2024
Meetings Review
( In reverse
chronological order. )

Monday, June 10, 2024
6:00 pm

This meeting will be in the Great Room at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Tom Wolfe
will present:

"Florida Native Bromeliads"

Tom Wolfe has been a member of Tampa bromeliad club since 1966.  He has served in every capacity for the BGTB as well as president many times.  He has also served as Chair of the FCBS several times as well as serving on the Board of the BSI for fourteen years and six times as President of the BSI.

Tom has written many articles on bromeliads.  He was in the landscaping business for forty years.  He lives in Lutz with his lovely wife Carol, where he grows bromeliads in his greenhouse behind his house.

Monday, May 13, 2024
5:30 - 8:30 pm

A Message From Marian Kennell, SBS President:

Hi everyone,

In lieu of a May meeting of the SBS, there will be a Celebration of Life for Eva Talbert taking place in the Great Room for her friends and family in the Sarasota area. Eva's friend and caregiver Sara Espinosa-DeGodoi is organizing the event.

Eva was a much loved and long-time member of the Sarasota Bromeliad Society. Because many of our members knew Eva, Sara asked that I make sure that our members know that they are welcome to attend.

An evite will be going out this week to get an idea of how many people will attend to help Sara plan the event. There will be a buffet catered by Michael's on East.

Our next meeting will be on June 10, 2024. Tom Wolfe will give a presentation on Florida Native Bromeliads.

Sincerely,
Marian Kennell
President SBS

Monday, April 8, 2024
6:00 pm

This meeting will be in the Great Room at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

David Glosser
will present:

"Mini Bromeliads:
Care and Culture"

David Glosser is a bromeliad collector and aficionado who now does consulting for HOAs and residential properties. He owned Plant Parents from 1995 to 2023; his current company is Sunrise Plants.  David's long history with the Sarasota Bromeliad Society includes serving as president, vice-president and FCBS representative.

David's presentation will include photos of mini Neoregelias used in his job as well as pictures taken while visiting many bromeliad gardens on his travels. He will be bringing mini bromeliads to show and sell.  Minis are great for mounting or to use in a centerpiece.

This is an ideal meeting to bring a guest.  Everyone interested in bromeliads is always welcome to attend our monthly meetings.

Monday, March 11, 2024
6:00 pm

This meeting will be in the Great Room at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

David Johnston
will present:

"Bromeliads Galore"

Dave Johnston's interest in bromeliads began in 1985 when he purchased the only two bromeliads that Frank's nursery had for sale:  a Cryptanthus Pink Starlight and a Neogregelia carolinae type.

By 1990, he had acquired so many bromeliads that he launched Bromeliads Galore, a collector's nursery.  His greenhouse in Pinellas Park, FL. now offers over 1,000 different bromeliads.

Monday, February 12, 2024
6:00 pm

This meeting will be in the Great Room at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Terrance Hoffman
will present:

"First Release Hybrids"

Terrance is one of our members. He has been growing bromeliads for 30 years and has his own greenhouse out in Myakka. He grows lots of different varieties of bromeliads.

We'll hear about Terrence's new Dyckia, Aechmea, and Neo. Hybrids. He will be bringing Aechmea, Neo., Billbergias and other varieties to sell.

Monday, January 8, 2024
6:00 pm

This meeting will be in the Great Room at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Jason Mellica
will present:

"Complex Neoregelia Hybridization"

Jason Mellica will be deliver a hands-on presentation showing off his newest hybrids for 2024. He will discuss back crossing and how species are used in back crossing to make the hybrids stronger.

He will also talk about the making of new full sun hardy hybrids to tolerate the conditions we experience in southwest Florida.

He will explain in common terms how bromeliad crosses are made, bringing examples of seedlings at various stages of growth. Jason will also bring new hybrids to sell.

Jason has a botany and horticulture degree from the University of Florida. He was an intern at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

He has been growing bromeliads for 30 years. Jason has 2 greenhouses in Sarasota with 20,000 bromeliads, most of which are his own hybrids. He is a past president of the Sarasota Bromeliad Society and is currently the Vice President.