July 12th Meeting
Balboa Park Casa del Prado Room 104 - 10:00 am
Step Inside a Living Landmark with Nan Sterman, WaterWise Gardener!
Join garden designer and plant expert Nan Sterman for a personal visit to the newly restored Botanical Building in Balboa Park. Discover the fascinating history of this iconic structure and learn how Nan reimagined the gardens beneath its historic lath. She’ll share how she combined salvaged treasures from the original beds with fresh, vibrant plantings, all woven into an “otherworldly” garden theme. Then, step inside the lush interior for a guided tour of standout plants—bromeliads included! Bring your curiosity and questions for this lively, green-filled adventure.
Plus -- we should have a lively Show-n-Tell session. Please bring your curiosities for us to discuss.
For July. we will have a varied lant Opportunity Table, and there will be 2-3 especially nice 'imported' rarities available by auction.
Join garden designer and plant expert Nan Sterman for a personal visit to the newly restored Botanical Building in Balboa Park. Discover the fascinating history of this iconic structure and learn how Nan reimagined the gardens beneath its historic lath. She’ll share how she combined salvaged treasures from the original beds with fresh, vibrant plantings, all woven into an “otherworldly” garden theme. Then, step inside the lush interior for a guided tour of standout plants—bromeliads included! Bring your curiosity and questions for this lively, green-filled adventure.
Plus -- we should have a lively Show-n-Tell session. Please bring your curiosities for us to discuss.
For July. we will have a varied lant Opportunity Table, and there will be 2-3 especially nice 'imported' rarities available by auction.
Summer & Fall Opportunity Plants - Highlights
SDBS at the Del Mar Fair
If you go to the Del Mar Fair this year > please take a photo of the SDBS exhibit and post it on your favorite social media platform.
The 2025 San Diego County Fair is open June 11 through July 6 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays.) The Fair is open from 11am to 11pm each day. Gate entrances close at 10pm. Exhibit buildings close at 10pm; bars close at 10:30pm.
The 2025 San Diego County Fair is open June 11 through July 6 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays.) The Fair is open from 11am to 11pm each day. Gate entrances close at 10pm. Exhibit buildings close at 10pm; bars close at 10:30pm.
SDBS Del Mar Fair Exhibit 2025
August is picnic time for us.
Keep an eye on the newsletter for details and your email for an e-vite.
It's a good time to be a member of SDBS.
the
San Diego Bromeliad Society
at Balboa Park, June '25
Thank you, volunteers, for your participation that made this summer’s show & sale in Balboa Park a success!
Check out the pictures below for the calm before the storm.
Plan ahead for World Bromeliad Conference
to be held in SoCal in 2026!
The World Bromeliad Conference will be hosted by our nearest neighbor affiliate, the Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society in Orange County. Our neighboring BSI affiliate welcomes us at their regular meetings, and many of us are members in both clubs. Saddleback Valley is extending a huge welcome to San Diego bromeliad enthusiasts. We are so lucky to have this huge event next year so close to us.
More details to follow.
Spring 2026, Costa Mesa.
More details to follow.
Spring 2026, Costa Mesa.
In May, we enjoyed a garden party. Thanks Ronee!!!
In April, veteran bromeliad grower Robert Kopfstein invited us to his home.
Wow was that fun?
March 8th Meeting Juliana Raposo presented … We dove into the captivating world of bromeliads through the eyes of three remarkable artists: Maria Sibylla Merian, Margaret Mee, and Marianne North. JR's presentation, "Telling the Story of Bromeliads through Art," showcased their stunning illustrations and the fascinating stories behind them. From the intricate life cycle of the butterfly Philaethria dido around the pineapple plant to the vibrant depictions of various bromeliads, the visual journey was a celebration of nature's beauty and the artistry that brings it to life.
February 2025 Plant opportunity table - Michaels Bromeliads by Dave in Florida.
February Speaker, Sejong Zhang, was well received.
Sejong’s work delves into the phylogenomics and phytochemistry of Tillandsia,
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January 2025: Brazil
Rodrigo Freitas We first heard from Rodrigo in 2023. At the time, he came to our attention for the captivating photos he was taking while on the job as a park ranger in Tres Picos State Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since then, Rodrigo was the recipient of the SDBS grant, which he used to update his photographic equipment. In this presentation, Rodrigo showed us a fresh crop of material captured with the new lens -- with bromeliads in up and close detail, and special appearances by the local flora and fauna. He described recent devastating fires that swept the park in July 2024. |
Pitcairnia flammea
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Our December of '24 big plant sale was a success.
Thanks to organizers and participants.
November Meeting Recap:
From Juliana, who has coordinated our November speaker:
“This November I invited Nathan David from Brazil to speak about a theme that he is uniquely suited to address - the challenge of owning, maintaining and organizing a priceless collection of bromeliads. While in his 30s, he amassed a collection of Brazilian species that rivals the best out there.
Nathan is a collector, explorer, conservationist. And best of all, he's a great storyteller. He has given talks to the California Horticultural Society and the San Francisco Bromeliad Society.”
From Juliana, who has coordinated our November speaker:
“This November I invited Nathan David from Brazil to speak about a theme that he is uniquely suited to address - the challenge of owning, maintaining and organizing a priceless collection of bromeliads. While in his 30s, he amassed a collection of Brazilian species that rivals the best out there.
Nathan is a collector, explorer, conservationist. And best of all, he's a great storyteller. He has given talks to the California Horticultural Society and the San Francisco Bromeliad Society.”
At the November meeting, we had Vriesea specimens from and an auction of Vriesea Hilo Hula.
Above: a sampling of Vriesea foliage bromeliads from Fantastic Gardens Hawaii, grown in San Diego
Thank you for participating in our October 2024 Meeting.
a Spotlight on Species.
The September 2024 Meeting was a fine presentation by Dylan Zoller!
Covering some seldom photographed cacti and succulent bromeliad species, as well as some other oddities, from eastern Brazil.
Covering some seldom photographed cacti and succulent bromeliad species, as well as some other oddities, from eastern Brazil.
Jewels of the Brazilian Highlands
Aug. 2024 Picnic was a blast !
Thanks to Nathalie who organized it, to all the volunteers, and to our host, Pam.
July 2024
We enjoyed Andy’s Outside the Box Tillandsia presentation.
Possibly the cutest bromeliad mascot you’ll ever see!
May ‘24
Garden Meeting in Encinitas
We met at Tyrone Hall’s home in Encinitas and participated in the repotting and mounting clinic. We had a group of experts guiding how to best divide, repot or mount gnarly bromeliads! Hopefully we can repeat this kind of meeting in the future. Thanks To Tyrone and everyone who made it happen.
APRIL ‘24
“Bromeliads in Australia:
The 2008 BSI World Conference"
Cristy Brenner shared her experiences at the 2008 BSI World conference in Australia. She has attended all of the BSI World Conferences since 2000, and states that this conference was definitely one of the best. The conference was held in Cairns, in the tropical area of Northeastern Australia, and many members from San Diego and other Southern California societies attended. The Aussie’s are exceptional growers and hybridizers and created beautiful displays. We also toured many amazing gardens and enjoyed the Aussie’s great hospitality.
Glad to see so many folks on February 2024.
Andy Siekkinen did a talk on bromeliads in the state of Bahia, Brazil. He touched on the landscape there, including the very interesting restinga biome (sand dunes) on the coast. and he focused on the Chapada Diamantina. Growing in this region of Brazil are lots of different genera, and the areas presented well the diversity of Hohenbergia and Sincoraea.
Back in January ‘24
A list of the subfamily Bromelioides
Taken from a wonderful on-line resource at bsi.org:
Gouda, E.J. & Butcher, D. (cont. updated),
A List of Accepted Bromeliaceae Names, http://bromNames.florapix.nl.
University Botanic Gardens, Utrecht (accessed: 10-10-2016)
Taken from a wonderful on-line resource at bsi.org:
Gouda, E.J. & Butcher, D. (cont. updated),
A List of Accepted Bromeliaceae Names, http://bromNames.florapix.nl.
University Botanic Gardens, Utrecht (accessed: 10-10-2016)
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Acanthostachys
Aechmea Ananas Androlepis Araeococcus Billbergia Bromelia Canistropsis Canistrum Cryptanthus Cryptbergia Deinacanthon Disteganthus Edmundoa Eduandrea Fascicularia Fernseea Forzzaea Greigia Hohenbergia Hohenbergiopsis Hoplocryptanthus Hylaeaicum |
Karawata
Krenakanthus Lapanthus Lymania Neoglaziovia Neoregelia Nidularium Ochagavia Orthocryptanthus Orthophytum Portea Pseudaechmea Pseudaraeococcus Quesnelia Rokautskyia Ronnbergia Sincoraea Siqueiranthus Ursulaea Wittmackia Wittrockia xHohenmea |
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We "imported" 10 Hawaiian treats – 5 Vrieseas and 5 Neoregelias.
Check out these photos and the key to each set of five.
Check out these photos and the key to each set of five.
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Vriesea hybrid plants, from the subfamily Tillandsioideae
Shiigi Hawaiian Vriesea hybrids A-(Memoria Howard Yamamoto x Hamakua) x (Leina’ala x John Hirota) (10”-14” tall, 15”-18” across) B-Dark Ninja F2 (9”-12” tall, 14”-16” across) C-Kelci Shiigi F2 (11”-14” tall, 15”-18” across) D-Hawaiian Ruby x Kilauea F2 (11”-14” tall, 14”-17” across) E-Princess Annique hybrid (13”-16” tall, 14”-17” across) |
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Neoregelia genus plants, from subfamily Tillandsioideae
Hawaiian-grown Neoregelia A-Kohala Mauka B-Orange Crush x Wisteria C-Dreamsicle D-Purple Star E-Pemiento |
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January 13th's presentation [slide show] was a tour of Cape Town and a road trip on South Africa's highway 7 through the Western Cape and northward through the Northern Cape province to the Orange River on the Namibia border.
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Cape Town garden of Japie Esterhuysen
October 2023...
Juliana Raposa was in Brazil this past July and gave a fun presentation on an amazing hiking trip.
Bromeliads in the Mata Atlantica
Bromeliads in the Mata Atlantica
Come along on a 3-day hike through the bromeliad-rich mountains of Rio de Janeiro. The Mata Atlantica, or Atlantic Forest, is the ancestral home of hundreds of species of bromeliads. Under the expert guidance of Rodrigo Freitas, we got up and close to them in Tres Picos State Park, all the while enjoying a breathtaking sunrise in the granite domes of Serra do Mar and hiking up to a 1,000 year old tree.
Plant trial: Pitcairnia nigra
A few members have participated in a growing trial for Pitcairnia nigra. A year ago, Dan Kinnard brought in a few seedlings for SDBS members who have different growing conditions. At the meeting on October 14, 2023, we will bring our plants and share experiences.
A few members have participated in a growing trial for Pitcairnia nigra. A year ago, Dan Kinnard brought in a few seedlings for SDBS members who have different growing conditions. At the meeting on October 14, 2023, we will bring our plants and share experiences.
Tillandsia capitata 'Old Gold'
October 2023
September ‘23
“Bromeliads of Ecuador”
the presentation by Cristy Brenner as a highlight.
one of the September prizes: Tillandsia xerographica
Annual Summer Picnic August ‘23
It was another spectacular event -- great weather, wonderful folks, and tantalizing plants. Thanks to the Bird Rock crew for hosting us, and to Nathalie for organizing the plant vouchers & potluck. Everyone did such a good job on the food, too! More photos to come...
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May 2023:
a field trip to Rain Forest Flora and Hula Tropicals in Bonsall.
April 2023 Highlights
Guillermo Rivera was our featured speaker.
March 2023
(between rain showers)!
We enjoyed presentations from 3 speakers on 3 bromeliad genera.
… three short talks on Dyckias, Vrieseas and Hohenbergias. They are not the most commonly grown bromeliads but you will occasionally see them on the plant table or on the auction block.
Robert Kopfstein entertained us with his knowledge and tales of encounters with Dyckias
Scott Sandel, our erstwhile champion of Neoregelia, showed and discussed his successes with the Vriesea clan.
Andrew Wilson, aided and abetted by Dan Kinnard and Eloise Lau, introduced us to the Hohenbergia crowd and to the styles of living they expect whether sunning on the beach, hiding out in the forest or getting by in the hard places.
February 11th meeting
It was fun getting together.
January 2023
Our speaker for January, Pam Koide-Hyatt, gave a fun and educational talk on the Tillandsia tectorum complex.
The raffle was a good mix of various genera, including Tillandsias. For the auction, we had a wonderful donation of two very large and impressive Tillandsia latifolia.
Highlights from 2022...
This years holiday party was well-attended, and the food was marvelous.
Photos courtesy of Maria Thompson
November 2022
Our speakers in November were all our own members – Guillermo Marrujo, Ronee Kozlowski, and Todd Johnson. Each provided us with a brief description of their own garden. The gardens are situated in different parts of the county from near the coast to the foothills. So we learned what does well in each microclimate.
October 2022: Brazil
Rodrigo Freitas program
A journey through the highlands of Rio de Janeiro State
Back in September ’22 ...
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September Raffle Plants
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Augu 2022
Instead of our typical meeting at Balboa Park, we had our annual SDBS member picnic at Birdrock Tropicals for members and their guests.
And now ... a summer brom video!
Check out these photos below of our Del Mar Fair exhibit in 2022.
Back in May ‘22
At our meeting in May, we had fabulous turn-out! We had a lively presentation, and the food was great. (Thanks for the anniversary pineapple cake, Kerry!!!) Some nice Neoregelias were placed in a silent auction (new) format. Top-shelf Vrieseas were won in the well-participated live auction! Congratulations, winners of raffle plants. Next year, bring them in to Show & Tell!
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Morlane, who showed us spotted and pink-toned plants from her collection. Scott showed some Neoregelias. |
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Our January ‘22 meeting in Balboa Park was fun.
We enjoyed a demonstration by member Robert Kopfstein on terrestrial bromeliads. Robert shared tips on potting, cultivation, and propagation.
December Plant Sale was a Success!
The holiday season plant sale in Balboa Park was a success by all counts.
It was great seeing folks. Our treasurer, Al Evans, reported financial success. We are a well-oiled machine, with members coming together to set-up the space, work the sales stations, and break-down at the end. Thanks to everyone who participated, especially to our treasurer, Al -- and to Morlane, who organized it.
It was great seeing folks. Our treasurer, Al Evans, reported financial success. We are a well-oiled machine, with members coming together to set-up the space, work the sales stations, and break-down at the end. Thanks to everyone who participated, especially to our treasurer, Al -- and to Morlane, who organized it.
Some of the plants that were on offer!
Fantastic, colorful foliage Vriesea bromeliads at October’s meeting
President Morlane, kicking off the October meeting in Balboa Park
The summer picnic was a blast.
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Thank you Eloise and others for organizing and participating in the picnic at the San Dieguito County Park on September 11, 2021. |
Gabriel Scholtz’s
“The Bromeliad Kingdom”.
We have a sizeable library of bromeliad-focused videos for viewing on our Videos page. Check them out.
Growing Broms in the Bush
Thanks to Graeme Barclay for a great presentation!
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Remember ... our June 2019 Exhibition & Sale in Balboa Park?
Bromeliads
pronounced broh-MEE-le-ads
. . . flowering plants belonging to the plant family Bromeliaceae.
There are more than 3,000 species and hundreds of hybrids.
Join the SDBS: click here & download the membership form.
In a Nutshell:Bromeliads are members of a plant family known as Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye). The family contains over 3000 described species in approximately 56 genera. The most well known bromeliad is the pineapple. The family contains a wide range of plants including some very un-pineapple like members such as Spanish Moss (which is neither Spanish nor a moss). Other members resemble aloes or yuccas while still others look like green, leafy grasses.
In general they are inexpensive, easy to grow, require very little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. They come in a wide range of sizes from tiny miniatures to giants. They can be grown indoors in cooler climates and can also be used outdoors where temperatures stay above freezing. |
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