ABOUT
the
Gold Coast Succulent & Bromeliad Society
|
WELCOME
Welcome to the Gold Coast Succulent
& Bromeliad Society Inc. web site called; Bromlink
after the Society's published Journal. We hope you enjoy these
web pages & find the information & time spent browsing,
very pleasurable.
The Gold Coast Succulent & Bromeliad Society Inc. is a non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting, educating & encourages
learning about Succulent & Bromeliad plants.
We promote friendship with knowledge,
by teaching & educating enthusiasts in the growing & caring
of Succulent & Bromeliads in the picturesque south east corner
of Queensland & known as the tourist destination of Australia.
Our Society holds regular monthly general meetings with programs
featuring knowledgeable individuals to educate, advise & offer
understanding about these fascinating groups of plants & 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
& conferences, throughout the year.
The
Society produces an informative bimonthly journal called "Bromlink"
which is available to all members & associated societies.
It carries regular & special articles
& features like the advertising of coming
events, Plant descriptions, Monthly Meeting topics, Competition
Results, Reports, Book Reviews, Plant Cultivation & Propagation
& the Items for Sale include supply of plants, seeds, books
& magazines.
The Gold Coast Succulent &
Bromeliad Society Inc. invite everyone to come to our meetings
& join in the fellowship & 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 & daisy families & 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 & very tough.
Succulents grow on most continents in the world, except the
Arctic & 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 & dew to areas with freezing winters, covered
by snow. Some grow on high & cold mountain peaks of South
Africa & the Americas.
The richest habitat areas for succulents are in South Africa
& Madagascar, with a few growing in North & South America.
Many Succulents have been imported & introduced into Australia
to obtain the various beautiful specimens, currently available.
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BROMELIADS
General Information
Bromeliads are a distinctive
& exceptional group of plants. The plants can accept a very
diversified variety of climates & growing conditions. This
ability to survive & adapt allows tough & relatively easy
to cultivate characteristics.
Bromeliads are native to the Southern States of the United States
of America, Central America & 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 & Tillandsioideae all containing many genera.
The subfamily Bromelioideae
has the greatest number of genera & is distributed from Mexico
to Argentina & are mostly epiphytic. They are tank-type plants
with spiny leaves & berry-like fruit containing wet seeds.
The subfamily Pitcairnioideae
are nearly all are terrestrial & the most primitive grassy
bromeliads family group. The seeds are dry & usually winged.
The subfamily Tillandsioideae are
mostly epiphytes, growing throughout the Americas. All have
spineless leaves. Seeds are dry, with feathery "parachutes"
& are blown & float in the wind.
Where to buy Succulents & Bromeliads
Half the fun of collecting Succulents
& Bromeliads is to find these plants or their seeds. You
will find many common examples to buy at general nurseries
& supermarkets. To find unusual, rare & 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 & Bromeliad Society Inc. offers an
excellent & easy way to meet & talk to knowledgeable growers
& sellers & get their genuine support at the regular Society
meetings.
Local Information - Gold Coast of Queensland,
Australia
Located in the south eastern
corner of Queensland & adjoining 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 &
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 & outdoors all the round.
In November & January the temperature can raise to plus 32°C
for several days running & the night temperatures staying
high at plus 20°C. The skies are clear of clouds & the
sun is very direct & hot. This dry & unrelenting combination,
with the little humidity causes dehydration & burning of many
plants. In December the temperature is reduced by the humidity
& 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 & about equivalent to Florianopolis
in Brazil South America & Orlando in Florida North America,
except the seasons are reversed between winter & summer.
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web site problem? Email: Allan