i have owned several bromeliads over the years but, due to a recent move, have had to start my collection over. should you ever come into the L.A. area, you must visit The Rainforest garden on Hawthorne Blvd. it is nothing to look at on the outside, but inside the white plastic greenhouse is a amazing world to behold. i was impressed, to say the least and could've spent hours in there. i will find some links to bromeliads and i'm sure once you see pictures of them, you'll know exactly what this topic is about. they are easy to grow and require very little pampering. they don't like dirt and love to get wet.

The Bromeliad Society International: http://www.bsi.org/

Bromeliads show up in my trees unbidden. Did you know that Spanish Moss is a bromeliad? It is!!!They are truly spectacular plants and LOVE Hilo's climate!

yup--i knew it, but not many folks do. i purchased a couple of little bromeliads to hang in my kitchen window. unfortunately, they died a very slow and dry death.

How much longer are you in CA for? Any pending reassignment that may get you more toward the east again?

need to go south--but have asked to go a bit north of here (lompoc) just to get away from the city. it's not bad here in san pedro near the water. thank goodness the military offers housing! *LAUGH* we're retiring in 3 years and the AM is on a 4 year controlled tour (1 already down).

oh, only one of my bromeliads survived. i've got her hanging over a humidity tray i put out for my sunloving orchids. maybe it'll help if i forget to spray her down!