Bromellads wlth flalr... Just two of the interesting arrangements presented by Nancy Murphy at a recent meeting of the South Auckland Bromeliad Group. (Photos by Birgit Rhode.) BROMELIADS NEW ZEALAND i‘ ‘ ‘ ’ N . I a L July 2005 Journal of the Bromehad bOCIeLy of New,:',ealaz'1d Inc Vol 45 No 7 BROMELIADS NEW ZEALAND BWWVOIMWIMQY/fi Bromeliad Journal — July issue 2005 CONTENTS President’s Page 3 The Society’s June meeting news — Dave Anderson 4 Choosing and preparing plants for competition — Dave Anderson 6 Seed Bank — Barry Uren 7 Cryptanthus . . . growing and feeding — Brian Chudleigh 8 Vegetative propagation — Bob Reilly 12 ‘Buy & Swap’ 13 From the Registrar (Nid. ’Karamea Morobe’) — Derek Butcher 14 Beginner’s Corner — Peter Paroz 16 Bromeliadism. Philosophy, Religion or disease? — Jerry Krulik 18 Group News 20 Society officers, subs and Journal directory 23 Bromeliads with flair — Nancy Murphy 24 Cryptanthus acaulis — Brian Chudleigh 24 The opinions expressed in articles or letters in this Journal are the contributors’ own views and do not necessarily express the views or the policy of the Bromeliad Society of New Zealand COMING EVENTS For details of Bromeliad group meetings, venues and times, see the Group news section. starting on page 20. JULY . . , AUGUST 26“I Soc1ety meeting at Greyfriars Hall, 7n. South Auckland Group meeting corner Mt Eden and Windmill roads, Mt 14m The Far North Bromeliad Group Eden, Auckland at 7.30pm.Plant of the . . meeting month: .Stolonilferous neoregelias 215: Eastern Bay of Plenty Bromeliad and (excludlng miniatures). Orchid Group meeting 31“ Wellington Tillandsia Study Group . 23" Society meeting at Greyfriars Hall, meeting, 1.30pm, 5 Rochester St, corner Mt Eden and Windmill roads, Mt Wellington. _ Eden, Auckland at 7.30pm.Plant of the 31" Eden Gardens worklng bee. Note: month: Guzrnania. Andrew Steens will 10.00am start! talk about the genus Canistropsis. Front cover: mtanthus ‘Arlety’ — this sunset coloured variegate is one of Brian Chudleigh’s favourites. Look for his article on growing and feeding cryptanthus on page 8 and enjoy his spectacular photography of this interesting genus through this month’s Journal. OFFICERS Patron: Patricia Sweeney President: Barry Uren (09)520—0246 Vice Presidents: Lester Ching (09)576-4595 Alan Cliffe (09)479-l451 Secretary: Glcnys Guild (09)810-9669 Treasurer: Peter Waters (09)534-56l6 Librarian: Noelcne Ritson (09)625-8114 Committee: Dave Anderson Becky Cavit Bcv Ching Jocelyn Coylc Andrew Dcvonshire Jason Lio Natalie Morris Andrew Steens (09)638-867I (09)482-2994 (09)576-4595 (09)4l6-8272 (09)478-2562 (09)580-l984 (09)520-0246 (09)425—7474‘ Life Members: Laurie Dephoff, Harry Sandy Stonham Martin, Patricia Pcrratt, Patricia Sweeney. Alan Thomson Len Trotman Des Yeates Auditor: Colin Gossc Cultivar Registrar: Scientific Officer: Gerry Stansficld Peter Waters (09)534-5616 Seed Bank Chairman: Barry Uren (09)627-9658 (09)620-6959 (09)838-6535 (09)834-7l78 (09)520-0246 MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION New Zealand: Ordinary membership NZ $35.00 ($5.00 discount if paid before the end of February) Dual membership (same household) NZ $45.00 ($5.00 discount also applies as above). Overseas: AUD $30.00 Australia, US $30.00 United States and other overseas countries. Send all pay- ments to the Treasurer, Peter Waters, 22 Half Moon Rise, Bucklands Beach, AUCKLAND. CORRESPONDENCE ‘ ‘ All general correspondence should be sent to the Secretary, Bromeliad Society of New Zealand, POBox 108—168, Symonds Street, Auckland. New Zealand. The opinions expressed in letters or articles in the Journal are the contributors' own views and do not necessarily express the views or the policy of the Bromeliad Society of New Zealand Inc. BROMELIAD JOURNAL Deadline For all editorial and advertising, the first Tuesday of publication month Editorial Committee Dave Anderson Murray Mathieson Barry U ren Peter Waters Regular writers Alan Cliffe Louise Joyce Gerry Stansfield Production Murray Mathieson Distribution Dave Anderson All enquiries and contributions welcome, please contact any member of the editorial committee or send to Peter Waters, 22 Half Moon Rise. Bucklands Beach, Auckland or email: waterspj@ihug.co.nz Display advertising Rates are: Full Page $60.00 Half Page $30.00 Quarter Page $15.00 ‘Buy & Swap’ Listings in ‘Buy & Swap’ are FREE for members of the Society (max 30 words). For advertising enquiries and material, please contact Murray Mathieson Ph (09) 418 0366 or email: mathieson.marketing@xtra.co.nz 23 22 four floral arrangements, explaining to the attentive listeners that each creation was representative of some of her experiences (such as her hilarious adventures with Japanese plumbing). Nancy made use of a wide range of plant and other materials that she had collected (such as yams, knitted wire, moss and lichen covered twigs and thin branches.) In amongst all of these materials, Nancy utilised Canistropsis ‘Persimmon’, Wittrockia cyaihiformis flowers and Neoregelia ‘Hearts Blood’. She also demonstrated how to use small bromeliads to extend the arrangement beyond the base by attaching them to bamboo canes, using Sphagnum moss and kitchen twist ties. Nancy also explained that traditional flower art consisted of flowers and plant material being arranged symmetrically where as modern floral art relies on the balance of colour. It will be interesting to see how inspired the members will be for the September meeting. Next meeting: August 7‘II at Manurewa Gardens.Guest speaker: Brian Chudleigh (subject to be advised) Eastern Bay of Plenty Bromeliad and Orchid Group - Bev Fisk It was a dank winter’s day for our June meeting but that did not deter the 45 people who turned out to see two gardens. Both hosts muttered about showing their gardens in the winter months, but there were lots on offer and plenty of magic even amongst the raindrops. The first garden was Irene Zier’s on Ohiwa Harbour. What a View! Irene has been doing broms for several years and there were lots of beautiful clumps that looked gorgeous and then of course her Tillandsia somnians which grow like trifids. The ponga orchid house looked wonderful with resplendent broms all through it. Then on to the Rogers’ where we settled for our meeting. Jim Gilchrist talked about one of his lovely orchids and also said he had a contact for a fixture that fertilises while it waters — contact him if interested. Carol Gee talked about the Ohiwa Harbour Art, Craft and Garden trail — a neat idea for those with visitors. Maureen updated us on our October trip to Auckland and our hostess had a beautiful specimen of ‘Exotic Velvet’ we all enthused over. Plant of the month - Aechmea. Sue had a lovely deep red, stoloniferous plant, in flower, called ‘Red Wine’ and she also explained the pros and cons of attaching them. Pam and Trevor Signal then feasted us with their never ending array of beautiful orchids. My ‘Red Chestnut’ was deemed wasted and I found I am the proud owner of a Neo kautskyi. We then wandered as far or as little as we wanted in the large garden. There is interest everywhere with quite different plants plus two most amazing clumps of Tillandsia punctulata in full flower. Allan and Barb have created a new shade house which the broms are loving. Next meeting: August 21" at Raewyn Thompson’s, 8b Peter Snell St. Presldent’s Page passing of Bunny (Olive) Rae a member of some 32 years with the Society. I’m sure all members join with me in sending our condolences to her son Gilman at this time. It is with sadness I report the The Eden Gardens project is moving ahead very well and I wish to thank those members that have already given generously of their time and plants. For our July working bee we are looking for many more neoregelias and some colourfill aechmeas to finish the area up the first level of stairs. This is very rewarding work and if you can give a little of your time and donate some plants we would be very grateful. The July working bee will start earlier at 10am sharp on Sunday 31“. If you have plants to donate but cannot be at the working bee please bring them to the Tuesday meeting of the Society on 26"I July. Novice table on meeting nights is looking sad. We know that you novices have some lovely plants out there so please bring them in and enter the spirit of the Society. We all start somewhere and as a member of only two years standing I managed to have plants placed in all classes at the annual show and all of my plants do it hard! I have no conservatory or plastic house and they are always at the mercy of ‘the elements’. If I can do it so can you - so please, give it a go! The rules for this section are that members have owned and cared for the plant for 3 months prior to meeting night and that they have been members of the Society for less than three years on March lSt each year. The Spring Show at Milford in October is for novices only. We have a lovely array of trophies and cups and managed about 93 entries last year. The rules for entry are that the competitor has to have owned a plant for 6 months at time of entry, and has not won or placed 2“6 or 3rd in any class previously at either the Spring / October Show or the annual Society Show in February in conjunction with the ‘Fiesta’. The competitor must also have been a member of the Society for less than 3 years at 1‘t March 2005. Please make the effort to enter if you are a novice as we want to make a good showing at our first sortie to the North Shore. The classes and rules will be in the August Journal. If you require assistance picking out your plants for the show just ask one of our committee members or a senior member of the Society for help. Don’t be shy!! Dennis Cathcart’s Florida Cargo report is the site of the month: http:/l www.tropiflora.com/creport/crl 5- 1/ pO.html Be well and stay flu freell Barry Uren I Bromellad Soclety June Meetlng News reparations are proceeding for the PNovice Show and Sale that will be held this year on the North Shore in October. Barry thanked the members who helped with the tidying up of the Bromeliad Glade at Eden Garden on the last Sunday in June. Peter Waters led the discussion on the Show and Tell plants. First up for naming was a plant that had recently been purchased at a market, being identified as Aechmea orlandiana. It had obviously been growing under very low light as the plant was somewhat elongated (about 400mm high) and had dark green leaves. Next were two plants that Gerry had brought in to illustrate how to get roots to grow on pups. A Nia’ularium fulgens pup and a Neoregelia hybrid pup had been potted into clear plastic pots (90mm diameter) in a straight perlite mix about 3 months ago. Through the clear plastic one could see the mass of roots that had developed. Gerry said that the clear pot was excellent for seeing when the plant needed to be potted on and that the perlite was the best substrate for encouraging roots to grow. Another plant wanting a name was a variegated Neoregelia hybrid that was identified as the plant Skotak # 6. The numbers given to some of the Skotak hybrids in NZ are as follows: Skotak No.1 (carolinae x ‘Painted Lady’) x concentrica Skotak No. 2 (carolinae x ‘Painted Lady’) x (lilliputiana x ‘Fireball’) Skotak No. 3 (carolinae x Painted Lady’) x (‘Takemura Princeps’ x ‘Meyendorfii’) - Dave Anderson Skotak No. 4 carolinae x ‘Painted Lady’ Skotak No. 5 (carolinae x ‘Painted Lady’) x olens ‘Vulcan’ Skotak No. 6 (carolinae x ‘Painted Lady’) x chlorosticta Skotak No. 7 carolinae x concentrica Skotak No. 8 tristis x ‘Fosperior’ Any members with the above plants should relabel them with the plant’s full names. Next a Neoregelia ‘Spots & Dots’ that had lost its variegations. It should be named either ‘Spots & Dots’ NOVAR or tristis x ‘Fosperior’. Following were two plants that had lost their labels with the owner wanting to know if they could be either Neoregelia ‘Guinea’ or ‘Pepper’. Once again Peter stated that it is very difficult to name the Neoregelia hybrids as they vary so much depending on the light conditions and whether they have been fertilised etc. One could be the hybrid ‘Guinea’ made by Joe Carrone - ‘Black Knight’ x olens ‘Marie’ - Carrone says, ‘a small upright cone shaped slightly stoloniferous plant 6-8" tall w/ thick leaves - green suffused w/maroon - speckled and sometimes barred red- brown to red-purple - leaves tipped maroon or bright red-lavender - blooms are showy blue to red-purple.‘ The other could only be identified as a Neoregelia hybrid but certainly was not ‘Pepper’ which is another Carrone hybrid described as ‘cv. of ampullacea ‘Midget’ X olens ‘Marie’ (‘Vulcan’) - Tiny jug shaped stoloniferous upright 8 leaved rosette in medium green w/red freckles - good combination of the parents. Also in variegated form by 1998.’ A member enthusiasts then got on with the normal meeting business. A couple of trips have been mooted for the coming months; one in September to Fantasia, and one in maybe October to three gardens in the Whenuapai area. Andrew Steens will be our guest at the next meeting so bring along anything you wish to discuss with him, or want to show him. The winner of the skite plant went once again to Lorraine Lang for her Guzmania ‘Neon’, grown in a shadehouse and now resident in her house while in flower. The raffle table held a wide variety of plants and other articles, and finally the sale table netted a few bob for the club. Next meeting: Te Puru Hall, start at the earlier time of 1:00pm Bay of Plenty Bromeliad Group - Lynley Breeze We welcomed Dave and Joan Anderson from Auckland to our June meeting. Dave spoke about tillandsias and mentioned the need to fix them securely to whatever medium may be used, their need for air movement and for only low nitrogen fertilisers. The growing interest in tillandsia is certainly a feature of our club. Dave spoke about how some tillandsias were regarded as difficult to grow and flower but this is often just a reflection of how well the environment, be it warmer or cooler, suited the plants particular requirements. Again he mentioned that Tillandsia punctulata is difficult to grow and flower and this is often mentioned in books too. However here in Tauranga we have wonderful flowering Tillandsia punctulata in sun, shade and all conditions. Perhaps the microclimate of the area is particularly suited to this plant or is it because our original stock was from an especially good plant such as the fantastic ones grown by Anne Connolly? Dave also spoke about their trip through South America some years ago and the excitement of seeing bromeliads in their natural habitat. The last of our garden visits for the year was scheduled for 18 May, the day of the big flood. The rain was so localised that people out at Te Puna wondered why people had not turned up and only when they tried to get into to town did they realise how bad the rain was. The winners of the tillandsia competition: 1. Natalie Simmonds with Tillandsia tectorum which sits on the kitchen bench not attached to anything. 2. Isobel Clotworthy with Tillandsia stricta 3. Jo Elder with T illandsia gymnobotrya Other tillandsia plants displayed were viridiflora, streptophylla, ionantha stricta, caput-medusae, leiboldiana, crocata, guatemalensis. Next meeting: Wednesday August July 10‘h at 12.30pm The plant of the month will be handed bromeliads and we will show a video. South Auckland Bromeliad Group - Maxine Temm The July meeting was attended by 79 members at the Manurewa Botanical Gardens. Fortunately the weather was fine albeit cold because of a southerly breeze. Nancy Murphy was the guest speaker and her light hearted talk was on floral art. As Nancy was talking, she created 21 20 NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY The Far North Bromeliad Group - Pauline Sutherland A large group of us gathered at the magnificent gardens of Jeanette and Howard Plank’s in Kerikeri. Their garden was recently featured in the New Zealand Gardener. Another bonus was having Graham West from the South Auckland group to speak to us about bromeliads for hanging baskets. Any plants Graham had for sale were quickly snapped up. Graham came to us in Kerikeri about 3 years ago to help us form our group . We then had 14 members. We now have about 90, and it is still growing. We are hoping for several bus trips to Auckland in October/November. A pity everything is on at the same time. The competition was won with Guzmam'a sanguinea by Vi Geddes Vi, like myself, has been a member in Auckland for many years before living in Kerikeri. Next meetings: August 14‘‘1 at the home of Pauline and Grant Sutherland, 2352 State Hwy 10, Kerikeri. (We have large sheds in case of rain!). On Sept. 11‘“ we will be meeting at Vicky Midgley’s in Mangonui. Northland Bromeliad Group - Jacqui O’Connell June’s meeting was held at the Russell Road Quarry Gardens following a successful car boot sale of plants. There were 26 members present. Our bromeliad garden at the quarry is looking very nice, thanks to the continued efforts of Freda Nash and Colin and Iris Symonds. As well as the large rocky hillside area, which has been planted about 4 years now , there is also a nice display of broms over the new bridge, donated by the combined Lions Clubs of Whangarei, in an area named the ‘Cascade Dell’. If you are very quiet you may spy a little brown trout or a freshwater crayfish. Ideas were discussed on ways of preventing the irritating itches we tend to get from handling prickly bromeliads — some of them don’t even seem to be particularly prickly at the time, but still manage to leave hands and arms covered with unsightly and itchy red scratches. Our competition plant was the Vriesea and only two members managed to bring along plants -— first were Colin and his with a very nice Vriesea ‘Intermedia’ (rubra) and Freda was second with Vriesea ‘Midori’. Next meeting: Our July meeting will be held at the home of Thea Protzman at Twin Palms Nursery, Apotu Road and Kauri. Thea specializes in succulents and always has a great array of plants for sale.The competition plant for July will be a bromeliad with spots or marbling. I am sure everyone can manage to find a plant to bring along! Thames Valley — Coromandel Bromeliad Group - Kay Steen We held our June meeting at the home of Betty Gaukrodger, and her very tidy and neat garden. Living in a frost area, her broms are carefully tucked away for the winter. We welcomed some new brought in a Neoregelia with all the attached pups having rotted out. Two galvanised nails had been found sitting in the rosette and that said it all. As we know bromeliads die when subjected to any of the ‘heavy’ metals and this was a classic case. A relatively small Vriesea hieroglyphica that had flowered and thrown 7 pups was brought in with the owner asking about the number of offsets. For whatever reason hieroglyphica can flower when quite small - an adult plant should grow to 1.5m diameter - and will occasionally throw many offsets. A Neoregelia hybrid with a plain v/dark red centre that had been purchased wrongly named as Neoregelia ‘Bobby Dazzler’. ‘Bobby Dazzler’ — ‘cv. of unknown parentage - (Named by Derek Butcher) - Large broad leafed full rosette in rich red throughout w/heavy spotting in apple green near centre of the rosette - hot pink tips - plant is probably another of the Goode selections from Anderson seed of ‘Cinnabar’ unknown origin?.’ An Aechmea ‘Fascicaulis’ wanted a name. Both the leaves and the flower spike of this hybrid bear a close resemblance to its parents Aechmea fasciata and Aechmea nudicaulis. A very large Aechmea bromeliifolia also wanted a name. This plant when in spike has pink bracts and yellow flowers. On the competition tables were two misnamed plants, the first an Aechmea hybrid wrongly named as Edmundoa lindenii var. rosea and the second a Vriesea inflata with its inflated flower spike wrongly named as Vriesea incurvata. Brian Chudleigh gave a very interesting talk on the plant of the month - Cryptanthus. COMPETITIONS Open Flowering: First Lester Ching with a Billbergia vittata — a beautiful clump with 10 spikes coming into full flower. Second with Neoregelia ‘Inferno’ was Bev Ching - this albomarginated plant always looks quite striking in flower. Also in the competition were Aechmea ‘Friederike’ and a recurvata x; Canistropsis billbergioides; Edmundoa Iindenii var. rosea; Guzmania sanguinea; Neoregelia ‘Predator’, ‘Kahala Dawn Reverse’ and ‘Painted Lady’; Nidularium procerum (rubra) - a lovely dark red leafed form grown from seed imported from Brazil and fulgens ‘Orange Bract’; Vriesea ‘Tasman Hybrid’ (Green) and Neoregelia ‘Blue Navy Blues’. Open Foliage: Peter Waters was first with Vriesea ‘Tasman Cherry Pie’ - a plant with beautiful cream/white colour to the wide centre leaves. Second was Peter Coyle with Vriesea hieroglyphica - a sport with dark colour to the underside of the leaves. In the competition were Aechmea orlandiana; Billbergia ‘Afterglow’ x ‘Hallelujah’; Guzmam‘a ‘Georgia’; Neoregelia ‘lnfemo', ‘Bobby Dazzler’ x carolinae, ‘Exotica Velvet’, ‘Yang’, ‘Manoa Beauty’, ‘Fireball’ x, ‘Glossy Print’ and ‘With Love’; Quesnelia ‘Tim Plowman’ and Vriesea ‘Intermedia’,’Tasman Fair’ (Light green centre) and ‘Tasman’ hybrid with dark maroon/red coloured leaves. TiIIandsia: Gerry Stansfield’s Tillandsia ‘Creation’ was first, with second going to David Cowie’s Tillandsia lindenii. There were also on the table Tillandsia Iatifolia (caulescent), guatemalensis, juncea, chiapensis and a clump of nolleriana. cont’d P.6 cont ’dfiom P.5 Plant of the Month - Vriesea species: First was Judy Graham’s Vrieseafas‘teriana (rubra). Peter Coyle was second with Vriesea fenestralis. In the competition were Vriesea ‘Red Chestnut’, fosteriana, phillipo-coburgii, gigantea, flammea, platynema variegata, gigantea var. seideliana, inflata, 2 further fosteriana (rubra), muelleri and mbyae. Novice Flowering: No entries. Novice Foliage: First was Jason Lio with Vriesea ‘Afterglow’. The Best Plant of the month went to Judy Graham’s Vriesea fosteriana (rubra). Congratulations to all the winners. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 26th July at 7.30pm. I Chooslng and preparlng plants for competltlon - Dave Anderson Here are a few pointers for choosing and selecting plants for competition: Bromeliad Society of New Zealand shows are judged according to the BSI rules unless otherwise stated. A copy of the rules is in the BSNZ library. ' Quite often a relatively common plant that has good markings for that species/ hybrid and is close to perfectly grown can win a competition as only a small percentage of the marks are given to rarity and difficulty of growth. Plant must be healthy and correctly named. 0 Plant and pot must be clean. ' A standard pot must be used. ' Do not polish/shine leaves with oil. ° No cobwebs etc. on the plant. ' The plant must be central in the pot and must have been well established - i.e firm in the pot. ' A few leaves may be trimmed but only a few. Allowance is made for the removal of a few leaves. ° Points are taken off for the removal of many leaves at the base of the plant. ' The plant must be mature. ' Be sure to enter the plant in the correct section. ° Plant clumps look attractive but tend to suffer from having a lot more leaves that are imperfect. Reminder. . . The 2005 Spring Show dates are October 29'“ and 30‘“, at the Milford Primary School. The show is for novice growers only (to be eligible to enter you need to have be- longed to the Society for less than 3 years at March 15‘ 2005, and have not won or been placed 2‘“l or 3'd in any class at one of our annual shows. NB Success at monthly Society club meetings does not count and does not rule you out). For further information contact either: Lester Ching (09) 576-4595 or Barry Uren (09) 520-0246. referring to it by the catchall phrase “collecting,” as if this makes it normal. But, is anyone normal who has 15 color varieties of one kind of plant, yet still drools when he/she sees another one with just a hint of red spots where the other plants have yellow wrinkles? Does this sound like a normal person to you? Obsession is often a characteristic of sanitarium occupants. l, of course, have the capacity to stand aside and objectively view my fellow Bromeliadists in a rational manner. Whatever behavioral theory may apply to them has no real correspondence in my world. I am a believer in the highest form of Bromeliadism, in my opinion, which is the Tillandsiast. After all, tillandsias are some of the most rarefied bromeliads since so many can be grown in soil—less condition. This obviates the need for useless circular philosophical questions, like “what soil is best?” or, “what pot shows them off better?” since you can just nail them to a wall or hang them from a patio roof. Tillandsias are the purest kind of plant, swinging in the pure air and sunlight like God’s angels. Surely, suspicion that tillandsia collecting is a disease is easily disproved as there are only 600, or maybe 800 named species to collect, and perhaps a few hundred more varieties and a couple of thousand forms and colors and hybrids, so obsessive collecting is not a real problem, in my humble opinion. Whatever your avocation, as long as you are true to the precepts of Bromeliadism, may your pups grow and prosper! I SUBTROPICAL CARD SWATE Mark your diary now! BROMS IN THE PARK 6th November 2005 ‘Broms in the Park’ 2005 will feature: * New release of vrieseas * Small plant auction * BBQ * Plant sales * Informative workshops EVERYONE WELCOME 89 Totara Road, Whenuapai, Waitakere City Phone: 416 8272 Fax: 416 8062 Visit our website: www.totarawaters.co.nz 19 18 BROMELIADISM Philosophy, Religion, or Disease? - Jerry KruIik, San Clemente, California. Reprinted with minor modifications from Pup Talk 12(1), January 2005. Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society (appeared in BS1 Journal January — February 2005) ow many times have you said to Hourself or out loud “I have to ave that plant!” And then as soon as it is in your hot little hands, you next say, “where can I put it?” Most growers go through a fairly short initiation period, whereby they collect almost any bromeliad because their growing space is open. Sooner or later, depending more on the size of their property than pocketbook, they have to begin to exercise some, or lots of restraint because they are running out of room. Many learned people have studied this phenomenon, and as usual there are no universally accepted answers. There are three main theories of behavior which are promulgated to best explain why any normal rational human being would submerge themselves in a world of —— dank rooting leaves, musty, smelly bromeliad tank water, and mosquito clouds, blood dripping from lacerated skin due to trying to separate woody cuttings of barbed leaved plants, obsessive watering, weeding, potting, and plant placement, and so on — instead of enjoying the sunshine, talking walks on the beach, or doing anything else that does not require daily dedication for the rest of your life. There is the philosophical argument. Perhaps we grow these plants because we believe in them, that they purify the air and gladden the heart, soothe the eye, calm the spirit, enlighten the mind, as any great philosophical work will do? That our justification to Philosophical Bromeliadism is a dedication to the world of life and the collectivity of humanity, for if we did not spend every minute propagating and growing them, they could disappear from this earth (or worse, from our own collections)? Or, do we embark on a religiously moral crusade to convert everyone to Bromeliadism? Do we give, even thrust, extra cuttings, like unwanted kittens, into the arms of reluctant strangers and relatives hoping to convert them to the Religion of Bromeliadism? Perhaps we corner poor deluded strangers at parties, who innocently ask, “Do you have a hobby?” We follow them around as they try to break tree as we expound the virtues of Bromeliadism over Orchidism, Cactusology, Succulentism, Femophrenzy, Bulbocoddling, Rosemania, and other such related heresies and wrongful actions. And woe betide the fallen believer who may convert to some totally alien religious movement like stamp collecting, or even fish farming in their house! Perhaps we may also consider Bromeliadism as a Mental Disease, like kleptomania. Of course many people hide it under a cloak of respectability by égl SEED BANK W Aechmea - aquilega, bromeliifolia, caesia, cylindrata (large farm) coelestis (from albomarginata), lueddemanniana (rubra), nudicaulis v. cuspidata, mexicana. Dyckia - altissima, brevifolia, fosteriana (bronze), platyphylla, remotiflora v. montevidensis, rariflora. Fosterella - penduliflora. Guzmania - berterom'ana, sanguinea v. brevipedicellata. monostachia. Nidularium - amazonicum. Pitcaimia - heterophylla, maidifolia. Puya - mirabilis, venusta. T illandsia - abdita, bartramiz‘, balbisiana, butzii, capitata, fasciculata, gardneri, grandis, hamaleana, incarnata, juncea (large form), latifolia v. divaricata, limbata, polystachia, pseudobaileyi, pohliana, schiedeana, schiedeana v.major, tricolor v. melanocrater; viridiflora. Vriesea-altodaserrae. bleherae, ensiformis, erythroa'actylon, friburgensis, gigantea v. seideliana, gradata, guttata, hieroglyphica, maxoniana, platynema v. variegata, psittacina, saundersii, splendens ‘Splenriet’ New seed donated by: Pierre Kordina. We are getting less and less stock of viable seed - please all members if you have seed from any species, even if you see that we currently have stock, please send some in as we need to keep all our stock fresh. ORDERING SEED: Send orders to Seed Bank Chairman: Barry Uren, 4a Hiriri Ave, Remuera, 1005. Auckland Email: bulweima@ihug.co.nz Phone evenings: (09) 522 4436 The seedbank will exchange two packets of 20 seeds for one (1) large packet of your seed. Please make sure it is labelled correctly. Please send in a large stamped envelope. Packets (of at least 20 seeds) - 50 cents. Limited to one packet of seed per kind per address. Maximum $5.00 per month. Remember to consult the current seed list when ordering. We reserve the right to provide a substitute for an out of stock seed with another packet of seed of the same or similar genus. 8 Cryptanthus to look good they need to be well fed - Brian Chudleigh This article follows on from the talk given by Brian at the Society is June meeting. ryptanthus is a genus of approximately 50 species, which come mostly from Brazil. All are terrestrials or grow on rocks. Leaves are generally long and narrow, 3- 12 inches (8-300m) in length with edges finely toothed There is the odd form with a fairly broad leaf produced on a long stem, Cryptanthus beuckeri. Many are attractively striped or banded, some of the variegated forms being especially colourful. The flowers are small, usually white or cream and short- lived so the plants are grown mainly for their attractive foliage. The flowers are produced from the leaf axils and following flowering the plants usually offset profusely. There are a few varieties, which produce their offsets on long stolons. These make excellent hanging specimens. Some species like C. bivittatus quickly make large clumps when grown well. Unfortunately its very colourful cultivars like C. ‘Ruby’ and C. ‘Pink Starlite’ are not nearly as productive. Feeding To grow them to look their best they need to be well fed. Use a potting mix rich in leaf mould or compost. An African Violet mix is said to be good. I make up my own mix of homemade cont ’d P. 11 compost, some commercial potting mix and a little added pumice where I feel it is needed. Fertilize regularly in warm weather and never let them dry out. In hot weather you can treat them as bog plants. I keep my plants potted with the pots in large plastic containers with lids on so the atmosphere is constantly dripping with moisture during warm weather. During winter I reduce watering but never let the plants dry right out. Light and humidity Leaf colouring with many varieties will change with the seasons. Too much light and heat will bleach and burn the leaves. Too much cold is also extremely damaging and freezing will kill them. Bright diffused light is best and temperatures from about 15-27 degrees C are the ideal. They can be excellent houseplants, grow well in areas with high humidity like over a kitchen sink or in bathrooms. Inside pots should be seated in saucers of water to increase the humidity around the plants. Do not situate them where they get direct sun in the middle of the day as you risk scorching the foliage. Offsets Offsets are usually easily removed, sometimes they just fall away though bracts on the flower stem. Bromeliad offsets develop at the end of a stolon. In some plants, the stolon is long, tough and visible. In others, it is very short, almost non-existent. Roots do not develop from the stolon; cut back the stolon to the base of the offset. Some plants will set seed. If the seed is not required for growing on, cut off the flower spike when the colour had faded as seed development drains a lot of energy and nutrients from the mother plant. Stolon A slender branch or shoot which takes root at the tip and develops into a new plant. 0 Bromeliads benefit from a regular supply of nutrients; either from the potting mixture or from a foliar spray. Bromeliad plants are well adapted to absorb nutrients from foliar application. EXOTICA Rare Bromeliad Sale Labour Weekend 21“—24“‘ October Fabulous collection of Bromeliads, Brugsmansia and Heliconia. Sales of rare plants, collector’s items, specimen Bromeliads. First release of Exotica’s stunning new hybrids for the coming year. "ammonium omwuniopn-spmmmomnu www.bromeliads.co.nz email: info@bromeliads.co.nz The trichomes on leaf surfaces and at the base of leaves have evolved to scavenge available nutrients. Feed a little and often - weakly and weekly” Beware of the ‘decorator pots or hanging baskets’ which have an attached saucer. This can lead to an anaerobic layer of potting mixture in the bottom of the container and possible root rot. o l have never been enthused with silvery leafed tillandsias glued on rocks and promoted as indoor plants. If they weren’t a fresh batch, some of the plants looked positively ‘all washed up’ before they had left the shop. (Note: This article has been slightly modified for New Zealand. Thanks to the Bromeliad Society of Queensland and ‘Bromeliaceae' for original text) I 17 16 BEGINNER’S CORNER 'ps and comments for newcomers: TYour Society has probably the best collection of books and other publications on bromeliad culture. The lending library is an excellent source of information for beginners. If you are not sure which book might answer a particular question, just ask your helpful librarian. o The next best source of information is the members !! Experienced members are only too pleased to share information. You can approach them at any Society function. 0 A suitable initial collection for newcomers is :- Tillandsia cyanea, Tillandsia stricta, Aechmea fasciata, Aechmea orlandiana, Aechmea gamosepala, Vriesea carinata, Vriesea guttata, Vriesea splendens, Neoregelia ampullacea, Neoregelia carolinae tricolor, Billbergia vittata, Billbergia ‘Fantasia’, Guzmania lingulata, Orthophytum vagans, .Quesnelia liboniana, Nidularium fulgens, Pitcairnea flammea. These are all oldies but goldies and should be readily available at a reasonable price. They are all known to grow easily and make a good ‘practice’ selection while you become familiar with bromeliad culture in your conditions. 0 Mid -winter is an ideal time to start to acclimatise plants to a brighter situation in the garden or shade house. As the days lengthen, and light intensity increases, the plants will adapt to the increased light without leaf damage. Look for bleaching of the leaf colour as an indication that the plant will not tolerate the light intensity. - Peter Paroz, Queensland. 0 Treated Timber Alert. The common wood preservative is chrome-copper- arsenate and it is not completely ‘fixed’ into the timber. Small amounts leach from the wood and are extremely toxic to bromeliads. Do not use treated timber for any overhead structure in a bush house; and treated posts, if used, should be painted - preferably two coats - with the paint coating well maintained. 0 An old time nurseryman’s fungicide for cut surfaces:- One part powdered sulphur Three parts slaked lime (not agricultural lime) Powder finely and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. 0 Worms in soil are good but worms in pots are a problem. They digest the organic matter; reducing the life of the mixture and the worm ‘casts’ are like fine silt; and clog up drainage holes. A piece of old shadecloth or mosquito screen cut to the shape of the inside bottom of the pot is an effective deterrent. 0 Despite some bromeliad plants being sold as suitable for indoor culture, there are only a few plants - including bromeliads - which will thrive indoors. It’s a question of light intensity. Human eyes are not a reliable measure of light intensity. Plants require a minimum light input (intensity and duration ) to maintain condition. Enjoy your plants indoors when they are at their best and return them outdoors when the flowers are spent or the colours fade. o Bromeliads are propagated by seed or by offsets. Offsets develop from dormant ‘buds’ mostly in the axil of basal leaves but on some plants from the axils of Cryptanthus ‘Pink Starlite’" Cryptanthus ‘R‘uby’ Next >