THE ATTACK OF THE BROMELIADS!!!

(A.K.A.: My May 2005 Florida bromeliad buying spree)

I usually visit Florida in May to attend the Redlands Orchid Fest (crazy buying spree), visiting and staying with an old friend in Ft.Lauderdale. This year, I had the good fortune that the Sarasota Bromeliad Society's show was the same weekend. So after the orchid event on Friday, I hopped in the truck on Saturday morning and drove the 3 1/2 hours up to Tropiflora, A.K.A. Bromeliad Heaven. I was a little out of control and, um, overbought. Up here in the great frozen wastes of Ohio there are no bromeliad buying opportunities. I saw a lot of great plants, and picked out a 'few' for myself. Reaching in amongst the plants to look at tags, pull out plants and carry them back to the office took a toll on my arms, scratching them up pretty badly. War wounds. But I only wish I had had more time!

I then hopped back in the truck and drove the short distance to the show at Selby Gardens. I went straight to the sales area, figuring the show would wait for me, but that one (dozen) plant(s) I just had to have might just get sold before I got to it if I did the show first. I was pleasantly surprised to see the large selection of plants for sale. Tropiflora had a sales area and I admit I did get a few more of their plants. The society's member sales area had great plants at inceredibly low pricing. I just had to throw some sales their way, too. I was clearly out of control, as all the plants ( pics of my prizes ) were going to have to be stuffed into suitcases for the trip back (although by this time, it was dawning on me I might have to pack some up and mail them to myself). Fortunately my plans changed (several times) and I ended up driving back, so the plants just rode in the back of the truck and didn't have to be unpotted and scrunched up. Everyone was so nice there, my experience at the show and sale was great.

As for the show itself, I saw things I had never seen before and things I had before, but not like that! Bigger and brighter! They sure do like the Florida climate! Incredible plants. In fact, the individual plants were the best collection of broms I have seen. The thumbnails on this page link to larger pics of the plants I snapped. The colors in the pics are true; the reds were incredible, the patterns on some of the plants downright unbelievable, and there were some truly huge specimens. I want at least one of each!!! I especially was awed by: Til.propagolifera at over 5' tall, and that green and purple; Neophytum Galactic Warrior, shocking red and over 30" across; Cryptanthus Osiris, like no other cryptanthus I've ever seen; the colors on all the neos; and the patterns/colors of the billbergias.


Bill. Domingos Martin x Afterglow	Bill. Hallelujah	Bill. Strawberry x Afterglow	Billmea Rosebud

Crypt. Alpine Frost	Crypt.dianae	Crypt.Key Lime Pie	Crypt.Osiris

Neo.Blushing Tiger	Neo.Bob and Grace	Neo.marmorata	Neo.Morrisoniana

Neophytum Galactic Warrior	Neo.Small Wonder	Ques.marmorata variegata	Til.Elisa

Til.propagolifera