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SEARCHING FOR MISS FORTUNA - The Hunt For a Bromeliad
 by Chester Skotak
Paperback, 383 pages, 140 x 215mm
An intriguing novel inspired by true events. This bizarre adventure laced with offbeat humour, odd characters, and vivid descriptions chronicles an obsession with collecting a rare plant. After shelling out thousands of dollars in a cutthroat auction for one small but captivating plant, an unbridled frenzy drives The Man from Florida into a blind rush to gather more of those beauties from their hidden rainforest habitat. He hires a happy-go-lucky free spirit from Costa Rica as guide and translator, and races off to the Panamanian wilderness to hunt down the "goddesses from Fortuna." Two polar opposites don't mix well cooped up in a jeep searching the back roads of paradise for a rare botanical treasure. Jugu magic comes along for the ride and crazy things begin to happen. The mischievous guide is the irreverent narrator of this weird story - touching on obsession, vanity, and bruised egos - unfolding mostly in Central America, where the unexpected flourishes and multiplies.
As you delve into this quirky world, offbeat characters will bombard you with surprises. A singing cow tick, a zombie-like woman in a tropical ski chair, a flying toupee, and a tongue-tied fruit lover are merely hints of the maze of "bizarro" you'll encounter. So go ahead, turn the pages and learn a slew of lessons on why you should be choosy about travelling companions when journeying into the unknown. Between the laughs and the gasps, feel free to wonder if all this really happened. Maybe it did or maybe it didn't, but the perplexing enigma remains: Nothing can become truth until it's in writing.
Chester Skotak is a world-renowned bromeliad hybridizer with a sharp sense of humour. He has led numerous plant collecting expeditions throughout Central and South America and has introduced countless unusual bromeliad hybrids into horticulture. Three plant species have been named in his honour. He was born in Texas and has lived in Costa Rica since 1978.
Each copy autographed by Chester Stotak
New Zealand: $50.00 + $4.00 postage.
Australia: NZ$50.00 + $13.50 postage
Pacific Islands: NZ$50.00 + $18.00 postage
Asia: NZ$50.00 + $25.00 postage
UK and EU: NZ$50.00 + $28.00 postage
South America: NZ$50.00 + $29.00 postage
USA: NZ$50.00 + $28.00 postage
I will add the appropriate postage for each country when I receive your order.
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GROWING BROMELIADS - 3rd edition
The Bromeliad Society of Australia Inc.
 These amazing plants with their dramatic foliage and highly coloured inflorescences, have soared in popularity over the past few years. They add drama and beauty to any tropical or sub-tropical garden, or to a balcony and indoor room in cooler climates.
You don't have to be an expert to grow bromeliads, many species described in "Growing Bromeliads" are easy to grow. Whether an experienced enthusiast or complete novice, you will find everything you need to know to successfully grow these extraordinary plants.
"Growing Bromeliads" describes how and where to grow over 200 species and hybrids, and details ten of the most popular genera with brief notes on the more unusual genera. Descriptions of the native habitats for each of the ten genera are given, enabling you to provide the right growing conditions for any of the species within these genera. The book gives an interesting overview of the Bromeliad family, including a brief history of Bromeliad cultivation. There are also separate chapters on how to propagate these wonderful plants and on their unique biology. All of this is written in straightforward language with scientific terminology kept to a minimum.
This new updated third edition has been revised by experienced bromeliad growers, and includes ten new species, new chemical treatment for bromeliads, Australian hybrids and updated names.
New Zealand: $29.00 + $4.00 postage.
Australia: NZ$29.00 + $13.50 postage
Pacific Islands: NZ$29.00 + $18.00 postage
UK and EU: NZ$29.00 + $28.00 postage
USA: NZ$29.00 + $25.50 postage
I will add the appropriate postage for each country when I receive your order.
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BROMELIADS – A CONNOISSEURS GUIDE
 This stunning new work on the Bromeliad family comes from the pen of Andrew Steens, author of the international best selling book “Bromeliads For The Contemporary Garden”. It features photographs of nearly 500 rare, new or just beautiful species and hybrids and the gardens they are grown in.
Bromeliad expert Andrew Steens takes bromeliads fanciers on a wonderful journey into the wilds of South America, explaining bromeliad habitat and threats to their ecosystems with David Attenborough-like energy. Then he proceeds to a roll call of over 300 exotic, rare and must-have bromeliad species. Complete with growing (greenhouse and outdoors), hybridising and collecting advice, this comprehensive book is a must-have for the bromeliad lover.
This is a book for gardeners that are completely addicted to bromeliads and it unashamedly indulges the enthusiast in sumptuous gardens and even more sumptuous plants. With nearly 500 glorious photos, this is a superlative book for the coffee table or the reference library.
"Steens has excelled in writing this, the most important book to date on the subject."
- Gardening Australia
"What an amazing book, I haven't been able to put it down. I thought your last book would be hard to beat but this is truly amazing."
- Publicity Officer, Bromeliad Society of Australia
"Bursting with stunning shots of a particularly photogenic plant."
- Next Magazine
"The reader is introduced to the rare, the exotic and the most desired, all lavishly illustrated."
- Christchurch Star
"Beware - It has all the pull of a candy store window for a sweet-tooth addict."
- Growing Today
"Just turn the pages in awe"
- Bay Of Plenty Times
"The lavish photos elevate the book from a how-to-grow-guide to garden porn. Saucy."
- NZ Lifestyle Block
New Zealand: $45.00 + $4.00 postage.
Australia: NZ$45.00 + $13.50 postage
Pacific Islands: NZ$45.00 + $18.00 postage
Asia: NZ$45.00 + $25.00 postage
UK and EU: NZ$45.00 + $28.00 postage
South America: NZ$45.00 + $29.00 postage
USA: NZ$45.00 + $28.00 postage
Out of stock
I will add the appropriate postage for each country when I receive your order.
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BROMELIADS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY GARDEN
- By Andrew Steens.
 This sumptuous book has been written for all gardeners who love gardening with Bromeliads. Masses of information on landscaping with Bromeliads, in shady or sunny gardens, as epiphytes on trees or rocks, as greenhouse plants or in pots. Glorious photos of garden scenes complement the text.
There are descriptions of over 450 species and hybrids, most of which are easily obtainable for the average gardener with approximately 300 colour photos to help with identification. The Bromeliad fancier will find much information of value, including extensive notes on cultivating Bromeliads, from seed and pup, and priceless tips on feeding, flowering, watering and light levels for top-quality Bromeliads, from New Zealand's foremost commercial grower.
"Packed full of practical information on over 200 species. A great book for the bromeliad enthusiast."
- Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture
"Andrew's depth of knowledge and enthusiasm make this a valuable book that fills a real gap in the market."
- NZ Gardener
"Written in a friendly style and focuses on commonly available plants that do well in most gardens."
- Australian Horticulture.
"Bright, colourful, exotica and easy - just like this book."
- Auckland City Libraries.
"This beautifully presented book is packed full with inspirational photographs and a depth of information."
- NZ Woman's Weekly
New Zealand: $29.00 + $4.00 postage.
Australia: NZ$29.00 + $13.50 postage
Pacific Islands: NZ$29.00 + $18.00 postage
UK and EU: NZ$29.00 + $28.00 postage
USA: NZ$29.00 + $25.50 postage
I will add the appropriate postage for each country when I receive your order.
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 Slow Release Fertiliser:
Many people advise against fertilising Bromeliads. In our experience, this is not the way to grow top quality plants. We fertilise all our bromeliads with this slow release fertiliser, which has the right blend of nutrients for lush growth without compromising leaf colour. Comes with instructions for different Bromeliad types. Each pack is sufficient to fertilise 60 plants.
$8.00 per 300g pack.
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 Sphagnum moss:
Ideal for wrapping the root systems of Bromeliads and other epiphytes when fixing to trees or pungas. Epiphyte root systems will grow vigorously in this well aerated moss, and you won't need to water as much while the plants are getting established. We have 150g packs of export quality moss at only $7.00
Currently out of stock
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 VaporGard:
Protect your broms from frost with Vaporgard
This organic product provides a film over the foliage of tender plants, which protects down to -3C for up to 2 - 3 months. In areas where you have frosts harder than -3C you will still need the extra protection from frost cloth plus the Vaporgard.
It can be used to reduce moisture loss on cuttings, which reduces transplant stress or shock. Also, container plants treated in Summer will require far less watering. Summer sunburn on bromeliads is also reduced, as vaporgard filters out UVA and UVB rays.
$12.90 per 100ml bottle.
Currently out of stock
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For further information contact us
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