Bromeliad hybridizing by Allan Ladd
Bromeliads to me are a hobby, as well as a pleasant way to fill in time till I die.
Living in Booyong northern NSW (near Byron Bay), is ideal, as the climate suites both cool and warm growing plants not just bromeliads.
When working in & around the home or garden, some plants come to mind that I would consider low maintenance gardening, while others are more for the person who likes to grow the more unusual? To find out which ones would be best in your area or suite your purpose? Call Allan phone (02) 66 291 559 or see email below; Click here
I have been growing bromeliads (broms), on and off for over 35years.
Starting with running a retail plant nursery in Newcastle (called; "Cherry Road Nursery") in my early 20's.
My nursery sold bromeliads plants and seedlings as a specialty, along with the standard retail plant, ceramics, potting mix, seedlings, etc.,
My particular passion is breeding Broms from seed with the particular purpose of creating plants which are both attractive, and durable (preferably with out spines).
Have had breaks away from growing Broms in the past, though am now back producing both seed and seedling bromeliads with the idea of producing bromeliads which will tolerate a wide climatic range, as well as being small to medium size plants (i.e. with in 15cm (6inch) to 45cm (18inch diameter), and up to 43cm (15 inch) tall.
I breed both species & hybrids broms from seed, as I feel many species plants are equally attractive to most of the hybrid plants I produce.
Flower season for most of my stock plants is all the year round, in this climate.
Bromeliad seed is produced all year round and all of this seed is a result of specific hand pollination (with occasional exceptions).
I enjoy using interesting stock plants for seed production.
To see images of seed parent plants (Breeding stock) "Parent plant image Gallery";
Click here
The first image shows some choice new foliage seedlings of Vriesea splenriete" ($3.00 size in catalogue), while the second image shows a flowering plant of Billbergia rosea (species).
While the bulk of my seed and seedling production, is from some of the more robust and colourful members of the following bromeliad genus;
Aechmea, billbergia, canistropsis, guzmania, Pitcairnia, neoregelia, nidularium, Tillandsia and Vriesea.
The amount of work which goes into producing most of my seed is often very time consuming as well as involves skill in knowing what pollen is to be kept in the freezer, to set seed on a plant possibly flowering up to 4 months after the first plant has finished flowering. Knowing what the seedlings will look & grow like from each cross? is important, such that the seedlings are guaranteed to produce worth while future bromeliads.
There may be broms growing in your garden at present, which you are not sure what they are?
You may like to look at or check up a particular bromeliad image?
Then click on the following web link Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, Bromeliad Photo Index ( to get best value from this site? I would advise you find out the species name first).
These images, show seedling Vriesea & Guzmania growing in mass (images taken during January 2011), The size of the seedlings in the foreground (second image) were similar in size to what usually sell as $3.00ea seedlings, though most of my current stock is up to 3 times this size at present for $3.00ea (i.e. January 2012).
The growth rate of seedlings varies depending on type of plant, i.e. miniature plants grow slower than large forms & time of year i.e. winter growth is very slow while summer is fast. There for availability will vary at different times of the year.
Some of the slow growing Billbergia's like B. Domingos Martins, produce only small quantities of seed with each flowering, while Vriesea and Guzmania usually will produce considerable quantities of seed in each seed pod.
Keep in mind, the bulk of seed produced is for my own growing, Though in most varieties, I produce more than requiredl & hence I often have extra seed available for people to try themselves.
Occasionally bulk seed is available? enquiries welcome.
For those wishing to grow their own plants from seed?? Click on the following link to download a PDF file, suggested Bromeliad seed raising cultural notes (file size is 130kb);
Have now had shoulder surgery & am recovering very rapidly, far better than expected. All plant sales will stop for a miinimum period of 6weeks unless you make an appointment to call in to my nursery? (No Mail order for 6 weels as I currently see it, Contact me by email approx., 10th June 2012?)
If I get time to up date more images & stock prior to this time then will do so?
To view my new picture catalogue? Click here
I underestimated the time taken to put this catalogue together, so have many more items to add in the comming weeks. Prior to completing this catalogue click on link below to see current list.
To see (10th February 2012) PDF catalogue of Bromeliad Seed & plants? (NOT updated, though much of this stock is still available) Click here
If interested in my breeding & would like to visit me? Please phone first & arrange a time , date to call in.
Note; I try to ensure seed is viable & store seed under dry, refridgeration.
If you purchase seed and do not get reasonable germination? ("reasonable" meaning; that you atleast get the mumber of seed stated in catalogue to germinate).
Email me and receive a credit or refund for any seed that does not perform.
Where I live is in a small valley approximately 30klm from the coast, unfortunately this area is prone to frost in winter for several weeks a year. Most of my plants will tolerate this cold thought prolonged cold down south may create more stress than the plants are able to tolerate?
If at any time you see something on my stock list that you would like then it pays to ring first just in case it is not suitable for your conditions or is no longer available.
Online Help; I am happy to answer questions for any one wishing to grow bromeliads (regardless of weather interested in any of my plants), if uncertain about a plant you have or intend buying from another person? though do not know the growing conditions required etc., then it may be worth your while to ask me for help????
Article on Microclimate (Word 2003.doc size 29kb), which may help you understand what is happening with your plants? to down load a copy; Click here
To email Allan, click on the following email link; ant_52@westnet.com.au
For those people who do not have an email program on their computer (hence get an error message when you click on the above email link)? Or use Hotmail, Yahoo, or other web based mail programs?
Copy the above email address and past it into your web based mail program e.g. hotmail, compose an email then send.
My contact details (Postal address);
Allan Ladd
588 Booyong Road
Booyong 2480 N.S.W.
Australia
Phone with in Australia; (02) 66 291 559
Location map?
Click on the following google map link, copy and past this address; "588 Booyong Road Booyong NSW 2480 Allan Ladd" into the address line. The actual map will show you where my drive way starts, in the center of Booyong.
Google Map search location
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Growing plants is a hobby that I have been doing since the age of 10years old. Now I am taking a new direction, which involves letting go of this plant addiction & replacing it with challenging the "legal social taboos" particularly for men as I am one, if you have a sense of adventure or would just out of curiosity like to see what I mean? then click on this link to my new web page; Click here