Anyone in the Tampa area, USF Botanical Gardens is having their bromeliad bonanza this weekend in the plant shop. They're having workshops and lectures too. Check out their website: http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden/ Expect to see pictures of all my new arrivals. I just got paid today so you know I'm gonna get myself into trouble.
Bromeliad Bonanaza!
All right, it's time to show off what I bought. If you fall in love with one, let me know. I was dividing a few of my older ones today in anticipation of October's roundup over in Pinellas County. Ok, they needed dividing too...but what could be better than sharing them?! First up is one that Mom spotted. She generally goes for the guzmanias, so I was suprised when she picked up Neo. "Medusa". And the thing really is spineless! Amazing what those breeders can do. Although, if they didn't have spines, they just wouldn't be bromeliads would they? Oddly enough this was the first time I had ever seen this neo...until about two hours later when we hit Tree Mart and saw it for sale there too! It was a little cheaper at USF and I like supporting them so I'm glad I got it there. I told Mom the plant was stalking us. By the way, if anyone in Tampa hasn't been to Tree Mart (Nebraska Ave just above Fowler Ave), they have a great selection of bromeliads. Quite pricey, but they had some porteas I was drooling on. They also had Aecmhea "Del Mar" for $30, but I got a pup for $2 from a nice man at the USF Tropical Plant festival. I love a bargain!
Neo "Cherub's Blush" - love the name, love the coloring
Neo "Kiti Wenzel" - I'm a sucker for the purple ones
Neo "Lavender Leaves" - see, I told you purple is my favorite color
Aechmea lamarchei - this one looked a little peaked, so I decided it needed some TLC from Melanie. Plus, I like aechmeas, and this one seemed to match the color scheme I had going.
Whenever I see a new genus I don't have, I try to buy it. I did skip an orthophytum and I don't care much for cryptanthus (don't kick me out of the club!) but I bought this quesnelia edmundoi (red form). Can't wait 'til it blooms!
An aechmea called "Burning Bush"
"Burning Bush" bloom close-up
And finally, one I already have, but seeing as how it's a native, endangered, Florida plant - I picked up another tillandsia fasciculata. As you can see, I found it a home in of our huge oak trees. I'm not sure it will stay there, but it'll do for now.
Those were all I purchased, but I want to share some more good news. Now, other than ball moss and Spanish moss, which we have plenty of, I never really see the native tillandsias around Tampa. I was born and raised here and I just can't remember seeing them. Even now that I wander around looking for them, I don't find them. Until today! I was walking through Brooker Creek Preserve, and as I rose from photographing a sundew, this was right in front of my face. Don't know which one it is; I was just so happy to see it at all.
Oops! I forgot one. I got a Neomea "Strawberry". I never had a bigeneric before! Can't wait to see what it does.
Neomea Strawberry is one of my favorites. The entire plant turns a rosy-red. Give it progressively more Florida light and you will see the beautiful colors. Neo Medusa is another beauty.
Dave.
Mellilong,
I always enjoy seeing all the pictures you post. You have an amazing collection!
I am glad I didn't see your post until today, because if I had seen it sooner I would have gone to the sale and spent too much money!
I have a bromeliad bed in my front yard. unfortunatley, I didn't write down the names and now I no clue what I have. When ever I get a new digital camera I will post some pictures. (I dropped my camera in the river).
Dave, thanks for the preview of my neomea. I have to give Mom all the credit for finding the Medusa. And Ariel, I'm so glad you like the pictures. I hope you come to the round up in October. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/637176/ I've been dividing my pups and will have some to share! It's ok if you don't know what they are as long as you like them. I've got a few "mystery" plants as well.
I REALLY want to go to that round up. But, that is also my son's birthday. So I am not sure if I will be able to make it.
Though I already marked my calender for the USF fall festival. I can't wait for that sale!!!!