THE BASIL CARAVAN

I suppose this log of yours has to be dead rather than a green one.

Maybe smaller than your bathtub!! lol

This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 8:36 PM

I am used to Bromeliads having low germination rates, even when the seeds are fresh. Plant a lot of seeds to get a few plants.
Once again, saving the seeds is a mistake!

Here is an un-ID'd Tillandsia. Has a neat purple base to the leaves.

oh wow that one is cool! I like the purple! ok I will find a good log with the bark still on it tomorrow then. does the variety of tree matter?

does growling at your kids work like it does with your dog?

Just cuz it looks so good, here is Vriesea fenestralis, Netted Vriesea.

see I knew you were doing it on purpose, should've followed my original plan after HS then Dave would have to share the island! blasted detour! oh well life goes on

oh and the countdown begins 1 hour

Don't use Pine. Bromeliads are used to tropical broadleaf forests.

Something with a dense bark that helps hold moisture will work well.

Get several one foot + logs (4 - 6 in. diam.), that you can place in a box side by side. If they are old and degrading, even with moss on, that is fine.
Give me a few minutes and I will demonstrate.

I have to see this!!

we get a demonstartation from Dave! Yeah I really will learn something today

Trina, while we are waiting. You know these hosta seeds you gave me? They won't be like the mother plant anyway. So whatever they turn out to be, it will be a surprise!

I think you have some surprise seeds also. Can't remember what they are.

we will definately have to see what suprises we get then.

Which ones are your surprise seeds?

Dave probably will have to go out into the forest, find a tree, cut it down, then cut it into pieces. And find a box. I guess it will take a while!

OOHH! Carol made a funny! Lilies some suprise lily seeds I believe it was.....and I will keep my comment about Dave to myself....my hosta seeds from last year came back this spring just like the Hosta's I already had, I didn't get any suprises with them so we will have to see this year

Nice Bromeliad's Dave.

You got that right Trina!

Just a few minutes and the photo will be up.

It is dead-wood, no living tree.

what did I get right? see I always miss something

Trina, you could go over there if you wanted!

Dave is building an addition!!!

he'd just hide from me anyway, or mae me keep my hands in my pockets at all times

lol You silly girl!!

Still waiting Dave.

Trina and all, I think Dave is a really "cool" guy and would welcome anyone that is interested in viewing his world and learning about plant's there. Maybe all us female's should plan a big trip soon and hit him all at once with a big "Hello" Dave;-)

and it wouldn't have anything to do with trying to steal his plants!

I think I should stay home and take care of Lari Ann's plants.....I'm sure the mailman is hiding from me now

Rachel, wouldn't that be a surprise!!

Who is Lari Ann?

I mean, how long does it take to go out into the forest, find a tree, cut it down, then cut it into pieces. And find a box. A long, long time!!!

I promise I will not steal any of Dave's plant's;-)

Here are three 'Ohi'a logs placed together and soaked; here the fresh seed from the fruit of Portea petropolitana are squeezed onto the log and washed in (you can see the squished ripe berry and the spread seeds on and below the ruler, on the right of the photo).
As the fruit ripens up, I will squeeze the seeds onto the logs, until I run out of fruit and seeds.
The box of logs will be kept under the porch steps where it is always moist. When there are visible young Bromeliads, the lot will be moved out to the Bromeliad garden, till they get to transplanting size, then they will be placed in the garden, and the extras sold, traded, or given away.

Do the same with your stored dry seed ASAP. Remember that moisture & ventilation (and warm humid conditions) are key to getting the seeds to grow, in an epiphytic environment!

I don't remember that you said you had a garden. I thought everything we were looking at was just in the forest.

This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 10:06 PM

Will dead maple work? we have some (let me rephrase) I have some I cut down last fall to prevent them from falling on the fence, been seasoned for a year, is that long enough dead?

Maple is pretty hard. Does she need a softer wood that would absorb more water?

it's a sugar maple if that helps, if not there is a willow and a couple mulberries out at the farm, pretty much them and oak and a wide variety of pine is all we got

Which one looks the most like Dave's log?

Any with moss?

none and no

Trina, whose farm is it?

my BF's best friends farm, we store all our hot rods out there