EXOTIC FLOWERS OF BROMELIADS!
By: Ronald W. Parkhurst of Hanalei Nursery

( also see: The Book of Bromeliads )
                 Aquaponics
                 Price List
                 Care of Bromeliads
                 Hanalei Nursery

What are Bromeliads? Bromeliads (BRO-ME'-LE-AD'S) belong to their own plant family called Bromeliaceae, with 52 genera, almost 3,000 species and hundreds of hybrids. These exotic plants have a diversity of shapes, colorful flowers and foliage, unequaled by any other plant family in the floral world! They are indigenous to South America, Central America and the Southern United States. There is one exception and that species is found in Africa (There is an opinion that that species also came from the Americas long ago). Some of the more popular species are Spanish Moss from the Tillandsia family, Pineapple from the Ananas family and Fasciata or Silver Vase from the Aechmea family.

In nature many Bromeliads grow on trees as epiphytes or air plants. Their roots are used mainly for support. They are not parasites. Other Bromeliads grow as terrestrials. Some of the most commonly found genera's in cultivation are: Aechmea, Billbergia, Crypthanthus, Guzmania, Neoregelia, Tillandsia and Vriesea.

Why Bromeliads for potted plants, cut flowers and live floral arrangements? Besides the obvious of exotic shapes and colors, Bromeliads are the longest lasting cut flower (average shelf life is 2-3 weeks, with some lasting 4, 5, and 6 weeks long!), potted plants and live floral arrangements (average shelf life is 30 to 90 days, with some lasting 4, 5, and 6 months long!) of any plants in the world! Bromeliads bloom on the average commercially once every 16 to 24 months. The plant will not bloom twice, but send out offshoots, which in turn will each bloom. This is one of the reasons why Bromeliads command a premium price. Bromeliads are very hardy, do well indoors and are low maintenance. We have formulated the following tips for a longer lasting flowering plant.
1) No direct sunlight, Bromeliads like 50% shade or more and do well indoors.
2) Do not over water, Bromeliads like to dry out in their pot before being watered again.
3) Always keep some water in their cup and flush the water out once a month.
4) Mist your foliage and flower once or twice a week, depending how dry it is in your area.
5) When your flower has died, replace it with a new Bromeliad plant. Cut the flower off from the old plant and place it in a larger pot with new potting mix from your local garden store. Add 14-14-14 time release fertilizer to the mix and water normally adding 20-20-20 foliar fertilizer once a month. In time, you will have a pot full of blooming Bromeliads.

Hanalei Nursery has put together a team of world class Bromeliad Hybridizers and will be compiling a portfolio of Bromeliad hybrids with commercial value for years to come. At the World Bromeliad Conference in Orlando Florida this past July, Hanalei Nursery introduced a bright yellow Bromeliad from the Guzmania family named "Puna Gold"tm, developed by David Shiigi of Hawaii Bromeliads. David is my friend, teacher and associate. Needless to say, "Puna Gold"tm won ten blue ribbons, four of those being "awards of merit". "Puna Gold"tm is our first Bromeliad to receive a patent, with two more to be introduced in the near future. "Puna Gold"tm currently is being reproduced in tissue culture distributed worldwide. Some of the other colors we are developing are, yellows, oranges, red and yellow combo, pinks, orange and red combo, purple and the first "black" Bromeliad.

Besides the World Bromeliad Conference, our Bromeliads have won numerous blue ribbons and "Best of Show" awards for cut flowers, live Bromeliad arrangements in hand crafted baskets, floral arrangements and art objects from the Maui County Fair and the Haiku Flower Festival. We are always striving to increase our knowledge of Bromeliads by studying to become a Bromeliad judge, talking to people in the industry, talking to old timers, reading the Bromeliad Journals and books. The internet has also become a great tool for learning about Bromeliad and talking to growers. We are blessed in Hawaii to have some of the best growing climates in the world.

Hanalei Nursery
PO Box 827
Makawao, HI 96768
Phone/Fax 808-572-9232
E-Mail: bromz@bromes.com
www.bromes.com

For color brochure, culture pamphlet and price list send stamped address self envelope to above address with $1.00 (refundable with purchase).


	Red Burmese Ruby 1.4 carats 1 carat of diamonds		Green Emerald 6 carats 1 carat of diamonds		Blue Tanzanite 1.4 carats 1 carat diamonds