Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Collections

Why is it, if I find a type of plant I particularly like one is never enough. In fact, it seems my motto is,  if one is good then fifty is even better.  A couple years ago I bought my first bromeliad and fell in love with the sculptural form of these marvelous plants. Within six months I had at least thirty broms and after a year it was up over a hundred or so.... I'm hopeless I tell you.

I've always loved variegated and patterned foliage so when I found my first foliage vriesea on line I was hooked. The colors and patterns of these gorgeous bromeliads are total eye candy. They are easy peasy to care for. In winters I grow them under lights that are on 12 hours a day. They get watered once every two weeks or so and only get a dilute root feeding every six weeks or so. By growing them in groups the water in the 'tanks' in the centers of the plants keep the humidity up around the plants and creates a happy environment for these beauties. 

Here are a few photos of some of the Vriesea collection I took today while taking care of (read drooling over my plant babies. LOL)


















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25 comments:

  1. gardenbugNovember 13, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    Isn't it amazing to see the variety within a genus. I must say, looking at each one individually is most striking! I do have a favorite, but could easily succumb to many more if I spent any time at all studying them in depth. I don't dare....
    PS: It's photo number 8 that grabs me!

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 14, 2012 at 4:23 AM

      Yes indeed Marie. The hybridizers in the bromeliad world have done fabulous things. There is a whole selection of New Zealand Vrieseas that are out of this world that I can't get my hands on. There're aren't enough of them and they don't export. Drives me crazy when I see a plant I 'must' have and there is now possible way to get it. LOL

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  2. danger gardenNovember 13, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Oh my! What beauties! As you may have figured out I'm no stranger to the concept that if 1 is good 100 is better. It is so nice to see another gardener embrace that same idea so well, and with such striking, healthy plants. Bravo!

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 14, 2012 at 4:29 AM

      Thanks Loree, I really enjoy seeing your collections too! I love keeping in touch with fellow 'collectors' who subscribe to the large multiples concept. LOL These are just my vrieseas. I'm plannng to do the Neoregelias next.

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  3. DeniseNovember 13, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    What a collection!

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  4. Mark and GazNovember 14, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    Wow, what a lovely collection! I can clearly understand why you took on collecting bromeliads, it's a gorgeous group of plants! We could get easily get into it if we had the space :) Great collection!

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 14, 2012 at 4:30 AM

      Thanks Mark and Gaz! They are indeed wonderful and easy to maintain plants. I really don't have the space indoors for them in winters but seem to just keep adding more light units to accommodate the growing numbers.

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  5. DremaNovember 14, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    I love your bromeliads! They are beautiful, and you have inspired me to start a little collection here, but I only have a few, hoping to find more this year. I thought when I went to Florida I would come home with a ton, but they were few and far between at the 6 nurseries I visited. It looks like you are using orchid bark for your planting mix. Do you like that much better? I bought a bag a couple of weeks ago, thinking I might plant my staghorn fern in it, and a friend gave me a pretty little variegated orchid cutting, that I planted in it. Thanks for sharing the beauty of these plants!

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  6. SueNovember 14, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    You are the only one I know whose plants look just as good in the house as they do outside! No collections here except the four Agaves. Fortunately I don't have room for more :).

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  7. Leslie's GardenNovember 14, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Those are very pretty, Deanne! Wow, you really are a plant collector! I had no idea there were so many different kinds. They are very exotic looking, aren't they?

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  8. ksNovember 14, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    Just an hour drive south you can leave these guys outside year round. But I must say the plants that brave the elements all year don't look nearly as pristine as your coddled babies ! That foliage is truly marvelous.

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  9. garden girlNovember 15, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    Beautiful! 100+ - wow! I have one. I agree they are wonderful, easy-care plants.

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  10. scottweberpdxNovember 15, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    I think collecting just goes with the territory...when we love something...we love ALL OF IT!

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  11. The Sage ButterflyNovember 15, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    I just love these. There are so many designs on the leaves. Absolutely gorgeous!

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 16, 2012 at 4:23 AM

      Thanks! the patterns on these plants are so beautiful

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  12. MichelleNovember 15, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    Nice collection Deanne. They have such interesting foliage.

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 16, 2012 at 4:22 AM

      Thanks Michelle, you should try them.. they are addictive

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  13. outlawgardenerNovember 16, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    Each one is gorgeous! Doesn't look like you get to do much sitting on that nearby couch during the winter. I believe you may have a plant addiction problem...HOORAY!

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 16, 2012 at 4:21 AM

      Hahahahaha.... Plant addiction indeed. I'm hopeless. and yes, I don't often sit and relax... Too much to do. I'm going to do a post on my Neoregelias too.... and then there are the Calatheas and on and on...

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  14. LayaneeNovember 16, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    Wow. You do have quite a collection and they look so pristine and happy.

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  15. sharonNovember 17, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    Yes that make a statement!! and my yard is full of them! soo easy

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    1. Deanne FortnamNovember 17, 2012 at 4:28 AM

      Thanks Sharon! Where do you buy your Vrieseas? I have a very hard time finding them.

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  16. CharlieFebruary 20, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Your photos are nothing short of stunning. Thank you so much for sharing, I really enjoyed your post.

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  17. CindyApril 18, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    "Isn't it amazing to see the variety within a genus. I must say, looking at each one individually is most striking!"

    Couldn't agree more.. You really has a very good green thumb.

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