A beautiful and diverse display of bromeliads were the main attraction at Clearview Mall. Plant enthusiasts and visitors admired the variety of bromeliads and cryptanthus for sale during the 36th annual River Ridge Bromeliad Society and Show.

Members of the River Ridge Bromeliad Society (RRBS) were present to give information and answer questions about their bromeliad species and hybrids.

"Our show is always very diverse, displaying plants of different species and hybrids not commonly seen in retail stores," said James Georgusis, a Metairie resident and RRBS member who retired four years ago as a professional tropical plant grower.

"The plants are shown cultivated in different fashions -- in utility and decorative pots, as well as grown mounted on driftwood, cork and sometimes grown in tree fern slabs or bowls. We also had horticultural displays and plants for sale at very reasonable prices to the public. Our main objective is to further the interest in bromeliads and invite new members."

Identified by their unique leaf characteristics, inflorescence features/qualities or a combination of both, some bromeliads grow in the soil called terrestrial, and some grow in trees, epiphytic, where they get more light. For example, the Spanish moss seen hanging from oak trees in City Park is an epiphytic bromeliad.

"An epiphytic bromeliads grows without soil," Georgusis said. "Spanish moss is a bromeliad that lives on the tree. It is non-parasitic because it doesn't derive food from the tree."

According to Georgusis, bromeliads are available year round in many varieties and colors.

"I got interested in bromeliads because they are exotic and colorful and can grow without soil, like in trees and jungles," Georgusis said. "And bromeliads are very forgiving. If you neglect them, it will take a long time for them to die. These plants have a built-in tolerance for drought. So, if you submerge the plant overnight, it will bring it back. They are very tough and tolerant."

Since his retirement, Georgusis has focused on collecting and hybridizing bromeliads.

"When I retired, I came back to New Orleans and joined the group (RRBS)," Georgusis said. "Bromeliads have terminal flowering. They last indefinitely because it can replace itself and replace itself with its offsets called pups. Our climate is conducive to grow from the tropical spring and summer for low-elevation bromeliads."

With the proper instruction from professional plant breeders and growers, like Georgusis, anyone can discover and grow your own bromeliad plant.

"Our main objective is to further the interest in bromeliads and invite new members," said Georgusis, who was one of the charter members of the Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society in the 1970s and currently a RRBS member for a few years.

"RRBS is also an affiliate of the Bromeliad Society International, which publishes a monthly journal that is most informative covering many aspects of bromeliad culture. During our show, we had members on hand to answer questions for attendees to help the public learn and appreciate the hobby we all so love and enjoy."

During the show, those members of the River Ridge Bromeliad Society who had entered the accredited competition were awarded for several divisions, including blooming plants, foliage plants, decorative container and artistic arrangement.

The winner of the Best in Show Award was Bryan Windham with his entry the Aechmea brassicoides. The Sweepstakes Winner, which is given to the person winning the most blue ribbons, was Terry Hardoin.

When final judging had finished, visitors and plant enthusiasts were invited to explore the table of top plant finalists and check out various plant samples.

For information about the River Ridge Bromeliad Society or if you would like to talk to one of its members, call 504.495.0371. The RRBS meets the first Thursday of each month at Journey Christian Church at 7 p.m. in Jefferson.

Celeste Turner writes news about East Jefferson and around the New Orleans metro area. Send any health and fitness news, special events or East Jefferson news items to cmturner10966@gmail.com.