SEMBS SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BROMELIAD SOCIETY AFFILIATE OF THE BROMELIAD SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011

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Myles Peters
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1 SEMBS SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BROMELIAD SOCIETY AFFILIATE OF THE BROMELIAD SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011

Front cover: Winter Torch You can count on it: When early winter has approached its deepest gloom, the brilliant red inflorescences of Quesnelia arvensis emerge in the conservatory at Matthaei

Billbergia pyramidalis is deservedly called Autumn Torch ; I think Quesnelia arvensis ought to be called Winter Torch. A close cousin of arvensis is Q.

2 Front cover: Winter Torch You can count on it: When early winter has approached its deepest gloom, the brilliant red inflorescences of Quesnelia arvensis emerge in the conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. They emit an uncanny neon glow which cannot be captured by camera (or colored pencil). Billbergia pyramidalis is deservedly called Autumn Torch ; I think Quesnelia arvensis ought to be called Winter Torch. A close cousin of arvensis is Q. testudo, also a winter bloomer, but more reluctant than arvensis. It is currently in bloom at Matthaei, with a more orderly inflorescence in a demure hot pink DUES NOW DUE AND PAYABLE Single $12 2 or More Names, 1 address $15 More then 75 miles from Detroit $5 Dues can be paid at the meeting or sent to the treasurer. Make the check out to SEMBS and mail to: SEMBS, PO Box 80472, Rochester, MI paintings The Quesnelias are a small family of some fifteen species growing terrestrially and as saxicoles (on rock) in eastern Brazil. They owe their name to M. Quesnel, French Consul to Guiana, who introduced the species to France ca Despite their beauty they have not been popular with hobbyists. The Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society endeavors to stimulate interest in bromeliads, to disseminate information about them, to support conservation of this threatened family. Meetings are ordinarily held on the third Saturday of the month, a show and sale is held in September. No meetings are held in January. SEMBS, the newsletter, appears bimonthly and brings news of Society activities and cultural information. Member contributions are greatly encouraged. Photographs, when not otherwise indicated, are by the editor. Material published in SEMBS may be reproduced without consulting the editor. It is requested the source be acknowledged and that any change from the original be clearly noted.

3 Next Meeting: Saturday, February 19 at 2:00p.m. Planterra March Meeting: Saturday, March 19 at 2:00p.m. Mathaei Botanical Gardens 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor Topic: The Air Plants and How to Keep Them Happy A powerpoint introduction to the group of atmospheric tillandsias and vrieseas will be followed by demonstrations on how to mount them for most effective display and best growth. Please remember to bring a plant or two for show and tell. Info.: The last time we visited Planterra owner Larry Pliska talked excitedly about plans to replace the old conservatory with a state-of-the-art new facility. Last October his new conservatory was officially opened. What a difference! Google up Planterra and see the astounding photographs. But better yet, come and join our guided tour.

FROM OUR MEMBERS Lynne Echlin, vacationing in Florida, writes on February 11: I put in my first day at Selby today and am attaching some

I am going to be volunteering in the greenhouse one day per week in addition to my outside work and will be working with the bromeliads.

He has a 20 year history of involvement with our favorite plants so I'm hoping I can learn from him.

4 FROM OUR MEMBERS Lynne Echlin, vacationing in Florida, writes on February 11: I put in my first day at Selby today and am attaching some pictures of what I found interesting. I am going to be volunteering in the greenhouse one day per week in addition to my outside work and will be working with the bromeliads. The man I'll be working with is trying to clean up and repot many of the broms so I think it will be interesting and informative. He has a 20 year history of involvement with our favorite plants so I'm hoping I can learn from him. Arch at Marie Selby Gardens (all photos by Lynne Echlin) Aechmea contracta closely resembles a billbergia and was first classified in 1830 as Billbergia contracta. The flowers appear in two ranks, giving a flattened appearance whereas most aechmeas have a more cylindrical inflorescence (ed.).

5 The good color of this clump of Neoregelia pauciflora shows that it has grown in strong light (ed.). Tillandsia Creation (T. platyrhachis x T. cyanea) Inge Alger sends pictures from her collection, taken on one of those rare sunny days: Tillandsia ionantha A sunlit dyckia

From Sidney Kubien: After Thanksgiving and full of the previous day s goodies, I was off to Midland, MI to create a display for the Michigan Orchid Society at the Saginaw Valley Orchid Show.

provide I knew they would be perfect. Then, when I was told that there were not very many orchids for the display, I knew the bromeliads would definitely make a spectacular addition.

After much juggling, everything began to fall into place and the display began to take shape. After I added the bromeliads the display looked terrific. (Photos: S.

6 From Sidney Kubien: After Thanksgiving and full of the previous day s goodies, I was off to Midland, MI to create a display for the Michigan Orchid Society at the Saginaw Valley Orchid Show. My intent was to use bromeliads as fillers in the display (one of the rules is that you cannot use other plants that are blooming in the display), but with the beautiful foliage that the bromeliads provide I knew they would be perfect. Then, when I was told that there were not very many orchids for the display, I knew the bromeliads would definitely make a spectacular addition. Andrea Gray, who was supposed to go with me, got sick at the last moment, but still was able to contribute some of her bromeliads for the display. After much juggling, everything began to fall into place and the display began to take shape. After I added the bromeliads the display looked terrific. (Photos: S. Kubien) Even though it was my first display, I took the blue ribbon for society displays over 50 sq.ft. and the trophy for best of class. Then I received a very special award. Don Garling is the person who brought me to the MOS and was always an inspiration to me. Don was always into displays and teaching others how to put them together and what to look for in judging one. After his passing this fall, the Saginaw Valley Orchid Society began a new trophy in his honor Best Society Display. I became the first recipient of this trophy and was very moved by the honor. It was surprising to me how much interest was generated by the bromeliads at an orchid show. Guests bombarded me with questions and took many pictures. But for us, we already know about the special qualities that bromeliads have.

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BROMELIAD SOCIETY AFFILIATE OF BROMELIAD SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

SEMBS SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BROMELIAD SOCIETY AFFILIATE OF BROMELIAD SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 Billbergia lietzei E. Morren 1881, epiphytic and terrestrial, Espirito Santo and Minas