The breeder would most likely know, actually should know, whether or not his/her bloodlines were predisposed to any types of genetic problems... of course, this is supposing that the breeder is a serious one, and keeps excellent records and follows up with his customers and their animals, etc... I'm really glad you brought the information to our attention, Chick. (May I call you Chick, for short?) Even though I don't use the process to identify my animals, it's a subject that a lot of Bulldoggers and other "dog people" I know will be interested in checking out. I gotta say... and this is off-subject... I really enjoy these discussions with all of you... I think we all have some interesting view points to offer, and I learn quite a bit about a lot of things by reading what everyone has to say! I know I tend to be a bit long-winded in writing my responses, but I enjoy writing, too! And I'm pretty certain you all think I'm a very opinionated individual, and I admit to being so, but I think that debating the pros and cons of many subjects gives us all some pretty interesting things to think about. It, perhaps, opens us up to ideas and views that maybe we hadn't thought about before! Anyway... just thought I'd throw that in... I find this group to be a pretty intelligent lot, and I'm most definitely having a good time learning about everyone! Back to the subject at hand... I would think that many vets, also, might have a good idea of which breeds seem to be predisposed to certain things... that is, if their patient base consists of several of the same breed, from different breeders or areas of the country. As an example, my brother is an auto technician, (he's a grease monkey/mechanic, but he hates when I call him that!) and he notices which types of cars come in the most for which types of repairs. He told me once that Cadillacs come in the least for major repairs, not that I can afford one! But, you get the idea. I think Microchip Technology is like anything else... when it comes to our families and pets, we each need to research and do what we think is best for their safety and well-being.

Hi Guys Hmmm politics, I'm not sure if I understand what the problem is here other than the fact that we (BSI members) elected Delegates, but the Delegates elected not to discuss such an important issue with it's members. I have had contact at various times over the last six months or so with each of our Delegates (Aus) but at no time did they elect to ask an opinion of a member, therefore I shall elect not to elect either of these Delegates again until such time as they realize that they were in office for the members, not for their own personal opinions, or self importance. I feel disappointed for all the hard work done by Derek & others over the years & now people seem to think it's all falling apart. Well no it doesn't have to, don't just complain offer suggestions to help fix the situation instead, for one the way I see it, the BSI is only taking control of Administration of the BCR, as it is we register our hybrids with the BSI now & that goes into the BCR, then the photo's get posted on FCBS, so what is going to change, you don't register hybrids with FCBS it is only a photo index for you to look at pictures to aid in ID's. If this is correct it means you register with the BSI, you send a pretty picture to FCBS for all to see, or any other photo index around the world for that matter, as any site can post your picture, but only the BSI can register your hybrid name, therefore not much is changing as FCBS was & still is only a photo index (I believe that's what's on it's Title page) not FCBS Bromeliad Registry. I do feel it is time in this day & age of computers that all BSI members should get a copy of the minutes in one form or another so that we know what is happening in our Society, as our Delegates don't seem terribly interested in keeping us informed here at home after the meetings. "Lets be Heard" Hmmm $25.00 bucks is not going to fix the problem of so many "Neo. Binalotatrash's it's only going to help keep the great load of Neo. Ulanfils out there instead of in land fill. (sorry those names are already taken) My hat goes off to Lisa for acknowledging in an earlier thread that her little white variegate (as nice as it is) is one of so many like that out there now, so it's not worth adding another one, there's a hybridiser setting a good example worth following, congrats Lisa for self policing, only the best will do. Back in the early 1900's the Plant World had Expo's where new plants/hybrids were presented & given Awards of Merit etc, so where did this system go, Derek suggested a Certificate of Merit system but nobody was overly excited about this, so it seems to have fallen away ?? Offer a constructive suggestion don't just complain. My suggestion to Derek & others recently has been to include in local Society Show Competition Schedules, is a section for Best New Hybrid Award (locally produced not imported) with a respectable reward/incentive offered, some of our Societies are pretty well cashed up, so how about the Societies stepping-up & remembering what they are here for, THE PLANTS. Another section that should be high on the agenda is "Best Species, Seed Grown", forget the hybrids we need to save Species, I thought that's what Societies were, partly, all about. I don't know that printing this thread in a news letter is the way to go as most Society members aren't members of the BSI, & it probably wouldn't interest most of them anyway as most are just sit on the fencers anyway. I feel it should be sent in it's entireity to all members of the Board with notice, it is our Society not just the elected Delegates & we are interested in what's going on. I know I will be asking our next intending Delegate a few questions before I cast a vote, "where do you stand on the above matters ??". NO I'm not offering to do this as a Board member has been involved in this discussion, he should step-up & do it, as an elected Delegate it is his position to act on members requests & show the Board we're not happy with the way things are going. Pinkbroms

Shilpa, I love Australian plants! Such an amazing variety of textures and colors; I don't see why any gardener would not want to use them. Especially Eucalyptus and Grevillea. I'm glad your folks have kept the Aussie natives in their yard. Even though I like rare plants from other parts of the world, I have kept quite a few northwest native plants in my garden as well (though I don't bother to take photos of them much). Brian, I planted the E. parvula in summer 1997; it was a little 6" tall plant in a tiny pot. I like it a lot too, but I think its growth form is better when it approaches maturity and starts getting rounded off at the top. That Callistemon is very upright, but I can never get a good pic of the flowers because it is in too much shade and I have to use the flash (with my camera anyways).

It sounds like there are lots of interesting places to shop in your area, so that's promising. I was thinking this morning maybe flea markets might be good places to check. We have a huge one on weekends in our fair grounds (though it is chased away when the State Fair happens for several weeks in September), and I know there are plant sellers there. It's likely they sell garden or house plants but they might sell Bromeliads and that could mean such a seller would know about tillies and not realize there is a market for them, too. I've often thought that if I were rich I'd start a rare plants business, in a storefront, with grow lights, books, containers, proper soil (for those plants that use it), gift wrap, classes, advice... Sell tillandsias, orchids, cactus, etc. Maybe offer an office landscaping service. And I agree, I would not buy a pre-made terrarium (though my friend's terrariums are true works of art... I should take some pics of them and post them here), I prefer to put my own together using single or multiple plants and shot glasses, wine glasses, etc. found at flea markets and thrift stores.