2007 Bromeliad EXOTIC PLANTS FROM CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA BROMELIAD SHOW & SALE--.......· Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th Feb 9.00am to 3.00pm both days Mt Eden War Memorial Hall 489 Dominion Rd., Balmoral, Auckland. Adult $5.00. Free parking HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2007 Bromeliad Get ready ... February 24th, 25th 2 Bromeliad Society of New Zealand lnc Bromeliad Journal- January 2007 issue CONTENTS President's Page Society November meeting news- Glenys Guild Update on 14th Australian Brom conference, 2007 Our 2006 monthly meeting trophy winners and points A passion for alcantarea - Andrew Devonshire November garden visits- Alan J. Thomson The Bromeliads of Brazil Part 3- Mulford B.Foster 'Buy and Swap' Member spotlight on Delma and Tony Pell- Joyce Fox 'Fiesta' 2007 and competition entry details Group news Society officers, subs and Journal directory The Society at the Ellerslie Flower Show Whakatane wedding display - Ross Fergusson Come to 'Fiesta' - your help and participation is needed! BROMELIADS NEW ZEALAND 3 4 5 6 7 10 12 14 15 17 19 22 23 23 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 Please see the Group News section starting page 19 for details of group meeting times and venues. JANUARY 21st N orthland Group meeting 23'd Society meeting at Greyfriars Hall, corner of Mt Eden and Windmill roads, MtEden, Auckland at 7.30pm. Plant of the month: Variegated neos. Speaker: Gerry Stansfield on 'Bromeliad Gardens of Queensland' FEBRUARY 14th Bay of Plenty Group meeting 18th Eastern Bay of Plenty Group meeting 21't Bay of Plenty Group garden visits 24th- 25th Society 'Fiesta' at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 489 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland, 9.00am to 3.00pm both days. 24th Society dinner at 'Tusk' restaurant in Balmoral, Auckland (Contact Dave Anderson, (09 638 8671 for details and bookings- all members welcome). 27th Society meeting at Greyfriars Hall, corner of Mt Eden and Windmill roads, Mt Eden, Auckland at 7 .30pm. Front cover photo: Chris Paterson's beautiful Hillsborough garden was part of our November garden visits. See article and photos on pages I 0 and 11. .. Ellerslie Flower Show ... The Society mounted a successful display at Ellerslie in November ... and won a merit award. Well done to our team of workers. In this photo, the 'installers', Noelene Ritson(at back) and in front from left, Jocelyn Coyle, Sandy Stonham and Kesson Sharp. Whakatane wedding display .. . Broms add colour at the wedding of Ross Fergusson's daughter in Whakatane. 23 22 OFFICERS Patron: Patricia Sweeney President: Alan Cliffe (09)479-1451 Vice President: Dave Anderson (09)638-8671 Secretary: Glenys Guild (09)81 0-9669 Treasurer: Peter Waters (09)534-5616 Librarian: Noelene Ritson (09)625-8114 Life Members: Laurie Dephoff, Harry Martin, Patricia Perratt, Patricia Sweeney, Len Trotman Auditor: Colin Gosse Scientific Officer: Peter Waters (09)534-5616 Committee: Robbie Bums David Cowie Jocelyn Coyle Chris Paterson Kesson Sharp Sandy Stonham AI an J. Thomson Cultivar Registrar: Gerry Stansfield Seed Bank Chairman: AI an J. Thomson (09)835-3866 (09)630-8220 (09)416-8272 (09)625-6707 (09)818-8051 (09)62 7-965 8 (09)620-6959 (09)834-7178 (09)620-6959 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 payments 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, P.O.Box 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 Peter Waters Regular writers Alan Cliffe Gerry Stansfield Alan 1. Thomson 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: Ful(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 PRESIDENT'S PAGE kwarm welcome to everyone as we ead into the New Year of2007. I ope you have all had a great Christmas break. Our next meeting on January 23'd will be our last before our 'Fiesta', which runs from Friday 23ro Feb-Sunday 25th Feb. This year the 'Fiesta' has moved to the Eden Community Centre, Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 489 Dominion Road. Planning is well underway, but there are several items still to be finalised. 1) Sellers - If you are planning to sell plants this year, please contact me: alan. c 1 i ff e@nz. nu farm . corn, 0274816364, 09 479 1451 (home) as soon as possible. As we will be back in a hall, space will be more restricted than last year. Most sellers will be limited to one table. We want to encourage as many members as possible to participate, so even if you only have a few plants to sell we will accommodate these on a couple of communal sales tables. All sellers must supply at least 3 plants for the display (no exceptions- otherwise we will be after some of your sales plants for the display!). 2) We need a lot of helpers for the show, particularly for Saturday and Sunday morning when crowds are greatest. Please contact me if you can assist with any of the sessions. Please note that all sellers are expected to assist in some way and I will be allocating sessions on the entry or checkout desks. 3) Competiton entries. We have 30 categories, so there is something for everyone. Remember that there is a maximum of two plants/category/ person. Please read the entry rules and also the advice on how to prepare plants for competition. Note the change on naming in line with BSI policy. All competition plants must now be named, or alternatively the parents must be stated on the label. 'Hybrid' is no longer acceptable. Some discretion will be allowed for the large number of patterned-leaf vriesea hybrids. Competition plants will be accepted on Friday 23'd from 1.00pm to 5.0 0pm. If you are unable to meet this deadline, let me know and we will try to accommodate you. The cut-off time is to allow for the task of judging. 4) Trophies. Would everybody who won trophies last year please bring them along to the January meeting and hand them in to Sandy Stonham. 5) Again, we will have a Society dinner on the Saturday night. This is being organised at 'Tusk' restaurant by Dave Anderson. All members are welcome. Please let Dave know if you would like to attend. Tel (09) 638 8671 Remember . . . tell your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours about the great plants they can see and purchase at our 'Fiesta'! Regards to you all. Alan Clijfe • 3 4 Bromeliad Society November Meeting News -Glenys Guild 0 ver I 00 members attended the last meeting of 2006 in anticipation of the awarding of trophies for the competitions during the year, an exciting auction to participate in, and a delicious supper to conclude. Our stand at the Ellerslie Flower Show organised by Jocelyn Coyle and Sandy Stonham, won a Merit Award and was shown on the EFS TV programme after the event. The help of members who manned the stall during the five days of the show is much appreciated. 'Show and Tell' led by Peter Waters began with a Vriesea altodaserrae in flower brought in by Lester Ching. This has a similar flower to philippo-coburgii. Lester also had a tillandsia with a blue flower needing a name. Dave Dawson brought in a flower spike from Puya alpestris that has the most unusual steely blue-green coloured flowers. The plant forms a large clump, about a metre across, and has taken five years to flower. A Billbergia amoena needing a name, is known as 'Stoloniferous Red', and is sometimes called 'Vesuvius', but that is not an official name. Gerry Stansfield brought in a large pink variegated neoregelia he has made by crossing 'Tickled Pink' with 'Stargazer' x 'Rosy Mom'. Gerry also had a Canmea 'Wild Tiger' with an orange flower for display, and has one with 25 flowers on it at home. Gerry also showed a deep pink variegated neoregelia which is a mutation from 'Snow White', which was itself a mutation. Aechmea 'Popcorn' needed a name, although there is some thought that this plant could be a hi-generic. On show was Vriesea poelmannii x guttata made by Laurie Dephoff, the original plant having been stolen from his garden many years ago. Finally, a Vriesea 'Rosa Morena' needed a name. The annual auction with a large table of choice plants saw some spirited bidding and realised some very good prices. COMPETITIONS Open flowering: Peter Waters was first with Canistrum triangulare, and Peter Coyle was second with Vriesea altodaserrae. Also in the competition were Neoregelia concentrica x carolinae, 'Rosy Mom', 'Pink Delight', 'Oh No x Lorena', 'Kahala Dawn', 'Tartan Princess', Guzmania 'Neon Red', 'Lemon Blush', 'Ostara', Aechmeafasciata 'Sangria', nudicaulus 'Silver Streak', Vriesea 'Hoelscheriana', 'Crush' hybrid, Splenreit, 'Bananas'and Nidularium rubens x 'Something Special'. Open foliage: Peter Waters was first with a beautiful Margaret Patterson hybrid Neoregelia 'Jewellery Shop', while Peter Coy le was second with Vriesea 'Highway Beauty'. In the competition were Vriesea platynema x gigantea, 'Afterglow', 'Pacific' hybrid, Neoregelia 'Royal Cordovan', 'Storm Warning', 'Sheer Delight', 'Rosea Lineata' x concentrica, Alcantarea geniculata, and Aechmea 'By Golly'. Tillandsia: First was Peter Waters with Tillandsia austral is from Argentina that used to be called maxima as it is one of the biggest tillandsias. Second was Brian Dawson with a contrast in size with Tillandsia ionantha var stricta. In the competition were Tillandsia albertiana, albida, and Tillandsia fasciculata dens is pica. Monthly competition: Bromeliad arrangements with a Christmas theme Anwyl x T 5000', a compound inflorescence on long stems had cream tipped purple flowers on pink bracts. T straminea x T cacticola, T straminea and T cacticola had similar flowers. T straminea flowers were more open and greener and hadn't coloured up as much as it had been grown in a shadier place. It was also scented. T albertiana was the red form version with a single bright red flared flower. T'Purple Giant', a cultivar ofT aeranthos, had a greyish blue flower. T bryoides , the smallest of all the tillandsias, had a short flower stalk. It was collected in NW Argentina in 2002 and had flowered in 2004. Also collected in Argentina was T landbeckii, which had flowered T argentina had leaves which were very short and stiff and hot pink flowers., T seideliana and T montana are very close plants and very hard to tell apart. T 'Fat Chance', a hybrid of T aeranthos and T seleriana had long purple flowers on a pink tinged body. T Anwyl SB 391, a hybrid ofT baileyi and T seleriana looked a little bit like the latter and had purple flowers. T oroyensis , from Mexico had a long hanging inflorescence and looked like T macdougallii, which had fatter and more rounded pink bracts. T floribunda had a flared inflorescence which was red and opened up into purple flowers. T streptocarpa was flowering on a long stem and branched bracts with bluish purple flowers and a white centre. It was highly scented. Next meeting: At Andrew Flower's, Main Road, Pukerua Bay on Jan 28 at 1.30 pm Northland Bromeliad Group -Jill Hudson In November we met at the home of Christine Hale, Kamo. Her elevated garden has extensive views over Whangarei. Christine has taken advantage of the numerous tall trees to grow bromeliads under, on and around them. Quite stunning! Business was accomplished quickly so that we could enjoy the instructive, imaginative and entertaining bromeliad floral demonstration, by Poppy Fuller. TheN ovember competition of a favourite bromeliad brought forth numerous beauties: 1" Maureen Green with Neoregelia 'Orange Crush' 2"d Robyn Powell with Vriesea hieroglyphica 3'd David Brewer with Guzmania 'Jazz' Our competition co-ordinator is now Christine Hale, Robyn Powell having retired after years of faithful service. A week later we met again for our Christmas lunch and prize giving held at the R.S.A. Whangarei. The competition for January is a challenge. A bromeliad in a tin. Preferably a flower or pup with non cultivated greenery, i.e. side of the road stuff. Next meeting: At the Whangarei Quarry Gardens, Russell Road, on January 21 ", 2007 at 1.30pm. Note that this is a week early due to a public holiday. 21 20 Nidularium longiflorum, innocentii var. innocentii 'Nana' x2, innocentii var. linea turn x2, amazonicum, purpureum x2, procerum 'Oddball' ,' Chantrieri', 'Ruby Lee' x2 Next Month's Events: Next meeting, Wednesday 14 th February 2007 at 12.30pm. Topic: Vrieseas. Plant of the month will be Guzmanias. Garden visits: Wednesday 21st February 2007 starting at 10.00am: Des Shaw, 13 Strathmore Place East, Matua; Lyn1ey & Alec Roy, 251 Levers Road, Matua; Lynley Breeze, 46 Manuwai Dr, Matua. Eastern Bay of Plenty Bromeliad and Orchid Group - Bev Fisk At our final meeting for the year, 42 people joined us to celebrate with an early Christmas luncheon. We had two new members join us and seven of our friends from Tauranga came over. The day was very kind to us as we sat in Alison and Paul Jarrett's lovely garden setting. The shared lunch was amazing and there were a lovely number of raffles on offer. A special thank you to our local firm, 'Personal Touch', for their generous donations. Then as last year, we drew the numbers from everyone's personal gifts brought along and we all went home with something lovely. 'Show and Tell' was a Christmas arrangement, and a beautiful variety of arrangements turned up to be admired. From weird and wacky to the very posh. Great ideas. Alison's garden had had a complete 'make-over' since our far north trip and it just looked wonderful. It is an extremely artistic garden. Thanks Alison. Next meeting: Our first for 2007 will be at Sue, Ken and Bubbles' place for a shared lunch on February 18th. Hawkes Bay Bromeliad Group - Julie Greenhill The last 2006 meeting for the H.B. group was held on 18th November at the home of Linda Wong. Members had a browse around her lovely garden before carpooling for another garden visit up to Lynne Parsons. The beautiful house was as much an attraction here as the immaculate garden. Then it was on to Julie and David Greenhill 's place where everyone enjoyed our guest speaker, Graham West, who enlightened us on his experiments with hanging baskets and had many lovely examples to show us. We all enjoyed a social time with a barbecue and a small Christmas present for everyone. Annette Menzies was lucky enough to win the raffle, a Neoregelia 'Gee Whiz'. Wellington Tillandsia Group - Phyllis Purdie Five members were present at Ginny Rastall's, Paraparaumu in November. Ginny's garden is filled with bromeliads and tiny seedlings were being raised in the glasshouses. It was suggested that perhaps hard bore water used by the council during a period of drought may be responsible for the quilling on a member's sedlings. Plants discussed: Ananas bracteatus v tricolor with its cream and white leaves. T Three artistic entries resulted in Judy Graham coming first, and Lynette Nash and Peter Waters coming second equal. Novice Flowering: Margaret Stansfield was first and second with Neoregelia 'Orange Crush' and Neoregelia 'Dr Oeser' hybrid respectively. Also in the competition was Tillandsia jlabellata. Novice Foliage: Dennis Coyle was first with Vriesea 'Ope!' Plant of the Month went to Peter Coy le with Vriesea 'Highway Beauty' NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 23nl January 2007 at 7.30pm. • 14th Australian bromeliad conference -Rydges Resort Hotel, Port Macquarie NSW, 21st -23•d September 2007. This 'Bromeliads 14 - Beachside' conference is in addition to the World Conference in Cairns in 2008. So far we've heard that the 2007 conference special guest speaker will be Pamela Koide of'Bird Rock Tropicals' Nursery, California and other speakers will include, Greg Aizelwood, Maurice Kellett, Chris Larson, Mark Paul, David Sheumack, Olive and Len Trevor and Peter Tristram. Seminars are planned on varied topics including practical demonstrations and collecting trips. Port Macquarie is a beautiful holiday playground regardless of your age. You can visit historic sites, museums, wineries and wildlife parks, go whale watching or cruising. Registration rates: Very early birdA$165 .00 when paid before 31.1.07 Early bird . .••..•.•.................... JoAHs H�rst�ry. specialist bromeliad grow ers huge range of bromeliads top quality, grown indoors Now open to the public Thursdays. Group visits by appointment at any day. Phone 07 823 64 76 email: johnsnursery@xtra.co.nz 889 Parallel Rd RD1 Ohaupo, Waikato. ················-·········· A$180.00 paid from 1.2.07 to 30.6.07 A$200.00 from 1. 7.07 and at the door. Registration includes morning tea and lunch Fri./Sat./Sun. and Sunday night Banquet, plus Proceedings Book. There will be a bus trip to nurseries and a plant show and plant sales. For partners not attending the seminars, the banquet will beA$50.00. Accommodation: Rydges have some special rates. Password is 'Bromeliad Conference' phoneAustralia02 6589 2888. The Port Macquarie conference is being hosted by the Cairns Bromeliad Society. Email: Lynn Hudson lynnie@ledanet.com.au Or contact our President Alan Cliffe for registration Telephone: 09 479 1451 emailAlan.Cliffe@nz.nufarm.com • 5 6 2006 monthly meeting trophy winners The following awards were made at our November monthly meeting: Dephoff Trophy - Most points by novice grower: Centennial Cup - Most points overall: Second: Third: Greenhough Trophy - Plant of the month: Dennis Coyle Peter Coyle Judy Graham Lester Ching Peter Coyle 89 points 171 points 72 points 72 points Bea Hanson Trophy - Best points for member who has not won a trophy previously: Sandy Stonham Most points by category: Flowering Peter Coyle 55 points Second: Judy Graham 19 points Third= Lester Ching 16 points Neil Douglas 16 points Foliage Peter Coyle 72 points Second: Judy Graham 19 points Third= Peter Waters 14 points Sandy Stonham 14 points Tillandsia Lester Ching 35 points Second: Brian Dawson 33 points Third= Win Shorrock 23 points Lynette Nash 23 points Monthly choice plant Peter Coyle 41 points Second: Judy Graham 31 points Third: Gerry Stansfield 20 points Novice Flowering Dennis Coyle 37 points Second: Dave Dawson 20 points Third: Noelene Read 19 points Novice Foliage Denis Coyle 45 points Second: Trish Coyle 22 points Third: Noelene Read 13 points Bea Hanson Memorial Plate Inaugural award. For service to the Society Murray Mathieson REMINDER ... be In the draw to win a FREE BSI Closing date for entries is January. Entries to Dave Anderson. su bscrl ptlon!! Please refer to Page 15 of your November 2006 Journal for full details. GROUP NEWS The Far North Group -Colleen Frew During the month a number of enthusiasts enjoyed a visit to the South Auckland Group. Members and friends travelled in two minibuses driven by Wendy and Jim Matthews. They visited a number of bromeliad gardens as far south as Waiuku. Dinner on Sunday evening was followed by a 'Rock 'n Roll' experience. A very happy weekend. At the 164'h Annual Waimate North Show there were 65 entries in the bromeliad section, which was new to the show. There were many complimentary remarks about the quality, colour and general condition of the plants which was very heartening for the entrants. The Far North Bromeliad Cup was won by John Frew with his ChampionNeoregelia 'Empress' and John also had the Reserve Champion, Ananas bracteatus. Stalwarts of the group, Pauline and Grant Sutherland, were given a ceramic wall planter as a farewell present at a barbecue at David Brewer's home early in the month. The couple have now moved to Napier, taking with them a truckload of their favourite bromeliads. Next meeting: At Wendy and Jim Matthews' home in Kerikeri. Bay of Plenty Bromeliad Group -Wilma Fitzgibbons Our November meeting attracted 25 members. Our topic for the month was useful tools and tips for the bromeliad grower. Don't take off small pups, wait until they are a least a third the size of the mother plant. Put in yoghurt pots (with drainage holes) which will fill up with water then slowly drain. Use long canvas gloves against spiny leaves. A skewer with loop at one end to take leaves out of brom cups and between leaves. Small long nose pliers for wasps etc. Bottlebrush for spider webs, for the smallest plants a very tiny bottlebrush to get right into the plant. Flowers of Sulphur for hardening offcuts on mother plants and pups. Sulphur in a margarine container for dipping pups into, or in a hanging shower gel plastic bottle for puffing sulphur onto the mother where the pups were taken from. Cloves in bottom of pots to keep ants out, meths on mealy bug (some say to wash off later; others say don't worry about it as it evaporates). Bin Inn for cheap garden goods, sulphur etc. Make a small water-can with juice bottle, and holes in cap or on the handle. Competition Plants: 1 SI Neoregelia 'Yang'Brian Chudleigh 2nd Aechmea orlandiana 'Medio Picta' Isabel Clotworthy 3'd Vriesea 'Pacific Red Amber' Gill Keesing Tillandsia Competition: 1 SI Tillandsia imperial is Brian Chudleigh 2nd Tillandsia tenuifolia Bertha Scholium 3'd Tillandsia geminifloraGwen McCallum Plant of the Month: Nidulariums. 19 18 CONDITIONS OF ENTRY FOR SHOW EXOTIC PLANTS FROM CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA 1. Exhibitors must be financial members of the Bromeliad Society ofN.Z. 2. A maximum of two plants may be entered in each class. 3. Plants must have been grown by exhibitor for at least six months prior to show. 4. Plants must be clean and healthy, free from scale and insects and drained of water. Pots must be clean and potting mix free of weeds and other plant material. Each plant should be correctly labelled. If unnamed, the plant should be labelled with the parents' names. No abbreviations to be used. Note: 'Hybrid' is not acceptable. (Some discretion will be allowed for the large number of patterned-leaf vriesea hybrids). Labelling not necessary in Classes 23 to 25, and 29. 5. Plants may be potted only in standard clay, terracotta, green or black plastic or unadorned bonsai pots. Tillandsias may be mounted on driftwood or similar. 6. No commercial leaf shine, cream or milk may be used to enhance the appearance of the plant. 7. A pot may contain single or multiple plants provided they are attached to a single rootstock. S. A plant which has changed in shape or colour because of impending blooming is permitted in Blooming classes only. A plant grown primarily for decorative foliage may be entered in the Foliage class if it has an immature inflorescence (with significant inflorescence it goes in the Blooming class). 9. Tillandsias must be firmly attached to mounts and must look established. They may be single or multiple plants within the stated measurements. Fiji Trophy awarded for Best Tillandsia. 10. Tillandsia sizes are: Small (up to 20cm (Sin)), Large (20cm up (Sin plus). These measurements exclude inflorescence and mount. 11. Miniature bromeliad may be single or have multiple heads, no plant more than 12.5cm (Sin) high excluding inflorescence. Tillandsias are not permitted in this class. 12. Variegated bromeliad is a plant with white, pink or red longitudinal stripes on leaves. 13. Novice classes are for members of less than three years standing and who have not won a prize in a bromeliad show. 14. Olive Allan Trophy for Best of Show chosen from Classes 1 to 22 only. 15. Class 24 Bromeliad Arrangement has bromeliads only and must use only natural materials. Plastic pots are not allowed. Em Bailey Trophy for Best Arrangement awarded to winner of this class. 16. Class 25 Artistic or floral arrangement may use other types of plant but must include a significant amount of bromeliad material. 17. Class 26 Decorative Container may contain one type of bromeliad only but may have multiple heads IS. Class 27 Hanging Container may contain more than one plant but of one type only. 19. Class 29 May be painting, drawing, photograph or needlework executed by the exhibitor. 20. Class 30 May be any collection of bromeliads and/or other visual aids designed to educate on any phase of bromeliad horticulture. Maximum size is 1 sq. metre. 21. Entries may not be removed from show until after 3pm. on Sunday 25'h February. 22 Unless mentioned above other rules as B.S.I. standard show. Final decision rests with Competition Stewards. 23. Entries will be accepted between lpm. and 5pm. only on Friday 23'd February. A passion for alcantarea - Andrew Devonshire hey say addicts always blame other things for their addictions, .. I blame alcantarea for my bromeliad addiction. My mild interest in subtropical plants turned into a passion for bromeliads at the sight of two impressive alcantarea. I had called into a North Shore garden to buy a few agave, and was captivated by two stunning plants standing at the entry to the house. The owner proudly informed me, 'They are Alcantarea irnperialis (rubra), a type of bromeliad'. I became fascinated. Buying a few plants was not enough to satisfy my desire, so I started propagating alcantarea from seed, and from grass pups. Alcantarea from seed: Raising alcantarea from seed is a very slow process where patience is definitely an asset, however, the investment of time is well worth it with these majestic plants. The plants develop very good form while still young. They are typically ready for garden conditions when 2 to 3 years old, and just get better as they mature. The benefit of growing from seed is that you will get large numbers of plants in a relatively short time. Also, there will be variation in the batch, and you can select the best plants for form and colouration. I have tried different seed raising media, and have found that a 50/50 mix of perlite and palm peat works well. This mix holds moisture without becoming soggy, does not compact, and encourages good root growth. I use small clear plastic containers to germinate the seed. I fill the base of these containers with this perlite I palm peat mix, sprinkle seeds on top, and then spray them with half strength of fungicide, e.g. Yates Bravo. I then put the container into my seed raising set up. Seed will swell within a couple of days, then typically germinate in 7 to 10 days at 70°F to 80oF. After experimenting with seed from a few species I have observed that seedlings dislike any disturbance, or sudden changes in conditions. My first few batches were carefully pricked out after 12 months of growth, and planted into flats to grow on. However, they would then just sit and sulk for months before showing signs of further growth. I now keep the seedlings bunched together in community pots and make any environment changes gradually. Alcantarea from grass pups: To get a head start on the seed raising process, you can try growing on a few grass pups which alcantarea are known for producing. They seem to be prolific on young plants, and then are produced with reduced frequency as the plant matures. There will usually be a few grass pups around even mature plants. A while ago I found 6 grass pups on an alcantarea that was about 15 years old, and had still not flowered. They were growing under the skirt of dead leaves, and looked like spring onions coming up as they were almost white. They quickly coloured up rnnt ';{ PR 7 8 Cont'dfrom P 7 after removal, and now are healthy young plants. The benefit of growing on grass pups is that you can select from a particularly good clone, or a rare plant, and propagate it long before the normal large pups are produced. Generally, the smaller the mother plant the easier the grass pups are to remove. Grass pups can be removed from 1 Omm high, but if left until they are around 70mm or more, chances of success are better. They can sometimes be removed successfully by just pulling them away from the mother. However, the chance of snapping the grass pup off at its base is high. Removing the grass pup with all its basal tissue is important as the plant roots originate from it. The best way to remove the plant is to place a small hobby knife blade at its base between grass pup and mother. Then carefully lever it out. Each grass pup is attached to its mother by a long wiry stolon, Try to get as much of this stolon as possible. If the basal tissue is exposed, or damaged during the removal process, then allow it to dry for a few days before potting, just as you would for a normal pup. I have observed that grass pups do best when planted together in a community pot until roots have formed. I use a 50/5 0 mix of per lite and palm peat. Bottom heat will assist with root development, and improve the success rate. Plants should produce a root system within 2 - 4 months. They can then be planted in say a 75mm pot, and placed in the plastic house for about 6 months, by which time they are typically large enough to handle conditions outside. I am still hunting for species and varieties of alcantarea to add to my collection, so would welcome contact from anyone growing selected clones, or unusual species. Alcantarea are majestic plants and add a sense of drama as feature plants in landscaped gardens. While Alcantarea imperialis (rubra) is almost a common plant now, think about growing a few of the other varieties, and not just one, imagine a drift of A. geniculata, or A. nahoumii planted in a mass of black mondo grass with a back drop of palms .... or perhaps a trio of A. vinicolor in full sun, surrounded by V. philippo-coburgii. • Captions for Alcantarea photos by Andrew Devonshire - Page 9 � 1. A. imperialis (rubra) from grass pups 2. A. sp 'Grace Goode' pups at 12 mths 3. A. nahoumii grass pups 4. Alcantarea seedlings at 1 0 mths 5. A. nahoumii at 3 years • 2007 Bromeliad EXOTIC PLANTS FROM CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA Saturday February 24th and Sunday February 25th, 2007 Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 489 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland. We're hoping to get a great turnout of members, friends and the public to our showpiece event of the year. 'Fiesta' incorporates our annual competitive Show and a schedule of the classes and full details regarding entry conditions are set out below and on page 18. Please read these carefully! You can get involved in 'Fiesta' 20 07 by entering plants in the Show; by being a seller of plants and I or by joining the team of helpers over the weekend. It's fun and you get to meet a lot of very nice people who share your interest and passion in bromeliads. If you're planning to sell plants, please contactAlan Cliffe (if you haven't already done so) as soon as possible. Alan is also co-ordinating the helpers and allocating jobs for the weekend so please let him know if you can help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Alan's phone number is (09) 479 1451 (home) or 027 481 6364 (mobile). Email: alan.cliffe@nz.nufarm.com Table allocations and the Show layout and logistics need to be finalised as soon as possible. If you can help out at 'Fiesta' even for a half day - please give Alan a call. We particularly need helpers for the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions. Set up: Friday February 23'd- competition plants accepted from 1.0 0pm to 5.0 0pm. Sellers' Note: All sellers are expected to help in some way at 'Fiesta'- and also to supply three plants each for the Society display (you get them back afterwards!). COMPETITIVE SHOW 2007- SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Class 1. Aechmea Blooming 2. Aechmea Foliage 3. Billbergia 4. Cryptanthus 5. Guzmania 7. Neoregelia Blooming 8. Neoregelia Foliage 9. Nidularium I 0. Tillandsia Small Blooming 1 I. Tillandsia Small Foliage 14. Tillandsia Large Blooming 15. Tillandsia Large Foliage 16. Vriesea Blooming I 7. Vriesea Foliage 18. Bigeneric or other genus not listed above 19. Miniature bromeliad 20. Variegated bromeliad 21. Novice Blooming 22. Novice Foliage 23. Dish or tray garden or novelty planting 24. Bromeliad arrangement 25. Artistic or floral arrangement 26. Decorative container 27. Hanging container 28. New Zealand hybrid 29. Original BromeliadArt Work 30. Educational display 17 Delma and Tony Pell's garden •.•.• .. 16 9 Next >