Hardy Bromeliads

hiya Pineapple family enthusiasts,

Pam and I have planted a very architectural dead Ceiba pentandra snag in our garden and are looking to mount tillies and other hardy epiphytes onto this substrate. When the time comes (after about 5 zillion other projects are complete) I will run a fine mist irrigation system in this tree along with doing some scuptural stuff with steel to keep the tree standing.

My question is to this group is how many species of tillies and other genera can deal with winter temps down to about 25 above zero F. I'd like to know if anyone knows of a database other than Tillandsia International www.airplant.com where I can do some research into the hardiness of these incredibly interesting plants.

Here's a rather distant pic of the tree. Right now we refer to it as the "Tree of Life" in a paradoxical way since there is no life other than the resident barn owl and perching hummers preparing to dive bomb each other to defend 'their' Salvia collection.

Thanks dave for another very cool place to hang out!
don

I think you might find some info in the http://fcbs.org website. Here's one article I found there. http://fcbs.org/articles/cold_sensitivity_of_bromeliads.htm

I would also try calling some of the commercial tilly growers and see if they might have suggestions.

Thanks for the links keyring,

very grateful and I've got a pal at Birdrock Tropicals in Carlsbad, CA...but I was looking for some links just like the ones you've provided.

thanks a million,
don