times. Each time the plant is moved the light should be 20% brighter than the previous place. To complicate matters the plant should stay in each location at least 1 month. So if the plant has been wintering in your garage or other dark location, it might take several months to get the plant acclimated to bright sunlight. In my case the winter location for my plants is under plastic covered by 50% shade cloth. The plants only get about 40% of the weak winter sun. To get the plants acclimated full summer sun will take at 2 possibly 3 months. Oh you can speed the process up and move them directly from low light directly to bright light, but the plants will pay a price. Remember in your younger days when you headed to the beach or pool for the first time after a long dreary winter? What happened? You remember. You received a bad sunburn. Plants are the same. Too much sun too quickly and they get sunburned. Unfortunately once the damage is done, it can’t be undone. In my experience, once a leaf is burned, it will never heal. Take your time and do it correctly.

If you give your plants time to acclimate, the move from winter to summer home should be unevent- ful.

3 Show and Tell (sans John Schmidt’s bon vivant) Alicia Baker

This is the one I did first. Last year. I have always loved the color of the strawberry pot. Everything I potted in it died. I finally dumped out the soil and noticed there were no drainage holes! Geeze you would have thought I would have noticed that BEFORE.

Bob told me to use a cement bit and go slow. Drill 3 holes and put my brom mix heavy on perlite in the pot. I also use plastic screen to keep the soil from coming out the holes.

The plants are between the pot and the screen, but can root through the screen. Seemed to work.

<=== strawberry pot with Neoregelia ‘Donger’ ===>

Neoregelia punctatissima x Neoregelia ‘Night Spot’

Two pictures together show the concept. It was planted in the spring. Mixture of pups from Cherie and plants I bought from the sale last March or May.

(Left) This was done also last spring after the sky blue strawberry pot. It was the first strawberry pot I did The top plant got huge and over shadowed the one below. It was nice for a couple of years. But I finally ripped it all apart.

It is currently planted with neos. ‘Donger’, ‘Fireball’ and unknown on top. I thought about using ‘Mo’ Peppa Please’ but thought that might take away from the other below. Might change that later.

This pot my husband picked up for me.

The holes are so small and vertical there are several that need a plant on this pot. 4 Show and Tell Broms Will Do Page 2 Alicia Baker

(Left) This one is short and squat. It also needed drainage holes drilled in to it.

This is a collection of plant from the sale and from Cherie's collection.

It is the simplest of the pots

(Right) This one is getting close to blooming, but look at the red and chartreuse bands. .

Tillandsia usenoides

Neoregelia ‘Michelle’ They are in bloom. Also, decora- tive on the Tiki light...

Here is something I think I got the idea at the Whipkey's.

Broms work better than ferns.

It is so cool that the can grow on nothing per se. ======>

5 Show and Tell Broms for Me Page 3 Cinotto and Edmonson Patio Plants

Dykias and friends Repotted Cryptanthus And Neoregelias

Brought most of the neos out of the greenhouse and started repotting the Cryptanthus. Anyone in need of crypts—look no more and check these to the right. These babies need a new home.

Left photo—John built benches for plants and we moved the hibiscus.

Neoregelia ‘Tangerine’

Neoregelia ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ Neoregelia ‘Mints and Chocolate’

Neoregelia ‘Hawaii’

Neoregelia johannis 'DeRolf' Neoregelia ‘Faded Love’

We have been very busy repotting but have truly enjoyed seeing everyone of the plants coming back with gusto from their wintering. It’s been an awesome spring.

6 Show and Tell Broms are More Page 4

Cinotto and Edmonson

Aechmea nudicaulis Bilbergia ‘Hallelujah’ Tillandsia cacticola 'Telephone Hill'

Neoregelia ‘Blueberry Yogurt’ Tillandsia brachycaulos Cryptanthus ‘Jean Nichol’

Cryptanthus ‘Kakadu’ Cryptanthus ‘Kakadu’ (reddish color—same greenhouse) (more green as it should be)

Had to do a double take on the Kakadu...But if you look at the leaf in the lower right (on the left plant), you see it is getting a different coloring. Yes, They are the same plant.

7 Show and Tell Broms Thrive Page 5

Billie Emanuel

Left is labeled Pitcairnia wide and to the right is Gary Gallick’s Pitcairnias

The plants look very robust and enjoying their spring weather.

Vickie Gurka

Tillandsia ionantha

Neoregelia ‘Purple Star’ Aechmea ‘Frosty the Snowman’

Vresia ‘Shirley Temple’

8 Show and Tell Brom Fix Page 6

Cherie and Frank Lee

Bromelia agavifolia Mid size Bromelia with very nice color Tillandsia streptocarpa large form

Nidularium 'Leprosa'

Two attractive Nidulariums. (above and right) Seem to be easy to grow. Pretty blooms that smell like grape. Nice coloring when blooming.

Nidularium 'Sao Paulo'

Interesting bloom and foliage even Beautiful when not margination blooming. with bold col- Easy to grow or

Neoregelia (carolinae var red x princeps) x Canistrum fosterianum 'Fanfare'

9 Show and Tell Brom Heaven Page 7

Cherie and Frank Lee

Guzmania 'Ice Cream'

Guzmania 'Ice Cream' Portea—Large plant, over 3 ft in diameter and 3 ft tall. Bloom is about 2 ft above Guzmania—Great colors and plant. First time blooming. Usually down- size and keep only a few pups each year very pretty shape of blooms Portea petropolitana extensa and leaves. but last couple of years put in back of greenhouse and ignored. Grew rather large and just when I thought about down- sizing it, it put up four bloom spikes.

Sincoregelia ‘Fireworks’

Large plant Vibrant color. Nicely shaped. Likes lots of light.

10 Show and Tell Broms are Great Page 8 Theresa Sandberg

.Tillandsia ionantha maxima ‘Huamelula’ Tillandsia ionantha ‘Ron’ Tillandsia ionantha maxima

At first glance, all ionanthas seem to look the same. One can learn the subtleties and differences of the cultivars and varieties only by comparison....when you place one ionantha next to another and really look. The differences can be in the size of the plant, in the shape of the plant (tall, stubby, fat, vase like, tulip like, fan like), in the leaves (width, length, thickness and patterning of the leaves and how they recurve), in the color of the leaves when blooming and in the bloom colors. Also when they bloom during the year can give a hint on the plant ID. In the examples, I originally thought I had 3 blooming ionanthas.

After some research, I’ve learned that ionantha maxima ‘Huamelula’ can also go by ionantha ‘Huamelula’ or ionantha maxima. I had purchased my ‘Huamelula’ and maxima from 2 different sources, thinking they were different plants. See the differences between ionantha ‘Ron’ and the others, and see the similarities between the 2 differently labeled ionantha maxima Huamelulas.

Does any of this matter? Only if you’re competing or selling because the best part of a blooming ionantha is when a hummingbird visits

Variation in the ionanthas

11 Show and Tell Broms are Fine Page 9 David Whipkey

Plant’s name: Pitcairnia orchidifolia Why of interest: OOPS! I forgot to bring the pot into the greenhouse last winter. No protection from the cold, no fertilizer, and no extra water. The plant looked bad, but it survived. 6 plants are growing. The bottom line is if you like the plant, don’t give up just because it Pitcairnia orchidifolia Pitcairnia orchidifolia looks bad

Plant’s name: Neoregelia 'Groves Tange- rine' Variegated Why of interest: Where is the variegation? The plant is growing is strong light and the variegation is not strong. When the plant was in less intense light it showed stronger variegation.

Neoregelia 'Groves Tangerine' Variegated

Plant’s name: Bromelia gurkeniana funchiana Why of interest: The plant has been outside with little care for 3 years. No fertilizer, no winter protection, and little water. It bloomed last summer. It Bromelia gurkeniana funchiana bloomed again at Christ- mas time. It is coming into bloom again. I don’t think you can kill this plant.

The Quesnelia and Aechmea are doing very well and showing good color.

Quesnelia marmorata

Aechnea recurvata 'Aztec Gold' Reverse

12 Show and Tell Broms Again Page 10 David Whipkey

Good deep reds making for a colorful garden.

Tillandsia ionantha 'Huamelula'

Neoglaziovia variegata 'Concolor form'

Aechmea nudicaulis 'La Tigra'

Neoregelia 'Gezpacho' Neoregelia ‘Mr. Odean

The Neoregelias are not to be outdone by their cousins. Good light with warm- er days and they are all starting to bloom.

13 Show and Tell Brom Heaven Page 11

Rick and Carole Richtmyer

Lymania—The genus was es- tablished in 1984 to "unite fur- rowed or winged species from Aechmea subgenera Lampro- coccus, Araeococcus and Lymania spiculata Pitcairnia tabuliformis Ronnbergia

Sincoregelia ’Supernova’

Lapanthus-Sincorea hybrid A common relative—Sincoraea

Tillandsia reducta

Billbergia Goudea chrysostachys ‘Novena’

14 And Now for Something Completely Different ...A Spot of Levity

15 Foxie’s Health & Safety: Managing Stress During COVID-19

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in. People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include • Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 • Children and teens • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first re- sponders • People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use.

Take care of yourself and your community Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Ways to cope with stress • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

• Take care of your body.  Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.  Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.  Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.  Avoid alcohol and drugs

• Make time to unwind. Try to do some activities you enjoy. • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns.

The CDC site with more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

MAY BIRTHDAYS Midge Gorman 5/8 Jane Littell 5/13 Ruby Adams 5/15 Cynthia Johnson 5/18

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

Cherie Lee 6/1 Jack Pine 6/1 Billie Emanuel 6/9 John Sarkisian 6/12 Michael O’Neal 6/13 Gordon Stowe 6/17

16 World Bromeliad Conference 2021

Due to the Coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) outbreak in the USA, including Florida and the fact that the Florida Governor has declared a state of emergency, the World Bromeliad Conference from June 9-13, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida has been rescheduled to June 8-12, 2021. The host hotel will still be the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sarasota. You will have to change your reservation dates with the hotel. The registration that you paid for the conference will apply to the rescheduled conference with no changes in the rate. The bus tours will not change. We are in the process of verifying all the speakers. We hope that you still plan to attend the rescheduled conference. All the BSI board members vot- ed unanimously to reschedule the conference since the safety of our members was more important than attempting to continue with the conference this year.

If you are unable to attend your registration will be refunded following our conference refund policy. Up to the year the conference is to be held you get a 100% refund, once the year of the conference begins you get a 50% refund, and within 30 days of the conference there is no refund. Since the date of the conference was moved by one year, you can get a 100% refund until January 1, 2021.

Again, we are sorry for any inconvenience that this change may have created for you and appreciate your patience. We look forward to seeing you in 2021 and having a wonderful and safe time in Sarasota.

The World Bromeliad Conference 2021 will be held in Sarasota, Florida, USA from Tuesday, June 8, 2021 through Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. We will celebrate the 24th World Bromeliad Conference! Events will include tours of two of the world’s leading Bromeliad nurseries (Michael’s Bromeli- ads and Tropiflora), a visit to the renowned Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (with free admission for conference registrants), a number of notable speakers, an opening conference reception and welcome address, a banquet with a rare plant sale and auction, a plant sale with numerous sellers, a fantastic judged plant show, and more.

The BSI has arranged for a special $149 room rate at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota (with no resort fees, nor- mally $24+ daily) with free parking for hotel guests and conference visitors. All the rooms at the Hyatt provide water views and the hotel has a central downtown location with easy access to gardens, restaurants, muse- ums, shopping, cultural activities, and world-renowned beaches. In order to catch all the planned events for WBC 2021, you would check into the hotel on Tuesday night, June 8th and stay through Saturday night, June 12th (checking out on Sunday). Of course, with all there is do in Sarasota and other nearby areas in Florida, you may want to extend your stay. BSI Members may register for the hotel and conference by going to the members section. Others may sign- up for memberships and registration at the registration page. We recommend reserving your hotel room early since a limited number of rooms at the special rate will be available. Hotel registration will begin in April 2020.

We are hard at work planning for World Bromeliad Conference 2021 and will be posting additional information on the WBC Menu on the BSI homepage as it becomes available. To contact the Conference Co-Chairs with any questions, you may email them at [email protected]

17 AFFILIATED WITH THE MEMBER OF BROMELIAD SOCIETY/HOUSTON INC. BROMELIAD SOCIETY SOUTHWEST BROMELIAD INTERNATIONAL GUILD

AFFILIATED WITH THE CRYPTANTHUS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL

Officers and Chairmen About the Bromeliad Society/Houston President Cherie Lee This corporation is organized exclusively for purely public 24672 Pine Ridge charity and strictly educational purposes. Specific goals Hockley, TX 77447 832-566-5786 of the Society shall be to: [email protected]

Increase knowledge of bromeliads through inter- Vice President Linda Whipkey change and dissemination of information. Secretary David Whipkey Treasurer Allyn Pearlman Use such funds as are available for the purpose Past President Don Green of research and/or equipment in institutions of higher learning within the State of Texas. Board of Directors

There are two classes of membership: Term Expires 12/31/20 12/31/21 12/31/22 Individual $20.00 per year Gordon Stowe Vickey Gurka Madge Donaldson Family $30.00 per year Shirl Stow Frank Lee Scherie Townes

All memberships begin with January of the current year. I. Standing Committees 1. Publicity Allyn Pearlman Bulletin Editor Mary Cinotto Visit our website at www.bromeliadsocietyhouston.org 2. Plant Sales Chairman Allyn Pearlman for more information. 3. Programs Chairman Linda Whipkey ______4. Standing Committees Ex-Officio Members: Don Green / Cherie Lee The Bulletin is published monthly and is available online prior to monthly meetings. Articles and any other information pertinent to bromeliads are solicited. Articles may II. Committees of the Board be reprinted with proper acknowledgment given to author 1 Annual Show David Whipkey and publication. 2 Bromeliad Culture David Whipkey 3 Courtesy Midge Gorman Please have articles to the editor 4 Garden Tours Gordon Stowe, [email protected] before end of the month. Shirl Stowe 5 Historian David Whipkey A Yearbook is published annually based on the member- 6 Holiday Party Chairman Allyn Pearlman ship roll at the end of the regular February meeting of 7 Hospitality Coordinator Verna Powers 8 Members & each year and distributed to members of the BS/H, Inc. Visitor Register: Ken Gardner, Noreen Tolman Please address any correspondence regarding this publi- 9 Membership Allyn Pearlman cation to: 10 Raffle Plants Cherie Lee, Frank Lee Mary Cinotto 11 Seedlings Allyn Pearlman 16023 Pebble Bend Drive 12 Show & Tell John Schmidt Houston, TX 77068 13 Webmaster Joy Reynolds [email protected] Representatives

Southwest Bromeliad Guild David Whipkey, Ray Johnson Bromeliad Society International Annette Dominguez, Cherie Lee, Margo Racca

Society

May May 2020 Vol 53 Vol 53 No 5

Bromeliad

Mary Cinotto 16023 Pebble Bend Drive Houston, TX 77068

FIRST CLASS