Stephania ! Wow ! Wonderful photos. You are full of surprises. Thanks for sharing. Bob

Great pictures, Stephania! The many layers of hanging Tillandsias reminds me of a friend's place. I have to bend over just to walk in there!

So what made you give up the Tillandsias, and the Guzmanias, Neos and Crypts? Whatever you grow, everything looks so neat and organized and well-grown.

Wonderful photos, Stephania! The cactus and succulents were a nice surprise. If only I had access to those locally made pots (bowls) that you grow them in!

Your photos are an inspiration to those of us who have just started collecting broms! Thank you,

Looks like a candy store to me in every shot!!
Is that a Madagascar palm in the back? Awsome, I've never seen one that tall. Gorgeous Golden Barrel cactus and Agave' I only have 4 or 5 var. of agave and do love them.
You have a collection of one of my favorite things. I have a very small collection, but it's growing everyday!

Thanks for sharing, when I grow up...........LOL
Patris

From Tillandsia heaven to cactus corner?? Grrrrrr...... ;-O
Stephania, it's good fun to look at old pictures of our collections. Sometimes I will look at a pic and say "I was growing THAT???, what was I thinking??". Great photos, thanks.

{{gwi:487122}}

I wonder if it's normal that one will change their focus, many times, in the life time.

For me, I began when I was 13 with Cactus then Fern-African Violet-Epicia-Begonia-Bromeliad- when I was 20 I imported Tillandsia-Bromeliad again, especially Crytanthus that I order 40 varieties from Southern Exprosure and some from Pine Apple Place.

It was around ten years ago, Mr Ted Green, a Hoya specialist, of Green Plant Reserch from Hawaii visited my house. I had ordered from him and Michael Miyashiro a hundred of Hoya to Thailand (Most of them you can find in our market today) In reverse, I also introduced many new species to the trade in USA, such as Hoya curtisii, H. mitrata, H. lobbii, H. 'Wee' bella, etc. via Mrs Christine M Burton of Hoya Society International (The Hoyan).

Due to my job, a nature history publication, I had to be in a jungle, months a year, then I change my interest to study our native Orchid species, especially Bulbophyllum. From my expeditions in Thailand's tropical rainforests, I had discovered 3 new species of edemic orchid and many new records for our country. One of them I and Prof. Gunnar Seidenfaden named it, Bulbophyllum smitinadii, for dedicating our botanist.

I had many times visited interesting places, Madagascar, Borneo, Tibet, India, South Africa etc. I've seen many native floras that ispirate my interest again.

One day, I found that all the neglect things in my house should be restored. Then I started to collect some more succulents, especially caudiciform that I imported from EXOTICA in Germany. In the mean time, one of my good friend who always visit USA, he brought me some Dyckia and xeric brom from his friends in CA and FL : Dutch Vandervort, Bill Baker and Denis of Tropiflora...so this is my story.

Some of my succulents & caudiciforms collection today.
{{gwi:487124}}

Me & Pachypodium gacilius in its habitat, Isalo National Park, S Madagascar, 2004.
{{gwi:454428}}

That is very interesting, Stephania. It seems we know some of the same people, like Michael Miyashiro. I named a Neoregelia after him. I don't really know Ted Green, although I've met him and know people who have collected with him.

I think it's normal to change focus over the years, but some people just do it more often and with more intensity than others. My friend that I mentioned with all the Tillandsias is a prime example. Before I met her she collected roses, and before that orchids. I met her when she got crazy for bromeliads, but since then it's been Agaves, Hoyas, Euphorbias (especially milii) and caudiciforms (that book you are holding is one of my favorites), and now she's got Begonia fever! Whatever makes life more interesting, I say go for it! I have gotten into many other things myself, and had kind of lost interest in bromeliads for a while, but the people on this forum are geting my enthusiasm fired up again.

You are very lucky to have been able to travel so extensively and collect in the wild, and it sounds like you have a good network of plant friends to help feed your addiction too. Do you sell plants too, at Chatuchak market or out of your yard? I'll bet my friends and I have some Hoyas and maybe some other things too that originated with you. Love of plants makes it a small world!

Great story Stephania,and Lisa's comments too. Yes,we all change our paths as we go along our way.I've had a bunch of hobbies,but the one that seems to have stuck the longest is bromeliads [1989].I kinda lean toward cactus too,but have'nt caught the 'bug' yet.Guess thats why I've been collecting Dyckia,Hechtia,Orthophytum,and other 'sticky' species this year,and last.Just got a Deincanthon urbanianum this week,and its spines are the sharpest I've ever encountered in a bromeliad,tho my Bromelia balanse would dispute that.So much to learn about broms,that I think it will stay with me as a primary interest.Thanks for all the interesting comments about your travels.I too traveled, but early on when I did'nt even know bromeliads existed.Examples; West Indies Islands, Lesser Antilles,Bahamas,and the jungles of Puerto Rico,plus Mexico. Ouch! what missed opportunities ! But thats our life path,you win some,you lose some,but its been a great adventure so far. Keep up the interesting postings,we all look forward to them .Bob