Hi everyone - It would be great if you can find a Bromeliad Society in your area as you will learn much more by discussing things with other growers and what's most important is the fact that all of this info applies to your local area unlike books you may read which may have been written for conditions often in another country. I don't know how Bromeliad Societies operate in your country, but here in Australia it's pretty standard. First, everyone brings a plate with food for afternoon tea (in fact when I first joined I remember commenting that the afternoon tea was worth the cost of membership alone, as the older ladies made it into a bit of a competition between themselves to see who could bake the best cake or some other delicacy) For one hour before the meeting starts, there are plant sales when members bring in surplus plants for sale and you can buy plants much cheaper than you would at nurseries. The society takes a small commission toward the running of the society. There is also the Monthly Point Score Competition (like a mini show) where members bring in their best plants for others to see and judge. Then the business side of the meeting is carried out which follows the standard procedure of all meetings. This is usually followed by a guest speaker who gives a presentation on some aspect of Bromeliad growing. Voting for the plants in the Point Score is then carried out by members and when the place winners are announced there is a short discussion on each of the plants benched. Usually two of the more experienced growers will describe the plants and discus and answer any questions about their culture Members can ask specific questions at this stage about any of the plants and this is where a lot of knowledge is picked up. There is also the monthly raffle where four different members each month donate plant/s and for a $1 per ticket you have the chance of winning some good plants. (The raffle proceeds again go toward the running of the society) After the raffle is drawn afternoon tea is served and we mingle and discus all aspects of brom growing with each other. After this the meeting is formally closed and we finish up by all pitching in and cleaning up the hall. There are other benefits such as garden and nursery visits three times per year, as well as workshops each three months; and although these are mainly organised for the new growers, anyone is welcome to attend. Of course the Grand Finale comes each spring time (September here) when we have our annual show which is open to the general public free of charge and as well as providing competition between members, it is chance to promote these wonderful plants to the general public. I'm sorry if I raved on a bit too long, but I can't sing the praises loud enough of what's to be gained by joining a Bromeliad Society. All the best, Nev. This is a pic of part of a main display at one of our past spring shows. These are usually put together by two society members using plants loaned by other members. (Members wishing to sell plants to the public on the Sales Table are asked to also loan at least two or three plants for use in these displays).

Suzanne, Where are you located? It looks like a fallen tillandsia (which usually grow on trees). Did you plant this or it just appeared in its current location? If it is a tillandsia, it won't be growing in the ground (usually has no roots to speak of). I picked one up in Florida (Orlando area) years ago that had fallen from a tree at the hotel I was staying at. I suppose the ground gets littered with them after a storm. Some I purchased later that year at an arts and crafts show. Common name is "air plants" and that becomes obvious when you see them growing without soil (which will kill them eventually) This is what they do in the tropics (mid-Feb, 2006 in Belize) Same trip - this is at Tikal, Guatemala. The tree with the red fuzz is full of Tillandsia

It might be some sort of Aechmea woronwii.

Photos