I got most of mine at specialty nurseries in my county, and some from friends. I only bought one tillandsia from HD. They usually sell Aechmea fasciata and various guzmanias. The A. fasciata is easy to grow, but I don't have any luck with guzmanias. Try a web search for tropicals in Southern California, you may find a specialty nursery near you.

Bird Rock Tropicals has moved to Encinitas. Pam is reliable and has LOTS of tillandsias, but other genera too. Also Rainforest Flora in Gardena. Again, mostly tillandsias, but other stuff too.

An excellent online source is Michael's Bromeliads in Venice, FLA. Mike has a wide range of genera, particularly Neoregelias and Billbergias, and is geared towards the collector. You can google and find his website too.

If you just want some reasonably cheap, full-grown, mass-produced Guzmanias or Vrieseas, and don't particularly care about the variety, you can go to the box stores.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bird Rock Tropicals

I steal all mine from Catkim's yard when she's at work! ;-)
Birdrock and Michael's are great. It is also good to build up a stock for swapping with people. You might notice a fine plant in someone's yard and offer to swap some of your pups for theirs.

Gonzer, how can that be when every day I go out and there are more than there were the day before? I thought maybe you were dumping them in my garden while I was at work! ; )

Yes, trading with friends is definitely the best way to build your collection.

Join the local Bromeliad Society :-)

Also try Tropiflora in FL. I just visited recently, and I can say they have bromeliads as far as the eye can see.

Here's a tip for you San Diegans - a little late for this year, but good to keep in mind for next time:

Quail Botanical Gardens' annual Plant Sale, held the third weekend in October, is a great source. Because ALL the plants for sale are donated by local growers, we can charge very good prices. The bromeliad growers are usually very generous, and the more quantity we have, the lower the prices. Selection varies from year to year, of course. This year we had literally hundreds of blooming Guzmanias for $5 apiece, and absolutely immense Porteas in 15 gallon cans for $25!

The selection of all categories of plants is usually excellent. Check it out next year!

Cheers,
Patrick

Let's not forget the Bromeliad World Conference in San Diego next year. The Shangri-La for bromeliad growers.

And the prices there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've ordered bromeliads from Glasshouse Works in Ohio, they often have unusual cultivars, sometimes quite cheaply.

Jim

Not that these are "good", but, you may have some pups off my Neoregelia Ampullacea (at least I think that's what it is!) for free (plus postage)! I live in Northern California. Just email me privately and we can figure out a way to get to them to you! Here's a really ugly shot of them. The pups are much prettier and color up more in the sun. I grow them indoors and out. They grow taller and greener inside and shorter and purplier (:-)) outside. I'd be glad to hand some off to someone! I'm sure they'd ship easily and they are so hardy.

I've had this clump since 1981 or 1982 when I used to volunteer at the botanical gardens in Berkeley. They gave me one little pup and this thing has lived with little or no care for these past 23 years, growing and multiplying. I have about 15 of them (pups) sitting in a bowl of water, just as happy as can be. A few of them bloomed recently...nice little purple flowers mostly hidden in the cup. I fell in love with this bromeliad instantly when I was young. I had this fascination with growing it with water in the cup :-) I also have a thing for plants that are easily propagated and respond so positively to care. If you look up the name above in google images, I'm sure you'll see a prettier version of what I have. I just don't have my good photos here at work.

minibot

{{gwi:496411}}

I used to have a greenhouse, but no more. I have about 200 bromeliads, mostly aechmea and neoregelia, that have been living outside for over 5 years. Many have lost their name tags.
With care all should return to "show quality". They need a home. I would be happy to give them to anyone who wishes to give them a good home.

How do you get in contact?

I have a good home for bromeliads here in the Point Loma area of San Diego. If you are close, send me an email.

Send em to gonz..he is a good bromo dad *snicker*

Hi riddlewalker,
I hope that you read this message, I would love to send you postae for bromelidas.
plmk, lucy

email me phoang@tecom-ind.com thanks.

There are a few responses to my post; I'm afraid I do not visit this board often. Anyone wishing to contact me, please email brwitt@earthlink.net