A bromeliad

From the pineapple to the feathery Spanish Moss and ever-popular “air plants,” bromeliads are a varied and colorful family that is easy to grow once you understand their needs.

Bromeliads’ showy flowers often have been described as exotic, extraterrestrial and even unnatural, in part because of their bright color combinations and shapes. Variations of the plant species can be found in North, Central and South America. With such a wide span of growing conditions, many people think growing the plants inscrutable.

Enthusiast Bryan Chan will take the mystery out of growing bromeliads by sharing his strategies on growing different types at the next CSUN-al Gardening series session, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the university.

Chan is an accomplished grower of bromeliads, cacti and succulents. He is a longtime member of the San Fernando Valley Bromeliad Society, Bromeliad Society International, Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society and several other plant societies.

While the class is free, registration is required. Email botanicgarden@csun.edu to request a space in the class or for more information. Driving and parking instructions, as well as the class meeting location, will be sent upon registration.

California State University, Northridge’s Botanic Garden is operated by the university’s Department of Biology. It serves as a field site for botany, entomology, photography, painting and other classes. In addition to outdoor landscapes and natural botanic environments, the garden also features greenhouses where noteworthy botanical specimens are grown. The garden is open to the public.

Visit the website www.csun.edu/botanicgarden/ for more information about the Botanic Garden.

Botanic Garden, Bromeliads, CSUN-al Gardening