Bromeliaceae

VOLUME XL - No. 6 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 The Bromeliad Society of Queensland Inc. P. O. Box 565, Fortitude Valley Queensland, Australia 4006, Home Page www.bromsqueensland.com

OFFICERS PRESIDENT Bob Reilly (07) 3870 8029 VICE PRESIDENT Olive Trevor (07) 3351 1203 PAST PRESIDENT Vacant SECRETARY Glenn Bernoth (07) 4661 3 634 TREASURER Glenn Bernoth (07) 4661 3 634 EDITOR Ross Stenhouse SHOW ORGANISER Bob Cross COMMITTEE David Brown, Beryl and Jim Batchelor, Barry Kable, Doug Upton MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Roy Pugh (07) 3263 5057 SEED BANK CO-ORDINATOR Doug Parkinson (07) 5497 5220 AUDITOR Anna Harris Accounting Services SALES AREA STEWARD Pat Barlow FIELD DAY CO-ORDINATOR Nancy Kickbusch LIBRARIAN Evelyn Rees ASSISTANT SHOW ORGANISER Phil Beard SUPPER STEWARDS Nev Ryan, Barry Genn SALES Nancy Kickbusch (Convenor) N. Poole (Steward) COMPETITION STEWARDS Dorothy Cutcliffe, Alan Phythian CHIEF COMPETITION STEWARD Jenny Cakurs HOSTESS Gwen Parkinson BSQ WEBMASTER Ross Stenhouse Grace Goode OAM Editors Email Address: [email protected]

The Bromeliad Society of Queensland Inc. gives permission to all Bromeliad Societies to re- print 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 neces- sarily 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.

Front Cover: Orthophytum ‘ Starlights’ Photo by Ross Stenhouse Rear Cover : triangulare () Photo by Ross Stenhouse

Bromeliaceae 2 Nov/Dec 2006 Contents

VRIESEA `P LANTATION P RIDE ’ ...... 4 ‘THE ROSE ’ NOW ‘LOKELANI ’ ...... 5 EXPERIENCE IT ...... 5 THE EDITORS DESK ...... 7 BROMELIAD BOOKS AVAILABLE AT STATE LIBRARY ...... 8 BSQ SEED B ANK ...... 9 HERE ’S A HINT ...... 9 DEUTEROCOHNIA BREVISPICATA ...... 11 BROMELIADS IN AUSTRALIA ...... 13 18TH WORLD B ROMELIAD CONFERENCE ...... 17 NEOREGELIA AMPULLACEA VARIANTS ...... 19 WHAT P LANT IS THAT ? ...... 21 DID YOU KNOW? ...... 21 IT’S A P LANT ! ...... 22 RUBYAE ...... 23 BROMELIAD G ROWERS OF AUSTRALIA ...... 30 2008 WORLD B ROMELIAD CONFERENCE ...... 30 SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP ...... 30 IPSWICH AND DISTRICT B ROMELIAD SOCIETY ...... 30 SOCIETY P ROJECTS ...... 31 BROMELIAD SOCIETY OF Q UEENSLAND ’S CHRISTMAS P ARTY 2006 ...... 31 SOME NEOREGELIAS ...... 32 BROMELIAD TISSUE CULTURE LABORATORY COMES TO Q UEENSLAND ...... 34 SOCIETY SPRING SHOW 11 TH -12TH NOVEMBER 2006 ...... 38 ‘KASHKIN ’ REVISITED IN 2006 ...... 40 NEOREGELIA ‘QUEEN OF SPOTS ’ A HYBRID BY ALLAN FREEMAN – PARENTS UNKNOWN ...... 40 SEIDELII VAR WELTERI ...... 42 THE RESCUE ...... 44 BROMELIADS FOR G ARDEN VALUE ...... 44 DO’S AND DON ’T’S AGAIN ...... 45 WATER ...... 46 ANOTHER USE FOR B ROMELIADS ...... 49 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...... 50 PLANT OF THE MONTH P ROGRAMME FOR 2007 ...... 51 COMPETITION SCHEDULE FOR 2007 ...... 51 NOTICE OF THE 2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Members are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of the Bromeliad Society of Queensland (Inc.) will be held on Thursday 15th February, 2007 commencing at 8 pm in the Uniting Church Hall, 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm. Business to be conducted will be: The President’s Report, Election of Society Officers, Election of the Management Committee, and the Election of the Auditor. Nomination forms for the positions are available upon request from the Secretary. Nominations must reach the Secretary by 5pm 1st February, 2007. In the event of insufficient nominations being received for each vacancy, nominations will be called for at the General Meeting,

Glen Bernoth, Secretary Bromeliaceae 3 Nov/Dec 2006 yellow, which, as it matures, graciously Vriesea `Plantation blends into a beautiful shade which is almost a burnished gold. The inflorescence had nine Pride’ slightly inflated branches. The flowers are yellow. by JEAN BURSTROM Two more outstanding bromeliads from the same cross bloomed this spring. The first, Editorial Comment (Ross Stenhouse): Bob has named Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ Reprinted with permission of Bromeliad var. `Forever Amber’; the second, Vriesea Society International from the J. Brom. Soc. `Plantation Pride’ var. `Southern Belle’. 25 (6): 226-7. 1975. The article below was Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ var. `Forever brought to our attention by Derek Butcher Amber’ is a medium-sized plant-about 14 when he saw that we had published an image inches tall. The inflorescence nestles close to of Vr. Plantation Pride’ in the last issue of the foliage, and the inflorescence has glossy this journal (see XL-5. Pg. 10). This article amber branches, which are nicely inflated and gives the background to the development of tend to curve in slightly. this hybrid. Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ var. `South- The hybrid Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ ern Belle’ is also a medium-sized bromeliad. is a result of quite a few years of study, The inflorescence has five bright russet or - steady hybridizing, work, and waiting. Each ange branches which are inflated, broader morning finds Bob with his bromeliads, and and shorter than `Forever Amber’. by breakfast time he usually has put in a In hybridizing Bob feels that only the good three hours. His favourite bromeliads best results should be kept. The rest of the for hybridizing are members of the Tilland- seedlings should be destroyed for the good sioideae family, but he really can’t pass up of everyone concerned with bromeliads. In anything which has ripe pollen. When Ervin Wurthmann calls from Tampa, he usually greets me with, “What has Dr. Weirdo been BROM-MAD up to today?” Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ is a cross of Large range of Bromeliads Vriesea schwackeana and the beautiful hybrid Neoregelias & other Varieties, Vriesea `Van Ackeri.’ From the beginning, Species and Hybrids this plant showed great vigour and was the most robust seedling in the family flat. At the time of the second transplanting Bob put it Visitors Welcome by into a special pot so that he “could keep an Appointment eye on it.” Sure enough, it bloomed a year earlier than its siblings-spring of 1974. Linda and Graham Percival This is a regal bromeliad-large and stately, with good conformation. The plant 1 Purcell Road, Bells Bridge, grew to about 30 inches high, and the diam- via Gympie. Q.4570 eter of the dark green mottled foliage was Enquires Phone also about 30 inches. The tall branched in- (07) 5483 1634 florescence is, when young, a brilliant lemon Bromeliaceae 4 Nov/Dec 2006 Bob’s experience, he has had only one out of sixty seedlings that he feels is worthy of continued propagation and only one out of Experience It perhaps hundreds that is worthy of registra - (by Jimmy L. Antle) tion. Vriesea `Plantation Pride’ has turned out to be a real winner. For the present, it is Editorial comment (Bob Reilly) This is the star of our bromeliad family, but we’re part of an article that appeared in the Journal looking forward to more of Bob’s crosses of the Bromeliad Society, March-April 1987, to bloom. v. XXXVII (2), pp 51-55. The section of the article printed here deals with hybridizing neoregelias. Neoregelia ‘The Rose’ For those who have been thinking about setting seed on a species, or making now ‘Lokelani’ hybrids, may I offer these ideas? by Derek Butcher • Some species will not set seed using Beware your sins will find you out their own pollen. Bring in pollen from another even though it may take 12 years! Recently plant of the same species for this purpose. I received an email from Lisa Vinzant in Ha- • Some like Neoregelia ‘Oh No’ waii advising that the plant we are growing in and ‘Sunset’ self-pollinate and should be sus- Australia as ‘The Rose’ is really ‘Lokelani’. pect when used in attempting a hybrid. When The problem stems from Shane Zaghini’s making a cross and you notice more seed book ‘Bromeliads – A Guide to the beautiful pods maturing than those you pollinated, Neoregelia’ 1994 page 11 where a plant was be suspicious that selfing has occurred. If, given the name ‘The Rose’ and origin un- on the other hand, only the ovaries that you known. The Registrar, Don Beadle, pollinated swell, then relax and wait for the accepted this information as being fact. seeds. In 1994 at the World Bromeliad Con- • Learn to be very careful with plant ference, Bob Okazaki donated a ‘Lokelani’ names because you will want to be sure that for the special auction and ever since then your plants are correctly identified. the plant has been known by this name in • Have a plan: something you want to the USA. It would appear that someone create and not just the product of two plants from Australia visiting Bob just before 1994 that happen to be in bloom. brought an offset back to Australia with the This is how I make a neoregelia cross thought that this plant was being called ‘A and I encourage you to try: Rose’ which is what the Hawaiian ‘Loke’ • When the selected plants are mature, means. This intrigues me a bit because the isolate them. At seven o’ clock in the morn- Rose is not native to Hawaii! ing, and before the bloom opens, use needle So if you are growing ‘The Rose’ I sug- nose tweezers to pull away the petals of the gest you change the name to ‘Lokelani’. plant designated to receive the pollen (in If there is a moral to this story it is to order to expose the pistil and anthers). Us- register your own hybrids yourself and not ing the tweezers, pull away and discard each wait for others to try to clean up your mess pollen-bearing anther surrounding the pistil. at a later date. Even though pollen on these anthers is damp Bromeliaceae 5 Nov/Dec 2006 and not viable, you should still be careful not a dry jar along with the stimulant Rootone to let them touch the stigma. (that also contains a fungicide) and shake • At eleven o’ clock, remove an anther vigorously so that each seed gets covered from the open flower of the pollen parent with powder. Then spread the seeds on the and take it to the anther-bare seed pod parent damp peat moss. Put an identification tag in stigma. I always try to increase the exposure the box, put a clear plastic cover on the box time to the pollen by positioning the anther and place this nursery under a fluorescent so that it stays attached to the pistil. light, or in a bright location. Temperatures of • Now make a plastic identification 28 to 30 degrees Celsius give good germina- tag about 1,5 mm x 3 mm x 25 mm, and log tion. Neoregelia seed will usually show the either a code number for the cross, or enter the first (seedling) leaves at 10-15 days. name of the pollen parent and date. Place this • Leave the container closed so as not plastic sliver between the broken-off petal to introduce fungus. I allow my germinated and the sepals. Make sure that the sliver has seeds to stay in the container until the leaves blunt ends to prevent damage to the ovary. reach the top. (Approximately 10 to 12.5 cm). • Keep the plant isolated from Then I remove the top for 5 to 7 days to allow for the rest of the day. When the torn bloom fresh air to harden them off so that I can place closes at the end of the day, it will hold the them in a community flat. In these flats I use a tiny tag. mix of 60% peat moss, 30% perlite, and 10% • Once this is done, it is a waiting game Baccto, a humusy, commercial mix. To this for three months. You may wish to set up a mix, I add a weak solution of water-soluble seed nursery during this period (see below). fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20. • At the end of three months, check the • Keep the seedlings in a bright, calm ovary for fullness. Sometimes you can see area and mist them daily until they develop through the skin to the dark seeds inside. Gen- enough leaf reservoir capacity to hold water tly lean the seed pod to one side to observe and nutrients. Use a small amount of fertiliser this, When you think the seed pod is ready, for foliar feeding (0.5 tsp. Peters 20-20-20 per gently tug on the pod and if it is ready, the 4.5 litres of water). This program should give stem end will pull free easily. you good leaf growth. When the seedlings • Prepare a small jar of water contain- have sufficient water-holding capacity, they ing a few drops of a mild detergent. Squeeze may be potted separately and the nitrogen the ovary from the pointed end so that the “number” (in the fertiliser specification) seeds drop into the solution, cover the jar, decreased, allowing the plant to harden off and shake it vigorously to remove the mem- further and to develop its individual char- brane material. Drain some water from the acteristics. More and brighter light can be jar, then pour the remaining water and seeds given. onto a clean paper towel. Allow the seeds to • The next consideration will be to pick dry briefly. which one, two, or three plants from the many • Next, put a layer of damp peat moss available, will represent to the public the about 25 to 40 mm deep in a clear plastic shoe cross you have made and matured. It can be box (Editorial note: A chinese food container a trying, but rewarding, time. Society will let also works well.) Do not let the moss get you know how well you have done. soggy. Take the seed from the paper towel and place them in a small container such as Bromeliaceae 6 Nov/Dec 2006 The Editors Desk by Ross Stenhouse

At the October meeting of the society, it is one of the very few species Neoregelias the point was emphasised by Arno King dur- that contains white naturally and thus most ing his presentation about the importance of of the Neoregelias that contain white in their ensuring that we collect species as well as leaves contain genes from this species in their the hybrids. It is necessary to ensure that genetic make-up. If we were to lose this spe- species do not become ‘lost’ due to one or cies then we would be without one of the ba- other of them becoming unfashionable and sic species used in producing the great hybrid ceasing to be present in people’s collections Neoregelias that we so commonly see. of bromeliads. How can you help? The best solution is Arno listed quite a number of species to ensure that you grow a number of species that once were commonly collected, but in your collections. nowadays are rarely seen. Arno’s point was Finally, I would like to thank those that in the wild, many species are extinct or of you who have helped in some way to the virtually extinct and that now they only sur- publishing of this journal. It takes a big effort vive in collections. He felt that if were are not by many to get an edition together ready for careful, a species could become completely printing. Of critical importance is those who extinct in collections as well and the best supply articles for publication, so to them a way to help prevent this was to popularise particularly heart felt thanks! the collection of species within member’s (and others) collections. In this issue we have tried to ‘Do Our THE OLIVE Bit’ by featuring a number of species in the images within the issue. The images are clearly labelled as species in the accompa- BRANCH nying label. Apart from simply ensuring the sur- Len and Olive Trevor vival of various species, the importance of 232 Canvey Road, Ferny Grove, species is that they contain the gene pool used Qld 4053 to produce various and hybrids. Specialising in hybrid Vrieseas, The species Neoregelia nivea shown Aechmeas, Variegated on p. 28 has a deal of significance because Neoregelias Skotak Hybrids, Aussie Dream and Bromeliaceae varieties, and other quality Production Crew Bromeliads Editor: Ross Stenhouse Proofreader: Roy Pugh Phone (07) 3351 1203 Regular Contributors : Derek Butcher, Visitors welcome by appointment - Please Rob Smythe, Peter Paroz, Phone First Rob Reilly, Beryl Batchelor Bromeliaceae 7 Nov/Dec 2006 tion of bromeliad books to the State Library Bromeliad books of Queensland for everyone to enjoy:

available at State • Book of Bromeliads and Hawaiian Tropical Flowers by Ronald W. Parkhurst Library • Bromeliaceae: Profile of an Adaptive Radia - tion by David H. Benzing by Leanne Day • Bromeliad Glossary – 2nd edn by Pamela Koide The Bromeliad Society of Queensland, • Bromeliads by Francisco Oliva-Esteve Inc. has recently donated a comprehensive • Bromeliads in the Brazilian Wilderness by collection of beautiful new bromeliad books Elton M. C. Leme to the State Library of Queensland where they • Bromelie – Sonderheft 3 & 5 by Renate are now available to all Queenslanders. Ehlers Many of these glossy books are heavily • Canistropsis: Bromeliads of the Atlantic laden with lush colour photographs and the Forest by Elton M. C. Leme information covers all aspects of growing • Growing Bromeliads - A Guide to the and identifying the many bromeliad species Growing of Bromeliads and cultivars. The books held in the State • Jewels of the Jungle: Bromeliaceae of Reference Library collection at the new State Ecuador – Part 1 by José M. Library, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Manzanares Bank, are available for browsing by clients. • Jewels of the Jungle: Bromeliaceae of If you are unable to visit the State Library, Ecuador – Part II by José M. and require particular information about Manzanares bromeliads, the State Library offers a free • Margaret Mee’s Amazon: Dairies of an Art- service where staff search for information ist Explorer by Margaret Mee on your behalf and post, email, fax or phone • New Tillandsia Handbook by Hideo Shimi- it to you. zu & Hiroyuki Takizawa For those who prefer to borrow books, • : Bromeliads of the Atlantic whether you live in Brisbane or elsewhere in Forest by Elton M. C. Leme Queensland, you may do this through your • Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden local public library. Because the Bromeliad by Andrew Steens Society has generously donated several cop- • Growing Bromeliads (3rd edn) by the Bro- ies of many of the donated titles, State Li- meliad Society of Australia brary, through its Public Library Services, is • Bromeliads: a Cultural Manual by the Bro- able to loan copies of these books to several meliad Society International, Inc. regional libraries at a time, where they are • The Red-Flowered from available for the public to loan. If you don’t by Renate Ehlers find any books from this donated collection, • The Tillandsia Tectorum Complex by you may ask your public library to place a Lieselotte Hromadnik free inter-library loan request with the State Library for you. (See photo of presentation page 10) Thank you to the Bromeliad Society of Queensland for donating this beautiful selec-

Bromeliaceae 8 Nov/Dec 2006 BSQ Seed Bank Here’s a Hint (by Bea Hansen) Don’t forget that the Society has estab- lished a seed bank under the stewardship of Reprinted, with permission of the New Doug Parkinson. It’s early days for the bank, Zealand Bromeliad Society, from the Bul - however it is up and working. letin, November 1979, p.8. As can be seen, the seed available This tip was passed on to me from included some great plants. We are sure Australia and now I pass it on to you. I think as members start to use the seed bank to a it originally came from America. It is a most greater extent, the list of species available unique way of growing tillandsia seed. will grow. A page will be set up on the society A pair of pantyhose was filled with internet site and this will be kept up to date. sphagnum moss and completely covered If you have some spare seed, please with tillandsia seed.. It was hanging in a give it to our seed bank, greenhouse. The person who saw it has re- Doug may be contacted at 51-53 Analie cently tried one leg of pantyhose and found St, Ningi, 4511 or ph. (07) 5497 5220 or email it worked wonders. It was fairly easy to keep Doug at [email protected] the moss wet and that, in turn, gave the seed Seed available includes the following enough moisture. The seed clings to the nylon Tillandsia schiedeana white flower with no problem at all. Juncea white flower juncea silver form butzii SHADE ultriculata excusa gardneri HOUSES fasculata florida elongata capitata rubra festucoides Manufacturers of Orchid, Fern bryoides and Shade Houses since 1976 capitata ‘Old Gold’ capitata rubra pruinosa jalisco-monticola tricolor Neoregelia pascoaliana extensia Gusmania sanguinea ‘Costa Rica’ monostachia ‘Red’ chantiaii Puya mirabilis Ph: (07) 3207 2793 floribunda Fax: (07) 3822 2307 151 Railway Pde., Thornside, Q 4158 www.petersglen.com.au

Bromeliaceae 9 Nov/Dec 2006 Deuterocohnia brevispicata Photos by Lyn Hall Members Doug Upton and Olive Trevor presenting the donation of books with Dr Leanne Day (centre) , Senior Librarian, Science & Technology Team, Reference Services, State Library of Queensland.

Bromeliaceae 10 Nov/Dec 2006 look like but I was not going to wax lyrical Deuterocohnia because it was only seed we had. As is usual with generous Len, he spread the seed around brevispicata growers in Australia (and Adelaide). We had by Derek Butcher little success but there were rumours that John It all started when Lieselotte Hromad- Catlan and Genny Vauhkonen had succeeded nik and her husband collected a plant near but were they according to the name on the Chuquisaca at 1300m in some 20 packet? We are growing seedlings from John years ago. Lieselotte is known more for her but they are exceedingly slow. I had heard Tillandsia collecting in the highlands of Bo- rumours that one of these plants was produc- livia and Peru but she had an interest in the ing a long long flower spike and no sign of pricklies too! This particular specimen was it flowering. So it was great to get photos in grown on at the Heidelberg Botanic Garden the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Bromlink – The in Germany under the watchful eye of Werner Goldcoast Group Newsletter – of the plant Rauh. It flowered in captivity and was named in flower. Deuterocohnia brevispicata by Lieselotte and I contacted the owner of the plant, Werner jointly in 1988 in what is lovingly Lyn Hall who supplied me with coloured called Trop. Subtrop. Pflanz. I duly translated photos. So here is the next part of the story. the description from German to English for John Catlan got the seed in 2002 and, Ian my own records and there it stayed, just in and Lyn bought a small seedling in Oct 2004 case it may come in useful in the future. because they wanted something different for In 2002, on one of the many trips their cactus and succulent rockery. Less than that Len Colgan from Adelaide made to 2 years later it was in flower. We know that Germany to visit Renate Ehlers to increase in every seed batch there are always one or his Tillandsia collection, he was able to visit two plants that grow much faster than the rest Heidelberg Botanic Gardens and even ac- – was this one of them? Or is it just the fabled quired rare Tillandsia from there too. He must Queensland weather plus fertiliser? Lyn tells have really impressed them because shortly me no fertiliser and sandy soil so the only after he was sent seed which had previously other option is that the plant likes free root been stored in a frozen state to increase their room. Outside plantings are great but you longevity of viability. One of the batches was must have plans to weed from time to time! called Deuterocohnia brevispicata. We don’t Anyway, Lyn did not expect such a flowering know much about freezing seed although we phenomenon. Remember that the description do know that in this case Timm Stolten had said flowering to 1.2m and here the inflores - frozen the seed as an experiment in a regular cence was up to 2m long and bending towards freezer at –18C for nearly two years before the ground. With the aid of ropes and a nearby sending some to Len. Non-frozen seed from tree the flower stem was kept fairly erect. this species are viable after 12 months so we The flowering habit is odd to say the least did not learn much! However, we do know although the name ‘brevispicata’ gives a hint that the seed came from the type specimen but ‘strobilata’ may have been more descrip- where the same flower spike has flowered 3 tive. Brevispicate means short spike which times a year regularly for the last 18 years! does not refer to the generally-called flower On receipt of the seed out came my spike but to the short side branches. Strobilate records so we knew what the plant should means like a pine-cone and here you have a Bromeliaceae 11 Nov/Dec 2006 Ae. correia-araujoi (species)

Orthophytum burle-marxii (species)

Bromeliaceae 12 Nov/Dec 2006 scape some 50cm long emerging before the but merely to give some indication as to the first red ‘pinecone’ appears and every 10cm extent these beautiful and interesting plants or so a new red ‘pinecone’ stretching to over are grown in this country. 2metres if you live on the Gold Coast. Looking back over a number of years of Eventually from these 2.5 cm diam my association with private and commercial ‘pinecones’ flowers emerge where the petals growers, the number of species distributed form a bicoloured tube which is predomi- among them could be counted on the fingers nantly red but with a clear bright green tip. of one hand. Over a long period of years, A colour combination only nature could hundreds of other exotic plants have been think up! introduced into this country; mostly by pri- Please remember not to remove the vate wealthy growers, who, in some cases, flower head because it will just flower again, had large heated glasshouses, and a staff of again and again. The Germans want to know gardeners. These exotics were housed more what magical climate you have on the Gold or less under the same conditions. A gentle- Coast because it takes them 10 years from man once remarked to me that he could not seed to flowering. I have told them the secret understand why some of his plants were is ‘hot air’ caused by bragging!! thriving, while others were not. He said: “ I am told that John and Genny at They all get the same treatment.” Jacob’s Well have ‘hundreds’ of these plants I said: “Yes, that is the trouble. You if you are interested in something different have plants collected from various parts of the by way of prickles. But remember if you do world, from various conditions, all requiring come from down south in Australia you will different treatment; here you expect them to have to wait a bit longer for flowering. thrive under one condition.” I then suggested that he divide his Bromeliads in house into three sections and to vary the heat and shade in each section, which he did with Australia marked results. (by Chas Hodgson) That has been my observation, also, in regard to bromeliads that have been in- Editorial comment (Bob Reilly): Re - troduced here. It has been, truly, a matter printed, with permission of the Bromeliad of survival of the most fit to put up with the Society International, from the Bromeliad conditions provided for them. This became Society Bulletin, March-April 1951, v. 1 (2), very evident to me when I started to gather pp.14-16. The author was one of Australia’s some of these plants. I already had a few bromeliad pioneers. In this article, he de - plants of Aechmea miniata var. discolor, scribes the very limited range of bromeliads Nidularium innoncentii var. striatum, Nidu- available in Australia then. He also makes larium amazonicum, Pitcairnia maidifolia, the point that Queensland’s climate makes the and an unidentified neoregelia. These were state very suitable for growing bromeliads. the five species referred to above, and repre - The accuracy of this observation is demon - sented the range of bromeliads in the various strated by the extent to which bromeliads are private collections under glass throughout grown today . Australia. My object in writing these notes is Aside from the conservatory or glass not to pose as an authority on bromeliads, house collections the most common brome- Bromeliaceae 13 Nov/Dec 2006 Ae. miniata - immature inflorescence Ae. miniata

Nidularium innocentii var. striatum

Bromeliaceae 14 Nov/Dec 2006 liad here is nutans . This species has a small plant of it; since then it has developed survived the test of time. It is blessed with a into a fine specimen in my glass house where hardy constitution. One sees it growing in all it seems to do better than on the outside, be- sorts of conditions, from humble tin dishes cause of our rather cold climate (The author to teak orchid baskets, in the ground, in the lived in Melbourne). sun, in the shade; known under various names My next objective was to get some from “Cactus Fuschia ” to that “Pineapple literature pertaining to bromeliads. Since my Thing!” It is the poor man’s bromeliad. friend in the gardens was librarian to the Field Looking at the few “broms” that I had Naturalists Club, I asked him to keep an eye growing with my orchids, I got an inspiration open for any such literature. He eventually that I would like more of these plants and sent me a copy of a Smithsonian Institution’s not being fortunate like our worthy president Annual Report in which there was an article who lives in a country where these plants are by Mulford B. Foster. I said to myself that I indigenous, I had to, as it were, re-discover, would write to this fellow. He might be a nice or muster up the plants that were scattered chap. And reply he did. about the country. The fraternity among true plant lov - My first objective was the Melbourne ers is stronger than Freemasonry. To make Botanic Gardens. In their large hothouses a long story short, as a result of contacting were the familiar five, but here and there friend Foster, the exchanges of literature and among other foliage plants were strangers plants added considerably to my knowledge such as Aechmea fulgens that was in bloom and plant collection. with its glorious long-lasting flower spike. Then fortified with a larger collection, There were two different Billbergias under and some surplus plants to barter with, I the one label of . I was able went to the Sydney Botanic Gardens where to point out that one of them was Billbergia I received an introduction as an interstate vittata. The Billbergias were not happy, visitor to the propagator. Naturally, we talked whereas the Nidulariums and Aechmeas easily about the broms. He had, in the houses, were doing fairly well under the shade and , doing well; Aechmea moisture. The poor Billbergias were rotting, weilbachii, , Tillandsia and for lack of light and more airy conditions lindeniana, Cryptanthus zonatus and an- were “open” and colourless. Then I came other unnamed Cryptanthus with chocolate across a few plants of Tillandsia lindenii . leaves; Quesnelia liboniana , and nice plants After coming to terms about an ex- of var. striatum , and change with the man in charge, who is both Neoregelia tristis . a friendly chap and a keen gardener, I se- Out of doors, he had Puya dasylirio - cured Aechmea fulgens, Tillandsia lindenii, ides , Pitcairnia tabuliformis , and Ochagavia Billbergia zebrina and B. vittata . Next day, spp. My next objective was the Adelaide Bo- I visited the gardens again, to comb over the tanic Gardens. The city of Adelaide is much outdoor bromeliads. There I saw Ochagavia warmer and drier than Melbourne (where lindleyana, Pitcairnia spp. Puya alpeatris, I reside), and is more subject to drought, Dyckia rarifolia, Dyckia sulphurea, Hechtia during which time bore water is used. This texensis, all of which I had. But I did not is fatal to some plants because of the lime have serra which I soon spotted. (salt) content. Although it was not doing too well, I secured The Gardens in Adelaide had been very Bromeliaceae 15 Nov/Dec 2006 (species) monostachia (species)

Aechmea weilbachii var. weilbachii forma weilbachii (species)

Bromeliaceae 16 Nov/Dec 2006 much neglected for sometime. At one time Queensland, and that there are probably not they possessed a number of bromeliads, but more than 30 or 40 varieties in this country. they had gradually died from time to time, There is a vast field for trade in bromeliads until only the hard-leaved varieties such here, if and when the dollar embargo is as Billbergias, Quesnelias and Neoregelias lifted. had survived. The Gardens are now under My increasing interest has led me to a curator who had been given a grant of possess, now, about 40 species of broms as money to make necessary improvements well as having created considerable interest and he expressed the hope that he would be in them in four of our five states in Australia. able to provide the proper accommodation to Apart from the private growers, I have in- grow bromeliads. I supplied him with some troduced new bromeliads to the Botanic of my surplus plants and in return received Gardens where the general public can enjoy Billbergia pyramidalis, Neoregelia carolinae , them. And in doing this I have made many Quesnelia liboniana , and some unnamed new friends. billbergias that I will have to grow in order to identify them. Queensland is the state where the 18th World “King of Bromeliads” (pineapples) has Bromeliad Conference been made to feel at home and this delicacy is raised to the extent of supplying all the The 18th World Bromeliad confer- southern states with this fruit. Owing to the ence will be held in Cairns in mid/late June favourable tropical climate (they have little 2008. need for glass structures, most tropical plants The address for the web site containing will grow luxuriantly), there should be some the latest information on the conference is: good collections of broms in the state, but so far as I can learn they are scarce. The Curator http://www.BromeliadsDownUnder.com of the Queensland Botanic Gardens wrote to me that they have growing there: Tillandsia lindenii, an unnamed Puya , (that will over a large area of ground if not Annual checked), several unidentified Billbergias , and one or two Aechmeas. We have agreed Subscriptions upon a favourable exchange of bromeliads. I have sent bromeliads to a friend in Membership fees ($15 - Single, North Queensland and he said that they are $20 - Family, $30 Overseas) are due doing well. and payable on 1st January 2007. West Australia has no Botanical Gar- Prompt payment will greatly assist the den, but many parks and public gardens. A treasurer and Membership Secretary. friend to whom I have sent a dozen broms has Members who have not paid their said that only Billbergia nutans is there. annual subscription will not receive After combing over the five states in further copies of Bromeliaceae after Australia I have come to the conclusion that, the January-February edition generally speaking, the bromeliads can be favourably adapted to Australia, especially in Bromeliaceae 17 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo. ampullacea (species)

Neo. ampullacea ‘ Tigrina ’ Neo. ampullacea Inflorescence

Bromeliaceae 18 Nov/Dec 2006 speckles or minute spots, particularly on the Neoregelia ampullacea obverse. Foliage base colour varies too from scurfed, mossy grey-green to bright, lettuce Variants green. In this category, the lower half of the (by Geoff Lawn) tight rosette is comparatively narrow, flar - ing more at the top, usually with cusped or Editorial comment (Bob Reilly): Re - rounded leaf tips. printed, with permission of the Bromeliad The “variegata” form with yellowish Society International, from the Journal of the green leaf margins is a tigrina type along with Bromeliad Society, September-October 1992, ‘Freckles’, ‘Midget’, ‘Zebrina’ (upright 15 v. 42 (5), pp 195-196. Neoregelia ampullacea cm tube with wide, maroon stripes). Others and the hybrids made from it are some of the in this group are: most popular miniature Neoregelias. In this • ‘Pixie’, a N. ampullacea cultivar article, Geoff Lawn, from Western Australia, similar to ‘Zebrina’, has strong purplish-red outlines some of the more popular types, and zebra-like cross bands and pointed leaf tips. clarifies some of the confusion surrounding • ‘Purpurea’, heavily striped burgundy the correct naming of these plants. Note that at the rosette base and reverse. there have been some minor cultivar name • ‘Black Beauty’, an intraspecic cross changes since this article was written, but it of N. ampullacea x N. ‘Tigrina’, with the is still substantially correct. entire foliage liberally splotched and banded Some bromeliad species such as sepia red when grown in bright light. Neoregelia ampullacea show considerable “Punctatissima types” Again, a mislead- variation. Over forty distinct forms are known ing term because the true Neoregelia puncta- in cultivation. By current botanical classifica - tissima has white, sericeous, transverse spots, tion, none is different enough to warrant vari- pure white flowers, and is a species “..known ety status, but many have cultivar names. Cul- with certainty from the type collection alone, ture and climate affect their appearance but, doubtfully in cultivation..” (Smith &Downs, under fairly uniform growing conditions, the Bromelioideae, p.1562) (Now known by the subtle differences become apparent amongst cultivar name ‘Punctate’) the following loosely grouped plants. Prominent characteristics of about a “Tigrina types” The true Neoregelia dozen different varieties are a fuller, more ‘Tigrina’ has relatively narrow stripes, pure open rosette 10-20 cm across with 8-15 white flowers, and stolons up to 25 cm in lustrous leaves, appearing greenish yellow length. It is unlike any known Neoregelia in strong light, even bright gold in the trop- ampullacea. At least twenty different kinds ics, and a series of punctuated brown or red of “Tigrina types” are cultivated, ranging cross bands that are more pronounced in from tiny tubes 2 cm tall by 1 cm in diam- the reverse. The actual width, spacing, and eter to a large form 20-25 cm tall with 10 number of these hieroglyphs distinguishes cm stolons. one form from another. The ‘Rubra’ form Characteristic are the mid-brown to has coppery bronze foliage with darker, brick reddish cross bands on the reverse of the red markings. leaves and less regular banding on the 5-8 Amongst both “tigrina” and “punc- green, upper leaf blades. Often the cross tatissima” types, petal colour ranges from banding is intermingled profusely with pale lavender to deepest violet on the blade Bromeliaceae 19 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo. ‘‘Punctate’ Guz . ‘Lemans ’

Neo. ‘Lokelani’

Vr. ‘Sunset’ (Kents)

Neo. ‘Rose Marie’

Bromeliaceae 20 Nov/Dec 2006 margins, the central portion being whitish. correct identification is. Within the species Neoregelia ampul- (1) Ae . ‘Gaiters’ laceae there is ‘Purple’, a plain green, com- (2) Ae. cylindrata or maybe Ae . ‘Blue pact, full rosette with a rosy, purple-flushed Cones’ and Vriesea ‘Sunset’ (Kents), a culti- centre. N. lilliputiana is a closely allied dwarf var of cylindrata of the at 2-3 cm in height and 1 cm (3) Ae . ‘Mary Brett’ across. It may not be botanically distinct from (4) no suggestions N. ampullacea. Error Correction Other Neoregelia ampullacea culti- In edition XL-5 we made a mistake in vars include: ‘Empressa’, ‘Grand Duchess’, the labelling of one of the illustrative images. ‘Marie?’, ‘Minnie Mouse’, ‘Nitritis’, ‘Prin- We called a Vriesea ‘Sunset’ on Page 18, a cess’, ‘Regalia’, ‘Speckles’, and ‘Spreckle’. Vriesea ‘Highway Beauty’ These miniatures are invariably hardy, attractive and prolific, often filling a pot, bowl, mobile, or hanging basket in a few Did You Know? seasons. Their climbing or cascading growth habit is an arresting sight when allowed to That there are the two genera of brome - ball or mass into 100-tube colonies. Many liads known to include carnivorous species Neoregelia ampullacea hybrids abound, (Brocchinia and Catopsis ). Both genera in- often retaining that robustness and strikingly clude species which produce tubular, brightly barred foliage. They are ideal for collectors coloured leaf rosettes which are adapted to attracting, trapping and digesting insects and What Plant is That? other small animals. by Ross Stenhouse

Recently the International Cultivar M. J. PATERSON Register, Derek Butcher received the image (bottom left opposite) with the following 212 SANDY CREEK ROAD, question from Peter Waters in New Zea- land: GYMPIE, Qld 4570 “Do you know there is another Ne- Large Range of Bromeliads For Sale oregelia ‘Rose Marie’ besides the two in Especially our own Hybrid Tillandsias your list. It seems to be an Olens hybrid and and Neoregelias is only found in Australia. Quite common in Queensland. Obviously not registered but a DO CALL IN IF YOU ARE UP THIS bit confusing.” WAY BUT PLEASE PHONE FIRST Derek forwarded it to me for publica- tion in Bromeliaceae in this section of the PHONE / FAX journal as he thought someone may be able to help out with an identity for the plant. (07) 5482 3308 In the last edition there was a “What EMAIL: wm_paterson@ Plant is That” section and a number of sug- gestions were received about what the plant’s bigpond.com

Bromeliaceae 21 Nov/Dec 2006 go brown as they age. Some are like wire; they are very strong and can cut your hands. It’s a Plant! Strangely some of these can rupture the hard by Lynn Hudson shell and again produce working fluffy roots and provide food for the plant. If a bromeliad I have known David Liddle for 30 is repotted or transplanted it will grow new years, I knew he was ‘into’ plants but I did roots for stability – just as it would need to not know he had a quarantine house until 2 do if it is disturbed in habitat. years ago. He lives just outside Mareeba, Plants that have formed a long stem north of Cairns. The climate is drier and from leaf removal can be cut off anywhere more like California so we decided we should along the stem, repotted and they will usu - quarantine our imports with him. So began ally produce new roots. The plant usually a new learning curve for the three of us. alters its growing habit after such repotting, As we unpacked our treasures I held so many growers simply cut off most of the up a plant and said, “Isn’t this a beauty?” roots and repot in a deeper or larger pot to David looked my treasure up and down and get a healthier plant. said, “It’s a plant. It has roots to hold it down Shoots or ‘pups’ have evolved to suit and feed it and leaves for photosynthesis”. their habitat environment. Some bromeliads Well, slap me in the face with a dead fish produce offsets on the inside of the leaf at the – I was mortified! I continued to unpack, axis of the stem, where the leaf holds liquid but very quietly! He had finally shut me up; nutrients to succour the new immature plant it only took him nearly 30 years! However – eg Guzmanias and Vrieseas. he did like my beautiful plants as later he The stoloniferous bromeliads send brought his good friend Gary, to purchase out a strong runner that forms roots which some bromeliads and even steered him to- attach to the ground, tree trunk or to whatever ward some real beauties. is in the pathway but they will avoid treated David’s comment stuck in my mind timber. Their offshoots form on the end of and over the next weeks when I looked at a these stolons. By moving away from the plant heard those words over and over again. parent plant these offshoots gain access to nu- It made me think differently. Suddenly they trients and have space to develop to maturity were not only my ‘beauties’ – they demanded – eg most aechmeas, Billbergia pyramidalis that I observe them as functional identities and Neoregelia compacta . This stolonifer- and treat them in a manner that would allow ous habit is why aechmea offsets climb out them to function correctly and reach their full and attach to the outside of our pots – they potential. So I returned to basics – to “roots, are just doing what comes naturally, treating shoots and leaves”! the pot as a tree trunk. Roots provide the bromeliad with Some bromeliads produce just one stability to keep it upright for photosynthesis. offset, usually from the centre of the parent For most Tillandsias this is the main func- plant. To balance this the parent gives large tion of roots whereas Cryptanthus , Dyckias , quantities of seed – eg and Guzmanias, Orthophytums, Vrieseas and most . Bromeliads that produce an intergeneric combinations of these genera offshoot amid the top leaves are called “upper rely heavily on their roots for food. Usu- puppers”. This can happen for no apparent ally working roots are white and fluffy and reason or if the plant is damaged. These are Bromeliaceae 22 Nov/Dec 2006 not popular with growers as to remove the have these? I do not know. Maybe it is be- offshoot, the leaves around the offshoot need cause otherwise they would be utterly perfect. to be removed. If the plant is well shaped, On the majority of plants they do not deter the the aesthetic appearance of the plant can be animals from eating them! When some dogs destroyed. Nidularium and Canistropsis can decide the bromeliad has what they want, also be upper puppers but as the offshoots the plant will be massacred! Vicks Vaporub are on stolons leaf removal, if necessary, is is a good deterrent – put a small dab on the minimal. offending dog’s nose (not nice, a bit warm) Leaves are shaped to channel water then some on the pots or on a few sticks near and nutrients to the plant, even very narrow your bromeliad patch. rounded Tillandsia leaves are channelled. How are bromeliads different from The main function of leaves is photosynthe- other plants? Firstly bromeliad leaves have sis to feed the plant, to produce fruits and respiration features on top, whereas most propagate. The green colouring in leaves is plants have devices on the underside. Most chlorophyll, necessary for photosynthesis. plants grow from the centre but their centres Leaf thicknesses, shapes, colours and mark- are not hollow. Remember the bromeliad leaf ings have evolved to work with the sun in is the plant, damage the leaves and your plant photosynthesis and depict the best growing is permanently marred. area for each plant. (See ‘Bromeliad Culti- “It’s a Plant” – sure, but bromeliads vation Notes’ page 27 & 28.) Leaves have are very beautiful clever functional identities several microscopic helpers for respiration and behind the third one you purchase is a – stoma, scurf and trichomes. Bromeliad Bug. Once you get a good nip you Stomata on the leaf tops are like the will enter a fascinating world and the more pores on our skin and open to absorb fluid you learn, the more you realize you know nutrients. nuthin’. Just a plant indeed! Scurf is a white powdery looking sub- stance we can see on the leaves. It is actually small hairs that hold nutrients and moisture Vriesea rubyae for the plant. Scurf can appear as strips, (by Bob Reilly) stripes, zigzags or spots. It rubs off easily but will reform. Trichomes are also hairs that give the Vriesea rubyae is a Brazilian species. plant a fluffy appearance, they too are for ab - It is a small plant, forming an erect rosette sorption and in arid areas they hold nutrients approximately 15 cm high and wide. The until the plant respires in the cool of the night grey-green leaves have purple bases and tips. – eg Tillandsia tectorum . It has a semi-pendent, sword-shaped, 10 cm Any adverse change in the leaves long, orange-red, inflorescence. A photograph can show us the plant has some problem – eg appears on p. 24. if the tip goes brown, the plant is usually too The plant will form a small clump dry. If colour fades from the tips there could quite quickly. The pups form on the end of be an unwelcome foreign object in the throat. thick, 10 cm long stolons, so the plant may Yellowing patches that turn paper-like tell us be useful for growing on logs and stumps the leaf is getting too much sun. in well shaded situations, although I grow Barbs or thorns – why do bromeliads mine in a pot. Bromeliaceae 23 Nov/Dec 2006 Guz sanguinea var brevipedicellata (species)

Vr. rubyae (species)

Bromeliaceae 24 Nov/Dec 2006 Nid. innocentii ‘Nana’

Nidularium rutilans (species)

Bromeliaceae 25 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo . ‘Lila’

Neo . ‘Tangerine’

Bromeliaceae 26 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo . ‘Orange Crush’

Neo. ‘Rosella’

Bromeliaceae 27 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo. nivea (species)

Guz. sanguinea (species)

Bromeliaceae 28 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo. Carolinae v. tricolor ‘Perfecta’

Ae. nudicaulis (species)

Bromeliaceae 29 Nov/Dec 2006 Early bird registration forms are now Bromeliad Growers of available at the Society’s monthly meetings or by contacting Roy Pugh (phone 07 3263 Australia 5057, email: [email protected] -- by Nigel Thomson please put World Bromeliad Conference 2008 This group was formed recently to in the subject “box” on your email, mail: 60 further promote bromeliads to the Austral- Binowee St Aspley Qld 4034) ian public. The group consists of commercial growers, medium and small collector-grow- Society Membership ers ranging from Far North Queensland to (by Bob Reilly) Northern New South Wales. The intention is to promote bromeliads to the Bromeliad Some interesting facts about our mem - enthusiast, keen gardeners and the general bership are: public who know absolutely nothing about • Our records show that as at 15 Sep- Bromeliads and get them “ hooked on Broms” tember 2006, we have 297 memberships and like the rest of us crazy Bromoholics!!! 390 members. Most of the group consists of growers • Over 90% of the members who have whe are members of various Brom Socie- joined in 2006 came from locations outside ties and wish to further promote Broms of Brisbane. Many mentioned that they were outside the societies by having shows and joining to receive Bromeliaceae. sales throughout the year to encourage new • Within regional Queensland, mem- enthusiasts into Brom Ranks. bership “hotspot” areas include: Marybor- The intention is not to compete with ough/Hervey Bay, and Gladstone/Tannum the society shows at all but to work along- Sands. side them which will ultimately benefit all • As well as overseas members, we concerned in the “Brom World” have members in every Australian state ex- The group has imported and is import- cept South Australia. We also have members ing new varieties into Australia from Holland, in the Northern Territory. Belgium, Germany, USA, , • We exchange journals with over 60 New Zealand and South Africa. Our aim is societies. Over 40 of these are non-bromeliad to continue to introduce new hybrids and plant societies, many of which are Queens- species into Australian collections at competi- land orchid societies. tive prices to swell the ranks of Bromeliad enthusiasts country wide. Ipswich and District 2008 World Bromeliad Bromeliad Society Conference A bromeliad society operated in the Ipswich area for many years. Recently, it has This event will be held in Cairns in been “reactivated”. Please contact Carmel 2008. It will be a great conference and it is Cullen (phone 07 3201 6524) if you would the first time it has been held outside of the like further information. United States of America. Bromeliaceae 30 Nov/Dec 2006 that will be held in Port Macquarie in 2007. More kindred societies (namely, those Society Projects with whom we exchange journals) continue (by Bob Reilly) to be “enrolled”! Recent ones include: Green - park Garden Club, Aspley Garden Club, A range of bromeliad books has re- Bundaberg Orchid Society, The Toowoomba cently been donated to the State Library of Orchid Society, and the Brisbane Palm & Queensland, by the Society. The books can be Cycad Society. borrowed by people throughout Queensland through their local public library. Leanne Day (who is one of our members), from the Bromeliad Society State Library of Queensland, has written an article for Bromeliaceae, published in this of Queensland’s issue, on the procedures involved and related Christmas Party 2006 matters. Separately, the Society is negotiating Our Christmas Party was enjoyed with the Stare Library of Queensland with a by almost 100 members on Thursday 7th view to having a display of bromeliads, in the December. new State Library, in early 2007. This will be The food was really lovely and I am just prior to our Autumn 2007 show and plant sure all had plenty to eat. It would have been sale at Mt Coot-tha. their own fault if not. We had a giant raffle Ross Stenhouse and Bob Reilly have and it certainly caused a lot of entertainment finished preparing the Society’s book on especially when the table the Aizelwoods growing bromeliads titled: Starting with were sitting at won a plant. Bromeliads. It has been reviewed by the So- Some members have said since it was ciety’s Management Committee and should one of the best they have been to. be printed in October 2006. A free copy will We had some lovely songs sung by be sent to each Society membership. (Hence, Laura Dilling who was accompanied on the family memberships will receive only one guitar by her big sister Megan. The last song copy). Additional copies will be able to be was a Xmas carol and we all joined in to sing purchased for $18 plus postage. They will be along with her. Thank you, girls. Well done! on sale at the Bromeliad Bonanza on 11/12 Thanks to David and Evelyn Rees also Nancy November at Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gar- Kickbusch for the help they gave Jim and I dens. (We had hoped to sell them for $15 plus setting up. Next year it can only be better for postage, but increases in estimated printing our Society as we have had some new mem- costs have prevented us from achieving this bers who are keen to hop in and help to share outcome). the work which is great. Happy and Healthy New Queensland bromeliad societies New Year to all. Beryl Batchelor continue to form! $500 has been donated to the “reactivated” Ipswich & Districts Brome- January Meeting of the liad Society as well as the Glasshouse Coun- Society try Bromeliad Society. $500 has also been The first meeting for the year is on donated to the organiser (Cairns Bromeliad Thursday, the 18th January 2007. It is being Society) of the Bromeliad XIII conference held at the usual venue in New Farm.

Bromeliaceae 31 Nov/Dec 2006 ‘Marble Snow’ About twenty, 4 cm Some Neoregelias wide, leaves, form a semi-erect rosette ap- (by Bob Reilly) proximately 30 cm across. The leaves are a mixture of cream, green and pink. Neoregelias are some of the most popu- ‘Marble Snow’ is a hybrid of ‘Marble lar bromeliads. In recent years, many articles Throat’ X ‘Perfecta Tricolor’. have appeared in Bromeliaceae on growing ‘Meyendorfii’ x ‘Polka Dot ’ About Neoregelias, so I will not repeat the advice on twenty, 4 cm wide, bronze leaves form a how to grow them. In this article, fifteen Ne- flat rosette approximately 30 cm across. oregelias are described. Photographs of many At flowering, the plant’s inner leaves turn of them appear throughout this edition. bright red. ‘Break of Day’ About twenty, 4 cm nivea About twenty, 4 cm wide pale wide, bronze/green leaves, form a flat rosette green leaves form a 40 cm wide semi-erect approximately 30 cm across. At flowering, rosette. At flowering, the plant’s centre turns the leaves near the plant’s centre are a mixture white. The plant’s pups form on the end of 20 of cream, green and red, irregular banding. cm long stolons, enabling a clump of these ‘Break of Day is a hybrid of ‘Maid of plants to “climb” over small logs and stones. Honour’ X Unknown. A photograph appears on p. 28.. carolinae var. tricolor ‘Perfecta’ ‘Orange Crush’ About twenty, 4 cm Perhaps the best of the carolinae var. tri- wide, leaves form a flat rosette approximately color cultivars. About twenty, 5 cm wide, 50 cm across. The bronze leaves have central, leaves form a flat rosette up to 60 cm across. cream stripes of varying widths. At flowering, The green leaves, which have central cream the plant’s centre turns a bright orange-red, stripes of varying widths, have a pinkish hue with the remainder of the plant flushing a in good light. At flowering, the plant’s centre lighter orange-red. turns bright red. A photograph appears on ‘Orange Crush’ is a cv. of unknown p. 29. carolinae hybrid origin. A photograph ap- ‘Decora ’ Over twenty, 5 cm wide, pears on p. 26. leaves form a flat rosette approximately forty ‘Pink Floss’ (unreg.) About twenty, cm across. The green leaves have central 6 cm wide, leaves form a flat rosette ap - cream stripes of varying widths. At flowering, proximately 40 cm across. The leaves are the plant’s centre turns bright red. ‘Decora’ yellow-green, with faint pink purple spot- is a hybrid of ‘Plutonis’ X princeps. ting and narrow banding. At flowering, the ‘Lokelani’ About twenty, 5 cm wide, plant’s centre flushes a bright pink-purple. leaves form a flat rosette approximately 30 A photograph appears on p. 35. cm across. The bronze leaves have cream/ ‘Princess Di’ About twenty, 5 cm wide, green spots and markings. At flowering, the leaves form a flat rosette approximately 40 plant’s centre turns red, providing a strong cm across. The green leaves have brown-red contrast with the cream/green markings. markings and spots. At flowering, the plant’s ‘Lila ’ About twenty, 5 cm wide, green inner leaves turn red. leaves form a flat rosette approximately 40 ‘Princess Di’ is a hybrid of concentrica cm across. At flowering, the plant’s centre x Unknown. turns an iridescent pink-purple. A photograph ‘Rosea Striata’ x spectabilis About appears on p. 26. twenty, 8 cm wide, leaves form a flat, open Bromeliaceae 32 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo . ‘Marble Snow’

Neo . ‘Break of Day’

Bromeliaceae 33 Nov/Dec 2006 rosette approximately 60 cm across. The It took Anil nearly two years of persist - green leaves have numerous pink-red thin ent research and experimenting to success- stripes. At flowering, the plant’s centre turns fully micropropogate a reasonable number pink-red. A photograph appears on p. 37. of bromeliad varieties. It also took him that ‘Rosella ’ About twenty, 3 cm wide, much time to build up the propagated stock. bronze-red leaves, form a flat rosette ap - When his varieties started multiplying, Anil proximately 30 cm across. At flowering, slowly started to trial-market the produce. the plant’s inner leaves turn red, providing The main market for the company’s a strong contrast with the cream markings products was Australia. About six months and bandings. back Anil and his business partner Paul de - ‘Rosella’ is a cv. of unknown parent- cided to shift their small laboratory to Aus- age. A photograph appears on p. 27. tralia about six months ago to take advantage ‘Tangerine ’ About fifteen, 5 cm wide, of the various varieties and hybrids available leaves form a flat rosette approximately 40 in Australia. cm across. At flowering, the plant’s centre So with a good number of existing vari- turns bright red, with the balance of the eties in culture, the company is now ready to leaves having a bronze-green colouration. market the products worldwide. Their plants A photograph appears on p. 26. don’t have any quarantine restrictions, so ‘Treasure Chest’ About twenty, 5 cm the prospective market is global. Recently wide, leaves form a flat rosette approximately their laboratory has been accredited by AQIS 40 cm across. At flowering, the leaves are red (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Serv- with green spots. ice) adding impetus to their marketing. Currently they are in the process of Bromeliad Tissue developing a web site. However, since Anil’s expertise is in tissue culture technology and Culture Laboratory not growing bromeliads, they sought help from the society in the provision of images comes to Queensland of mature bromeliads for inclusion on the Author-: Ross Stenhouse web site. Currently the companies plant list in- With encouragement and support from cludes the following: ‘Business Migration Unit’ of Queensland Rubra, Aechmea fasciata, Aechmea fosteri - Govt., the business, Plant Biotech Pty. Ltd ana, Aechmea lueddemanniana var. rubra , decided to move to Coolum, Queensland. Aechmea spectabilis. Alcantarea geniculata, The business is run by Anil Ghodke, a plant Alcantarea nahoumii, Bromelia balansae, bio-technologist. Canistropsis billbergioides ‘Citron’, Can- Anil started a small commercial tissue istrum lindenii, Guzmania berteroniana, culture laboratory back in New Zealand about Guzmania ‘ Decora ’, Hohenbergia catingae, two years ago, and started working primarily Neoregelia ampullacea, Neoregelia carolinae on Bromeliads. He has worked on lots of ‘Tricolor ’, Neoregelia ‘Purple Star’, Puya ornamental plants before, but this was his alpestris, , Tillandsia first attempt with bromeliads, and he soon utriculata, Vriesea altodaserrae, Vriesea realized that these plants are not as easy to erythrodactylon, rubra, tissue culture. , Bromeliaceae 34 Nov/Dec 2006 Neo. ‘Treasure Chest’

Neo . ‘Pink Floss’ (unreg.)

Bromeliaceae 35 Nov/Dec 2006 variegata, , Aechmea blan - been published in the pages of this journal chetiana - Green, Orange and Yellow - all 3 during the past 12 months, we have pointed colours, Werauhia kupperiana, out that growing hybrid bromeliads from Tissue culture involves the mass pro- seed may not result in plants resembling the duction of true-to-type plants from carefully parents. Tissure-cultured plants on the other selected, good quality sources ( ‘mother’ hand are produced from a single plant, they plants, seeds, pups, tubers etc.) in a sterile are clones and as such should be very similar environment, under controlled conditions to the parent. of light, temperature and humidity. The A big advantage is that they allow the plantlets (as they are referred to while in the rapid breeding up of large numbers of plants. laboratory) are grown in small plastic tubs or This can be a real advantage in the case of bottles containing an agar medium, in which rare species. Whilst doing a literature review hormones, nutrients and growth regulators for this article, a number of articles were read are added in exact quantities, specific to each which reported on the use of tissue-cultured plant variety. plants and the impact they are having on re- The end-result is fully rooted plantlets ducing the removal of rare bromeliads from that can be either exported as ex-agar stage their native habitat in South America. This (just removed from agar media and washed is so because tissue-cultured plants provide thoroughly to take off any agar traces and a lower cost and ready alternative to gather- packed immediately), or transferred into ing in the wild. a greenhouse to be further acclimatized to and Vriesea philip- growing in the soil under natural conditions, pocoburgii are two threatened species a process commonly known as hardening. As which are being intensively removed from these plants are grown exponentially under the wild in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, near-ideal conditions, they have excellent in Southern Brazil. These Vrieseas produce vigour, are disease free and hardy, and can seeds with low capacity of germination and be obtained in large numbers and uniform the effect of the plant removals was causing sizes in a short period of time as compared real problems. to conventional techniques. is another threatened No doubt you may have heard some species in the wild. It grows in Brazilian dubious reports about tissure-cultured brome- Atlantic Forest. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest liads. Generally these problems are the result is considered a hotspot of biodiversity. It is of using the culture for too long a time and estimated that today the remaining primary Anil acknowledges that indeed there can be vegetation covers only 7.5% of its original problems and reports that it is usually nec- area. Bromeliad species are important com- essary to derive a new culture after a certain ponents of this forest. number of plants have been removed. Imagine a very large commercial While there are the problems which grower who is cultivating tissue-cultured have caused a certain reluctance to purchase bromeliads and gassing the plants to flower and cultivate tissue-cultured bromeliads, for a large supermarket chain and you can see there are also many positives in favour of the opportunities for inferior plants to enter the process. In the following paragraphs we hope market-place and give tissue-cultured plants to point out some of these advantages. a bad name. The gassing of the plants has In some of the various articles that have been identified as major culprit in causing a Bromeliaceae 36 Nov/Dec 2006 The tissue will begin to grow. It may make a big blob of tissue called callus, or it may make new shoots directly from the explant tissue that was in- serted in the container

Overview of the Tissue Culture Process

Images and diagrams from http://generalhorticulture. tamu.edu/YouthAdventureProgram/TisueCulture/Tis- sueCulture.html New plantlets (shoots with leaves) are forming.

Neo ‘ Rosea-Striata’ x spectabilis

Bromeliaceae 37 Nov/Dec 2006 lot of the problems with future offsets from the mothers because of the disturbance of the The Book! plant’s natural biorhythms. Tissure-culture is “Starting with Bromeliads” is indeed an interesting subject! 100 pages in length and contains over 200 colour photographs of bromeliads Society Spring Show and covers such topics as plant de- scriptions, caring for bromeliads, and 11th-12th November landscaping with bromeliads. 2006 Author: Beryl Bachelor THEME: BROMELIADS-TREASURES OF THE AMERICAS Our show once again was a huge suc- cess. I think the groups of people involved were really in the spirit and all went accord- ing to plan. Bob Cross, once again came up with a great theme and instead of Treasures of the Americas it looked very much like “Pirates of the Caribbean”. The other displays pro- vided by The Sunshine Coast and The Gold Coast were very lovely as usual. There were The book is available for pur- certainly some beautiful and much sort-after chase at a price of $18 plus $3 P&P. plants in these displays. Discounts available for bulk pur- There was also an interesting display chases of various Aechmeas orlandiana , ensign etc To place your order please post by the study group from Nigi a money order to: Nancy Kickbusch was her usual busy The Secretary self and the plant sales area was very well Bromeliad Society of Queensland organized. I think we can say, in spite of the PO Box 565, Fortitude Valley, drought the message is getting across to peo- ple how our bromeliads are now considered among the water wise group of plants plus M. J. Symmons busy gardeners are looking for colour all year 17 Moore Road, Burpengary, 4005 with very rewarding plants. It was lovely to see some new faces Large Range of helping with the set up. There is a lot of Quality Plants in work involved not only on the day but in the organization of a show of this calibre. Many Genera Any time members can contribute is appreciated by all but better still you get a Please telephone before visiting lot of satisfaction knowing you are a part of (07) 3888 0092 or 0417 635 359 a great club and help make it a success. Bromeliaceae 38 Nov/Dec 2006 Bromeliaceae 39 Nov/Dec 2006 surprise when I saw petals that were greyish Tillandsia ‘Kashkin’ with a tint of gold. Margaret was called in to confirm it had a scent. This just had to be revisited in 2006 Tillandsia ‘Kashkin’ and I checked my past Author: Derek Butcher records. I could find no difference. In December 1993 I flowered a plant So this plant is wandering around called Tillandsia ‘caulescent jucunda’ that I Queensland. If you do happen to flower a had received from Keith Golinski. That is plant that vegetatively looks like a T. jucunda when the fun started. but has a flower that is delightfully scented Many years ago, Michael Kashkin did but has a colour hard to describe then change some collecting in Bolivia and sold them the name to ‘Kashkin’ through Fuchsialand in California. One such plant was called Tillandsia sp. Bolivia. This Neoregelia ‘Queen plant came to Australia via Grace Goode with this name on the label. In 1989 when of Spots’ a hybrid Bob Whitman (of Cryptanthus fame) was in Australia he promised Grace he would by Allan Freeman investigate the matter and took a specimen back to the USA with him. After prompting – parents unknown from Grace, Bob finally told her that the plant by Derek Butcher was T. jucunda saying that Harry Luther had In 2000 we acquired a ‘Queen of Spots’ named it. Luckily Harry and I have great from John Catlan and I duly recorded this in rapport because I told him of his mistake! He the Bromeliad Cultivar Register with one had never seen the plant concerned but agreed of the parents being possibly Neoregelia with my views that it appeared to be a hybrid. olens. It certainly did not link with any Bolivian All went as planned until July 2006 species described at that time. Dr Walter Till when Keith Golinski contacted me and said was also able to confirm its hybridity that he was growing this plant as ‘Ace of After trying to contact Michael Spots’ and he had a label in Allan Freeman’s Kashkin’s widow I decided to call the plant handwriting but with no parentage either. ‘Kashkin’ in 1994. Keith Golinski’s plant from Freeman with In 1999 I became aware that Tillandsia the label ‘Queen of Spots’ which seems to International in California was selling a plant me to have a flavour of Neoregelia smithii called ‘Inca Gold’ which I believe to be iden- in it but does it? It appears that in 1988 tical and no doubt would have come from the Allan Freeman’s favorite matings included Fuchsialand source. ‘Heart’s Blood’, ‘’Bright Spot’ (large form), In Nov 2006 after playing with ripe and ‘Vulcan’ and there are many from this apples I eventually saw a flower on a plant period just circulating, some without names I got from Keith Golinski in 1995 as ‘Peru but some with Golinski codes so they can be scented’. I had previously handed this plant traced back ( if the codes were kept!) out at the Tilly Nuts Conference in Albury I am asking who is growing the ‘Queen with the exhortation of “Tell me when it flow - of Spots’ Butcher version, or ‘Queen of ers!” I had no response so I can only assume Spots’ Golinski version? I don’t really want they had the same luck I had. Imagine my to change the Butcher plant to ‘Ace of Spots’ Bromeliaceae 40 Nov/Dec 2006 Top Right: Tillandsia ‘Kashkin’ Top Left: Neo. ‘Queen of Spots’ - Butcher Mid Left: Neo. ‘Queen of Spots’ - Golinski Bottom Left: Neo. ‘Hearts Blood’

Bromeliaceae 41 Nov/Dec 2006 quite yet until I get some feedback about how retain water, larger flowers and much wider prevalent both plants are in the Brisbane sepals. area. I understand that John Higgins has a As in C. billbergioides , there is a slight large collection of Freeman hybrids too and color variation in the primary bracts of C. he may be able to give an opinion, as may seidelii , which may be greenish, reddish or John Catlan. yellow; the latter color predominates (see also I think this has a Moral – somewhere. the specimen depicted by Mee: 101.1992).A herbarium specimen with dark red primary Canistropsis seidelii bracts is deposited in the Barbosa Rodrigues Herbarium. This specimen was collected by var welteri Seidel (571) and contains the inscription “var. by Derek Butcher welteri Reitz.”, but the varietal name is not valid because it was never published. Even In the 1970’s many of us were trying if it had been published, it would be listed as to grow a plant called Nidularium seidelii a synonym because this color falls within the var. welteri , after all it seemed to grow well normal variation of the species.” in Queensland and was rare! It was differ- We know that Lyman Smith treated ent to the one everybody seemed to have Nidularium billbergioides as being very because the primary bracts were a dirty variable in the colour of the primary bracts as brown instead of being bright yellow. Why well as the leaves. These have been covered we should want to grow the dirty one is at Cultivar level by calling each identifiable anyone’s guess! Nidularium seidelii was in form after the name of a fruit. We still come Padilla’s book – ‘Bromeliads’ 1973 as a yel- across additions to this list. To check this refer low primary bracted plant but where was the to the online Cultivar Register by entering dirty brown one? The only reference was in ‘Billbergioides’ in the top box. Seidel’s catalogue and over the years I have In this case, Elton believed the same become very dubious about plants from this situation applied with Canistropsis seidelii source. You can get some great plants from and all has been quiet. I did enter the name there but identity is a problem. Remember var. welteri as a nomen nudum in the species he is primarily an Orchid collector. The more database on fcbs.org more as a reference in Bromeliad books I got the more I read but case others had this name on their label and never came across this variety. Then in 1998 didn’t know much about it. Because of this I I read Leme’s book, Canistropsis – Brom Atl. was able to point Jan Townsend of the Hunter Forest. 1998 and on pages 42-4 I found my District group in this direction. answer which I now quote. There has now been an interesting “The sub cylindrical inflorescence is development although whether it will be the most striking feature of this species and accepted by fellow taxonomists in a sort of makes it easy to distinguish from the other peer review has yet to be decided. In the first taxa of the genus. Morphologically, it is most edition of Die Bromelie ( the German Society closely related to C. billbergioides . Besides Journal) for 2006 I found amongst all the the unique inflorescence shape, other traits Tillandsia talk an article by Juergen Roeth on that distinguish C. seidelii include its stout- Canistropsis seidelii var welteri . I am used ness, leaves with a broadly acute apex, very to translating articles from the German for wide primary bracts which are better able to Tillandsias but here we had a chap who wrote Bromeliaceae 42 Nov/Dec 2006 Above : Canistropsis seidelii var welteri Photo by D Butcher Below: Ae. correia-araujoi x Canistrum seidelianum Photo Ross Stenhouse

Bromeliaceae 43 Nov/Dec 2006 in different German!! But I managed to get Who gives two hoots about a newly it translated! He did give a Latin diagnosis acquired hairdo, when one’s precious plants but it translated differently to his German are being savagely knocked about by the diagnosis!! Confused? Well, I was but it still elements? I had to get newspapers and seems legitimate because the Latin diagnosis spread them on the carpet in the lounge until overrides the German one. morning. I call myself a quasi-taxonomist (pro- Even if I was a little damp I toddled off nounce it as you may) but here I saw what to bed happy and contented. My bromeliads I call sloppy work. He referred to were safe--mission accomplished! Leme’s book but not a word about the her- barium specimen of Seidel no. 571 nor did he Bromeliads for give any reasoning why he considered Leme to be in error. Garden Value So there it is. I thought you should (by William Rogers) know because some are growing var. welteri Reprinted, with permission of the New as I am, but its status at varietal level is on Zealand Bromleliad Society, from the Bul - shaky ground! We may even have to deal letin, February 1980, p.8. with it as a cultivar – now that is a ‘Welter’ I have been assessing my bromeliads of an idea! for their garden value. If I only had time and space with minimum facilities fro ten plants which would I choose? I once shared a rented The Rescue flat with small windows, heavy drapes, a (by Olive Rae) small entrance porch and no private outside Reprinted, with permission of the New gardening space. There was a tiny, sun-baked, Zealand Bromeliad Society, from the Bulletin, enclosed sun porch that we could use for July 1979, p.5. nothing. I live in a two-storied unit that has an If I owned a pensioner flat with a open deck at the top. As I have no sheds or minute back yard what could I grow? The glasshouse, I keep a number of my brome- Society can field lovely displays, but these liads inside. I like to put these on the deck come out of a group of young growing plants when gentle rain is falling. and those past their best from which we get Some weeks ago, I did just this, but as offsets. night closed in, heavy rain began to fall. A I always seem to need two of a kind strong northwesterly began to blow, and by developing, in case one isn’t quite perfect. To the time I was ready to retire, I decided that ALWAYS have a reasonable Vriesea hiero- I must bring in my bromeliads-even if I was glyphica, one must have a seedling coming in my night attire. on, as well as being prepared to dump an I opened the ranchslider, and a gust of old plant promptly once it has flowered. In strong wind and driving rain drove me back. a small apartment one is committing a lot of What to do? The broms must be rescued, so I space for such a specimen. surveyed the prospects. An idea! I opened the My list is a classical one of plants that lower window alongside the ranchslider and have given me a satisfaction on an 800 square pushed it open. I found by half hanging my- metres block for more than 10 years. There self out I could bring them in one by one. are many new ones coming that may be better. Bromeliaceae 44 Nov/Dec 2006 There are also many hot house ones, worth having for novelty, that one must be prepared to lose. There are many other plants almost FOREST DRIVE as good or which one could substitute. All these plants are suitable for an open, shel - NURSERY tered verandah, but Billbergia brasiliensis and Neoregelia chlorosticta would need Located at REPTON, South of Coffs more light. Harbour, NSW V. hieroglyphica, Aechmea fasciata, Specialising in species and varieties from Ananas cosmos variegata, B. brasiliensis, mostly imported stock B. ‘Santa Barbara’, , Ne - oregelia carolinae tricolor, Neo. spectabilis, Tillandsias to Titillate even the most Neo. chlorosticta , and V. schwackeana . discerning fanciers Beautiful Vrieseas (including Silver species), Guzmanias, Do’s and Don’t’s Aechmeas, Neoregelias, etc . Visitors Welcome, Please Phone First Again (02) 6655 4130 (by Bea Hansen) Mail Order List - Send SAE Reprinted, with permission of the New Peter Tristram, PO Box 55, Repton, Zealand Bromeliad Society, from the Bulletin, NSW, 2454 August 1977, p.4. DO, if you have plants in the house, take them out and give them the treat of some MIDHURST gentle rain and some fresh air from time to BROMELIAD time. They will show their appreciation. DO remove the dead leaves from the NURSERY base of your plants. If they are difficult to take off you will find they will come off quite eas - SPECIALIST GROWERS OF ily if you split them down the centre. TILLANDSIA SEEDLINGS DO watch for scale. If you remove Hard grown to suit All Australian it the minute you see it, it will save a lot of conditions spraying later. DON’T tie plants with copper wire— Wholesale and Mail Order Only they hate it and it will poison them or burn Write for a free price list of Tillandsia them. and other genera to: DON’T take off pups when they are too MIDHURST BROMELIAD small. They take a lot longer to root. Remove NURSERY them when they are about half the size of the mother plant. Quite often they have grown P. O. BOX 612 their own roots by then. HURSTBRIDGE, 3099 DON’T water plants when the sun is PHONE (03) 9718 2887 on them as it can cause burn on the leaves of FAX (03) 9718 2760 the more tender kinds. EMAIL : [email protected]

Bromeliaceae 45 Nov/Dec 2006 to feel the soil. I suggest to you that as long as there is any coolness whatsoever to the Water soil, it is not time to water. (by Lloyd P. Champagne) As the years go on, I find myself mix - ing an ever-looser and faster drying soil. I Editorial comment (Bob Reilly): Re - believe that it really doesn’t matter one whit printed, with permission of the Bromeliad what mixture you use, as long as it is fast Society International, from the Journal of drying. I have experimented and continue the Bromeliad Society, July-August 1977, to experiment constantly with different pot- v. XXVII (4) pp 150-153. In this article, a ting mixtures. I find that the slowest drying Louisiana (United States of America) grower soil of all is any soil with a lot of leaf mold. gave his views on watering bromeliads. He Leaf mold retains water longer than other made the valuable point that many bromeli- medium, and has the further disadvantage ads grow well with far less water than some of “souring” when it remains damp. Also people give them. leaf mold “packs”, and prevents aeration The subject may sound mundane. How- of the roots. Other undesirable substances ever, I suggest to you that it is the single most in high concentrations are sphagnum moss, important topic in the culture of bromeliads, sawdust, wood shavings, and any other type as it probably is in the culture of most plants. I of organic material that has a tendency to further submit that it is also the most frequent pack. Surprisingly, sharp sand, by itself, is cause of dead plants in the entire ornamental very slow drying. plant business. On the other end of the spectrum, It is impossible to talk about watering whatever you use, I advise very high concen- plants without considering many other factors that also affect watering. These other factors include the type of soil, the surrounding BROMAGIC humidity, the size of the pot, the number of plants in each pot, the amount of sunlight, sur- BROMELIAD rounding temperature, air flow, to mention the more important ones. Therefore, it is almost NURSERY useless to ask your fellow-growers how often 421 Hunchy Rd, Palmwoods 4555 they water. What works for them may not Open to the Public work for you, due to the listed variables. Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 – 4:30 The first thing we normally learn about A wide range of Bromeliads including bromeliads is that they do not like wet feet. first release Neoregelia hybrids This is the first thing I learned about them, and I am sad to say that I have not followed the rule sufficiently. It is not at all sufficient Web Site www.ozemail.com. that there merely be good drainage in the au/~bromagic/ pot. The fact of the matter is that the roots of On-Site Sales: Bernd Ruta / bromeliads generally like to be thoroughly (I Kirsty Kennedy 5478 8989 said thoroughly, I mean it, and I repeat it) dry Wholesale: Keith Golinski between waterings. There is only one proper - 54450441 way to determine when to water, and that is

Bromeliaceae 46 Nov/Dec 2006 trations of perlite, shredded tree fern, and/or must be evaporated, the closeness of the pot hadite in order to keep the soil very loose plants, decreased sunshine and air circula - and well aerated and rapidly drying. This tion, and all of the other factors listed above. becomes especially important when a grower This is especially true when one moves into grows bromeliads along with various other a greenhouse. Again, it becomes more likely plants that require “en masse” watering. As when one may tend to close up a greenhouse one’s collection grows, it becomes increas - for the winter, with the resulting coolness of ingly impossible to give individual attention winter, decreased fresh air and circulation, to the plants. Therefore, that all should be as well as decreased sunlight, slower growth, watered at the proper time, can only be ac- and lesser need for water. complished by using the proper size of pot Most of the bromeliads I have seen and the proper moisture retaining properties killed have been killed with tender loving of the soil, in order to get the proper amount care. Surely, we all have seen some plants of drying all at the same time. Even then it neglected to death, but I consider this the becomes difficult. exception. I have never killed a bromeliad I keep several plastic gallon jugs with lack of water. I tried to do this in the around my greenhouse filled with water, so summer just past, and I failed. I took a pot that I may give some individual plants a drink of Neoregelia ‘Painted Fingernails’ to one as I make my twice-daily tour, as they may of the far corners of my yard, out in the mid - need it, while awaiting the en masse water- day sun. I never watered it once throughout ing. As one’s collection grows, it is likely you the entire summer. I t survived on water and will find that watering becomes less frequent dew only. I even ran across it inadvertently a due to the increasing amounts of water which couple of times with my tractor’s wheel. We went through at least two dry spells during the summer without any rain whatsoever for BRISBANE six weeks. When I brought this plant indoors in October, it was beautifully healthy, hardy, BROMELIAD and growing well. Yes, it was also dry. Almost none of my bromeliad-nut CENTRE friends have succeeded in raising guzmanias. I am having wonderful luck. I am sure the reason for my good luck is that I use this 34 Hauton Road, Morayfield 4506 extremely coarse soil, a small pot, a lot of HUGE SELECTION air, and even a substantial amount of direct of sunshine. My dear friend, Art Boe, and I, have Aechmeas, Vrieseas, Guzmanias, had some vigorous but friendly arguments Neoregelias over planting with sphagnum moss and ty- Nidularium & Tillandsias ing the moss to the plant. He even does this together with a variety of rarer species with seedlings, even guzmania seedlings. He and hydrids claims this reduces the shock of transplanting. BARBARA and LORRAINE I agree with his contention that it may help Phone (07) 5433 0303 support a plant in the soil, but I also insist that VISITORS by APPOINTMENT it is a sure fire method of rotting the plant. I am constantly reading references in Bromeliaceae 47 Nov/Dec 2006 the Journal about browning and softening at know that scale is one disease that I have the bases of the leaves. Without exception, totally eliminated by dryness. About the only this is always referred to as fungus rot. I stress “disease” I have are crickets and/or grasshop - the fact that I am not a professional botanist, pers that inhabit the cup of the guzmanias nor a microbiologist. Even so, I insist that any and cut the leaf in order to pull it over for fungus that may occur is a purely incidental protection. phenomenon and is not the cause of this leaf During the cool, overcast, wet days of rot. The real reason, is, naturally, water. Any winter, my greenhouse is like a terrarium. time you have a browning or a softening The moisture condenses on the cool roof and or rotting of the leaves near the base of the literally rains or drizzles in the greenhouse. plant it is due to wet rot. If you are having It is during this type of weather that I water to remove leaves from the base of the plant, as little as once every 18 days. I never mist. cut down on your watering. The problem is The humidity is always so high in Louisiana, that it may take months after the excessive it seems senseless to mist. How much higher watering before the rot becomes evident. In humidity can one get than 100%? When I do the extreme cases it is possible to smell the water, I find it necessary to soak everything sour water. I have a general rule in life: when thoroughly in order to be sure that none of in doubt, don’t. This is a good rule for water - the plants become neglected. ing bromeliads. As I mentioned, I water everything As a physician, I have been brought en masse, without any individual attention. up on the enormous life saving properties of Now, misting may be useful in some of the fluids and electrolyte replacement in humans. drier regions. However, I find that so many This alone has saved more infant lives than people who do mist their plants, don’t know any other phenomenon in medical practice. I when to stop. And they so over-mist, that truly suffer as I walk through the greenhouse, they substantially soak the plant. Even in the noting the dryness of the plants, and I so hottest, driest days of summer, I never water terribly want to water them, but I don’t. It is more than once every five days. even a good idea to dump the water out of the I have also found that any kind of small cup of certain plants such as Tillandsia xero - electric fan is very useful to keep the air mov- graphica, and even more so during winter. ing. The only beneficial effect that this can I have already referred to outdoor have is to hasten the drying process. In so humidity. Certainly, one has to take these doing, it guarantees the drying of the plants admonitions in view of the fact that the hu- that may be somewhat crowded and less well midity in Louisiana (where the author lived- aerated. It also follows that during winter, Bob Reilly) is often 100%, and I have seen the cooler that you keep your plants, the less it as low as 6% in Denver. We have never water they need. There are several reasons seen 6% humidity in Louisiana. I have seen for this situation. Evaporation is slower, plant my brother thoroughly soak an outdoor gar- growth is slower and requires less water, and den in Denver, and one hour later, it is bone there is less danger of excessive drying out dry. It naturally follows that over-watering (if that is, in fact, possible). is much less a hazard in areas of extremely I don’t talk to my plants except to warn low humidity. them to shape up or ship out. I think that the I also suggest that most bromeliad dis- plant talkers, while they are talking to their eases result from over-watering. I certainly plants, are also feeling the soil. Bromeliaceae 48 Nov/Dec 2006 If you have a nicely shaped rock with a dent in the centre you can grow a bro - Another Use for meliad in it. Aechmea recurvata and their Bromeliads hybrids look great on rocks and they love it. (by Bea Hanson) Stoloniferous neoregelias do well on rocks and will look good when you have several Editorial Comment (Bob Reilly): Re - stolons growing from the main plant. Once printed, with permission of the New Zealand firmly attached to the rocks they are almost Bromeliad Society, from the Bulletin, August impossible to move. 1992, p.8. In this article, Bea Hanson, one To add height, you could add plant of the bromeliad pioneers in New Zealand, a variegated Ananas or something else tall describes how she “blended” rocks and bro - and bright. Remember that if the rock patch meliads in landscape settings. Please note is in full sun all day, any dark red broms that New Zealand growing conditions are would tend to burn, so place them in a situ- much milder than in Queensland, so more ation where they get some shade for part of shade is generally needed than indicated by the day. Ms Hansen. Hechtia and Dyckia plants do well in Some people are lucky (or maybe a rock garden and when in flower they add they think they aren’t) in that they have a height to the picture. Also, they soon form few rocks in their gardens. Maybe they have clumps, which is an added bonus. often wondered how they could use them in This is just an idea that someone might a different way to edging a garden bed or like to try, add to, or alter. You will have a making a rockery. lot of fun doing it and your artistic bent will How about making a bromeliad garden come to the fore. The garden can be as small, using the rocks along with some bromeliads? or as large, as you like, but I am sure—large If you are able to get red scoria rocks or al- or small, that you will enjoy seeing how bro- ready have some, then they are the best. If not, meliads can be used other than as pot plants, then the grey kind can be used successfully. in trees, or grown in shade or glasshouses. Some rocks can be placed in a group with I must dash. Have to go and see how bromeliads growing amongst them. You will many red scoria rocks I have left from some I have great fun arranging them and be sure to got years ago. If I have enough maybe I could try them in different laces before putting them do a garden as well! But where could I make in permanently. it? Oh well, I can dream. Books For Sale The Society has the following books for sale: • Bromeliads: A Cultural Manual $5 • Judges Handbook by BSI $34 • Back Copies of Bromeliaceae (2005, 2006 Editions) $4 • Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden by Andrew Steens $36 • Bromeliads: Next Generation by Shane Zaghini $33 Postage and package extra. Unfortunately we cannot supply overseas orders. Please phone the Librarian, Mrs Evelyn Rees (07) 3355 0432 to order books. Bromeliaceae 49 Nov/Dec 2006 Plant Competition Results Annual Results - Popular Vote Advanced First L. & O. Trevor 22 points Second Y Daniel 18 points Intermediate First L Grubb 40 points Second B & A Kable 26 points Novice First A. Mc Burnie & P Beard 40 points Second P Barlow 9 points August Meeting - Popular Vote Advanced First B. Paulson Dyckia ‘Black Tracker’ (unreg) Second D. & J. Upton Fosterella spectabilis Intermediate First L. Gamble Neoregelia carolinae x carcharodon Second L. Gamble Guzmania conifera Novice First A. McBurnie Second P. Barlow Guzmania ‘Symphonie’ November Meeting - Popular Vote Advanced First D. Cutcliffe Aechmea ‘Popcorn’ Second D, Cutcliffe Neoregelia ‘Crayola’ Intermediate First G. & N. Aizlewood Billbergia ‘Goldern Joy’ Second B. % N. Kable Nidularium rutlans Novice First A. McBurnie & P Beard ‘Galactic Warrior’ Second P. BarlowG & N Parkinson Neoregelia ‘Kings Ransom’ Calendar of Events January 18th - First Meeting of Society for year, 52 Merthyr Rd., New Farm, February 15th - Annual General Meeting of the Bromeliad Society of Queensland (Inc.) commencing at 8 pm in the Uniting Church Hall, 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm April 21st-22nd . - Autumn Show and Plant Sales at Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens, 8 am to 4 pm Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm Sunday. 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 8 pm. Classes for beginners commence at 7.30 pm. Bromeliaceae 50 Nov/Dec 2006 Plant of the Month Programme for 2007 JANUARY: Aechmea, Alcantarea, Ananas, Androlepis, Areococcus, Ayensua. FEBRUARY: Billbergia, Brewcaria, Brocchinia, Bromelia. MARCH: Canistropsis, Canistrum, Catopsis, Deinacanthon, Deuterocohnia, Disteganthus, Dyckia. APRIL: , Encholirium, Fascicularia, Fernseea, Fosterella, Glomero pitcairnia, Greigia, Guzmania. MAY: Hechtia, Hohenbergia, Hohenbergiopsis, Lindmania, Lymania, Mezobromelia. JUNE: Navia, Neoregelia. JULY: Nidularium, Ochagavia, Orthophytum. AUGUST: Pepinia, Pitcairnia, Portea, Psuedaechmea, Psuedananas, Puya. SEPTEMBER: Quesnelia, Racinaea, Ronnbergia, Steyerbromelia. OCTOBER: Tillandsia. NOVEMBER: Ursulaea, Vriesea, Werauhia, Wittrockia. Competition Schedule for 2007 Novice, Intermediate and Advanced in each Class of the Mini-Shows and in the Popular Vote. January: MINI-SHOW Class 1: Aechmea - species and hybrids Class 2: Vriesea - species and hybrids Class 3: Dyckia - species and hybrids Class 4: Any Other Mature (flowering) Bromeliad - species and hybrids. February: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid March: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid April: MINI-SHOW Class 1:Bromelioideae not listed elsewhere in the schedule – species and hybrids. Class 2: Guzmania - species and hybrids Class 3: Pitcairnia and Pepinia - species and hybrids Class 4: Any Other Mature (flowering) Bromeliad - species and hybrids. May: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid June: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid July: MINI-SHOW Class 1: Billbergia - species and hybrids Class 2: not listed elsewhere in the schedule – species and hybrids. Class 3: Neoregelia - species and hybrids – up to 200mm diameter when mature. Class 4: Any Other Mature (flowering) Bromeliad - species and hybrids. August: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid September: POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid October: MINI-SHOW Class 1: Neoregelia - species and hybrids – over 200mm diameter when mature. Class 2: Tillandsia - species and hybrids. Class 3: Pitcairnioideae not listed elsewhere in the schedule – species and hybrids. Class 4: Any Other Mature (flowering) Bromeliad - species and hybrids. November : POPULAR VOTE: Any Genus – species or hybrid Note 1: Class 4 in each Mini Show schedule provides for any flowering bromeliad that would not be in its prime for the appropriate Mini Show. Bromeliaceae 51 Nov/Dec 2006 Canistrum triangulare (species)

Bromeliaceae 52 Nov/Dec 2006