SOUTH BAY BROMELIAD ASSOCIATES (SBBA)
About
us
Our club was founded in 1968 by enthusiasts
who collect and nurture tropical plants, notably bromeliads. Members often
belong to several clubs with specialty interests in orchids, cactus,
succulents, begonias, and many others. Our members range in experience from new
growers to those with decades of growing experience. Bromeliads are easy to grow, and offer a great range of beauty
and interesting forms.
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Meetings
Regular monthly meetings are held on the
first Sunday of each month except July—club picnic, August—annual show and
sale, and December—holiday party.
We meet at the Community Room (second floor)
of the Palos Verdes Main Library, 701 Silver Spur Road from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Parking and admission are free. Here is a map to
the library.
Our meetings feature a speaker presentation,
refreshments, a show-and-tell display of members’ plants, and a door prize
drawing at 1:30 p.m.
Guest Speakers present slide shows of trips
to Bromeliad habitats, botanical gardens, methods of growing Bromeliads, or demonstrations
of potting and growing techniques. Sometimes they bring special plants for
sale.
An exciting plant auction is held at each
regular meeting, where attendees can buy Bromeliads, often at bargain
prices.
Our portable SBBA Lending Library contains
outstanding books on the cultivation and identification of Bromeliads,
available for checkout to club members.
Guests and visitors are
always welcome!
Membership
Annual dues are $10 per year per individual
or family, for which will receive a monthly newsletter and may participate in
all club parties and special events. A member privilege is selling plants at
our club auctions and plant sales. You are invited to join the SBBA to enjoy
the friendship and knowledge shared by our members.
For more information, contact Ted Johnson:
(310) 541-4185.
Upcoming events
Monthly
meeting on May 6, 2012. We seem to have hit the
Ecuadorian Trifecta! The last two programs were presented by Christy Brenner,
who toured Ecuador with our May speaker, Guillermo Rivera, the tour organizer
for those exciting adventures. This time we will see “Bromeliads from Southern
Ecuador” from a different perspective – that of the expert guide who knows the
exact locations where exotic plants flourish in their natural habitat. See a few
teaser photos on his website: www.cactusexpeditions.com.ar/
Guillermo Rivera, born in Argentina, owns and
operates South America Nature Tours (former Cactus Expeditions), a company
dedicated to conducting specialty tours throughout South America (Chile,
Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador) with emphasis on plants
(bromeliads, cacti, and orchids), or birding. A former researcher at the
University of Cordoba, Argentina, Guillermo holds a BS degree in Biology from
the University of Cordoba, an MS in Marine Biology from Northeastern
University, and a PhD in Botany from the University of Cordoba.
With
Guillermo as our guide, we will visit diverse habitats in Ecuador—from
mangroves south of Guayaquil, to the mountain rain forest in the Andes, to the
arid lands near Cuenca. He will show us the great diversity of bromeliads,
orchids, and of course, colorful birds!
The
program will begin shortly after door prizes are awarded at 1:30. (See
“Meetings” above for details and a map).
Fondly Remembered: Frank Hayen
One of our most active and beloved SBBA members passed away
suddenly on April 13th. Frank’s ready smile welcomed many newcomers
to our club. His enthusiasm for bromeliads was contagious, and his depth of
knowledge about bromeliad culture was impressive.
Frank loved participating in
club activities on all levels over the years, from President to on-the-spot
volunteer. He was the self-appointed Hospitality Chairman on our annual field
trip. He made sure that everyone on the bus had plenty of snacks and beverages,
got on/off safely, and that all had a good time.
At our SBBA meetings, he was
quick to help with the club’s plant auction, toting plants from the display
area to the auctioneer’s table. We could count on Frank to lower the blinds at
the start of the program. He was always willing to mentor anyone who needed
advice on bromeliad culture. A master chef, his potluck contributions were
magnificent and delicious.
Frank was so generous with
his time, energy, and talents. We will all miss him. Our thoughts and prayers
go to his family as we all feel the great loss of a dear friend.
He’s holding one of his many prize-winning plants—Tillandsia (mooreana x kalmbacheri). (A larger view is at the top left of the screen).
This & That
Photo Galleries:
August 2011 judged
show with magnificent specimens entered by SBBA club members.
Fall scenes at Butchart Gardens.
Enjoy!
Tips and Techniques:
Preparing bromeliads for show or sale.
How to make your own plant tags.
Free bagged used coffee grounds on request: Call 3-hours ahead to your local Starbucks and ask for used grounds for composting. You can also arrange for regular pickup (e.g., once/week at a specific time). More info on coffee grounds for composting: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707171641.htm
Special Events:
Bromeliad
and Succulent sale (through 6/30/2012)
Live
Art Plants, multiple award-winning nursery and landscaping firm, is hosting
this sale. SBBA club members can vouch for the excellent quality and variety of
the plants offered for sale at tempting prices. The nursery is located on
Plummer Street between Reseda Blvd and Tampa Avenue (18809 Plummer St.),
Northridge, CA 91324. Open Mon-Sat, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Website is www.liveartplants.com
Save
the dates! SBBA annual judged show and plant sale August 4 and 5,
2012 at Rain Forest Flora, 19121 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503. Free
admission and free parking. Show hours: Saturday noon-4:30, Sunday 10-4:30. Sale
hours: Saturday 10-4:30, Sunday 10-4:30. Directions: San Diego Freeway (405) to
Hawthorne Blvd exit, south to Rain Forest Flora (west side of Hawthorne,
McDonald’s a short walk away on the corner of 190th Street).
Highly recommended tours to Bromeliad habitats, organized by Dr. Guillermo Rivera.
Classic Bromeliad book available for
sale.