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Bromeliad Society International |
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Bromeliad Society International |
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The Bromeliad Society International is pleased to announce the impending
affiliation of the Boca Raton (FL) Bromeliad Society from documents
submitted by Mark Havlik, current President of the BRBS. This enthusiastic
society was founded June 15, 1995, and is also a current member of the
Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, Inc. Officers for 2001/2002
include John Irvine, Vice-President; Carol Esser, Treasurer; Tammy Marks,
Secretary; and Beth Hesselton, Corresponding Secretary. For further
information regarding meeting times and places please access the Boca Raton
Bromeliad Society web link at the BSI web page at
http://www.bsi.org/webpages/boca_raton.html, whose current
web master is Ken Marks, also a member of the BRBS. We all wish them
many years of success in promoting the cultivation of bromeliads.
Another society that has expressed interest in BSI affiliation is the
Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society of Queensland, Australia. Bob Paulsen
writes in the annual report of the Bromeliad Society of Queensland, Inc. that
the Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society had its origins as a result of a
conversation by some delegates on the train to Cairns for Bromeliads X in
August, 1999. The inaugural meeting was held at the home of Grace Goode in
Alexandra Headlands followed by a public meeting at the same venue on the
20th of November with 22 people present. Meetings were held at the homes of
various members during the year and featured talks and demonstrations by
experienced growers from SE Queensland. A regular bi-monthly newsletter has
been commenced and a small lending library established. Membership has grown
to 66 persons with meeting attendance averaging 28.
The starting of the Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society points to the very
strong popularity of bromeliad cultivation in the countries of Australia and
New Zealand. Their societies continue to do well, as there is much interest
in the study of these plants as evidenced by the following submitted by Chris
Larson in the publication of the Bromeliad Society of New South Wales (AUS),
Inc. The idea of the Tillandsia Participation Event came about from a
discussion with Maurice Kellett that we exchange notes on growing methods,
taxonomy, etc. between tillandsia growers from around Australia.
During the inaugural event of Easter, 2000, all participants were required to
lead at least one one-half hour session. The participants came from as far
as Cairns, Adelaide, and New Zealand. Some of the topics of the twenty
sessions included pests, seed raising, rare plants from Peru, and the CAM
process. It was considered a success by all involved, and it was agreed to
meet in the same format over Easter, 2002.
Tom and Nancy Steinmetz had the pleasure of attending "Bromeliads in
Bloom," a special event sponsored by the Miami Beach (FL) Botanical Garden,
on October 6, to celebrate the launching of their new bromeliad
collection. Laurie Davidson, event organizer and Bromeliad Society of South
Florida member, did a super job of coordinating the different programs with
some help from Garden volunteers and BSSF members. She led a tour of the
site where the bromeliad garden will be planted in the near future. Craig
Allen of Fairchild Tropical Garden is designing the space and will soon have
a list of plants to be included. If anyone would like to donate plants, join
the Garden, or contribute money, please contact Laurie Davidson at
ldavidson@thebeach.net.
There is a matching grant that will match money contributions 50/50.
President Don Ryan, of the Central Coast New South Wales(AUS)
Bromeliad Society, announced that Ruby Ryde has consented to accept the
position of Society Patron. Ruby and her husband, Keith, are foundation
members dating back to 1982. Her contributions of knowledge, practical
presentations, and as resident information centre for bromeliad nomenclature
are incalculable. The society is indeed fortunate in having as a Patron a
member who is internationally recognized as an outstanding authority on
bromeliad culture. Patron is the highest accolade of the society's esteem.
Congratulations!
Eileen Bennett writes in the members' update of the Bromeliad Society of
Australia, Inc. of a new award, named after Marjory McNamara. Some years
ago, Marjory was an instigator of the competitions at the monthly meetings.
Points were awarded for place getters, resulting in a grand total at year's
end to decide the Points Score Winner for the year in Open and Novice Sections.
The competition has been a popular part of the meetings; as not only are the
plants judged and commented on by the judge of the day but members are also
invited to vote in the "Popular Vote." Now, Marjory, as an extra incentive
and reward, has kindly donated a cash prize for the next three years for the
winner of the points score each year. The BSA has decided to match Marjory's
kind offer dollar for dollar, and the first of these awards will be presented
at the end of the next full competition year. Good luck to all.
At the January meeting of the Bromeliad Society of Central Florida members
approved the Board's recommendation of Ed and Nancy Hall of Maitland, FL, as
Life Members of the BSCF. Life Members receive this special recognition because
of long-standing and significant contributions to the society. Ed and Nancy
moved to Florida in 1969 and joined the BSCF in 1975. During 27 years of
service they have held every office plus those of Editor, Librarian, and have
assisted on countless committees. They continue to be active today. They have
served as Chairman of the Florida Council for times and have been responsible
for garden tours in two BSI World Conferences. Congratulations on this fine
honor.
The Bromeliad Society of Central Florida also hosted the 2001 Bromeliad
Extravaganza in October. Eloise Beach writes that it will be remembered as one
of the best ever staged. The big effort spent on publicity through live radio
spots and the support of local and statewide papers really brought out the
general public. The membership drive brought eight new members for the BSCF
and one new member for the BSI. The Home and Garden TV Network sent a crew
from Canada to film the Extravaganza, Leu Gardens, and some BSCF members'
gardens. Look for it in the future.
The February meeting of the Central Coast New South Wales Bromeliad Society
(AUS) marked the 20th Anniversary of the Society. The words of the original
constitution are as relevant now as they were 20 years ago. In Part: To provide
the facilities and environment for social contact between members and their
friends; To promote and enhance knowledge of Bromeliaceae culture, history,
cultivation, hybridization, and to distribute such knowledge amongst members
and the public at large; and to promote fellowship among members of the
Society. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and wish them another
twenty years of success.
In News from the President, Graham West of the Bromeliad Society of New Zealand
writes of a very successful year in 2001. Membership as of January totaled 508,
up from 405 at the same time last year. There have been 100 or more members
attending the monthly meetings (is there another bromeliad society anywhere
in the world that can beat that?). Andrew Flower is once again producing the
Journal of the BSNZ. To contact him by e-mail, his address is:
andrew@anwyl.com.
Initial reports of the 11th Conference of Australian Bromeliad Societies all
speak of a very enjoyable and positive experience. The conference was organized by the Illawarra Bromeliad Society and was entitled "Brom-a-warra". The main
speaker for the event was Dr. Eric Gouda of the Utrecht (The Netherlands)
Botanic Gardens. New Zealand will host the next conference in March 2003, with
the Bromeliad Society of Queensland conducting the event in 2005. A job well
done by the Illawarra Bromeliad Society and President Graham Bevan. Also from
Australia comes news of the disasterous brushfires that plagued them during
their summer months. Bog Gray, one of the more popular members of the Bromeliad
Society of New South Wales, lost his house when the fires raced through
Helensburgh. Bob is safe, but has lost everything including his plants and fish
collection. Friends of Bob have worked many long hours in an attempt to salvage
some of Bob's plants but it will be some time before it is known if they have
been successful. Our thoughts are with you, Bob.
Martha Goode
Crystal Lake, Illinois
affiliates@bsi.org
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