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Home , Aechmea apocalyptica, Aechmea brevicollis, Brocchinia hechtioides, Bromeliaceae, Mezobromelia, Tillandsia bulbosa

Bromeliaceae

VOLUME XLV - No. 1 - Jan/Feb 2011 The Bromeliad Society of Queensland Inc. P. O. Box 565, Fortitude Valley Queensland, Australia 4006, Home Page www.bromsqueensland.com OFFICERS PRESIDENT Olive Trevor (07) 3351 1203 VICE PRESIDENT Jennifer Coulthard (07) 33532773 TREASURER Chester Cutcliff SECRETARY Glenn Bernoth (07) 4661 3634 COMMITTEE Pamela Butler, Fred Thomson, David Rees Bruce Dunstan, Barry Kable, Chris Coulthard MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Roy Pugh (07) 3263 5057 LIBRARIAN David Rees SHOW ORGANISER Bob Cross PUBLICITY OFFICER John Olsen EDITOR Ross Stenhouse

Editors Email Address: [email protected] Contents

Travels in Southern ...... 3 Bromeliad Ant ...... 9 The BSQ Web Site...... 9 Bromeliad Video Production...... 11 ‘Blok’ ...... 13 ‘Theresa’...... 16 ‘Big Bands’ ...... 16 Book Review: Bromeliads Under the Mango Tree...... 20 Book Review: II...... 20 Book Review: Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden (Completely revised [ 2010] edition)...... 22 Cold Sensitivity in Bromeliads...... 24

Front Cover: Guz. ‘Graaf van Hoorn’ photo by Ross Stenhouse Rear Cover : Guz. ‘Patricia’ photo by Ross Stenhouse

The Bromeliad Society of Queensland Inc. gives permission to all Bromeliad Societies to reprint articles in their journals provided proper acknowledgement is given to the original author and the Bromeliaceae, and no contrary direction is published in Bromeliaceae. This permission does not apply to any other person or organisation without the prior permission of the author. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributor and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Bromeliad Society of Queensland or of the Editor Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the information in their articles.

Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 Cusco in a rented 4WD with a driver, down Travels in Southern the steep slopes to the jungle town of Pillco- pata, in a day’s drive. Peru Jan and I flew into Cusco after the long Author: Bruce Dunstan flight from Australia and the next morning met up with Carla and Angel. The 3000m In 2008, prior to the Heliconia Society that Cusco sits at caused a few issues with International Conference in Iquitos, I set off limited oxygen in the thin air and any moder- on an adventure with three good friends, Jan ate activity, like walking around, can quickly Hintze from Darwin and Carla Black and result in shortness of breath. We bought some Angel Rodriguez from Panama. The locality last minute supplies changed a few dollars we were keen to explore was the mountainous with some roadside moneychangers, filled slope of the in Southern Peru, between up with diesel and then set off. From Cusco Cusco up high in the sacred valley down to we drove through good roads to the town the world famous Manu National Park, Peru’s of Pisac through the previously mentioned largest, at around 800m elevation. Inca Sacred Valley. Ancient Inca ruins lined I had travelled to this area in 1996 but the road and hillsides. Agricultural terraces had only been at the top at Cusco and flown made of stone were amazing in the way these through the peaks of the Andes to land down ancient people had changed the shape of the at an old disused Coca airstrip at the bottom steep slopes so they could grow their crops along the banks of the Madre de Dios river. of potato, beans and amaranth with irrigation It was here in Manu National Park we were from the natural springs that pop out of the to see amazing animals like jaguar, giant massive mountains that are the Andes. otters, tapir, black and white caiman, sloths The first Bromeliads seen in this region and spider, howler and capuchin monkeys. of high elevations were , not a The flora down in the basin was typically I have had any interest in, but there were Amazonian with low levels of diversity and two growing along the roadsides. similar species to other localities within the were also spotted as we tried to huge Amazon River basin. get as many kilometres as possible towards It was the slope and changing elevation our night time goal of getting down the hill I was keen to explore. This region of southern to Pillcopata. First we had to climb up out Peru, while tropical, is occasionally subject of the valley and make our way between to cold blasts of air as large cold fronts come the mountains through the pass at 4200m up from Chile and Argentina to the south. elevation. There was snow on the ground and Temperatures down to 70C are common and walking around at this elevation to take a call while we were at Manu in ‘96 we travelled by of nature was really tough going. The sight boat one morning in 130C that felt absolutely of small Quechua children tending animals freezing with the wind chill of the moving at this location was amazing. What a tough boat. The fact we were four hours up the Rio existence. Manu in virgin Amazonian rainforest felt all Once we were through the pass we the more strange considering how cold it was. quickly began descending into the Amazon The Amazon is meant to be a steaming torrid basin. The road is an amazing sight and I had jungle, not chilly! looked it up on Google Earth prior to the trip For this trip we were driving from to see what we were in for. It has switchback Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 Carla Black with Tillandsia cf. stenoura Bridge to nowhere Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 after switchback as the road loses altitude. in flower were T. buseri, with a bright red We saw the same Puyas again as we lost the inflorescence nearly a metre tall with white altitude we had gained at the pass. Growing flowers, also growing side by side was at the high elevations were many Tillandsia , its inflorescence was walteri, a spectacular tank type with a bright just as spectacular, bright pinkie purple with pink paddle-like inflorescence. These plants blue flowers arching out and hanging over grow on the large rocks along the side of the to 500mm long. road. A large blue grey striped Agave sp. is Also growing at this high elevation also common at this elevation. We stopped stop were pink flowered Melastomes, related at the town of Paurcotambo for a quick cup to Tibouchinas that are commonly grown in of coffee for some, while Carla and I tried Australian gardens, as well as a very attrac- the coca tea. In Cusco this is served as tea tive upright sagitate Anthurium with heavily bags while in the roadside restaurant at Pau- textured . Plants from this elevation rcotambo we had just shredded loose leaves. would be very difficult to cultivate as they Unsure of how much we should use we opted have very little range in temperature where on the heavier strength just in case we could they naturally grow. It is the elevation that get a better result in coping with the elevation moderates the temperatures, probably never and lack of oxygen we were experiencing. below 16C and never above 40C. If they Feeling much refreshed we set off further were grown without climate controlled con- along the road. ditions they would be unhappy if it ever got Travelling among the dry stony fields cold or hot. that served as people farms, we were con- We also drove past tall flowering Guz- stantly heading down hill, losing altitude mania gloriosa with yellow and red inflores- and as we did we began to see more small stunted trees and the sky began to get cloudier. We were entering the elfin that lines the upper elevations of the . This forest is constantly wet and cloudy as winds blow the hot humid air from the lowlands east and when it hits the Andes Mountain range it is forced up by the Suppliers of fine mountains where it drops its moisture. It is always wet and windy. tissue-cultured bromeliads As we were descending we started to notice bright flowers in and amongst the trees. [email protected] Oreocallis, a shrubby tree with pink flowers, www.plantbiotech.com.au is related to the bright red Tree Waratah that grows in Nth Qld rainforests. Also common Phone (07) 5471 6036 were bright red tubular flowers of Ericaceae Postal Address: 7 Thougla Place, related to blueberries and Azaleas. The plants Buderim QLD 4556 have developed bright tubular flowers to at- Lab: 99 West Coolum Road, tract to pollinate them. Also Mount Coolum QLD 4573 growing in this cool windswept forest were some spectacular Tillandsias. Tank types Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 cences held up above their dark green leaves, start looking at plants. At the higher eleva- growing on the impossibly steep slopes. We tions the trees were loaded in bright red- then came across an amazing sight to see foliaged Tillandsias probably an adaption to what appeared to be a bridge appear out of the high UV levels the plants experience at the clouds from nowhere. We stopped again that elevation. We saw plenty of Tillandsia and took photos and back into the 4WD it truncata, a large tank Till with a metre long was quickly solved as we headed into a tunnel tripinnate pink inflorescence that arched out bored straight into the rock of the mountain. sideways. The entrance was dripping in moisture from Tillandsia confinis, another ‘tank’ only the mountain and covered in plants half the size with a bright orange, branched like a green carpet. Slowly we crept along in inflorescence as well as Tillandsia laminata the dripping dark when suddenly we appeared with a bright pink upright tripinnate spike, out the other side of the tunnel and out on to were seen. Also growing at this altitude was the bridge high above the forest below. Guzmania morreniana with its tall thin spikes I should mention at this time the road topped with a maroon club like inflorescence. down to Pillcopata is very narrow and un- The highlight in this elevation for me was paved. Trucks and buses come up one day seeing Guzmania vinacea in flower. This and down the next, as it is very narrow. We will one day be a fantastic flowering were in a 4WD so were able to do what we , mass-produced in nurseries. wanted although at every blind corner our I’ve seen images of it being multiplied in driver was on the horn to let any other driv- one European nursery. The foliage is a dark ers know we were coming. Plants that are at green with wine red undersides. The cylindric eye level are actually up trees 10-20m tall inflorescence is also a wine red colour with and the slopes above the road were way too creamy yellow flowers. steep to attempt to go more than 2m up as As we headed down the hill and lost losing traction or your footing would result more altitude we saw more and more spe- in a quick slide and ending up in a heap on cies. Large flowering examples of Guzmania the road or even worse going over the other squarrosa with bright red and yellow bracts side and getting to the bottom of the valley were growing in the same trees as Mezobro- the quick way. A number of times we tossed melia pleiosticha. These plants had 1m long rocks over the edge and most times we could red spikes. Also at this stop were never hear them hit anything below. ringens and another large Tillandsia sp with a The road is also unerringly the same tall 1.5m branched spike that may have some gradient as it snakes along and around any affinity to T. stenoura although it was much terrain changes. From a distance it looks thinner and sparser to others I have seen. like a snake working its way down the val- While all this Bromeliad action was un- ley along a very regular angle of descent. We folding we were also seeing many Heliconia noticed a second road is being built below the species, Fuchsias, Orchids, Aroids, Bomareas original so traffic won’t be so constrained by and notably different coloured Calceolarias. 24-hour periods. As I get older my tunnel vision of plants is After running into the odd truck, which diminishing. I kid myself that I’m becoming meant stopping and reversing back to find a generalist, but occasionally the tunnel vi- somewhere we could pull off the road and sion returns, usually when I see a Heliconia let the truck pass, allowed me to get out and species new to me in the wild. Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 The rich diversity was intoxicating - the change in elevation allows to occur over time. The sheer number of spe- FOREST DRIVE cies growing so close to each other in such a short distance is incredible. This diversity is something you don’t see when you get to the NURSERY bottom of the hill in the Amazon basin. Located at REPTON, South of Coffs To make a long day shorter we eventu- Harbour, NSW ally ran out of light and had to continue down Specialising in species and varieties from the road using our headlights which seemed mostly imported stock safer as trucks could see us coming except on the blind corners. We eventually made Tillandsias to Titillate even the most town and quickly found a great family run discerning fanciers establishment that provided rooms, break- Beautiful Vrieseas (including Silver fast, dinner and as much beer as we could species), Guzmanias, drink for $20 a night. We could also access Aechmeas, Neoregelias, etc. wireless internet from across the street for Visitors Welcome, Please Phone First free or walk across and pay 1 Sole, $0.50 (02) 6655 4130 to use their computers. This was Pillcopata, Mail Order List - Send SAE a logging frontier town that is becoming an Peter Tristram, PO Box 55, Repton, eco tourism hub for the Manu National Park NSW, 2454 that is nearby. We spent another couple of days look- ing for plants in the surrounding forests, which were being preserved for tourism. BRISBANE The area is rich and we found some beauti- ful Heliconia species. One notable plant was BROMELIAD CENTRE M. J. PATERSON

212 SANDY CREEK ROAD, 34 Hauton Road, Morayfield 4506 GYMPIE, Qld 4570 HUGE SELECTION Large Range of Bromeliads For Sale of Especially our own Tillandsias Aechmeas, Vrieseas, Guzmanias, and Neoregelias Neoregelias & Tillandsias DO CALL IN IF YOU ARE UP THIS WAY together with a variety of rarer species and hydrids PHONE / FAX BARBARA and LORRAINE Phone (07) 5433 0303 (07) 5482 3308 VISITORS by APPOINTMENT www.bromeliad-hybrids.com

Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 Tillandsia truncata

Tillansia laminata pleiosticha

Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 Heliconia robusta, discovered in 1909 and to Rather than trapping rain water and our knowledge was not being cultivated any- debris, these small dark lens shaped chambers where in the world - needless to say it is now at the base of the shoot house ants and other in one of the Heliconia Society International anthropods. Conservation Centres. Occupants of these cavities enter and Seeing Bromeliads in the forests exit through holes chewed in the bulb, or if around Pillcopata was very tough, as most small enough crawl up and down the nar- plants would be growing up in the tall canopy. row groove produced by the up-rolled The only way you see them closely is when blade. they fall to earth after storms or when the Because of this frequent association whole tree falls. Away from the light they with ants, these species should be considered die quickly on the forest floor or are eaten myrmecophytes -literally ant plants. by the wildlife. These pseudo-bulb producing tilland- We headed back up the ‘hill’ to Cusco sias with their inflated leaf bases, constricted and continued on to Machu Pichu, as most at the top, form cavities with little access from tourists do when visiting Peru, most satisfied the exterior. Most grow ageotropically (no with what we had seen on the Paurcotambo orientation due to gravity), frequently from to Pillcopata road. We then flew up to Iquitos vertical surfaces or undersides of tree trunks for our conference and post conference trip and limbs. Since the swollen part of the up the Rio Napo by boat. Another story in shoot is mostly dry, empty space, its potential the making. for water storage is negligible. I would like to thank my travelling Although prevented by structure and companions Carla, Angel and Jan for allow- orientation from impounding plant litter and ing me to jump out at the strangest times to moisture, the leaf base enclosures are ac- look at plants they had no or only a passing cessible by holes chewed by animals and are interest in. I would also like to thank Dr routinely inhabited by ant colonies. There are Harry Luther for giving his opinion of what advantages to be gained by harboring ants; my average photographic skills captured in and these probably provided the impetus for my images ( on pages 6,8,10). the evolution of the bulbous form. Images illustrating this article by Ants can service a bromeliad in two the author with the exception of the image ways: by protecting it against plant eating of Tillandsia laminata. which is by Carla predators and providing nutritional supple- Black. Ed ments. Many species of ant capture prey on or beyond the host and bring it into the nest. Bromeliad Ant Once in the leaf chambers, captured bounty or any ant excrement containing Plants Author: Peter Paroz The BSQ Web Site Don’t forget that the society has a web , T. caput-medusae, site. We place urgent and general information T. buyzii and a few related atmospherics are and information on the site. bulbous in shape with an attractively swollen The URL is: onion-like base from which a dozen or more twisted leaf blades protrude. www.Bromeliadsqueensland.com

Bromeliaceae  Jan/Feb 2011 Guzmania vinacea Tillandsia buseri

Heliconia robusta Tillansia confinis

Bromeliaceae 10 Jan/Feb 2011 needed minerals will come in contact with Note the absorbing that line the inter- For bromeliads growing in dry open folia cavities. potting mixture or in dry ground, the presence Wet pieces of cotton swabbed into the of ants in or around the pot may be an indi- chambers of T. caput-medusae in Costa Rica cation of a potential mealy bug infestation. yielded significant amounts of nitrogen. Mealy bugs have been a cause of problems Radio-active calcium applied to the –mealy bug wilt- in , but I am not surfaces lining the bulb cavities of T. caput- aware of any problems in potted ornamental medusae was rapidly absorbed and translo- bromeliads. However, with the increasing cated throughout the plant body. use of bromeliads as landscape specimens, brevicollis and Ae. mertensii a regular inspection is a reasonable precau- and some other bromeloids commonly root tion. in arboreal ant nests in habitat from which they undoubtedly acquire significant amounts of moisture and nutrients. In extreme cases, Bromeliad Video this reliance on ants seems to be obligate and Production more complex than that described for the pseudo-bulbous tillandsias. Members Ross Stenhouse and Bob Ae. mertensii is difficult to grow in Reilly are in the early stages of planning for cultivation. A study of the conditions in the the making of an instructional video about ant nest indicate a very acid condition; and bromeliads. this may be the clue to successful cultivation We have mentioned previously that a along with avoiding alkaline water. video was to be made and that process recent- In my own collection in Brisbane, ly took a big step forward with Ross acquiring I have only ever noticed ants consistently a professional broadcast quality video camera colonising plants of T. streptophylla, even and ancillary equipment. Ross has made a half developed offsets. These are shiny black number of videos on aviation which have ants –to about 7mm- which swarm at the uploaded onto the internet (youTube). slightest disturbance of the plant; and for- The target audience for the video are tunately do not sting. Occasionally there is those who are just starting growing bromeli- evidence of ant activity in T. caput-medusae ads. The first scenes to be shot will be about and T. seleriana, I have not observed any ant offsets and their removal from the mothers. activity in any of the smaller pseudo bulbous Once you start to seriously consider tillandsias – T. bulbosa, T. disticha, T. butzii, producing a high quality video, you soon T. pseudobaileyii etc. realise why the credits at the end of a movie Technical information from David Benz- are so long. ing’s ‘The Biology of Bromeliads. At this stage Bob and Ross are looking Ant plants are correctly known as for someone to appear in front of the camera myrmecophytes; plants adapted for housing and do voice overs for some of the scenes. ant colonies. T. caput-medusae was so named Previous experience is not necessary and because the leaves are contorted, producing you will be working from a script written a likeness to the mythical Greek Medusae, by Bob. the drier the plant the more twisted the leaf If you are interested, please contact blades. Ross via email and let him know. Bromeliaceae 11 Jan/Feb 2011 Illustrations are of Alcantarea ‘Bok’

Bromeliaceae 12 Jan/Feb 2011 Mark Paul says it is a depauperate/ simple form of an A. geniculata type with a Alcantarea ‘Blok’ simple inflorescence [generally only a couple by Derek Butcher May 2010. of branches on the scape but flowers and all other attributes as per A. geniculata]. He could well be correct but there is still the odd flowering habit to contend with This name has been used to which is why I propose the cultivar name replace blokii treated by Leme as a of ‘Blok’. I have tried over the years to get synonym of A. imperialis. The plant with this Queenslanders to report on this plant because name in SE Queensland seems to have come the only photographic record I have is from from a John Bolger but nobody knows where John Catlan in 1995. Ross Little of PineGrove John Bolger got his plant. But then other has sent me a photo, admittedly well past its anecdotal evidence suggests that John Catlan use by date but it does show recognisable got his plant in the 1980’s from a nursery characters to warrant the continuation of called ‘Forest Glen’ on the NSW coast who the name, admittedly as ‘Blok’ but at least it in turn got it from a ‘Colonel’. The Colonel will not be swallowed up under the variable just has to be George Clarke, the inaugural A. geniculata. President of the Central Coast Brom Soc and I am now going to show you what was we know he did import. written about Tillandsia Blokii in 1908, over In 1935 this plant was in ‘Das Pflan- 100 years ago. Clearly they knew the dif- zenreich’ Bromeliaceae by Mez as a Vriesea ference between and having been previously known as a Tilland- ‘Blokii’ and I have a feeling that Elton Leme sia and we know that the description by may be incorrect in treating it as a synonym. Mez was based on the painting in Botanical The particular herbarium specimen at Kew Magazine 1908 plate 8192. In 1966 Lyman used by Leme could well have been pressed Smith in Phytologia placed it as a synonym of incorrectly. In any event, here is what was Vriesea regina, accepting Mez’s description said and I leave you to judge. as being correct and apparently not check- The more adventuresome of you may ing the herbarium specimen at Kew. Leme even butcher their plant to see if it agrees with revealed in in 1997 that the actual this old description. herbarium specimen at Kew told a different story and that Tillandsia blokii should have TAB. 8192. been treated as a synonym of Alcantarea TILLANDSIA BLOKII imperialis. Whoever did the painting in 1908 . took artistic licence in drawing the plant as Bromeliaceae flowering distichously not secund as it should TILLANDSIA. Linn.; Benth. et Hook. have been. As the painting shows, this plant f. Gen. Plant. vol.iii. p.669; Mez in DC. could easily have been identified ‘correctly’ Monogr. Phaner. Vol. ix. p.633 as Vriesea blokii before Leme’s revelations in 1997. Tillandsia Blokii, Hort., Gard. Chron. So we have an errant plant called blokii 1898,vol. xxiii. p. 254 ; Journ. de la or various spelling of this name for a plant Soc. d’Hort. de France, 1898, vol. xx. that flowers depauperately. p. 479 (nomen tantum); species ex Bromeliaceae 13 Jan/Feb 2011 affinitate T. reginae, auctorum, a qua iii. t. 142), partly from the fact that Lemaire differt foliis latioribus rubro-maculatis, figured (Illustr. Hort. vol. xiv. t. 516) one bracteis sanguineis, floribus minus divergen- species, the one generally accepted as T. tibus et petalis luteis biligulatis. regina, and described another, the Vriesia Planta perennis, monocarpica, florigera imperialis, Morr. ( V. Glazioveana, Carr. in circiter 2 m. alta, caule simplici crasso brevis- Rev. Hort. 1881, p. 50, with a coloured plate), simo. Folia numerosa, densissime rosulata, partly also from differences of view as to crassa, coriacea, lineari-oblonga, usque ad 1 specific limits. m. longa, infra medium circiter 15 cm. lata, Mr. J. G. Baker (Handbook of the apice abrupt longeque acuminata, integra, Bromeliaceae, p. 22) included V. imperialis, inermia, recurva, maculis rubro-purpureis Morr., and V. geniculata, Wawra, under T. ornata. Inflorescentia terminalis,_erecta, pin- regina ( V. Glazioviana, Lem. in Ill. Hort.. natim paniculata, circiter 1.5 m. longa; scapus 1867, t. 5l 6); but Mez, with complete speci- bracteis amplis coriaceis sanguineis ovato- mens before him, restored them to specific acuminatis diu persistentibus vestitus; rami rank (DC. Monogr. Phaner. vol. ix. p.615, laterales circiter 14, quaquaversi, curvati, and unravelled their very much involved recurvi, 20-30 cm. longi, flexuosi, sanguinei, synonymy. V imperialis differs from the oth- usque ad 12-flori. Bracteae florigerae ovatae, ers in having secund, not distichous, white acutae, quam calyx dimidio breviores, san- flowers, and in stature, sometimes attaining guineae, calyci arete appressae, persistentes. a height of 16 to 18 ft. T. regina, as known to Flores distichi, breviter pedicellati, inter se us, has distichous, white bracts and flowers, l.5-2 cm. distantes, circitcr 10 cm. longi. only the lower bracts being tinged with red; Sepala 3, lanceolata, 4-5 cm. longa, acuta, and the flowers are given off at nearly right sanguinea, coriacea, persistentia,, capsulae angles to the axis. But there is a drawing in longiori arcte appressa. Petala 3, linearia, the Morren collection at Kew of a Tillandsia circiter 10 cm. longa, acuta, intus basi ligulis having a red scape, green bracts, red inside, binis dentatis instructa, cito marcescentia. a green calyx and yellow petals, which Mor- Stamina 6, petala aequantia. Stylus trifidus, ren himself named Vriesia gigantea, a garden stamina vix excedens. Capsula (plane matura name for T. regina. non visa) 3-locularis, oblonga., 5-6 cm. longa, The history of T. Blokii is obscure and acuminata, subcarnosa, nitida; loculorum its origin apparently not recorded. A very parietibus intus atro-purpureis nitidis. Semina fine plant of it was exhibited in flower at the numerosissima, cylindrico-clavata, ferru- Ghent quinquennial meeting in 1898, but the ginea, cum cauda terminali demum in pilos name of the exhibitor is not given in any of dissoluta comiformi circiter  cm. longa, the contemporary papers. In the Gardeners’ basi coma pilorum obversorum ex ovuli Chronicle report we read: “ The giant of the integumento dissoluto ornata; rhaphe valida, family was a huge specimen of Tillandsia demum libera.- Vriesia Blokii, Hort. (Vriesia) regina, shown as V. Blokii. It was as The species of Tillandsia (or Vriesia) tall as a man and in flower.” And practically of the group to which T. Blokii belongs have the same statement appeared in the Journal de been much confused, partly in consequence la Societe National d’Horticulture de France. of authors attempting to identify different Mr. F. W. Moore. to whom we are indebted for species with the very rude, diagrammatic the specimen figured and for photographs of figure of T. regina, Vell. (Fl. Flum. Ic. vol. the entire plant, writes: “I purchased the plant Bromeliaceae 14 Jan/Feb 2011 in question from l’Horticulture Colonial, Parc beset with oblong, purple-red blotches, Inflo- Leopold, Brussels, in April, 1903, under the rescence crimson, terminal, erect, pinnately name of Vriesia Blokii. It was a healthy little paniculate, 4 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. long; scape stout, plant, about twelve inches high, and I was clothed with broad, sheathing bracts; lateral given to understand that it was a seedling of branches about 14, spreading in all direc- the original, shown at Ghent, and quite dis- tions, recurved, 8 in. to 1 ft. long, zig-zag, tinct from T. regina. It did not flower with me 10-12-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, acute, until last year. The whole plant is about 6ft. half as long as the calyx, closely appressed, high, and the diameter of the inflorescence persistent. Flowers in two rows, very shortly from tip to tip of the branches is 2 ft. 3 inches. stalked, ½-¾ in. apart, about 4 in. long, Sepals I think it is a finer plant than T. regina, and 3, lanceolate, 1¾-2 in. long, acute, leathery, the large bracts retain their colour through crimson, persistent, closely appressed to the the fruiting stage.” capsule. Petals 3, yellow, linear about 4 in. The seeds of many of the Bromeliaceae long, acute, furnished with two small, toothed are very singular and beautiful objects. Those scales near the base on the inside, marcescent. of Tillandsia Blokii are exactly like those of Stamens 6, equalling the petals. Style shortly Vriesia imperialis, Morr., as figured by Mez 3-lobed, a little longer than the stamens. Cap- (Fl. Bras. vol, iii. pars 3, t. 105). They are sule 3-celled, oblong, 2-2½ in. long, acute, narrow, cylindrical or clavate bodies, tailed leathery, shining. Seeds very numerous co- at the distal end and furnished with a reversed mose at both ends, the basal coma reversed. coma, at the base enveloping the lower half - W. BOTTING HEMSLEY. of the seed. When the seed is ripe the tissue Cultivation - The large Tillandsiae are of the tail is broken up into hair-like rows of handsome stove plants. Several of them have cells similar to the pappus of a composite. The long been conspicuous objects in the tropical basal coma, in the same manner, is the result houses at Kew, and one of them, of the breaking up of the outer integument T. regina, flowered in the Victoria or testa of the ovule. The integument breaks house last year, where also the gigantic Broc- up in a variety of ways in different species chinia cordylinoides flowered about twenty of the genus. years ago. They require tropical conditions, In T. Regnellii, Mez (Fl. Bras. t. 110), enjoying plenty of moisture at the root, the for example, it breaks up into a reversed healthiest plants at Kew being those that coma at each end, the hairs of which overlap stand on the tank in which the Victoria regia each other and completely clothe the body of is cultivated, their pots being partly in the the seed. Unfortunately we did not receive water. Here they receive full sunshine and as the seed of T. Blokii until after the plate was much moisture as they would get in a tropical printed. forest. In the palm house the conditions are DESC. Shrub, flowering only once, too dry for these plants. It is unfortunate that though of several - sometimes twenty years’ the whole of the upper portion of the plant duration. Stem very short, unbranched. dies immediately after flowering, but suckers Leaves numerous, densely tufted, thick, are usually developed from the base of the leathery, narrow-oblong, ½-3½ ft long, stem, and these afford means of obtaining about 6 in. across in the widest part above fresh stock. Under cultivation it takes these the broad base, tapering upwards, abruptly big species of Tillandsia about twenty years to long-pointed. entire, unarmed, recurved, reach the flowering stage.- W WATSON Bromeliaceae 15 Jan/Feb 2011 Guzmania ‘Theresa’ Neoregelia ‘Big Bands’ Opps! We messed up and a reader, Herb by Butcher Mar. 2011. Plever, picked up our error. I must have really liked the plant because we published it twice In the Jan 2011 issue of Meristem the and gave it two incorrect names. Journal of the Caloosahatchee Brom Soc To check the facts, we contacted Olive I found out some fascinating information Trevor, the Society President and absolute about the neoregelia called ‘Oeser’s #100. expert in the area of bromeliad identification. About 1977, Joe and Peggy Bailey of Below is what Olive replied: acquired a supposed unique neoregelia from “On the front cover of the Sept/Oct a nursery in California. 2010 edition we misidentified the plant. In 1991 when Fort Myers horticultural Guzmania ‘Theresa’ is the correct name for artist, Kiti Wenzel was asked to create a the plant poster for the 1992 WBC “Bromeliad Safari” It is a very miniature version of a guz- to be held in Tampa Florida, Peggy provided mania and quite distinctive. It is also pictured a picture of the Neoregelia ‘Big Bands’ (also on the bottom right on the 4th page of the known as Oeser hybrid #100) as the model latest magazine Nov/Dec edition There it is for the poster. It was reported in the Journal called Vriesea ‘Titan.’. On the page over I of the Bromeliad Society International, May- have published the correctly labelled images June l992 issue that this plant was the only of the plants” one of its kind and at that time was felt to no Thanks Olive and Herb for clearing longer be in existence. Actually this is not that up! true, because today Neoregelia ‘Big Bands’ exists in many THE OLIVE collections, at least in Florida gardens; and this is again due to the generosity of the Baileys. Another inconsistency was in the BRANCH colour of the banding. Photographs on the Bromeliad Cultivar Register http://botu07. Len and Olive Trevor bio.uu.nl/bcg/bcr/index.php show a contrast 232 Canvey Road, Ferny Grove, with the one from Peggy Bailey showing Qld 4053 gold/yellow banding as is the plant depicted Specialising in hybrid Vrieseas, in the poster by Kiti, whereas the other from Aechmeas, Variegated Tropiflora shows light green bands. The Neoregelias description given to Don Beadle by Peggy Skotak Hybrids, Aussie Dream and Bailey for the 1998 edition of the Bromeliad varieties, and other quality Cultivar Registry – “Dark, rich red spotted and banded with chartreuse - irregular very distinct bands to half the upper leaves evident Phone (07) 3351 1203 even in small offsets”. This suggests variation Visitors welcome by appointment - Please depending on what intensity of light the plant Phone First is subjected to. Seeing the photo by Tropiflora remind- Bromeliaceae 16 Jan/Feb 2011 Guz. ‘Theresa’ Vr. ‘Titan’

Top left: Guzmania ‘Theresa’ photographed at the 2010 Spring Show Top right: Vriesea ‘Titan’ photographed at the 2010 Spring Show Bottom left: Neoregelia ‘Big Bands’, photo- graphed by P. Bailey - source: http://fcbs.org/im- ages/Neo/neo_Big_Bands_Bailey.jpg Bottom right: Tillandsia usneoides, this example photographed at the Olive Branch Bromeliad Nursery, July 2006. Bromeliaceae 17 Jan/Feb 2011 ed me of a photo I took of ‘Happy Thoughts’ From records currently held Oeser sent that was at one time known as his in turn had seed to Australia in this same period of me looking at Oeser numbers and what had 1. (carolinae x chlorosticta hybrid) which happened in the USA and Australia. It seems became ‘Beefsteak’ with 6 siblings that about 1965 he sent packets of hybrid 2. (carolinae x redleaf carolinae hybrid) seed numbered 1 to 20 AND 100 to 111 to which became ‘Nomad’ with 11 siblings California without advising parentage. 3. (carolinae x chlorosticta) which became How do I know this? When Don Bea- ‘Dark Delight’ with 18 siblings dle checked all records in his preparation 4. (ampullacea x chlorosticta) which be- of the 1998 Bromeliad Cultivar Register came ‘Jodie’ with 7 siblings he followed the lead of Brian Smith (see 5. (ampullacea x carolinae) which became Manuscript of Bromeliad hybrids and culti- ‘Petite’ with 3 siblings vars, 1984) where detail had been captured 6. (chlorosticta x ?) which became ‘Red from Nurserymen’s catalogues but he went Marble’ with NO siblings!!! further by recording which nursery was using Let us now move to California where the cultivar name AND the date. This way I the US seed raising started and I regret to say was able to glean that the earliest references that Peggy did not get a unique plant from the were coming from California! Oeser’s hy- Californian Nurseryman. If it was Oeser #100 brids seem to have been grown by several then the Californians called it ‘Michelle’. So Californian nurseries but whether they went Oeser #100 had at least two names that we to one Californian who distributed the seed know of – ‘Big Bands’ and ‘Michelle’. We to interested people, it will never be known. do know that a plant called Oeser #100 was What is strange is that he did not apparently imported to Australia but we do not know by quote any parentage and yet he did when whom. All we do know is that in the 1980’s sending seed to Australia! the Butchers got hold of a plant of this name No doubt you have asked yourself from Queensland and because it was not like what happened to the numbers between 21 ‘Big Bands’ called it ‘Michelle’ instead! We and 99. Well, we do know that we have seeds do know that ‘Big Bands’ got to Australia in numbered between 40 and 60 by Olwen Fer- 1987 because it is in the Pinegrove Ledger ris in New South Wales, Australia AND he but who is growing it now?! divulged that they were a cross between caro- Oh, what a tangled web we weave! Dr linae and a hybrid of chlorosticta. Because Richard Oeser has much to answer for. Or, one was a hybrid we know you would get did I hear a chuckle from up in that Bromeliad variability even with one seed pod! Most of Heaven because even after 45 years some of those selected out as being worthy of grow- his hybrids are still being grown even if we ing on and naming had spots! To see the 6 do not really know their parents! Where else sibling names involved refer to ‘Beefsteak’ did he send hybrid seed? We think that New which was what we called the grex name in Zealand got at least one packet because of the 1980’s. Alas, we do not have photos of ‘Bea Hanson’. them all. The photos of ‘Happy Thoughts’ are If this has a moral, it is that you are especially intriguing as mentioned before! I sure to create angst if you hybridise and let can see links between this and ‘Big Bands’ others raise the seed. Hybridising is not a and it could well have similar if not the same game but a creation where the hybridist has parents. responsibilities. Bromeliaceae 18 Jan/Feb 2011 Til. fasciculata (chacalopa- )

Tillandsia ‘Druid ‘cv ‘Pink Champagne’

Bromeliaceae 19 Jan/Feb 2011 John Catlan has given many informa- Book Review: tive talks to society monthly meetings and bromeliad conferences over the years. Many Bromeliads Under the of the topics covered in those talks are con- tained in this book. Mango Tree Overall, this book is highly recom- By Bob Reilly mended by anyone growing bromeliads. Date of review: 2010 This book was written, and published, by John Catlan from the Gold Coast, in 2009. Book Review: The book has 64, A5 pages. There are colour photographs of 41 bromeliads (mainly Tillandsia II neoregelia hybrids) on the front and back by Bob Reilly covers, but not elsewhere in the book. Tillandsia II is written by Paul Isley Bromeliads Under the Mango Tree is III. It was published by Botanical Press in primarily an introductory book on growing the United States of America in 2009. This bromeliads. The book’s Table of Content lists book is largely a revision of Tillandsia which the various topics. was written by Paul Isley and published in The cultural topics include: 1987. • The distinction between species and Tillandsia is out of print and second hybrids. hand copies cost well in excess of Tillandsia • Potting mixes. II’s purchase price. However, if you have • Fertilising. Tillandsia, I suggest you look at Tillandsia • Water requirements. II to see if there is enough new material in • Removing pups/offsets it to justify the purchase price. Having said that, I have Tillandsia and consider it well More “advanced” topics include: worthwhile to purchase Tillandsia II. The book opens with a description of • Factors that induce variegation. tillandsias’ physical characteristics and their • Adventitious pups. cultural requirements. While the advice is • Premature flowering. generally useful, some care needs to be taken • Trichomes. in its application to sub-tropical and tropical • Leaf colouration in neoregelias. growing conditions. Further, many of the (This is one of the best, largely non-techni- recommended growing aids, e.g. fertilisers, cal, summaries of this topic that is available are not available in Australia. anywhere in the world. This topic is, by itself, The next chapter describes 61 species. worth the book’s purchase price, if you grow In each case there is a description of the neoregelias). plant, its habitat and some advice on cultural Each of the topics is self-contained requirements. The text is supported by ex- and can be read in less than five minutes. cellent photographs of the . However, I suggest you re-read these top- Collectively, these species would make a ics periodically, because of the information good tillandsia collection. All are available packed into most of them. in Australia. Bromeliaceae 20 Jan/Feb 2011 Above right: -grown by Greg and Narelle Aizelwood and shown by them at the 2010 Spring Show Below: Tilllandsia wagneriana, this example was on sale at the recent Spring Show and marked as

Bromeliaceae 21 Jan/Feb 2011 The next chapter has photographs of Florilegium (65 Derwent St, Glebe, NSW, flowering plants of over 70 tillandsia hybrids. 2037; email: [email protected]); and This chapter is a major expansion of the cor- elsewhere by Random House. responding chapter in the 1987 book. Several Andrew Steens grows bromeliads in of the featured hybrids have been made by New Zealand. Not surprisingly, the book Australian hybridists. For each hybrid, there reflects this perspective. (Although a much is a photograph of the flowering plant, but no stronger sub-tropical emphasis is evident in other information. While this is a weakness, this edition, than in the first one). Hence, it is a reasonable trade-off, if the choice would elements of the book need to be treated with have been to cover fewer hybrids (because of some caution in a sub-tropical environment. space constraints). For example, I would not attempt to grow The next chapter has photographs of a ‘rubra’ in full sun (p.61) range of additional species and hybrids. Most in the sub-tropics, while many puyas are of these are tillandsias, but there are also ones not extremely hardy (p.258) in the coastal of other genera. sub-tropics. The next chapter outlines a somewhat Having said that, this book is the most eclectic mix of people who have contributed comprehensive introduction to growing bro- significantly to tillandsia . An Aus- meliads available today. Experienced growers tralian, Derek Butcher is last, (but not least I will also find much of interest in it. hasten to add!) in this line up. The book has nearly 400 pages, and There then follows chapters on tilland- around 500, high quality, photographs. A high sia taxonomy, their evolution and biology. standard of accuracy in matters such as plant It concludes with a comprehensive glossary names and descriptions has been achieved. and index. In the first chapter, an overview is This book is probably best suited given of the bromeliad family and their na- for the tillandsia grower who has some tive habitats. It is followed by an informative knowledge of the subject, but is looking to chapter on landscaping with bromeliads. The take their understanding to the next “level”. section on growing bromeliads on rocks is the Experienced growers will also find much of best that I have seen on this topic. interest. Most of the book is a listing of around Date of Review: 2010 250 species and hybrids, from 4 genera and 4 bi-genera. Many of these plants are Book Review: illustrated with colour photographs, and all are well described in non-technical language. Bromeliads for Nearly all of these bromeliads are readily the Contemporary available in Australia. The sections dealing with aechmeas, , neoregelias, nidular- Garden (Completely iums, puyas, and quesnelias are particularly comprehensive in their coverage. revised [ 2010] The next chapter deals with bromeliad cultivation. While nearly all of the material edition) is applicable, some caution is needed when This book was written by Andrew applying the advice (for example, on watering Steens. It was published, in Australia, by and sun exposure) to sub-tropical conditions. Bromeliaceae 22 Jan/Feb 2011 Particular care should be taken if you live in the wet tropics. All of the major topics MIDHURST relevant to growing bromeliads, for example, watering schedules, pest/disease recognition BROMELIAD and control, propagation and fertilising are well covered in non-technical language. NURSERY The book concludes with a compre- SPECIALIST GROWERS OF hensive index. It is excellent value for money. The TILLANDSIA SEEDLINGS Hard grown to suit All Australian photographs alone are worth the purchase conditions price. However, this book is much more than just a compilation of photographs. Wholesale and Mail Order Only Overall, the book is highly recom- Write for a free price list of Tillandsia mended. and other genera to: Book review date: December 2010 MIDHURST BROMELIAD NURSERY WILDFIRE GARDEN BROMELIAD NURSERY P. O. BOX 612 ALCANTAREA’S FOLIAGE VRIESEA’S HURSTBRIDGE, 3099 NEOREGELIA’S & OTHER GENERA PHONE (03) 9718 2887 VISITORS WELCOME FAX (03) 9718 2760 BY APPOINTMENT EMAIL : [email protected] Cheryl Basic 1560 Yandina-Coolum road Yandina. 4561 BROMAGIC Ph. 07 5472 8827 BROMELIAD NURSERY Mob. 0403 193069 [email protected] 421 Hunchy Rd, Membership Renewal Palmwoods 4555 It’s time to renew your membership of the Bromeliad Society of Queensland OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WEDS – FRIDAY 9:30 – 2:30 Cost: SATURDAY 9:00 - 4:00 Single: $35 An extensive range of Bromeliads Family: $40 including many first release You can either pay your membership Neoregelia hybrids at the meetings or post it in to: www.bromeliads-of-australia.com.au The Membership Secretary For enquiries phone Sue on P.O. Box 565 Fortitude Valley 07 54450441 * Membership becomes due 1st January each year

Bromeliaceae 23 Jan/Feb 2011 and others. On the other hand, Guzmania Cold Sensitivity in zahnii variegata will start showing cold spots when the night temperatures drop below Bromeliads 10°C (50°F). by Andrew Steens Cold sensitivity is variable though. It is affected by the overall condition of the plant (Reprinted, with permission, from the (for example its nutrient status), the light Journal of the Bromeliad Society (2000), v.50 levels received, and temperatures preceding (4), pp 153-154) the cold period. The placement of plants in Bromeliads are surprisingly hardy. the garden also has a marked effect, with Most people think of them as being tropical overhanging foliage or proximity to a build- plants which are unable to be grown outdoors ing being quite beneficial. Also, both the in most areas of New Zealand and other duration and intensity of the cold period and parts of the temperate world. In fact, many the moisture level of the air have an impact. bromeliads can survive frosts of minus 7°C An early cold snap, particularly one (19°F), which we have recorded in the early that has been preceded by warm tempera- 1990’s here in New Zealand in gardens with tures, is more damaging than one that occurs plants such as , Bill- late in the winter. bergia nutans, billbergioides Even in a greenhouse some of these

The following were considered some of the factors that impact the cold sensitivity of bromeliads: Factor Impact Reason High nitrogen levels Negative Lush growth with low resist- ance Low nutrient levels (other than Negative Poor resistance to cold nitrogen) Low light levels Negative Produces weak, thin Leaves Overly wet Soil Negative Produces poor root growth Poor air movement Negative Cold wet air is trapped around plants Lengthy cold period Negative Plant resistance deteriorates with time Planting in hollows & valleys Negative Cold air settles in low areas Overhanging foliage Positive Prevents frost Negative May restrict air movement Nearness to buildings/structures Positive Buildings retain heat longer Planting on upper slopes & banks Positive Cold air flows downward Planting among rocks Positive Rocks retain heat longer

Bromeliaceae 24 Jan/Feb 2011 Ae. correa-arujei x seideliaum Ae. chantinii ‘Stripe on Stripe’

Aechmea nudicaulis

Bromeliaceae 25 Jan/Feb 2011 factors are important. Increasing the cold resistance of your plants will allow you to decrease the heating level, thereby reducing Carnivorous your costs. Factors such as correct nutrition, Bromeliads light levels, air movement and placement are all important in greenhouse situations. Lead- Are any bromeliads carnivorous? The ing into winter, it is good practice to prepare jury is still out; and the verdict will probably your plants by cutting back on nitrogen ferti- depend on the criteria necessary to establish lizers. Consider applying foliar feeds which carnovory. are high in potassium and low in nitrogen. The general definition of carnovory Improve air movement and light levels requires four conditions: by reducing the amount of overhead shade • Active attraction of insects. (without exposing the plants to frost) and • A structure to trap and confine the prune away dense foliage surrounding your insects. bromeliads. Consider which plants are most • Active secretion by the plant of susceptible to cold, wet conditions and con- enzymes to digest the insects especially sider moving these to a bank, near a building proteases and phosphatases to release the or even indoors for the winter. nitrogen and phosphorus. Frosts occur most often around the full • Active absorbtion of the released moon when the weather is settled, especially nutrients. at times with little wind and clear skies. Keep In the Bromeliaceae, the current spe- an eye on the weather forecasts. If frost is cies listed as carnivores are re- predicted, set your alarm for at least an hour ducta, and before daybreak and start watering! Don’t berteroniana with two more unnamed Broc- stop until at least ½ hour after daybreak, when chinias as possible candidates. the sun starts to warm the plants (or later in The Brocchinias are terrestrials and shaded areas). Spraying water over plants is are native to the nutrient poor acid bogs of a long established method of preventing frost southern Venezuelana, Guyana and Brazil; settling and is surprisingly effective. with some growing on bare rocks on high- The Journal of the Bromeliad Society, land . in an article by Dale Jenkins (reprinted from is an the Sarasota Bromeliad Society Newsletter), and native to the Florida everglades and provides a comprehensive list of cold sensi- into northern South America. Healthy plants tivity by individual species and . Use produce a of loosely packed leaves. this to determine the requirements of your The leaves are so bright yellow that the plant collection. The list can also be found on the almost appears to glow. The leaves are also web site of the Florida Council of Bromeliad coated with a waxy, powdery white cuticle Societies at http://fcbs.org. that enhances the effect. The image is so sug- gestive of a lamp placed on the bare branches of a tree that in South American it has earned the common name lampera de la selva (jungle lantern). These plants have leaves which are waxy and slippery which minimises the

Bromeliaceae 26 Jan/Feb 2011 escape of insects. Using the descriptors of Adrian Slack*, Bromeliaceae/ these bromeliads would be called passive pit traps (passive: no moving organs as with the Bromeliad Newsletter Venus Fly Trap or the acquatic bladderworts: Two journals? pit traps: a simple open leaf structure recepta- cle but with some development of properties The Bromeliad Society of Queens- to prevent the escape of insects). land produces the above two publications All tank bromeliads will have some and they fill different niches for members. insect residues in the leaf axils or central tank. The “Bromeliad Newsletter” is a electronic Examination of the nature and quantity of publication containing information on the the solid residues of non aquatic insects will ephemeral information like plant competition give an indication whether there is an active results, reports on society activities, and a attraction or just random trapping. more complete Calendar of Events. The question as to whether these bro- “Bromeliaceae” on the other hand is meliads actively secrete enzymes to release a substantive journal more akin to a small the nutrients or whether any release is from book. It contains articles on the horticultural passive digestion by bacteria is the subject aspects of growing bromeliads, descriptions of discussion and will probably determine of different bromeliad species and cultivars whether these species will be classified as and book reviews to name but a few of the true carnivores. topics covered by this journal. It is available Compiled from various internet sources both in electronic and hard copy forms by Peter Paroz Just a quick summary, but I think that ...... gives the general overview of where both ‘Carnivorous Plants’ by Adrian Slack are targeted. Calendar of Events 7th May - 2011 Workshop - 22 Canvey Rd, Upper Kedron (at Olive and Len Trevor’s home). Program 8-9 am Set-up Sales Area, 9am Basic Cultivation Techniques, 10:30 Morning Tea, 10:45 - 3:30 Workshop Presentations, 12:30 Lunch and Plant Sales, 3:30 Wrap up plant sales and Silent Auction, 4pm Finish and clean up. You will need to register with Greg Aizlewood 5546 1161

Do you receive the BSQ email newsletter (titled ‘Bromeliad Newsletter’) If you would like to then send an email to : [email protected] Include your name and email address

GENERAL MEETINGS of the Society are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month except for December, at the Uniting Hall, 52 Merthyr Rd., New Farm, Brisbane, commenc- ing 7.30 pm. Classes for beginners commence at 7.00 pm. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING is held immediately before the February General Meeting Bromeliaceae 27 Jan/Feb 2011 Guz. ‘Patricia’

Bromeliaceae 28 Jan/Feb 2011