A warm welcome to all our new newsletter subscribers.
The Wavell Heights Show in Brisbane on 7th & 8th March was once again a great success. It was good to meet some of our customers there in person. Next one will be held 10th & 11th October this year.
We will also be at the Orchid Show held at the Oasis Centre on the Gold Coast Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May.
You are very welcome to visit our nursery but do need to make an appointment. We also mail order to all states in Australia except Tasmania & now export our bromeliads overseas.
We only have small numbers of some of our collector plants - & do apologise if we have sold out when you place an order. There will always be more available in the future.
If you have trouble opening up the price list (excel document), please let us know, email your address & we'll post one to you.
Also, if you'd like a copy of the previous newsletter with Guzmanias Part 1 - we're happy to email you a copy.
We're working on getting more photos up on our website. You can access photos of many of our broms on www.fcbs.org/pictures.htm & we're happy to email photos on request.
Feature Bromeliad: Alcantarea imperialis Rubra
We have available the New Zealand clone of this wonderful specimen bromeliad which develops exceptional colour.
One of the giants, imperialis is considered the signature species of this genus. This sun loving bromeliad grows to a span of more than 1.5 metres & the thick, red, branching flower spike, which reaches up to 3.5 metres tall, produces hundreds of slightly fragrant white flowers. This inflorescence lasts up to 12 months.
The grey/green broad leaves are quite leathery & tough, with a red underside. In full sun, the leaves of Rubra take on a deep red cast. However it is also suitable for shade where the leaves become greener.
It can withstand very cold temperatures as it's native to mountains near Rio de Janiero at an elevation of 1,500 metres - but it does need to be protected from frost.
It can be planted in the garden as a feature plant or in large containers (300mm - 500mm) & requires little fertiliser or water when established.
Special: 'Sapphire Tower' (Puya alpestris)
Seedlings 15cm high - $15
This clumping bromeliad from the highlands of Chile, where the days are hot & the nights cool, grows terrestrially & on rocks to a height of approx 1 metre. It has a tall flower spike filled with dark turquoise flowers. Loves full sun & tolerates frosts minus 5 degrees to minus 10 degrees C.
Cultivation Notes - Guzmanias Part 2
Water
Keep potting mix moist but not wet & the central tank filled with water which is changed frequently. One heavy watering a week in winter is sufficient & two in summer. This also helps to leach out any accumulated salts. A daily light watering is beneficial if the temperature is over 30 degrees C. It's preferable to water early am in winter, & early am or late pm in summer.
Water quality is important for guzmanias - if possible avoid hard, alkaline or salty water. Alkaline water causes burning in the central leaves of the cup. Hard water can cause spotting of the leaves.
Fertiliser
Guzmanias benefit from a stronger fertilising regime than do most other bromeliads. Opinions differ - but it is generally agreed they benefit from a higher % Potassium (K) then Nitrogen (N) & low Phosphorus (P). High levels of phosphorus can cause tip burn. European growers advocate a ratio of N:P:K of 1 / .11 - .22 / 1.66 - 2.49. Some in Australia recommend even higher levels of Potassium.
All bromeliads require Magnesium (Mg) which must be in the form of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4). This is usually in the slow release fertiliser. It can be added to a soluble fertiliser, if necessary, as Epsom Salts.
There are 3 micro elements that can be harmful to bromeliads & should be no more than trace elements in the fertiliser: Excess Boron (B) causes tip burn. Zinc (Zn) & Copper (Cu) will kill bromeliads at higher levels & toxic levels have been associated with quilling.
Add a slow release fertiliser (eg Osmocote or Nutricote) to the potting mix. Guzmanias love liquid fertilisers - use a high potassium soluble fertiliser at normal indoor plant strength at least fortnightly, preferably weekly throughout the year. This will give you shiny green leaves & a large colourful inflorescence. Examples are Phostrogen (14/10/27), Thrive (15/4/26) & Flourish (16/4/25.7) - all readily available commercially.
There is a wealth of information about fertilising bromeliads on the net & in books for those who want to delve further into this complex subject . It comes down to what works for you in your climate & what you have the time to do. We keep our ratio of potassium closer to 1.66 due to our higher levels of light here in Northern NSW.
Having outlined all of the above, we have some 'guzzies' in a shady area of our garden which are quite neglected - & they don't look too bad!
Next Newsletter: Guzmanias - Potting Mix / Pots
Happy growing,
Bob & True Grant
