Michael's Bromeliads

Anyone ever order from this place? Small number of offerings, but good prices imo, and some beautiful neoregelias.

Great people to deal with.
Michael bought the property and plants of the legendary Billbergia grower Don Beadle, so he probably has more Bills than anyone (and lots more).

funny he has none on the site now. but the neoregs! and a couple of the aechameas!

You need to download his list. He has thousands of varieties, an industry leader in broms.
http://www.michaelsbromeliads.com/HyperCart/OurCollection.asp

hit "see our collection". 32 pages of temptation


JG

Aha, there was a trick! I merely looked at the shoponline stuff, enough temptation!

I ordered a Neo. "Pemiento" from him and I love it. Super fast shipping, good size healthy plant. Very, very nice people. Recommend him highly. I really want to make a trip south and visit him in person. I can already see me running through fields of bromeliads like in a movie...

Mellie, how much was shipping? I asked for a shipping quote and he wouldn't give one to me. I must have the Aechmea chantini, the black one, and the hot pink Neoreg.

I can't remember offhand - Mom bought it for me as a birthday gift. She's pretty cheap though. I just asked and she said she didn't remember it being unreasonable. If he won't quote it's probably because he wants to pack it, weigh it, and see how much it will be going to your zip code according to usps.com or something. I do the same thing with my eBay stuff. Aechmea chantini is a nice one. I just bought an aechmea chantini x ramosa.

I ordered from him last year. Great guy to deal with. First, I called and asked for his printed catalog, so I could look up as many of the bromeliads as possible, with the list in front of me, then I called and placed the order. He was very helpful, returned every missed call ASAP, then, my bromeliads were nice sized, and worth the prices. Some were only $6 to $7!!! I definitely recommend him.
Janet

Hello Everyone, I personally know Michael...long before he acquired mr. Beadle's nursery and he lived in Tampa, we both belonged to the same Tampa Bromeliad Club...Also had the pleasure of seeing Don's slide shows at some of our Conferences..incredible!! Don would show outstanding slides of his hybrid Billbergia's with "Pachebel's Canon" as a musical background..a really jaw dropping presentation......Michael is a person of integrity and kindness..you will not go wrong doing business with him! What an opportunity for Michael to be custodian of Don's superlative collection! A most fun and colorful gentleman (Don)...not having been in a club for so long i didn't know this! Thanks, Digital Dave for the information..i am assuming Mr. Beadle passed on?? Dave? Or did he retire? sue

Oh no - Don is alive and well (as far as I know). Several years ago he met a lady who captivated his heart and apparently she told him it was either the Billbergias or her. She won, and from what I hear (very second hand) he is a very happy man.

Thanks Dave, i love a happy ending! Amour toujours!! lol..appreciate the info. sue

He will mail you out his catalogue free too.

bbinnj,

Nice site. I was always wondering what the name of this one is, now I know-

Aechmea chantinii black and they cost more than $15 from our local growers.

I really like your bromelaids Dale. Was that $15.00 each ? or one and they have had pups. Thats a great price. Does the local grower sell on line ?

RobinE, more than $15, maybe $25. He is a hobby grower, he does landscape maintenance for a living.

Selby-in Sarasota>

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Hi everyone! I went down to Michael's Bromeliads yesterday and spent two hours wandering his nine greenhouses. He was very nice and told me a lot about bromeliads as we walked around. Of course, I brought more than a few home and I'll have pictures of them soon. But for now, here's some shots of his operation.

This is the greenhouse dedicated to plants too big for the regular greenhouses.

I bought my Neo. "Pemiento" from Mike, and everyone on here has drooled over my pictures. So, just to torment you all, here's a whole bunch for you! Mike did say it was one of his bestsellers.

I see a road trip in my future, where is his place? No too far off the Hwy I hope?

He's in Venice, and it is pretty close to I-75. His website (link above in previous post) has the address and then I just mapquested it.

I went down to Crowley's, east of Sarasota, it looked close on the map, but took almost 45 mins to get there after leaving I-75. Interesting place, but, not a great nursery. I have access to so many plants here in the urban heat island and I hesitate to get too far off the main roads.

Micheals looks like it would be worth a visit. Those big broms are just the kind I am looking for, for clients gardens.

Here is one that I want. I want it soon and I want it in a large size.

Dale I can't tell. Is that androlepis skinneri? If so, I just picked up a bigger one from the brom society at the USF sale. They may have another at the greenthumb fest this weekend. Here is my $26 purchase

J Gal, sure looks like it. That was a good value.
Here is one of my favorite Broms, making a tasty baby, pineapple.

I bought my androlepis from USF for $10! It's big too, and since I gave it more sun it's turning that pretty reddish purple. Mike did have some of those; in fact, he had some hybrid varieties or where it had been mixed with other broms. I remember looking at one and saying it looked like my androlepis and he told me it was that mixed with something. He also pointed out a huge variegated brom that he said would be good in a commercial planting so I know he would understand what you're after.

OK, it is on my 'places to shop' list.

Lucky you!!!! I sure wish his place was close enough for me to visit!!
I assume he couldn't ship one of those big ones!!! LOL!!!!!!!
Janet