ABOUT
the
Gold Coast Succulent and Bromeliad Society
|
WELCOME
Welcome to the Gold Coast Succulent
and Bromeliad Society Inc. web site called; Bromlink
after the Society's published Journal. We hope you enjoy these
web pages and find the information and time spent browsing,
very pleasurable.
The Gold Coast Succulent and Bromeliad Society Inc. is a non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting, educating and encourages
learning about Succulent and Bromeliad plants.
We promote friendship with knowledge,
by teaching and educating enthusiasts in the growing and caring
of Succulent and Bromeliads in the picturesque south east corner
of Queensland and known as the tourist destination of Australia.
Our Society holds regular monthly general meetings with programs
featuring knowledgeable individuals to educate, advise and offer
understanding about these fascinating groups of plants and their
nature habits. Other features include guest speakers, plant
displays, plant sales, field trips, nursery visits, field days
to gardens, conduct bus trips to growers' collections, conventions
and conferences, throughout the year.
The
Society produces an informative bimonthly journal called "Bromlink"
which is available to all members and associated societies.
It carries regular and special articles
and features like the advertising of coming
events, Plant descriptions, Monthly Meeting topics, Competition
Results, Reports, Book Reviews, Plant Cultivation and Propagation
and the Items for Sale include supply of plants, seeds, books
and magazines.
The Gold Coast Succulent and
Bromeliad Society Inc. invite everyone to come to our meetings
and join in the fellowship and entertainment.
SUCCULENTS
General Information
- Succulent Family
The definition of a succulent
is a plant that stores water for use during drought. There are
many succulents in many different plant families. These included
the lily, geranium and daisy families and members of the cactus
family are also succulents.
Succulents are a large family group of fascinating plants, which
are extremely easy to grow. These much diversified plants are
amazingly adaptable, beautiful and very tough.
Succulents grow on most continents in the world, except the
Arctic and the Antarctic. The group can tolerate an extreme
variety of growing conditions. They grow in some very diverse
places from wet rain forests to hot deserts to areas without
rain, just fog and dew to areas with freezing winters, covered
by snow. Some grow on high and cold mountain peaks of South
Africa and the Americas.
The richest habitat areas for succulents are in South Africa
and Madagascar, with a few growing in North and South America.
Many Succulents have been imported and introduced into Australia
to obtain the various beautiful specimens, currently available.
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BROMELIADS
General Information
Bromeliads are a distinctive
and exceptional group of plants. The plants can accept a very
diversified variety of climates and growing conditions. This
ability to survive and adapt allows tough and relatively easy
to cultivate characteristics.
Bromeliads are native to the Southern States of the United States
of America, Central America and South America. One only old
genus is native to central Africa. All plants have been imported
into Australia from these continents.
Bromeliaceae Family
Bromeliaceae is the name of
the bromeliad family. There are three subfamilies Bromelioideae,
Pitcairnioideae and Tillandsioideae all containing many genera.
The subfamily Bromelioideae
has the greatest number of genera and is distributed from Mexico
to Argentina and are mostly epiphytic. They are tank-type plants
with spiny leaves and berry-like fruit containing wet seeds.
The subfamily Pitcairnioideae
are nearly all are terrestrial and the most primitive grassy
bromeliads family group. The seeds are dry and usually winged.
The subfamily Tillandsioideae are
mostly epiphytes, growing throughout the Americas. All have
spineless leaves. Seeds are dry, with feathery "parachutes"
and are blown and float in the wind.
Where to buy Succulents and Bromeliads
Half the fun of collecting Succulents
and Bromeliads is to find these plants or their seeds. You
will find many common examples to buy at general nurseries
and supermarkets. To find unusual, rare and interesting plants,
you will have to search out specialist growers. These either
have good collections or nurseries, which you can visit or
acquire plants by mail order from afar. Being part of the
Gold Coast Succulent and Bromeliad Society Inc. offers an
excellent and easy way to meet and talk to knowledgeable growers
and sellers and get their genuine support at the regular Society
meetings.
Local Information - Gold Coast of Queensland,
Australia
Located in the south eastern
corner of Queensland and ajoining the northern part of New South
Wales is a warm subtropical environment right on the coast,
facing the Pacific Ocean. The weather is comfortably warm and
very pleasant all of the year, with moderate rainfall. The climate
has allowed the establishment of beautiful subtropical rainforests
in the hinterland behind the coast. Most plants are easily grown
in the gardens and outdoors all the round.
In November and January the temperature can raise to plus 32°C
for several days running and the night temperatures staying
high at plus 20°C. The skies are clear of clouds and the
sun is very direct and hot. This dry and unrelenting combination,
with the little humidity causes dehydration and burning of many
plants. In December the temperature is reduced by the humidity
and cloud cover, allowing some protection from sun.
In winter, mild frosts occur in the hinterland, causing burns
to the soft unprotected foliage.
Located
on the 28 degree latitude and about equivalent to Florianopolis
in Brazil South America and Orlando in Florida North America,
except the seasons are reversed between winter and summer.
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web site problem? Email: Allan