Bromeliad Society of Victoria Inc

Bromeliad Society of Victoria Inc.

VOL 37 NO 5 October -November 2020

General Meetings and Field Days will not be held until further notice.

CONTENTS 2020 Calendar of Events ...... 2 Editorial ...... 3 Discussion Group Meetings ...... 3 BSV President’s Report ...... 4 General Meetings...... 5 Spring has Sprung Rob McClure ...... 6 Starbucks - Japan ...... 7 Vale – Bryan Paten ...... 7 From my Spring Garden Garry Brady ...... 8 Nance Esmore’s Orchids ...... 8 Keely Ough’s Albuca spiralis ...... 8 Bromeliad Foliage Lloyd Godman ...... 9 Erection of heavy tree fern trunk to make a bromeliad totem pole ...... 20 Bromeliads in Tree Ferns Bruce Lee ...... 22

2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS (all cancelled)

28 October – Meeting 14-15 November – Annual Show 9 December – Christmas Meeting

COVER: Racinaea dyeriana BSV Inc. Contacts Geoff Beech

MAIL PO Box 101, Darling VIC 3145 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/198663673628029/ WEBSITE http://bromeliad.org.au/ then, CLUB NEWS, Victoria EMAIL [email protected]

EDITORIAL We have some fabulous articles in this issue, both informative and full of ideas for you to FOREST DRIVE try. NURSERY

As the weather warms up, and Melbourne Located at REPTON, South of has slightly above average rainfall, our Coffs Harbour. gardens are flourishing and the bromeliads SPECIES AND VARIETIES are colouring up and flowering beautifully. All quality plants at reasonable prices Plants for all level of collection. Some of us continue to meet on Zoom for Beautiful TILLANDSIA, Discussion Group, for a friendly chat, and to VRIESEAS, NEOREGELIAS, see familiar faces. Details are below. AECHMEAS ETC.

I would be interested to see members make Visitors Welcome, but phone first short videos of their gardens – like mini Field (02) 6655 4130 A.H.

Days. Please contact me if you can help out. For mail order send S A E:

Keep safe and healthy and enjoy your plants. PO Box 2

Until we meet again, Bonville, NSW, 2441 Prop. Peter Tristram

Jill www.bromeliads.com.au

DISCUSSION GROUP MEETINGS The Discussion Group will next meet on Wednesday 18 November on ‘Zoom’, at 8 pm. The discussion group meets on the third Wednesday most months to talk bromeliads in an informal setting. This fun and friendly meeting is not of a technical nature.

To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72965777914?pwd=Ym8vYVhiNkoxYTYweE5pckpUSzh4d z09 Meeting ID: 729 6577 7914 Passcode: 5czeK9

Future Discussion Group dates: 16 Dec

Tillandsia capitata ‘Rojo’

Vriesea ‘RoRo’

Geoff Beech

BSV PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Hi Members, I hope you are all coping with the ongoing restrictions and are still able to get out and enjoy the spring weather. It's been a great spring so far with plenty of rain but still enough warm sunny days to really get those weeds growing. Oops I meant 'plants'.

It’s been great to see plenty of bromeliads flowering as it has been a good year for aechmeas and billbergias, and some colouring up of neoregelias as the daylight hours are increasing. I'm sure the Tillandsia collectors are also seeing lots of colour if Chris Larson’s posts on Facebook are any indication.

I did notice that the overnight temperature dropped below five degrees in some suburbs recently, so remain vigilant to avoid cold damage to any plants that you may have put in a more exposed position to make the most of the sunshine.

All this time at home has provided a golden opportunity to keep on top of garden maintenance and hopefully a chance to take on some new projects. Not being able to duck out to grab garden supplies when needed has been a downside, but that just takes a bit more forward planning.

Unfortunately the BSV is still unable to hold meetings and of course our Bromeliad Show that is usually held next month will not go ahead this year. Plans are to have the show in March 2021 but as you can appreciate, such plans are fluid with our uncertain road back to life as we knew it.

You can still catch up with what some BSV members are up to by visiting the Victorian bromeliad site on Facebook or join the Zoom discussion group that's held on the third Wednesday evening of each month.

Please take care both physically and mentally and hopefully we'll be unrestricted sooner rather than later.

Rochelle Gaugg

GENERAL MEETINGS These are held at Phoenix Park Community Centre, Rob Roy Rd, Malvern East. Melway Ref. Map 69, D2. Meetings commence at 7:30 pm sharp.

AVAILABLE AT EACH MEETING At each meeting you may take advantage of the following: 1. Raffle. 2. A Bromeliad Book Library. 3. Members’ plant sales table. 4. Plant display and competition. 5. A section for your problem plants. Ask the experts what they think. 6. Books for sale. 7. Accessories for sale. 8. Lots of other interested growers to meet and chat with.

OFFICE BEARERS 2020-2021 Position Name Email Phone

President Rochelle Gaugg [email protected] 0403 197 516

Vice President Chris Larson [email protected] 9568 8856 Secretary Bruce Lee [email protected]

Treasurer Chris Baker [email protected] 9596 1992

General committee Jill Abbott [email protected] 0400 921 374 Geoff Beech [email protected] Garry Brady [email protected] [email protected] Rob McClure [email protected]

Non-committee Positions

Membership Jane Baker 0408 310 492 Secretary: [email protected] 90A Martin Street, Brighton VIC 3186 Librarian: Mike Raymond Plant Sales: Gary and Bruce Lee Supper Coordinator Sandra Bryant Patron: Maurice Kellett Life Members: Nance Esmore, Chris Larson, Jean Nicol, Garry Thompson Editor: Jill Abbott [email protected] Production: Brian Abbott Deadline for all editorial and advertising is the first Tuesday of publication month.

All opinions expressed in the Newsletter are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the BSV.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG Rob McClure

Row 1: Arisaema thunbergii ssp urashima (L & centre); Helicodiceros muscivorous (Dead horse arum)

Row 2: Arum dioscorides; Voodoo Lily (Sauromatum) & Amorpophallus dunnii; Hippeastrum papillio

Row 3: Lysichiton americanum.

STARBUCKS - JAPAN Tokyo’s newest Starbucks outlet has finally opened inside the Hana Biyori greenhouse, which is part of a larger garden managed by the popular amusement park, Yomiuriland. Especially during the rainy season, when the weather is unpredictable and sudden downpours are not uncommon, this new café is a great place to enjoy greenery over a cup of coffee while keeping dry. It's like walking into a floral fantasy of your Instagram dreams. The big hall is all decked out with blooming flower walls and hanging baskets planted with begonias, fuchsias, petunias, geraniums and bellflowers. The open, light-filled space is a breath of fresh air and a sight for sore eyes. The lush, comfortable atmosphere has plenty of greenery to calm your mind – there’s even a communal table with a water feature. Make a beeline for one of the counter seats facing the café’s 8m-long aquarium and you'll be treated to a mesmerising view of colourful coral fish from Okinawa. As the greenhouse is inside Yomiuriland’s Hana Biyori botanical garden, you’ll have to fork out ¥1,200 (primary school students and children aged three and older ¥600) for the park entry to get to this unique Starbucks outlet. (Ed: ¥1,200 = $16) (from: https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news) Photo: Yomiuri Land

VALE – BRYAN PATEN We were very sad to learn of the passing of Bryan Paten, a long-time member of BSV. Bryan held several committee positions, recently as Secretary, but previously as President.

He was a fount of knowledge, keen to share this with fellow members, and often gave demonstrations on making his famous bromeliad trees – large branches adorned with a variety of different bromeliads arranged with skill to display the colour, patterns and shapes of one of his favourite plants.

Bryan will be sorely missed for his friendship, helpfulness, smile and his sense of humour.

FROM MY SPRING GARDEN GARRY BRADY

Rhododendron Scilla peruvianus Lachenalias Aechmea apocalyptica mini daffs

NANCE ESMORE’S ORCHIDS

KEELY OUGH’S ALBUCA SPIRALIS

BROMELIAD FOLIAGE LLOYD GODMAN The primary function of pigments in plants is photosynthesis, which uses the green pigment chlorophyll along with several red and yellow pigments that help to capture as much light energy as possible.

Other functions of pigments in plants include attracting insects to flowers to encourage pollination. Plant pigments include a variety of different kinds of molecule, including porphyrins, carotenoids, anthocyanins and betalains. All biological pigments selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others. The light that is absorbed may be used by the plant to power chemical reactions, while the reflected wavelengths of light determine the colour the pigment will appear to the eye.

The principal pigments responsible are: Chlorophyll is the primary pigment in plants; it is a chlorin that absorbs yellow and blue wavelengths of light while reflecting green. It is the presence and relative abundance of chlorophyll that gives plants their green colour. All land plants and green algae possess two forms of this pigment: chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Kelps, diatoms, and other photosynthetic heterokonts contain chlorophyll c instead of b, while red algae possess only chlorophyll a. All chlorophylls serve as the primary means plants use to intercept light in order to fuel photosynthesis.

Carotenoids are red, orange, or yellow tetraterpenoids. They function as accessory pigments in plants, helping to fuel photosynthesis by gathering wavelengths of light not readily absorbed by chlorophyll. The most familiar carotenoids are carotene (an orange pigment found in carrots), lutein (a yellow pigment found in fruits and vegetables), and lycopene (the red pigment responsible for the colour of tomatoes). Carotenoids have been shown to act as antioxidants and to promote healthy eyesight in humans.

Anthocyanins (literally “flower blue”) are water-soluble flavonoid pigments that appear red to blue, according to pH. They occur in all tissues of higher plants, providing colour in leaves, plant stem, roots, flowers, and fruits, though not always in sufficient quantities to be noticeable. Anthocyanins are most visible in the petals of flowers, where they may make up as much as 30% of the dry weight of the tissue. They are also responsible for the purple colour seen on the underside of tropical shade plants such as Tradescantia zebrina; in these plants, the anthocyanin catches light that has passed through the leaf and reflects it back towards regions bearing chlorophyll, in order to maximize the use of available light.

While some plant families may have a great genetic diversity between individual plants, species and genera, this may not be expressed in an obvious visual manner that is easily identified by the eye. However, in this regard Bromeliads are exhibition- ist, where genetic diversity is most often expressed in a highly visible manner, through leaf colour and shape. As one of the last plant families to evolve the genetic 9 sequence can lead to a huge diversity of plants in nature and an even greater diversity when exploited by growers and hybridizers. Combined variations of pigmentation and trichomes in the foliage, which usually grows in a rosette, affords the most widely patterned and coloured of any plant family on the planet. So much so, that many people who first see these exotic plants with thick strap like leaves and believe them to be “fantasy” plants designed in the imagination and made of plastic.

The foliage of plants, within the more than 3,000 species of Bromeliad family, (and the countless hybrids and cultivars) can take very different shapes, from narrow needle like leaf forms, leaves that taper from a wide base to a sharp point, to wide leaves with an almost square blunt tip. The leaves can be thin and delicate to thick and leather like. Through the cross section of leaf, they can be flat or strongly curved, they can form symmetrically or irregularly, be very short to long and the leaf edge can vary from sharp spines to a smooth soft edge. The spines can not only vary in shape and spacing but also in colour which can often contrast dramatically with the leaf colour affording a visual accent.

These plants expression of anthocyanin pigments can be exquisite with a huge range of red, blue, or violet pigments possible. Likewise the range of greens in the chlorophyll pigments is also varied from light green to deep almost black green. Leaf colours range from almost black, maroon, bright red, pink through shades of green, to gold. But a more spectacular feature of many plants is the exotic combinations of pigments, where leaves have striking patterns. Varieties may have leaves with red, yellow, white and cream variations. Others may be spotted with purple, red, or cream, while others have different colours on the tops (adaxial) to the bottom (abaxial) of the leaf, stripes that run down the leaf length or across the leaf.

As mentioned, these colours are formed by pigmentations in the leaf, but as another dimension to the aesthetic of the Bromeliad leaf, tichomes can be invisible, or show as a thick white dusting, distinct silver bands, patterns or as in some Tillandsia even cover the entire plant in a silver fuzz. In some plants, trichome patterns can defer considerably from the upper side of the leaf to the top side. The trichome is not a pigment in the plant tissue, but a small cell on the surface that has the ability to uptake water and also reflect light.

In some plants, exposure to high light levels can enhance the saturation of these pigments, while in other plants high light levels can bleach the colour.

Different genera within the family can look quite different. Further to this leaf colour and shape can alter with differing exposure to sunlight. While light can intensify the colour, over exposure can bleach the pigments, and even burn the leaf. Darker situations can dull the colour.

Leaf pigmentation patterns can take many forms: On some plants these pigmentation patterns form through the entire thickness of the leaf and reveal a similar pattern top and bottom, while in other plants the top of the leaf can be 10 completely different from the bottom. It should be remembered that these are simplified terms, definitions and examples and often plants combine a range of these colour expressions particularly in new hybrids.

uniformis: this is the simplest pigmentation, here the leaf is a single colour, most often green

graduatus: where the colour of the leaf gradually shifts from one colour to another

repens: abrupt sudden, in some leaves the pigmentation abruptly changes colour in a hard line

variegata: irregularly coloured or blotched; but in Bromeliaceae generally accepted as longitudinally striped. Variegated. The leaf edge is green and the middle area white or yellow.

11 marginata: usually albo-marginata, meaning the white or lighter colour is at the edge of the leaf, while the central leaf zone remains solid green

striata: a form of variegation - striped; marked with longitudinal lines, where the foliage is green overlaid with longitudinal white or yellow stripes of varying widths.

lineatum: lineata: With thin lines or stripes

Medio-picta: medio-picta: a form of variegation where the center of the leaf is a whitish colour

12 bivittatus: doubly striped lengthwise

plagis vermiculus - red or crimson stripes

unum aciem tenuem - a single thin line

fimbriae - fringe, edge, extremity, border as in this leaf with a green edge - the Anthocyanins (red pigments) are formed in the centre with a distinct green edging.

13 tricolor: three colours usually green, cream and pink

marmoration: variegating so as to resemble marble

concentric: concentrica, with intensification of colour in the centre

14 maculation: maculate: spotted; blotched; marked with spots. Red on green

maculation: maculate: spotted; blotched; marked with spots. Green on red

zonata: zoned; cross-banded with distinct colours

15 fenestralis: with window-like openings; referring to the light-green rectangular areas on leaves which give the illusion of windows

Iacio: to throw, cast, hurl, lay, scatter, diffuse, here the contrasting pigmentation is scattered randomly across the leaf

Often the pigmentation is only visible on one surface - the inside of the leaf or the outside. Some plants form erect tube like forms like billbergias and aechmea where the outside of the leaf is the underside of other plants like neoregelia which form open rosettes. I describe these as follows.

extrinsecus - outside - this is the side of the leaf facing outwards - in billbergias it is the most obvious leaf surface. In mature neoregelias it is the leaf surface facing downward that is less visible.

intus - inside - this is the surface of the leaf facing inwards - in neoregelias it is the most visible aspect of the leaf, while in the tube forms like billbergias it is concealed by the tight form

Glossy or Matt Leaves Reflected light is usually diffused in character, that is, the reflections occur about equally in all directions from a surface that has a matt or textured finish. Polished mirror like surfaces also yield specula reflections where most of the source light is reflected in a beam. The gleam of sunlight on automobile chrome is an example, but less extreme examples that occur in nature where many surfaces produce both diffuse and specula reflections. Any surface that appears ‘shiny’ such as certain leaves or rock surfaces, or wet pavement can produce specula highlight, as can crystalline substances like ice, sand or snow. They are direct reflections of the light source, they are far brighter than a diffuse area and they can lend a sense of brilliance to a photograph. When observing light on the subject that you are photographing it is important to observe the relationship between the diffuse areas and the specula reflection. It is also important to see diffuse well-lit areas and deep shadows. The same applies to observing and photographing Bromeliads.

When light hits and object it reflects off at the same angle it. It is a similar principle to shooting a pool ball. The angle light hits the object is called the angle of repose

while the angle it reflects off at is called the angle of reflection. Some Bromeliad leaves have quite glossy leaves where the light is reflected from their leaves in a different manner that a plant dusted with a layer of trichomes. With glossy leaves hot spots can appear, and these will shift as our position is moved in relationship to the plant leaf and the light source. However many all Bromeliad leaves have trichomes on the surface and pronounced coatings break the light up reflecting it in a multitude of directions so the leaf appears to have a matt surface. Trichome Patterns All Bromeliads have trichomes which are the tiny cells that are able to take moisture into the plant. While these might be invisible to the naked eye 0n some Bromeliads, others produce a profuse trichome pattern that not only becomes visible, but becomes a key aspect of the plant aesthetic and shows as a contrasting white silver. This is most often pronounced on the underside of the leaf, so in tall tubular forms

17 like billbergia the pattern becomes highly visible, whereas with vase forms like neoregelia the trichomes on the underside of the leaf surface and are less visible from above.

While the silver trichome cells are often dusted over the entire leaf surface, they can also form in bands that also add to the visual attraction of the plant. Trichomes on the leaves of Bromeliads vary a great deal. On some plants they can be arranged flat on the surface and be invisible to the naked eye, on other plants they can cover an entire leaf with an even pattern of long hair like cells. On some plants the trichomes are arranged in patterns, often strong bands across the leaf. However there are some plants like alcantarea where a fined dusting of trichomes is present on the upper leaf surface. Of course, tillandsias have profuse trichomic coatings on both sides of the leaves and no pattern.

Trichome banding on the upper surface of an alcantarea leaf

Strong trichome banding on a billbergia

Heavy dusting of trichomes on an aechmea

Spikes & Spine Colour

Many Bromeliads from the sub- families Bromelioideae and Pitcainioideae have a series of spikes or spines that run along the leaf edge. This can be a feature in plants from popular genera like aechmea, billbergia, neoregelia, dyckia and puya. In plants from the Tillandsioideae sub-family the leaves have smooth edges with no spines. The spines vary considerably; they may be quite small and insignificant, almost invisible, where they are felt by running a hand up the leaf edge, to large hazardous spikes that are stiff, sharp enough to inflict nasty wound, yet a seductive feature of the plant. Sometimes the spines form only near the base of the leaf, while other plants form spines the entire leaf ending in a sharp spike at the leaf apex or tip. On some plants the spines are more pronounced on the juvenile leaves and fade off as new larger leaves form. Most often the spines contrast colour (black or red) to the leaf and can offer another striking visual effect to the plant. They can sit on the leaf edge as a series of almost symmetrical triangles or form a barbed almost fish hook shape, there might be wide spacing between the barbs or that can form with a narrow spacing. Some barbs can be quite soft, semitransparent lighting up under direct back light, or thick and opaque. Not only do these factors combine to offer an intriguing visual diversity between species, but also between hybrids.

Spines on the leaf edge of Billbergia vittata

Billbergia elegans Pink

ERECTION OF HEAVY TREE FERN TRUNK TO MAKE A BROMELIAD TOTEM POLE Robert Mather

Firstly safety:-  Never put any part of your body beneath heavy objects  Use levers to move heavy objects so as not to damage yourself  During operations have at least 2 supports at all times  Use downward force by using your weight if possible rather than strength  Use wedges to stop rolling motion  Plan before doing! (rough drawings below) Anyone can ask me for details if required.

BROMELIADS IN TREE FERNS BRUCE LEE There are many ways and places that bromeliads can be grown and displayed. The obvious ones are, in the ground, in pots and hanging baskets, mounted in trees or on walls. Each has its advantages and may be more suited to some genre than others.

I am always looking for new ways to grow my bromeliads more successfully and hopefully with less maintenance. Most are in pots, both on the ground and hanging but I'm putting more into the ground to provide a more natural garden appearance. However, one of my favourite places to grow bromeliads is on the trunks of tree ferns.

Tree Fern trunks make very good positions for growing bromeliads as the bromeliad roots can work their way into the tree fern fibres to hold them securely in place and the trunks drain very well so little chance of the bromeliad rotting at the base.

The top of the tree fern is a prime position as it is generally quite easy to make a well into the top of the trunk to insert the base of the bromeliad and use some potting medium around it to hold it in place until the roots have time to secure it in place. Obviously a dead tree fern will be best suited to mounting in the top but bromeliads can be grown around the outside of a living tree fern without threatening its health and well-being. The remnant fronds around the outside of the fern are useful for holding the bromeliad in position or a hole can be made to insert a bromeliad stolen or base of a plant in the trunk.

Positioning the tree fern also needs to be considered if you are bringing a new tree fern trunk into your garden. Planting the trunk in the ground is preferable if the tree fern is very tall or the intention is for the display to remain in one position. However, the base of the tree fern can be inserted into a pot and secured in place with stones and other material if you want the option of moving it around.

Most bromeliad genres should do well when grown in tree ferns so long as they receive the right amount of light and water but my preference is patterned vrieseas.

I have been fortunate enough to acquire quite a few tree ferns, both dead and alive, from family and friends and one particularly large one off the side of the road which, as you can see, I have made into what might be referred to as a vriesea totem pole.

Most of the bromeliads I have attempted to grow in my tree ferns have thrived and most of my tree fern trunks have remained solid but a couple have softened and appear to be disintegrating. I'm not sure what has caused this but they will not go to waste as they will be added to compost and included in my potting medium.

Just be aware that once a bromeliad has taken hold, especially in the top of a tree fern, it can be very difficult to remove it without damage to the bromeliad, the tree fern or both. This Vr. hieroglyphica grown on top of the tree fern trunk started out as a single plant which eventually flowered and produced two pups that have now matured. I've removed the remains of the original plant but will leave the offsets as they are as they are now thoroughly embedded in the tree fern and I don't want to risk damaging them. It will be interesting to see how future offsets will grow in this restricted space.

Tree ferns also allow height to be gained in the garden and different sized trunks can be positioned for a tiered effect. Using patterned vrieseas in this case can provide a striking effect when seen from underneath.

Some vrieseas grow quite large, like this one which is over a metre in diameter, so it will prevent anything grown in the trunk underneath from getting naturally watered. Something that should be considered when selecting a plant to go into the top of a tree fern and what can be grown around the trunk.

I hope this inspires you to think of new places and ways to expand your bromeliad environment and see the benefits of tree ferns as a growing medium.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS Single: $20 per annum Family: $25 per annum All membership fees are due on 1st January each year. In order to reduce costs and keep the BSV financial we will only send an electronic copy of the newsletter to you where you provide us with an email address. If you also require a hard copy of the newsletter, in addition to an electronic copy, then we are asking that you pay an additional $12 on top of your annual subscription to help cover some of the printing and postage costs. Please refer to the Membership Form for details or contact a BSV committee member if you have any questions.

All subscription correspondence should be emailed to the society email or if you prefer postal sent to: The Membership Secretary, Jane Baker, 90A Martin Street, Brighton VIC 3186 PLEASE NOTE THAT PAYMENT OF MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION CAN BE MADE BY BANK TRANSFER. THE SOCIETY’S BANK DETAILS ARE: BANK NAB ACCOUNT BROMELIAD SOCIETY OF VICTORIA INC. ACCOUNT NO. 48-585-2809 BSB 083-251

PLEASE ENSURE THAT DEPOSIT/TRANSFER CLEARLY SHOWS THE MEMBER’S NAME.

COLLECTORS CORNER GARDEN WORLD 810 Springvale Road Braeside Vic 3195 Phone (03) 9798 5845 Fax (03) 9706 3339 Email: [email protected] Website: www.collectorscorner.com.au BROMELIADS – comprehensive collection together with a large selection of Imported Tillandsias available. 10% discount on most lines to Society members on presentation of their cards. CACTI – from small varieties to advanced specimens SUCCULENTS – living stones, crassulas, agave, aloe and many more. BONSAI – from starters to specimen plants. CARNIVOROUS PLANTS – from seedlings to advanced plants.