Hi bromadams The length of stage one varies according to the type of seed involved. I've had Acanthostachys reach the top of the container in six weeks while Guzmanias take sometimes up to eighteen months. The only feed they get is a mist spray of Phostrogen 1/2 strength about every two weeks or whenever I remember to do it. This is only after they have grown two leaves and are starting to get bigger. I've never been able to grow Aechmeas as quick as your sturdy looking orlandianas; the best I've done was with some Ae. Blanchetianas and Bil. Roseas which got to about two inches high in about twelve months. My problem is, that when I start stage two I move them to a south facing area which gets less light (especially during winter) and growth slows down and they become strappy. As that's the only protected place I have to put them, I have to make do. Unfortunately when the time comes to pot them up, it does take a while to harden them up again. But I am having fun and getting resonable results albiet not as quick as you. I guess it suits me to grow them slow as any faster, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the potting up. All the best, Nev.

Feedback can be decieving, some people just don't know what to expect. I have also adopted a policy. When I sell something I post the seller feedback just before I send the item out. If I purchase something I WILL NOT post feedback until I have mine. I have actually had sellers tell me they will post my feedback after they receive theirs. Since I think buyer feedback is pretty much useless anyway I send them a nice little form e-mail that states how I feel about it. Its like they are holding back the buyers feedback so if the buyer isn't happy and leaves negative or even neutral feedback they can retaliate, which is wrong. Thanks for the tip on toolhaus.org, I'll have to check that out. My box showed up, and everything is nice, exactly as stated, I am pleased. Actually there is a another box coming tomorrow with elfin and mo pepper please another bonus plant and some more seedling pups. he sent Neo princess lea, and a pup of a seedling as a bonus. I have to load the pics to photobucket and resize them. I'll post them later. One of the pups of cheers is getting ready to bloom, I'll bring home pollen from Alexes house on Monday if I can find any I want to use. I looked today, and the seller that burned me on the white feather hostas put in the disclaimer. I decided I'm going to put mine in my e-bay store with the title WHITE FEATHER HOSTA Buyer Beware at $50.00, and it will come up in any searches. I'll post photos of the green plants, won't tell anyone who sold them to me, but that most of what is out there is Tissue Cultured junk from Holland that is unstable and unreliable. There is one seller that actually grows the plant, and his photos are probably are what the plant really looks like. It'll cost me 6 cents a month to keep it in the store with a gallery photo. People have been paying $20.00 and more for a 1 eye division. I saw one sell for $36.00. I feel sorry for them.

I found an old article in the BSI archives (1983). Apparently, Q liboniana is a good choice for crossing with Billbergias. à Billque (Billbergia à Quesnelia) Perringiana (Billbergia nutans à Quesnelia liboniana) Rancougnei (Billbergia sp. à Quesnelia liboniana) Sebastian Laruelle (Billbergia viridiflora à Quesnelia liboniana) But there has been Aechmea crosses with Q marmorata. Quesnelia marmorata à Aechmea chantinii Quesnelia marmorata à Aechmea fasciata: Hans Gulz

Hi Nev, yes you can freeze brom seed for longer term storage. See the link below to a previous discussion on this topic. Also, here is some related info that came from Andrew Flower. " Extended seed (and pollen) storage can be achieved by keeping it cool and dry - temperature around 3-5 C works well. To keep seed dry, enclose it in a small sealed glass/plastic container with a dessicant such as calcium chloride or silaca gel (obtain from a chemist). Ideally, you would also place the first small container in a larger glass/plastic container that also has some dessicant in it. This worked well for me when I was running a seed bank, and also with pollen storage in my nursery. Cheers! Andrew Flower,Editor, Bromeliad Society International." Nev, If you have any other questions about freezing seed, let me know & I'll see if I can answer, based on my trials over the last few years. Cheers, Andrew. Here is a link that might be useful: Storing brom seed.