It is my very favourite brom place to visit, and run by my good mate Bruce Dunstan - plantman extraordinaire. Bruce is an intrepid traveler, venturing to remote areas within Central and South America, collecting seed and discovering new species of many tropical plants. He is off to Ecuador in October, and Panama next year after the World Brom Conference in New Orleans. Bromeliads actually only make up 10% of the nursery's stock. Other delights grown there include heliconias, gingers, and many types of succulents - all designed to cater for the landscaping industry. Bruce was secretary of the International Society of Heliconias for several years - and he's still a spring chicken! The majority of the plants are grown from seed. I am always amazed at how quickly they establish, in perfect germination and seedling conditions. The nursery is not generally open to the public (wholesale business), except for occasional Open Days, as Matt mentioned.

Of course, being one-eyed, I have mainly taken photos of broms. Seeing as we have been drooling over alcantareas in particular, they are the major subjects to show you in this thread.
Ready? Here goes...

#1. A magnificent specimen of Al. heloisae (pronounced hello-weesa).

#2. Al. imperialis purpurea (with employee Allan as a yardstick).

#3. Al. imperialis purpurea, close up.

#4. Al. glaziouana

#5. Al. odorata

#6. Al. odorata - from various seed sources

#7. Al. edmundoi (ex Selby Gardens), showing affinity to heloisae.

#8. Al. imperialis 'Landsendt Red'

#9. Al. 'Visconde de Maua'(place of discovery) - considered to be the true Al. regina.

#10. Collection of alcantarea varieties.

#11. Al. imperialis variety - grown from seed collected in Organ Mountains, Brazil.

#12. Al. imperialis variety. This photo was sent to me by Bruce, and taken in the wild, Corcovado, Organ Mountains, 2005. Bruce says this is a famous specimen for photographing by intrepid collectors, and is the same seed parent of the above specimen.

#13. Al. imperialis 'Purple Skotak' - note the very wide leaves, giving this plant the nickname "The Purple Cabbage". This is the same specimen, only more mature now, as Peter Tristram photographed for the FCBS photo index.

#14. Al. extensa (two forms)

#15. Variegated Al. imperialis rubra - from Bruce's personal collection.

#16. More yummy variegated beauties, mostly of Al. extensa and glaziouana. Also from Bruce's personal collection.

#17. My most recent purchases last month! Front large plant is Al. extensa (from seed collected at Imbe, Brazil). It promises to be a really big'un. That's Bruce working hard, pushing my new babies up to the packing area.

And now for some photos of broms other than alcantareas.

#18. Don't you just love this display tree (jacaranda) at the nursery??

#19. Rows of beautiful Vr. gigantea var. seideliana (Nova).

#20. Vr. 'Pahoa Beauty', a Hawaiian hybrid with Nova in the parentage. (Bruce's personal collection).

#21. A section of the general sales area.

#22. And last, but not least, especially for Gonz - a flowering Tillandsia rauhii, in Bruce's personal collection.

bu-der, bu-der, bu-der, That's all folks! I hope you enjoyed the visual feast.

Cheers,
Kerry

I could spend a week wandering around this place, and as for Bruce's private collection - breathtaking.

Then, to be able to look over an acre of Alcs and then walk amongst these beauties...well I can't explain.

I know that of the 2 or 3 times I have been there with Kerry we prattle on with adrenalin and excitement about what we have just seen - so much so that the 5 hour trip home vanishes.

Thanks always for your time Bruce; and the memories & photos Kerry - when can we go again?

Vow!!! magnificent. I drool over all Alcans. you posted. Very very beautiful and huge specimens. I like #1 a nice Al. heloisa(I've never seen this Al. before) and #11.,#12 Al. imperialis variety from Organ Mountains, Brazil. (Very broad leaf with maroon tip) The veriegated Als. are elegant. I'm so jealous about visiting the Greenstock. It's ture magic, Kerry. Thanks for showing.

Cheers
Yong

I arrived there soon after it had opened and left as they were closing the gates having spent abit of time wondering off. It's funny cause the staff were giving me funny looks but after soon seeing the smile of glee on my face they knew my interest to browse was innocent. lol

I purchased a Alc Skotak, Alc Glaziouana and a Neo Cockabelle and still wanted more but my wallet said otherwise.

I remember too the sale area had soo many different varieties but were not for sale.

Your photos are fantastic and this only makes me want to visit there sooner. The display tree was certainly a sight to see and the variegated glaziouana and imperialis rubra look fantastic.

Thx for sharing....:)

One minor correction, though. #20 looks less like Pahoa Beauty and more like King David Kalakaua.

Cheers, Andrew.

I nearly fainted just now seeing the numerous Neo. 'Tigers' all lined up for sale in the sales area in photo #21. This plant is still near IMPOSSIBLE to buy in NZ, with only a few collectors holding on to them sadly....I've been waiting nearly 10 years for one only!!

Brilliant photos Kerry, will certainly have to visit there some day.

Cheers
Graeme

Also, thanks to Lisa and J+A for the heads up on the supposed Vr. Pahoa Beauty being more likely King David Kalamahoosywhatsit. I'm not sure where Bruce got his from...or who imported it with the wrong name. He was assured it was the real Macoy. So back to the unknown drawing board - again! (grumble, grumble)

And Gonz - you stop kicking that Till rauhii of yours, and behave yourself!

So who wants to come with me on our next brom crawl to Greenstock? I charge $100 per hour as tour guide...ha!
Sorry Bruce - just joshin'.

K :)

What a feast - very enjoyable

Cheers Richard

and here's our Vr 'King David Kalakaua'

K

Google is a fantastic tool....;)
HTH