THE BROMELIAD BLADE May 2017

Newsletter of the The San Diego Bromeliad Society Bromeliad Blade May 2017 s

VOLUME LII NUMBER 5

scale, clean the outside of the pot or Show repot if the pot is in too bad a shape, President’s clean the dirt and debris out of the Preparation leaf axils, cup and underside of the leaves, and lastly, top dress the Corner finished product or make sure the By Scott Sandel By Rick Richtmyer, from Houston Bromeliad mix is clean and trim the tips of bad Society & BSI. Edited by Scott Sandel / leaves (wait as long as possible to do Juliana Raposo for use in San Diego May is a busy month in the this). The basic clean-up tools we

garden. The San Diego Bromeliad use are new sharp scissors (several Ok, it’s almost show time. Please Society is preparing for two big sizes), long handled tweezers, a bowl visit the website and download the events that are coming up: our of clean water and Q-tips. Clean the show schedule and the show classes. horticultural display at the San Diego tops and bottoms of leaves with the Don’t forget that many have County Fair, June 2 – July damp Q-tips to remove the dust, changed! To be eligible for a top 4 (closed June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 & debris and dirt. They really work award, the 26) and our own well! Review your clean-up work the must be valid as a Bromeliad Show & next day, and I bet you will find more , registered Sale June 10 & 11. I work is required on a few of the as a hybrid or will be traveling plants, especially if you worked late listed by during our May into the evening in poor light formula. See Dan’s 13th meeting in conditions. Find a copy of the article below for a Balboa Park; Al “Handbook for Judges” in the step by step Evans Jr. has Member’s Only section of the SDBS tutorial on that. agreed to take my website, and read what judges are Make a list of the place for May. Too trained to look for when judging a plants that you are bad I am going to show. Believe me, a clean, thinking might be miss the presentable plant can make the show quality. Do meeting. Morlane difference between a blue ribbon or this ten days to O’Donnell is going to do a live a red ribbon. Now we are ready to two weeks ahead of the show and demonstration on how to prepare enter our plants in the show. When set aside the plants in a work plants for the show. To further get you see the room full of beautiful area. In the week before show time, y’all enthused about entering plants plants and exhibits, you will be very determine if the plant is in the in the show, I have edited the proud of yourself for being a part of proper size pot, it is centered and is following article, which was originally this fantastic show! not leaning to one side. Now you written by our friend Rick Richtmyer can clean them up, pull out the from Houston. weeds, check to be sure there is no THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 2

(without the single quotes). You can Name Changes and the Show check for the cultivar name below. By Dan Kinnard For Plants with Cultivar Names

(hybrid or named cultivar): Check for 2017 SDBS Show & Sale: June 10 &11 @ the Prado an entry in the Bromeliad Cultivar Registry http://registry.bsi.org The format for a named cultivar is: If you find the name, it is registered As you probably have heard, there The cultivar name is enclosed in and valid. Double check your spelling are name changes floating about our single quotes. and use this name on the Entry Sheet. Most of the BCR entries have Bromeliad world. For the 2017 show ionantha 'Druid' a photo attached. You can also check we will be using the nomenclature Tillandsia 'Silver Star’ to see if it resembles your plant. from the BSI website. xNeomea 'Zydeco' For unnamed hybrids: Unnamed What does this mean to you, the The format for a hybrid without a hybrids may be entered by using the exhibitor? It only means that you will cultivar name is: formula of the hybrid. Make sure become familiar with the recent that the parentage has valid names. Just the two (or sometimes more) name changes and you need check species with an “x” between them. that your plants have the accepted Please try not to bring plants with incorrect or invalid names, or plants names when you are filling out the Tillandsia ionantha x concolor entry form for the show. Nothing that do not have names. If you need new about that we’ve always help with the names, ask before checked the names. This time just entry-day. Robert Kopfstein has check the names on your plants using 2) Just follow the steps for that type graciously volunteered to help with the simple steps below. Correct of plant: any questions. Just email Robert at [email protected] A photo names will speed up check-in. For Species Plants: check to see: if can be included if necessary (use Making sure that your names are the name appears in the list of valid your cell phone to snap a photo for correct takes less time than cleaning bromeliad names from the BSI web the email). the plant you are showing — and you site: http://www.bsi.org/new/accept do clean your plants, don’t you? ed-name-list/ With just a little preparation, check- in will be quick and easy. Checking plant names is a simple, If it is on the list, check the spelling. two-part process. That's it. Use that name on the Entry We look forward to seeing you and Sheet. your plants at the show.

1) Decide what type of plant you If it is not on the list look at The want to look up. There are only three Bromeliad Taxon types - species, cultivars, and hybrids list http://www.bsi.org/new/the- without a cultivar name. The type new-bromeliad-taxon-list/ to find the Find the Show Schedule, can usually be found by looking at name. It will probably appear in red, Entry Classes and the the format of your current tag. Here indicating that the name is not Registration Form for the are examples: presently valid. The name in green to the right is the new name. If you click SDBS Annual Show & Sale in The format for a species plant is: on it, you should see the new name our website. in black meaning it is an accepted The is capitalized, the species name. Use this name on your entry Visit sandiegobromeliadsociety.com is not. sheet.

Tillandsia ionantha If it is on neither list, the name is Tillandsia ionantha var. vanhyningii invalid but possibly it is a cultivar name written as a species name THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 3

April Meeting The talk

Cristy Brenner from Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society treated us to a stunning presentation. We learned a little bit about the immense variety of bromeliads in Ecuador, a small country with many xCryptananas 'Pink Utopia' bromeliad-rich ecosystems that were aptly represented in lots of beautiful photos. I guess we all want to go there now.

Show and Tell

Vriesea ospinae The table was brimming with the most beautiful plants. Some people Bob Wright are not listed as they forgot to write Billbergia hybrid down their entries… Thanks ‘Ares’ everyone who donated a plant for Orthophytum horridum the raffle table! Quesnelia quesneliana Deuterocohnia schreiteri This billbergia has the most amazing Scott Sandel orange-salmon , too bad I didn't Vriesea ospinae Debbie Kennedy get the name. Two people brought Tillandsia gardneri rupicola xCryptananas ‘Pink Utopia’ this plant. Aechmea ‘Red Bands’ Tillandsia vicentina Aechmea racinae var. tubiformis Lucia Velazquez

Joanne Dossett Aechmea ‘Foster’s Favorite’ Morlane O’Donnell Billbergia (eaten by raccoons but ‘Tom Thumb’ growing new pups) Bill Tweet Tillandsia ‘Houston’

THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 4

You can sit back in your seats and Quail some years ago she did May Meeting watch the live, detailed action on presentations for members at many screen. The idea for doing this came of their meetings. There was no live Showtime Live! up a few months ago as we went video then. Now, we’ll be able to through the planning process for this watch the separation of pups, the by Andrew Wilson & Dan Kinnard year’s talks. Dan Kinnard suggested it removal of partially damaged leaves, as a way for everyone to get a better the potting-on process and the To get ready for our annual show this view of the demonstration. He and I general dressing-up of your plants for year we’re going to try something then went through the practical the Show in June or just to spruce up different. In earlier years, we have details which, as it turned out, were your collection. talked about administrative matters not very difficult nor expensive to pertaining to the show, or described implement. It will be the first time There will be time for questions and, the checking in of plants in their we’ve tried it and, if successful, the we hope, answers. Time permitting, proper categories or reviewed the combination of hardware and discussion of division or prep a history of Foster and Hobbs after software could be used for other specific plant and sharing of prep tips whom the top prizes were named. events. from other members will follow. If This year we’re going to do a hands- you want to bring a plant for specific on demonstration in live video of To do the actual demo Morlane pointers, contact us how to prepare your plants. You O’Donnell has agreed to play the [email protected]. This is a first- won’t need to crowd around a table role. With the old North County time event and there is much to trying see what’s going on. bromeliad group that would meet at learn. So, come and enjoy the fun!

Plant Table

by Chris Poulsen

Hello fellow bromnuts!! I saw my first bromeliad in a greenhouse in Lincoln, Nebraska. It had a small frog and water inside it. HOW COOL!! I was 22 at that time and working in for Greenfingers Greenhouse, a wholesale and retail operation. I was doomed from that day, and had to learn more and get more plants. I am now 62 and have acquired a large collection of broms and many other plants. It’s time to let a few of the kids go, so I was hoping you will like the plants I pick? There will be a mix of species to include aechmeas, neos Seen here are the plants I picked for (minis-semi minis and large types), the auction: a huge Bill. ‘Hallelujah’, billbergias, cryptanthus, large 10 in hanging basket of orthophytums, neophytums Orthophytum ‘Copper Penny’ in including a ‘Galactic Warrior’, bloom and a 10 in hanging basket of quesnelias, hohenbergias, a large Till. Aechmea victoriana. It should be a albida coming into bloom, some nice table! Enjoy!!! bigenerics and a few terrestrials.

THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 5

Upcoming Events Book Review Garden Visit

By Eloise Lau Wanda Mallen and Gary Vincent are Highlighted Meetings A new addition to our library, Bromelias hosting a visit of the San Diego and - Gigantes do Brasil by Leonardo de Saddleback clubs to their two-acre May 13, 2017 at 10 AM Melo Versieux and Maria das Gracas botanic wonderland. You will find a SDBS Monthly Meeting Lapa Wanderley. This book has come to wide variety of plants, including Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, room 104 cactus and succulents, palms and www.bsi.org/webpages/san_diego.html us directly from the author in via air mail and inscribed by him especially cycads, Australian natives, conifers, June 10 & 11 2017 10 AM to 4 PM for the San Diego Bromeliad Society. In and, of course, bromeliads, with SDBS Annual Show & Sale Portuguese with captions of emphasis on terrestrial types. The Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, room 101 meandering paths in the garden lead www.bsi.org/webpages/san_diego.html photographs in English. The book is a survey of the bromeliad genus, to shaded areas, including a Alcantarea of Brazil. It is a handbook greenhouse, a conifer area with a and a field guide to identify and gazebo, and lots of surprises to be World Bromeliad Conference describe 34 species of discovered. The garden has twice 2018 – San Diego Alcantarea. Included are descriptions been featured in San Diego Home & of individual species, their habitat, Garden magazine. There will be a May 29 – June 3, 2018 morphology, phenology…as well as potluck lunch so please bring plant locations. Included are line something to share if you want to Early Bird Rates Extended to drawings, maps and color photographs. participate. Drinks and paper goods End of May! Register at: Dan and I used the Google Translate will be supplied. There is plenty of http://www.bsi.org/new/conference- App to translate text from the street parking but you may want to corner/ Portuguese to English. The sample is consider carpooling. Pam Koide has included. However, use with caution, agreed to open her nursery Bird Rock allow for some minor irregularities. Tropicals that morning at 8:00 if you Monthly Meetings want to visit before coming.

1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM Date: Sunday, May 21 San Diego Orchid Society Time: 10:00-2:00 Balboa Park, Casa Del Prado, Room 101 Address: 3856 Cedar Vale Way www.sdorchids.com Fallbrook, CA 92028

2nd Saturday, 10 AM San Diego Bromeliad Society Balboa Park, Casa Del Prado, Room 104 www.bsi.org/webpages/san_diego.html

2nd Saturday, 1 PM San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society Balboa Park, Casa Del Prado, Room 101 www.sdcss.net

2nd Monday, 5:45 PM San Diego Horticultural Society Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) 9001 Towne Centre Drive San Diego, CA 92122 www.sandiegohorticulturalsociety.org

THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 6

SDBS 2017 Bromeliad Day

Officers SD County Fair THE BROMELIAD BLADE

by Nancy Groves President Scott Sandel [email protected] Thursday, June 8th is Bromeliad Day 619-325-1990 x 110 at the Fair. On this day, we have a booth on which we can hang our Vice-President Al Evans, Jr. banner stating meeting dates and [email protected] times and educate people 858-492-9866 about bromeliads (and how to Secretary pronounce). Usually, we try to put 3- Ruth Contino 4 bromeliads in the booth so that [email protected] people can see what they are. You 619-303-2144 can answer questions on how to

Treasurer grow different kinds and direct Kerry Nelson people to our landscape display, Newsletter of the San Diego [email protected] Bromeliads in SoCal-- mountains, Bromeliad Society 619- 574-0987 desert, coast. Since this is before our Juliana Raposo, Editor Newsletter Editor show and sale, we will have flyers available to advertise. Juliana Raposo Ph: 858-349-1405 [email protected] We need to have 2-3 people at least 858-349-1405 manning the booth in 1 1/2 hour To send material for publication, Past President shifts —11-12:30, 12:30 -2:00, 2- please contact Juliana at Robert Kopfstein 3:30, 3:30-5:00. I currently have 2 [email protected] [email protected] people for the first and second shift 760-726-8300 and only one person for the 2- Make sure to submit your th 3:30 shift and no one for the 3:30- contribution before the 20 of Board Members 5:00 shift. If you volunteer you will the month for inclusion in the next newsletter. receive free tickets to the fair. Please call Nancy at 858-453-

Mary Whittemore (2016-17) 6486 if you can work. [email protected] 619- 561-0687 SDBS MEETING If you can lend plants to the Nancy Groves (2016-17) landscape display, that would be The club meets on the second [email protected] wonderful. We need lots of Saturday of the month at 10am in 858-453-6486 Tillandsia to hang on the lattice and a Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, Don Nelson (2017-18) few nice large terrestrials. Call Nancy room 104. [email protected] to arrange time to bring in plants 760- 207-1569 since we have limited access to the Morlane O’Donnell (2017-18) area. SDBS WEBPAGE [email protected]

619) 422-8168 www.sandiegobromeliadsociety.org

THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 7

A Visit to Chris Poulsen’s Garden love the place). The bottom layer is By Juliana Raposo where the tank bromeliads dwell, a huge amount of aechmeas, neos and Hechtia, Dyckia, Encholirium and This month the Blade visited the billbergias. Brom pots are garden of SDBS member Chris Bromelia. Poulsen. Now we can appreciate expertly disguised in a groundcover Going to the side of the house to where the beautiful plants in this of ferns. The jungle opens slightly month's opportunity table came reach the backyard, the visitor is into an opening where there's a from. greeted with four large, and I mean palapa and 2 chairs. I picture in my large, bowls of Deuterocohnia, head “how cool a spot this is for a Chris' home in Lakeside sticks out in (except that one is Dyckia). All are wedding’. There's an area with massive and perfectly grown, a the neighborhood as an island of flattened and torn broms that just humbling sight to those of us who green. The front of the house is received a visit from raccoons - are still growing these things in a 4- planted with a canopy of dry forest arghhh! plants. A myriad of thorny terrestrial inch pot. broms dwell in the shade. The "hell Chris tells me how he became very strip" between his driveway and the Turn the corner and there is a good at trapping these unwanted neighbors is a dense, impenetrable tropical forest in front of you! visitors, but they keep coming... in Everything was planted by Chris carpet containing a variety of part because of the beautiful pond except for 3 trees. The surrounded by tillandsias, the feature yard slopes down we saw next. Fortunately, some considerably, and was animal visitors are a welcome sight. aptly terraced in a A while ago, a toucan showed up in zigzag of meandering Chris's garden, prompting a visit from paths. But before we go a local news TV crew. down, I have to tell you that the back wall of The sunny bottom of the hill is the house is also a planted with plenty of sculptural place of wonder. The cactus and euphorbia. Then there’s drab back door of the the icing on the cake – the house comes to life: greenhouse. I'm not going to tire you framed, on the left, by a with my descriptions, just show you big trellis full of some pictures. Suffice to say that tillandsias, and on the Chris used his skill as a nurseryman right, by a covered to build a beautiful organized bench where you will greenhouse, where even his plastic find his prize- worthy pots are top-quality. There are scores tillandsias. While of 12 inch baskets overflowing with there's no roof or gorgeous bromeliads everywhere. He screen in sight, the tells me he is now working on a plants are strategically retractable roof cover so that the placed where they only plants can have more sunlight in the receive morning sun. winter. I don't know how he finds the time! There's plenty of work in this Starting to go down the I think this is Encholirium. This one sported a couple of garden to keep you busy every pathway, it's an open 9 ft. tall branched way taller than Chris. minute of the day forever. Another canopy of tall trees and With a shower of super-bright orange-yellow tubular lovely garden by one of our talented an understory of cycads , this one is very pretty. members! (a significant variety, cycad people would also

THE BROMELIAD BLADE | May 2017 8

Top: Deuterocohnia bowls - find the toe for size reference; bottom left: tillandsias, mostly; bottom right, a peek into the greenhouse