Friday, June 18, 2010

S.F. Bromeliad Club meets at the Conservatory of Flowers

On June 17, 2010 the S.F. Bromeliad Society was generously given a night time
private tour at one of our crowned jewels in The City , the S.F. Conservatory of Flowers located in the Golden Gate Park.

I was lucky to be tagging along with veteran club member, Wes Schilling as he was composing some of his photo shots inside and outside of the conservatory.
He encouraged me to compose this particular shot from this angle and I’m very appreciative of his coaching.
From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


As we were leaving the fog was rolling in.
From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


Once inside the front door this is the entry vignette :
From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


And the various plants inside the conservatory.

From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


From San Francisco Conservatory 2010



Of course there were many bromeliads and other epiphytes.

From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


I was smitten with the grated floor drains.

From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


This is actually a man made faux armature that these plants are growing on - nicely done.

From San Francisco Conservatory 2010


A big Thank You goes out to the staff at the conservatory for staying open late and providing us with a wonderful personalized tour of the S.F. Conservatory .

From San Francisco Conservatory 2010

7 comments:

Megan said...

Oh my gosh! We were there too (I think I'm officially the youngest Bromeliad Society member at 33). You got some great pics!

Pam/Digging said...

Cool place. I particularly like the framing of your last photo, the water lily.

Phrago said...

How cool was that to be able to have your very own tour with your club! I love big conservatories like this. I missed a chance to by one in the 80's. It was of magnifacant victorian Iron very tall with the embelliashments, but just one section of this with a tower on the end, and a small industrial building attached. My partner couldn't see us living in it, but I never told him we would be living in the small attached bulding and the Mammouth glass house portion was for my plant collection. Too Bad! I just want to know how they paint the white wash on the top of the towers!
The pink flower cluster pic (after the entrance shot) is Madinilla cumingii. I bought a rooted cutting a few months back but so far it hasn't grown. I am hopefull. Nice pics!

Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle said...

Hi Megan,
Yup you get the young whipper snapper award !
In general, I find that most of the hort clubs are infused with folks who have years of experience.
I'm in awe of their knowledge and energy.
Sometimes I am ready for bed by 9 pm and these horticultural fanatics are ready to passionately talk about plants till midnight.
I want what they have - amazing knowledge, passion and undying enthusiasm ! ..( and their collections ! )

Pam , thanks for commenting on that last photo.
I was happy with that shot. Photography isn't my strong suit so it was nice to have a photo that I am proud of.

Patrick.
You would of LOVED this tour. When you come out to S.F. I hope it coincides with the club meeting. I'd love for you to meet my co-horts in horticulture and visit the conservatory .

Mary C. said...

That last shot of the water flower is gorgeous....

Phrago said...

Yes, If I ever get out there I will have to coordinate the week of your meeting. I would love to meet your plant junkie buds! And hang out in the Pina Colada Garden. I just love conservatories like that. There is one near my house that I wish the collections had been better cared for in the past. A serious outbreak of Scale and Mealy bugs has taken out many of the truly amazing older tree specimens. Two years back, it was sprayed several times and now is beginning to bounce back. In the first section of the house there are huge old gingers that when in bloom, cause uncontrollable droulling on site! And the Koe pond in the entrance is to die for! UGH!

debinca said...

Love the water lily shot, very worthy!