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all bromeliads and possibly the reason for their discovery and proliferation throughout Europe and the world at large is the pineapple. It is truly the only fruiting bromeliad found in nature and was discovered by Christopher Columbus upon his visit to the Carib Indians in the West Indies. Columbus promptly returned to Spain with this amazing fruit and it soon became the toast of royalty, exemplifying extreme wealth and importance for not only those attending but for those throwing the lavish dinner parties where it was consumed and displayed prominently. In fact, it took the European Garden and hot house specialists almost 200 years beginning in the early 1500s to create a successful cultivation system for growing this famous bromeliad. Even in the colonies, where entertainment was
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prove to myself that I can fly a plane.” “Girls have an equal opportunity to go after a career in a male-dominated field,” she said. “You can fly an airplane wearing pink nail polish. Airplanes are not
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about the environmental stuff,” Strickland said. The lagoon is a healthy lagoon, he added. “There’s lots of wildlife and birds, herons eating fish out of the lagoon.” The Lagoon Foundation has also played a part in eradicating the killer algae that was discovered in the lagoon about 10 to 12 years ago, he said. But one of the biggest issues affecting the lagoon is storm water. “Storm water issues are a problem,” he said. “Overall, the health is good. People are wakeboarding; skiing…people are in the water every day.” All of the money raised from the event will go to the operating funds of the foundation’s Discovery Center and educational programs. The AHLF is a nonprofit organization that was developed in 1990 to help preserve, restore and enhance the lagoon through land acquisition and educational
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OCT. 14, 2011 primarily based on visiting and having dinner conversation with friends and members of the community, large expensive parties focused on the pineapple as a rare treat for the rich and powerful. Some intrepid less endowed matriarchs of the time would even go so far as to rent this bromeliad fruit for the night without consuming it to place it prominently on display for this very reason. All bromeliads share a common characteristic. They each have tiny scales on their leaves called Trichomes. These tiny scales act as a very efficient absorption system for water. Many species found in dry environments have such large and tight Trichomes that they appear silvery white in color and feel fuzzy to the touch. Sometimes these scales can form patterns and banding on the leaves that add to their beauty. Most bromeliads have
amazing color on their leaves and upon the flower stalk emanating from the center of these plants. This stalk is known as a scape and may have flowers nestled inside low and deep in the plant or hanging out where it can be seen near the end. Once a bromeliad blooms, that’s it. No more flowers or leaf production will occur but new “pups” or “offsets” near the base will emanate from inside the sheath of an existing leaf and draw sustenance from the “mother plant” for a season or two before it withers and dies. Choose your bromeliads based upon their color and sun needs. They are a great addition to any garden.
just for boys.” Currently a senior at Santa Fe Christian, Giannotti is president of the high school’s French Club and a member of its Philosophy, Apologetics, Sailing and Camping clubs. She is also busy submitting college applications. She hopes to attend Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., after graduation. Although Giannotti would eventually like to become a commercial pilot, she said she doesn’t have a set career path right now. “As long as I’m in a cockpit as a job, that’s what I would love to do,” she said.
outreach programs. “We are the stewards of the lagoon,” Strickland said. The event is Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign up and donation is $30 for AHLF members, $35 for prospective members and $40 after Oct. 16. Registration is available on the day of the event. For more information on the event or the foundation, visit aguahediondia.org or call (760) 804-1969.
Kent Horner is a local landscape contractor and designer with 30 years of experience in all aspects of your garden. For information concerning your project or questions involving your surroundings, e-mail him at Kent@plantch.com.
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