Secretary GCS&BS Inc www.gcsbs.org.au P.O. BOX 94 Southport Business Centre Southport QLD 4215

PRESIDENT………………………………... .Judy Paterson 07 55798894 VICE PRESIDENT………………………... . Graeme Bullen 07 55787874 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT………... .Tom Norris 07 55295446 TREASURER………………………………. .Glenda Hodgson 07 55946564 SECRETARY……………………………….. Eileen Kovic 07 55272882 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY…………….. .Gwen Wayland 07 55717042 EDITOR…….……………………………… Jeanette Henwood 02 6687 9890 COMMITTEE………………………………. Carmon Burke, Monica and Colin Mead Ann Schenk, Julie Hewetson and Gail Young LIBRARIAN………………………………. . . . . .Jennifer Laurie ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN………………... . . . .Jan Tobiano GUEST SPEAKER CO-ORDINATOR……. . ...Kerry Tate CONFERENCE CO-ORDINATOR………... . .Greg Aizlewood PLANT DISPLAY CO-ORDINATORS… .. . .John Crawford, Paul & Karin Van Tol and Berice Bragg PLANT SALES CO-ORDINDATOR………Julie Hewetson (General Meetings and Sales Days) SPECIAL PROJECTS OFFICERS…………John Crawford and Julie Hewetson. PLANT SALES STEWARDS…………… ...Carmon Burke, Norma Fleet, Maree McFarlane and Helen Mueller SALES TABLE…………………………….. Tom and Marilyn Rivett REFRESHMENT SUPERVISOR……… Janice I’Anson RAFFLE CO-ORDINATOR……………… John Paterson HOST/HOSTESSES -- DOOR………… …Ann and Harry Schenk NAME BADGES………………………… Harry Schenk PUBLICITY OFFICER…………………….Ann Schenk PHOTOGRAPHER/WEB MASTER............. Shane Weston

LIFE MEMBERS

Mary Nicholson, Graham Besgrove, Genny Vauhkonen, John Catlan, Neville Ryan, Wendy Hansen and Narelle Aizlewood.

OFFICE BEARERS 2012

CONTENTS

Dates for your diary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 1

Plant of the month; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2 President’s Annual report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Field day Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Upcoming field day info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 Bromeliads & Mosquitoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 6 - 9 Speakers and topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Planting in Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 11, 12 Find-a-word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13 Report on the combined show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 14 Tillandsia topic – crocata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Page 15 Ads / reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16

CENT AUCTION SEPTEMBER – REMINDER

KEEP YOUR FIRST TICKET – THIS HAS YOUR WINNING NUMBER ON IT

DATE EVENT

September 22

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Carrara Community Centre, Nielsens Road, Carrara. Orientation for New members and visitors 11.30 a.m. Plant Sales 12.00 p.m. Meeting begins 1.00 p.m.

CENT AUCTION TODAY.

September 29th and

30th

Rose Society 12th Annual Show - Robina Community

Centre

October 11, 12 & 13

Pines Shopping Centre – display and sales.

October 27

General Meeting – Carrara Community Centre, Nielsens Road, Carrara. Beginners Class 11.30 a.m. Plant Sales 12.00 p.m. Meeting begins 1.00 p.m.

November 3 ,

8 am—4 pm

November 4,

9am—3 pm.

Bromeliad Bonanza – Bromeliad Society of Qld Spring

Show – Brisbane Table Tennis Centre, 86 Green Terrace,

Windsor

November 8, 9 & 10

Southport Park Shopping Centre – display and sales.

November 24

CHRISTMAS PARTY

AND LARGE PLANT

RAFFLE

General Meeting – Carrara Community Centre, Nielsens Road, Carrara. Orientation for New members and visitors 11.30 a.m. Plant sales 12.00 p.m. Meeting begins 1.00 p.m.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

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Remember, if you have a plant with no name, bring it along and let our experts check it out.With the wealth of experience and knowledge of our members, you might just go home with a

name on that tag.

September Billbergias & Guzmanias

October Vrieseas, Neoregelias, Nidulariums, Guzmanias and Crassulaceae

November Not often seen Bromeliads & Succulents

Plant of the Month. A reminder to all membersspecimen from the nominated genera, please bring it in to exhibit.The plant doesn’t necessarily hafoliage.

EDITORIAL DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF Please have any articles for inclusion to me by November 12th, 2012.

Email address—jhenwood1@dodo.com.au

PLANT IDENTIFICATION

Remember, if you have a plant with no name, bring it along and let our experts check it out.With the wealth of experience and knowledge of our members, you might just go home with a

name on that tag.

Billbergias & Guzmanias

Vrieseas, Neoregelias, Nidulariums, Guzmanias and Crassulaceae

Not often seen Bromeliads & Succulents

Plant of the Month. A reminder to all members—if you have a good specimen from the nominated genera, please bring it in to exhibit.The plant doesn’t necessarily have to be in flower. We also grow for their

EDITORIAL DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF BROMLINK........ Please have any articles for inclusion to me by November 12th, 2012.

jhenwood1@dodo.com.au

IDENTIFICATION

Remember, if you have a plant with no name, bring it along and let our experts check it out. With the wealth of experience and knowledge of our members, you might just go home with a

Vrieseas, Neoregelias, Nidulariums, Guzmanias and

if you have a good specimen from the nominated genera, please bring it in to exhibit.

ve to be in flower. We also grow for their

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EDITORIAL DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF

Please have any articles for inclusion to me by November 12th, 2012.

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT

I would like to take this time to thank everybody who has made my presidency such a pleasure to do, as this will be my last chance to tell all members just how much I appreciate all the committee members for the work they do. Also thank you to everybody who has helped on the sales tables, the library, the special sales days and the field trips. Thank you also to the speaker’s co-ordinator, the conference co-ordinator, the plant display co-ordinators and the plant stewards. The refreshment supervisor, the host and hostess, the name badges co-ordinator, the publicity officer and the web master and all the life members. I would especially would like to thank John Crawford, Kerry Tate, Julie Hewetson, Harry and Ann Schenk, Glenda Hodgson, John Paterson, Janice L’Ánson, Tom and Marilyn Rivett, Berice Bragg, The Aizlewoods, Jan Tobiano, Carmon Burke, Monica and Colin Mead, Graeme Bullen, Tom Norris, Jeanette Henwood, Rosie Kelly to John Catlan for taking on our new beginners class and all the workers who are always on hand to help. Not to mention the Field Trips, the Combined Show, the Refreshments, the wonderful Grant we received from the Casino, to Denis Mills for giving a helping hand to members, to Roly for his tips, to everyone donating to the raffle, to all the Guest speakers, to everyone entering in the shows, to our new editor Jeanette - the list goes on and on. As you know the next meeting will be very special - a great guest speaker, a huge cent auction and a meeting to select the new committee. It will be a meeting with your new president as I will be stepping down and a new secretary and treasurer. Thank you to everyone - I will be going back to selling raffle tickets and watching from the side lines. I wish the club all the very best for the future. I hear Tom will be in Western Australia, I am sure he will be watching over us as we select our new office bearers.

JUDY PATERSON

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Field Day Sunday 27th May

Wow! What a day. Where does one start? On a brisk but sunny morning on the Gold Coast we set off on our field day to visit three gardens kindly opened by members of our society. The first stop was to Carol Landon’s garden at Currumbin Waters. What a lovely garden Carol. At each corner we turned there was a little nook or cranny where we could sit and admire the beautiful variety of plants such as Cordylines, flowering Orchids and of course Bromeliads, scattered amongst the trees. A large Vriesea took pride of place as you entered the garden. A few sun umbrellas adorned the garden which we all thought were for us to sit under, but no, they were for the Broms. Know where Carol’s priorities lie. Carol had built the garden up from just a few trees to the lovely garden it is today. A pleasure to visit. Our second garden of the day was Diana Bergmark’s at Ashmore. A magnificent entrance framed by manicured hedges with large statues welcomed us to this beautifully landscaped one acre property. Most of us know Diana as “the lady with the trolley” and now we know why, as scattered amongst the tall palm trees and throughout the property were the Broms Diana so carefully wheeled from the club each meeting. Here we had a relaxing lunch around the pool (no cossies could be seen) in a serene setting surrounded by shady trees and the scattering of blue pots made it a picturesque spot. The garden is a credit to Diana. Well done. Last but by no means least we arrived at our final stop for the day at Denis Mills Garden at Carrara. Upon arriving we were met by these magnificent flowering Bougainvilleas cascading along the fence and framing the front of the house. We thought this was the highlight of the garden until we ventured into the back. It was simply stunning. Broms, Cordylines and Succulents were all interplanted on a beautiful contoured area with a number of Broms attached to Golden Palms and along with the fountain, complemented the picture perfect scene. Dennis has cleverly built some interesting wall hangings where he has attached mini Broms and also grows herbs from the top of the planter, easy picking from the patio. He will have to bring one of these hangings to the club for a “show and tell”. On the patio a display of succulents bought together by the fact they were all in white pots created a very nice display. Once again, an interesting and delightful garden. A

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lovely day was had by all and many thanks to Carol, Diana and Denis for their hospitality and sharing their gardens with us. Although Marjorie was not available on the day, a special thanks to her for organising a very successful field trip. By Kay Edwards __________________________________________________________________________

Open gardens Saturday 20th October

To commence at John & Julie Crawford’s, 20 Sugargum Crescent, Molendinar, an amazingly set-out Bromeliad production garden in an attractive fashion. You are sure to enjoy the information you will be given. Morning tea will be available before we leave for the next garden, at 10.30 am & head for Mt. Tamborine. Bruce & Heather Condon of 378 Main Western Road will welcome us at 11.30. These kind people are members of Ipswich club & intend to join us soon. Lunch will be in the Botanical Gardens. Our club will provide hot water. Then your time is your own. It's spring! so the mountains should be a picture. Looking forward to meeting many of you on the day, to share in fun & friendship while learning. Marjorie Gale ph. 55787874 mob 0413690691

SUCCULENT QUIZ ANSWERS

This is how your page should look. ☺

Draw a line between the word and the correct meaning.

CONVEXUS emitting an odour CONVOLUTE arched like a dish turned upside down COMPOSITAE having suckers or stolons PEROLENS rolled and folded so one part is almost covered by another SURCULOSUS the largest family of flowering plants with over 13000 species, of which few are Succulent

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BROMELIADS and

A bit of history - as to why I am doing this research. The Townsville City Council in Queensland has been prosecuting people for having have advertised these plants as the arch enemy. I contacted the World Health Authority asking for any research where Aedes aegypti, the mosquito carrying Dengue Fever has been found breeding in bromeliads. The latter are of no concern to them so far as Dengue Fever is concerned as only two cases of finding larvae in bromeliads have ever been reported and tnegligible. The Council (Health Department) is saying bromeliads are bad in the tropics while I am saying that we in the dry tropics, like Hawaii, have the best growing and colouring up conditions in the world. Bromeliads should promoted as a tourist attraction here in the tropics. Somewhere between the two is probably correct. The Townsville City Council (Parks and Gardens) is helping me resolve this dichotomy by supplying me with some of their larger bromeliads to add to my study so that I would have a larger range of genera and species than I had in my pilot study. While I was waiting for new growth of pest free plants, and waiting for the vases to become large enough to possibly attract made a strange observation. The council supplied plants were getting mosquitoes in some of their plants while my plants weren't. How could this be? Was someone trying to show me that we were both right? I had proposed in my previous publication that I believed there could be a chemosquito released by bromeliads. My wild unspoiled plants up the trees never had mosquitoes in them in 30 years so my hypothesis sounded reasonable. After all some carnivorous bromeliads are known, so we know they can utilise flesh. If this is true why were the council ones performing differently?

My son, Dr. Mark Smythe working at University of Queensland read and forwarded to me an article found in their newsletter stating that a predator of mosquitoes called Mesocyclops had been found working at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. My garden has been pesticide free for thirty years while council plants would have been sprayed. Could the council have killed a predator?

Now that I have started asking questibetter in a Question and Answer format.

Predators that is my favourite word at the moment. I have spent a lot of time studying the water in vases of bromeliads, and so far have found several predators worthy of my research.

BROMELIADS and MOSQUITOS By: Rob Smythe M.Sc.

as to why I am doing this research. The Townsville City Council in Queensland has been prosecuting people for having mosquitoes in their bromeliads. They have advertised these plants as the arch enemy. I contacted the World Health

research where Aedes aegypti, the mosquito carrying Dengue Fever has been found breeding in bromeliads. The latter are of no concern to them so far as Dengue Fever is concerned as only two cases of finding larvae in bromeliads have ever been reported and the number of wrigglers was negligible. The Council (Health Department) is saying bromeliads are bad in the tropics while I am saying that we in the dry tropics, like Hawaii, have the best growing and colouring up conditions in the world. Bromeliads should promoted as a tourist attraction here in the tropics. Somewhere between the two is probably correct. The Townsville City Council (Parks and Gardens) is helping me resolve this dichotomy by supplying me with some of their larger bromeliads

tudy so that I would have a larger range of genera and species than I had in my pilot study. While I was waiting for new growth of pest free plants, and waiting for the vases to become large enough to possibly attract

n. The council supplied plants were getting mosquitoes in some of their plants while my plants weren't. How could this be? Was someone trying to show me that we were both right? I had proposed in my previous publication that I believed there could be a chemical inhibitor to mosquito released by bromeliads. My wild unspoiled plants up the trees never

in them in 30 years so my hypothesis sounded reasonable. After all some carnivorous bromeliads are known, so we know they can utilise flesh. If his is true why were the council ones performing differently?

My son, Dr. Mark Smythe working at University of Queensland read and forwarded to me an article found in their newsletter stating that a predator of mosquitoes called Mesocyclops had been found by a Dr. Michael Brown working at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. My garden has been pesticide free for thirty years while council plants would have been sprayed. Could the council have killed a predator?

Now that I have started asking questions I feel that I can explain my findings better in a Question and Answer format.

is my favourite word at the moment. I have spent a lot of time studying the water in vases of bromeliads, and so far have found several

thy of my research. As I am now retired, I do not have the funds to

: Rob Smythe M.Sc.

as to why I am doing this research. The Townsville City Council in Queensland in their bromeliads. They

have advertised these plants as the arch enemy. I contacted the World Health research where Aedes aegypti, the mosquito carrying

Dengue Fever has been found breeding in bromeliads. The latter are of no concern to them so far as Dengue Fever is concerned as only two cases of finding

he number of wrigglers was negligible. The Council (Health Department) is saying bromeliads are bad in the tropics while I am saying that we in the dry tropics, like Hawaii, have the best growing and colouring up conditions in the world. Bromeliads should be promoted as a tourist attraction here in the tropics. Somewhere between the two is probably correct. The Townsville City Council (Parks and Gardens) is helping me resolve this dichotomy by supplying me with some of their larger bromeliads

tudy so that I would have a larger range of genera and species than I had in my pilot study. While I was waiting for new growth of pest free plants, and waiting for the vases to become large enough to possibly attract mosquitoes I

n. The council supplied plants were getting mosquitoes in some of their plants while my plants weren't. How could this be? Was someone trying to show me that we were both right? I had proposed in my

mical inhibitor to mosquito released by bromeliads. My wild unspoiled plants up the trees never

in them in 30 years so my hypothesis sounded reasonable. After all some carnivorous bromeliads are known, so we know they can utilise flesh. If his is true why were the council ones performing differently?

My son, Dr. Mark Smythe working at University of Queensland read and forwarded to me an article found in their newsletter stating that a predator of

by a Dr. Michael Brown working at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. My garden has been pesticide free for thirty years while council plants would have been sprayed.

ons I feel that I can explain my findings

is my favourite word at the moment. I have spent a lot of time studying the water in vases of bromeliads, and so far have found several

As I am now retired, I do not have the funds to

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exactly identify these so accept my names with some reservation, that is, until someone gets paid to research them properly.

What are Mesocyclops?

Mesocyclops are found in the bromeliads with clearer water. These have only recently been discovered as a mosquito predator by Dr. Michael Brown working at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. They are very small and just visible to the naked eye. They zig and zag about often carrying two large egg sacks. Several researchers are using these creatures to study mosquito breeding in mine shafts and water tanks. These fellows keep my bromeliads free of mosquitoes right through the year up until the heat and heavy rains of summer. They are now gone, dead or washed out of my bromeliads. They do not like putrid conditions and do best in clearer waters in cooler conditions, however they can be replaced after the heat of summer. (Uncle Derek says they look like very miniature Mitsubishi logos if you clean your bifocals)

Where can I get the predators? Up here in Townsville one looks for a pond that has no fish or tadpoles and as yet no wrigglers. It (the pond) is under predator control if it has not been sprayed. I brought the water home from two ponds and set up my own tubs in the yard. I have never had to top it up, but I do watch that my ponds do not get too hot or polluted. Midges have come to the ponds of their own accord and can be found in most neglected collections up here.

Are there any other predators? Blood worms, these little creatures are small red aquatic worms which multiply via some weird divisionary process. They hatch into non-biting midges. These appear to be predators only in the sense that they can kill wrigglers; I have never seen them eat the wrigglers, though some midges can be carnivorous. While I was ill I set up glasses of possible predators around the bed, I had time to observe these creatures. Using wine glasses to simulate bromeliads, wrigglers came down to the bottom where the worms were concentrated. Anything touching the worm was wrapped in a ball of worm. These worms do not hunt. I found them in old neglected billbergias on the trees, they concentrate at the bottom of the vase, they are unusual creatures in that they can survive in putrid conditions. Their red colour is due to their possessing haemoglobin like ours. This concentrates the oxygen in their bodies, and is apparently very rare in insects. Spirogyra, this is a filamentous algae found in ponds. When healthy, this collects bubbles and floats to the surface of the bromeliads and eventually becomes impenetrable to the wriggler, which subsequently drowns. Unfortunately, it can

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hook on to the spines and be carried out of the water. It then bleaches and looks ugly so you must be prepared to push it back into the water. Bladder-worts, I have read about these as being mosquito traps in wild bromeliads (in habitat). The first one appeared in my Neoregelia burle-marxii. Maybe it was imported with the plant? When the plant was small, mosquitoes appeared, I guess it was trapping and eating my Mesocyclops. Now the plant is larger mosquitoes are not present. It may be useful, it's early days yet.

How do I treat my bromeliads to minimise mosquitoes? For the dry season and incidentally the cooler season, they are totally under predator control. I rarely find a single mosquito during this period. Spirogyra is best, Mesocyclops are very efficient but so small you do not know they have died until you find mosquitoes.

Do you recommend any particular spray treatment? For the wet season I spray once a week. I have written of my aversion to insecticide sprays in the environment, the spray I use is my own formula; it does not contain harmful insecticides. I mix together 50m1 Alginox, 50m1 vinegar and l00ml of kerosene shaken to make an emulsion and made up to 5 litres with water. The kerosene is used only at swarming times. I walk around and spray the plants at dusk - 5 litres covers a thousand plants. If I have too much on the leaves of delicate plants I water these plants half an hour later, time enough for wrigglers to go beyond the point of no return on the health charts. This dilute emulsified kerosene, presumably because of the oil in water emulsion formed, does not appear to damage the plants like kerosene or kerosene based sprays do. Do not be tempted to try commercial white oil. Kerosene has a low boiling point and hence higher vapour pressure and does not hang around like the damaging white oil.

If I add kerosene to the spray, how long should I leave it on delicate plants? If you have delicate plants with soft new leaf, wash off 15 minutes after spraying. My studies have shown that large wrigglers die quickly but minute ones can survive 15 minutes under the spray in well-oxygenated water. Probably something to do with thinner skin and larger surface area to body weight of the smaller wrigglers.

How does the spray work? The kerosene stays only long enough to smother the wrigglers. The Alginox is surfactant, which would lyse and destroy eggs. It would also change the surface tension of the water which might cause landing mosquitoes to get wet and sink, and also make it impossible for hatching mosquitoes to escape from the surface. The vinegar changes the pH of the vase water killing the larvae.

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What is the easiest way to check for mosquitoes? Tip the water into a white bucket is the surest method; a white bucket will show the smallest wriggler. Should this method be impossible or even impracticable then try the battery acid tester to sample the water. Check for surfacing wrigglers looking for air after the spray treatment. Use a torch at night. All these methods will work for you.

When/where am I most likely to find mosquitoes in my bromeliads? Flowering neoregelias, these have rotting flowers in the vase supplying food for the predators as well as the mosquitoes, and they release carbon dioxide as the old flower ferments. Mosquitoes are attracted to water, flesh tones, heat, and carbon dioxide. Flowered neoregelias score 3 out of 4. Shaded plants also attract mosquitoes. Very rarely do I see a mosquito hatching of any size - the worst offenders in my collection are neoregelias, frequently offending, but not big hatchings unless their water is putrid. Screwing out the spent flower removes the food source and also cleans up the plant's vase.

What else can I do? When you are sitting in your garden amongst your broms having a coffee and a cigarette just drop your coffee swill and your butts into the broms. The caffeine and nicotine will kill just about everything in the animal kingdom including your pet dog!

Before signing off I should point out two things. I will probably change the recommended amounts in sprays in the future as experiments need a lot of time and patience. I wish to get the Alginox as low as possible as it could harm frogs and it wipes out the desirable algae and spirogyra. The spray does not seem to worry the midges and I do not yet know what it does to the Mesocyclops.

The second thing is probably obvious now, and that is, the predator method and the spray method cannot be carried out concurrently. The spray kills the algae spirogyra.

In conclusion, if you use insecticide, observe closely as in some areas of the world there are mosquitoes now immune to all known insecticides. It is happening here to a degree. If I am right, the next step would be to develop chemical resistant organisms and then use integrated pest management.

(Taken from the FCBS website – fcbs.org/articles/mosquito.htma)

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UEST SPEAKERSUEST SPEAKERSUEST SPEAKERSUEST SPEAKERS SEPTEMBER

Main speaker – ALLAN (the) LADD Topic - "SECRETS OF A BROMELIADDICT”. Allan has been working and playing with bromeliads since a youngster. His knowledge and experience is vast. Never boring, always entertaining, Allan will hold the floor with a range of topics bromeliad-related – from seed-raising to latest hybrids to tales of woe and success. Heckling from the audience is allowed. No feature speaker this month due to Annual General Meeting.

OCTOBER

Panel of debaters - JOHN CATLAN, KATHLEEN HENDERSON, ALLAN LADD and KERRY TATE. Master/Mistress of Ceremonies - To be confirmed at a later date. This person will call to order any unruly behaviour. He/she will also time panel member's responses, nominate questioners from the audience, and count audience votes for each topic debated. If in doubt, the M.C. will make the final decision. Topics - Some prepared contentious topics on bromeliads and succulents, as well as suggested, spontaneous debate topics raised by members of the audience. Feature speaker - John Catlan (to be confirmed in later Bromlink).

NOVEMBER

No speakers this month. It's our Christmas break-up party and monster raffle. Please bring along a yummy plate of food to share. Lots of beautiful raffle plant prizes – this is a highlight of our meetings and one all members look forward to with anticipation.

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REPRINTED FROM BROMLINK 2001

INK 2001 – BY MARY NICHOLSONBY MARY NICHOLSON

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REPORT ON THE COMBINED SHOW WITH THE ORCHID SOCIETY

What a show! 2 days, 1600 people, $10,600.00 sales for our Society. Thursday afternoon set-up started with a big shuffle of tables to accommodate the entry doors/ power /cash register set-up. Marjorie & Carmon arranged a wonderful display in the entry foyer, with great plants supplied by our members.

Friday, people lined-up at the doors, with 500 being admitted by lunch-time. Glenda & her helpers took care of the tea/coffee /cake, while Janice very capably looked after every ones appetite. Both rooms were filled to capacity with the orchids filling the air with their fragrance. Saturday, still more people!! with good sales up until about 2pm. The clean-up was very efficient and we were away in no time at all. Once again, many hands making light work of the whole two days. Graeme gave a “non demonstration" on repotting on both days which was well received.

Congratulations to Glenda and her helpers; Janice and her crew, the ladies on the till - Carole, Ruth and the packers and not forgetting “dirty Harry” for his house-cleaning efforts!

Like all new ventures, it had its hiccups!!......however, with a few "think-tanks" it ought to be bigger and better next year. P.S. well done Barbara Stultz and Peter Wright on taking-out prizes in the competition.

Graeme Bullen

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Tillandsia crocata

Tillandsia crocata is a little gem of the family. Although it is only small it makes up for this in colour and sweet fragrance. The beautiful yellow petals and elegant fragrance are irresistible attractions. The name comes from crocatus meaning with saffron yellow. The plant grows saxicolously (on rocks) in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at elevations of 90-2700 metres and forms an attractive clump. The plant may be simple or few-branched and the leaves are distichous (in opposing rows). The leaves are densely covered with coarse scales. Tillandsia crocata is easy to cultivate, requires bright light, needs to be watered regularly but needs to dry out between waterings. It will grow in a range of different conditions, is fairly tough and a great favourite.

Acknowledgments to Paul Isley 111 and BSI Journal.

How many forms of crocata do you grow? (taken from the website of the Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society)

MEMBER SEEKING PLANTS

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Dear members, I would like to purchase any orthophytums or neophytums

that you

could bring into our meeting to sell to me.

I have O.Gurkenii, .O.Brunswick, O. Breeze.

N. Crackerjack., RalphDavis., Galactic Warrior, Blaze, Gary Hendrix.

Have you any others?

Thank you .Ann Schenk. Tel. 55730617.

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WHOLESALE BROMELIADS of AUSTRALIA, THE POCKET

(near Mullumbimby)

Large range of bromeliads. Agents for Deroose, exotic plant of Belgium &

Andrew Maly’s KIWI COLLECTION VRIESEAS.

Visitors welcome by appointment.

P.0266845374.

F.0266845168.

email: plants@ausbroms.com.au

Website: www.ausbroms.com.au

GUIDELINES FOR BORROWING FROM THE LIBRARY

New members must be financial for three months before borrowing books. 1. Books are on loan for (1) month only. 2. Members are responsible for replacement of lost or damaged books. 3. Members are advised that the above guide lines are part of the by-laws approved by the members of the society. 4. All reference books are kept in storage and need to be ordered a month in

Advance. A list of those books is available from the library.

Library and book sales open at 12.00 p.m. meeting days.

BOOKS FOR SALE

Bromeliads - A Cultural Manual $5.00 Bromeliad Cultivation Notes $8.00 Starting with Bromeliads $25.00 We have a wide range of books and magazines available for you to borrow. Our friendly librarian Jennifer Laurie along with assistant librarian Jan Tobiano will be on hand to help you.

The aims of the society are: (A) To stimulate interest in the conservation, and to promote the culture and development of

succulents and bromeliads.

(B) To acquire and disseminate information regarding these plants and to encourage their production

and propagation.

(C) To ban totally from our collection any such plants which become noxious.

(D) To enlighten members and the public on the dangers of cultivating certain noxious species.

(E) To give exhibitions, arrange field days, and other events, and to make such publications as are

deemed desirable.

(F) To associate, affiliate or otherwise joint or connect ourselves with similar bodies or societies.

(G) To make seeds and plants available to members under the control of the Society.

(H) To foster family membership and members.