PB, thanks for this...there is a lot to see in your beautiful city - so far I'm very taken with the sidewalk art festival and the sand festival, they have a wonderful energy and life to them. I'll continue looking.

Hi All and Kristen, An interesting question; Why do we love Bromeliads? I'm an avid plants collector since i was very young. I first collected plants when i was in high school. The first one who introduced me into world of plants is my father. He loved and grew a lot of orchids before I was born. I grew together with orchids. My father brought me to everywhere he enjoyed with orchids. I've absorbed his inspiration. Begined with caladium, a beautiful colourful aroid still popular in Thailand but difficult to keep. Then orchids, cacti&succulents , palms&cycads , anthuriums , others and the last bromeliads. About bromeliads, I went to plant market many years ago and found a small red plant hanging from a basket. It was very nice. I asked the seller what it was. He said it was a bromeliad. I bought it and took it back. I didnt know much about this plant. I searched for the information and found and interesting source of these plants. After I joined BSI, my world of bromeliads is opened. There are a lot to learn. I found that bromeliads are plants that easy to care, less pests, less disease, need less attention and less fertilizer. In particular they are beautiful year round, has so many colors and forms. And also after joining this forum I found that there are so many lovely people around the world has the same thing and willing to share their knowledge. ;-) Thats why I love bromeliads Cheers Yong

Ok, as always...late late late to the show! I just found this post with the pics and I LOVE the pics! I was there at the plant swap and recieved the benefit of the groups generosity, but the OUTSTANDING treasure I recieved that have grown and look soooo beautiful in my garden, are my Cannas from Roselee! Thank you sooooo much Roselee!! Mario and I (alma delia) had a GREAT time and it shows in my face in the pictures. I cant wat to see you all in the fall!

OHMYGOODNESS, BECKY - I know you must be walking on a cloud. Congratulations - take a deep bow. What an honor. I know it's a lot of hard work getting ready for a show, and don't envy you. Hope you do well. As for myself, I've declined an invitation from our local art center to enter into the summer show. To me, all I can think about is the work involved. I was displaying at a local nursery, and it was so much work to take it all out a couple weeks ago, when I decided things had been there long enough w/no recent sales, that I said I'll NEVER again take anything outta this house to market or show. Again, I hope you make a big splash and get lots of business from your exhibit.