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Visitors are always welcome at all Bromeliad Society meetings and events.  Please see the "Join Us" box for more information.

Meetings:  2022

  • 6:00 pm, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022

    This meeting will be in the Baywood Colony Recreation Center, 5895 Tidewood Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231.

    Our entire membership
    will present:

    SBS Annual Christmas Party

    We will have a potluck dinner, gift exchange, music, fun, and festivities.

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022

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

    Tom and Carol Wolfe
    will present:

    Bromeliads in Paradise

    The program features specimen plants photographed by Carol and mostly grown by Tom. The photographs also include pictures taken at various gardens, bromeliad shows and venues across the country. Tom and Carol will team up for the narration to present interesting and light-hearted humorous stories and experiences with bromeliads and the people who love them.

    Tom joined the Bromeliad Guild of Tampa Bay in 1965 and became an accredited Bromeliad Judge in 1982. He is currently a Master Judge. He served on the BSI Board of Directors for 14 years serving as a Director, Secretary, Vice President, and President. He was the first BSI President elected for two terms.

    Tom and Carol have held almost every office in the BGTB. Tom is presently serving as Director and Carol as Vice President. Carol was editor of the BGTB Newsletter for eight years and has been the editor of the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies since 2014.

    Tom and Carol live in Lutes, Florida and grow their bromeliads on their 2.5 acres of land and greenhouses. Their biggest production, however, is their six grandchildren and they love being grandparents!

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022

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

    Dave Johnston
    will present:

    Bigenerics - Part 1

    Dave's interest in Bromeliads began in 1985 when he purchased the only 2 Bromeliads that Frank’s nursery had for sale. A Cryptanthus Pink Starlight and a Neoregelia carolinae type. Soon thereafter, he learned there were Bromeliad clubs that shared similar interests so he joined them. By 1990, he had acquired so many Bromeliads – he launched Bromeliads Galore, a collector’s nursery.

    Over the past 37 years, he has acquired over 2000 different species and hybrids, but as time has passed, he has significantly scaled back the number of different plants to over 1000 now.

    Dave has served 5 terms as President of The Bromeliad Guild of Tampa and 2 terms as President of the Florida West Coast Bromeliad Society. He says " I have pretty much served every office there is in these clubs in addition to the Florida Council.”

    Dave will be bringing a nice selection of bromeliads to sell at the meeting — a choice gift to bring a big smile to you or to a friend.

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022

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

    Marty Baxley
    will present:

    Sneaking into the Netherlands

    Marty Baxley started in bromeliads 36 years ago and about 30 years ago started a back yard nursery. While working at the United States Postal Service he grew the nursery into what it is today. After retiring he has spent most of his time at his nursery.

    He sells mostly wholesale but will meet with guests. His collection consists of well over 3000 different varieties and about 15000 plants overall at any given time. Marty’s excitement in bromeliads was fueled by taking many trips with Wally Berg and Dennis Cathcart.

    Marty will give a presentation on how he snuck into the Floridae Expo in the Netherlands and the wild adventures and beautiful plants along the way. He will have a variety of bromeliads for sale after the meeting. Bring a friend!

    We will also have a raffle table because it is always fun to add a new bromeliad to your collection as well as to share extras with fellow members! Please bring bromeliads to share at the raffle table. Thank you!

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022

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

    Terrance Hoffman
    will present:

    An Overview of a Variety of Bromeliad Species

    Terrance has had an interest in bromeliads for over 50 years. Originally from Pennsylvania, he moved to Florida in 1981. After retiring in 2002, he turned his energy to his 50-year hobby of growing Bromeliads. Terrance estimates that he has currently between 3000 to 4000 plants with 220 different varieties. He has developed several hybrids about half of which have been registered.

    After the presentation, Terrance will have many of the species he discussed for sale. He will also bring some favorites from his collection to sell, including several popular hybrids from Chester Skotak and Ray Coleman.

    We will have a raffle table because it is always fun to add a new bromeliad to your collection as well as to share extras with fellow members! Please bring bromeliads to share at the raffle table. Thank you!

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, July 11, 2022

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

    Time to Have Fun !

    The 24th World Bromeliad Conference was such a success, we have decided to throw a party to show our appreciation for all the time and hard work everyone put into it.

    The SBS will provide plenty of food and drinks. We invite you to share a dessert if you wish.

    Richard Poole has put together a presentation of photographs taken by professional photographers of plants and artistic arrangements in the Show as well as some photographs taken by attendees throughout the conference.

    It should be stunning!

  • June Meeting:  Replaced By
    BSI World Conference.

    In lieu of a June meeting at Selby, we will be concentrating on hosting the 2022 BSI World Conference in the Hyatt Regency from June 8 to 11.

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, May 9, 2022

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

    Dr. Terrie Bert
    will present:

    "Entering Plants In The
    BSI World Conference Show

    Terrie will explain the point scoring system for judging bromeliads at a show. She will discuss what you should look for when choosing a bromeliad for the show and how to prep your show plants so they can get the maximum number of points possible.  She will bring different species and hybrids from common genera to use as examples during the presentation.

    Terrie is a Master Judge, instructor for the BSI Judges School and Co-chair for the Judged Show at the 2022 BSI World Conference.  Her presentations are always fun and educational.

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Apr. 11, 2022

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

    Richard Poole
    will present:

    "2022 BSI World Conference — Agenda Of Events"

    Richard is Co-Chair of the 2022 World Conference.  He will go over all of the activities that are planned for this year's conference.  He will also highlight the areas in which volunteers are needed.  (  We have published more information about volunteering in our April Newsletter, available on our Newsletters Page.  )

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Mar. 14, 2022

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

    Mike Michalski
    will present:

    "Hybridizing Bromeliads"

    Mike is an active member of the Bromeliad Society of South Florida and the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies.  He was a boat captain and orchid grower before he started growing bromeliads about 30 years ago.  He began hybridizing bromeliads 15 years ago.  Now Mike spends much of his time and garden space on hybridizing bromeliads.  He will have plants available for purchase at the meeting.

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022

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

    Terrance Hoffman
    will present:

    "Ray Coleman: A Passion for Hybridizing"

    Ray Coleman was admired as much for his character as he was for his amazing hybrids.  Terrance will be bringing several of Ray's hybrids.  He will have a few of them for sale as well as other bromeliads from his collection.

    Terrance Hoffman has had an interest in bromeliads for over 50 years.  Originally from Pennsylvania, he moved to Florida in 1981.  After retiring in 2002, he turned his energy to his 50-year hobby of growing bromeliads.  He has developed about 38 hybrids, 18 of which have been registered.  You don't want to miss this!

  • 6:30 pm, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022

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

    Jason Mellica
    will present:

    "Techniques for Mounting Stoloniferous Bromeliads on Driftwood"

    Note:  Masks will be required at the meeting.  With the recent uptick in Covid-19 cases we are asking that everyone wear masks at the January meeting.  Thank you very much for your consideration and cooperation.

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