Bromeliad Society International

BSI Seed Fund

The BSI Seed Fund acts as a clearinghouse for the exchange and distribution of bromeliads by seed. This is an excellent method of obtaining many uncommon or even rare plants that have not found their way into common cultivation yet. With a little patience, you can have the satisfaction of growing a plant from germination up to flowering size. Please be aware that there is no guarantee that the seeds are as described. The BSI seed fund has been around a long time and experience shows that most seeds are as described, however, it's not uncommon to find that some offerings contain hybrid seeds. Conditions of the BSI Seed Fund are as follows:

• Seed may only be ordered by members of BSI.
• Packets [at least 20 seeds] are US$1.00 each.
• Each order is limited to two (2) packets per species.
• Some seed are in short supply. Please include a substitution list; otherwise a credit memo will be issued that may be exchanged for seed or cash.
• Any exception to order limits or packet size is listed by that item.
• Donation of seeds are gladly accepted.
• Trade of seed will be handled as maximum of two Seed Fund Packets sent to you for each LARGE packet of seed that you send in.
• Any seed sent to the Seed Fund should be marked as to parentage. If unpure (crossed) seed are suspected, please mark as such.
• Orders being shipped within the USA that include a long SASE with the order, will receive a free packet of seed.
• Foreign customers please use international money orders which are available at banks and post offices.

Send orders and make checks payable to:
Harvey C. Beltz
6327 South Inwood Road
Shreveport, LA 71119-7260
Tel: 318-635-4980

Seed Availability For February 2010

A Note About Growing From Seed By Uncle Derek

Seed growing is exciting. First you see the "grass" and wonder what it is and finally you get a flower which was all "your own work"! It is then that you should check to see whether your plant is like its mother. Remember that Bromeliads are very promiscuous and you are never certain about the identity of the father! If your plant is different from its mother, read our section on Cultivar Information and decide whether the new plant deserves a name of its own. Seed from a hybrid (with a common name not a Latin one) will produce seedlings which will rarely be like its mother and will, in all probability, be a "motley crew". NONE should retain the name of the mother but there is a chance you may have a unique plant worthy of a new name. Again, check the Cultivar Information Section for naming the new plant.

-Unc