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What is BSI?
BSI stands for the Bromeliad Society International, a nonprofit organization founded in 1950 for people who grow, study, conserve and exhibit bromeliads — the plant family that includes pineapple, tillandsia (air plants) and neoregelia.
Its site BSI is mainly a reference and membership hub rather than a shop. The public sections cover:
- Bromeliad basics and taxonomy — an introduction to the family, an accepted-name list, a taxon list and a natural hybrid list.
- Cultivar registration — the BSI maintains the international cultivar register for bromeliads, so named cultivated varieties are recorded in one place.
- Judging and shows — standards and rules for BSI-judged bromeliad shows.
- Publications — the BSI Journal, plus an archive, a culture brochure and a bibliography.
- Affiliates — local and regional bromeliad societies, their events, newsletters and affiliation rules.
- Membership — member-only content, online renewal and a seed bank.
Who it suits: hobbyist growers who want correct plant names, show exhibitors and judges, breeders registering a new cultivar, and society members looking for local groups.
Trade-off: the site is organized around long-standing society structures, so information sits in many separate pages and some material is reserved for members. A newcomer should start with "What are bromeliads?" and the FAQ before digging into taxonomy or show rules.
Next step: if you have an unidentified or newly bred plant, check the cultivar register and accepted-name list first; if you want local help, look at the affiliated societies and their event schedule.
How do I join the Bromeliad Society International and what are the membership benefits?
Joining is handled through the BSI's own membership area: look for the "Join the BSI" entry in the site menu, and use "Renew / Update Online" if you are already a member. The site also lists membership benefits and a members-only content section, so you can compare what you get before committing. A subscription element appears in the site's own signals, so expect at least some paid tiers or journal subscription options rather than a purely free community.
BSI
What you get, in practical terms
- The BSI Journal — the society's main publication, with subscription and advertising information, plus an archive for back issues.
- Members-only content — a gated area of the website, which typically means deeper archives or resources not visible to the public.
- Cultivar registration and awards — the society registers bromeliad cultivars and runs exhibitor/breeder awards, useful if you are naming or showing plants.
- Judging and shows — standard and judged bromeliad show information, relevant if you want to exhibit or train as a judge.
- Taxonomy resources — accepted name lists, a taxon list, and natural hybrid lists, which matter when you need correct plant names.
- Seed Bank — a member-oriented seed distribution service.
- Affiliated societies — a schedule of affiliate events and links to local societies, so you can find people growing bromeliads near you.
A reasonable next step
If your main interest is growing and identifying plants, start with the free taxonomy and "What are bromeliads?" pages, then join for the journal, members-only content and Seed Bank. If your interest is showing or breeding, check the judging and cultivar registration pages first, because those programmes are where membership pays off most directly. Local affiliate societies are often the cheapest way to try the community before joining internationally.
How can I register a bromeliad cultivar with BSI?
Registering a bromeliad cultivar with BSI means having the plant's name formally recorded through the Bromeliad Cultivar Register, which is the section of the site to use for this purpose. The register serves growers, hybridizers and nurseries that want a cultivar name to be recognized and traceable rather than duplicated or confused with another plant.
BSI
What the registration route involves
The site groups registration alongside its awards and taxonomy material, so expect it to be a documented, form-driven process rather than an instant online listing. In practice, you will need to supply:
- A proposed cultivar name, checked against existing names so it is not already taken.
- The parentage or origin of the plant, including whether it is a hybrid or a selection.
- A description of the plant's distinguishing characteristics.
- Details of who raised or selected it, and when.
- Supporting material such as photographs, since visual evidence is normally required to validate a distinct cultivar.
A practical next step
Before submitting anything, browse the Accepted Name List, the new Bromeliad Taxon list and the existing Cultivar Register entries to confirm your plant is genuinely distinct and your chosen name is free. Then photograph the plant at its most diagnostic stage — mature foliage, inflorescence and any colour or form that sets it apart — and write a description that another grower could use to identify it.
If you are new to this, the FAQ and contact pages are the sensible places to ask which officer handles cultivar registration and what format they prefer. Affiliated local societies can also be useful for a second opinion on whether a plant merits registration and whether the name is likely to be accepted.
What are the rules and process for affiliating a local bromeliad society with BSI?
The BSI publishes a formal affiliation pathway for local bromeliad societies, with the governing rules listed under “Rules for Affiliation” and the current roster and event calendar kept separately under “Affiliated Societies” and “Schedule of Affiliate Events.” In practice, affiliation is the step that connects a local group to BSI’s wider network: its officers, board and chairmen, its awards and cultivar-registration activity, its judged-show standards, and its publications.
What affiliation is for
- Recognition and connection. An affiliated society appears in BSI’s affiliate listings, which helps visiting growers and new members find a local group.
- Shared standards. Affiliates can align their shows and judging with BSI’s Standard Show and Judged Bromeliad Show framework.
- Cultivar and award routes. Affiliation gives members a clearer route into BSI cultivar registration and exhibitor/breeder awards.
- Events and communication. Affiliate events are scheduled alongside BSI’s own calendar, and society newsletters are linked from the affiliate area.
- Access to BSI material. Members can use the BSI Journal, archive, culture brochure and bibliography, and the Seed Bank.
How to approach the process
- Read the affiliation rules first. The “Rules for Affiliation” page is the authoritative statement of eligibility, obligations and any fees; treat anything else as background.
- Check your society’s readiness. You will typically need a named contact, a stable meeting or event schedule, and a constitution or set of officers.
- Contact BSI. Use the “Contact” page to ask which officer currently handles affiliation and what documents they need.
- Submit and confirm. Once approved, confirm your listing details and ask to be added to the affiliate events schedule and newsletters page.
- Renew deliberately. Affiliation is not the same as individual membership; check renewal terms separately from the member “Renew / Update” area.
A practical comparison
| Route | Best for | What you get | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliated society | An organised local group with regular meetings | Listing, event promotion, shared show/judging standards | Requires officers and ongoing administration |
| Individual BSI membership | A single grower or a small informal group | Journal access, member-only content, Seed Bank, renewal online | No group listing or affiliate event promotion |
| Neither, just browsing | A curious beginner | Public pages on bromeliad basics and taxonomy | No journal, no member content, no affiliate network |
A concrete next step
If you are starting a new society, begin with the public “What are Bromeliads?” and taxonomy pages so your founding members share a common vocabulary, then read “Rules for Affiliation” before you draft your own bylaws. If you already run an established group, ask BSI whether your existing show can be run under BSI judged-show standards; that single question usually clarifies most of the affiliation requirements.
For context on the wider bromeliad world, the BSI links to the BSI Encyclopaedia of Bromeliads resource and to the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies; check those official pages for regional structures that may sit between your local group and BSI.
How can I submit an article or advertisement to the BSI Journal?
Use the BSI Journal’s own submission and advertising pages as the starting points: BSI. From the site menu, look under Publications → About the BSI Journal, then choose Submitting Journal Material for articles or Subscriptions & Advertising for ads.
H3 For articles
- Follow the Journal’s current submission instructions rather than sending a finished piece to a general contact address.
- Expect the editor to care about accuracy, clear writing, and relevance to bromeliad growers, collectors, researchers, or society members.
- If your article includes cultivar names, taxonomy, or collection data, check it against BSI’s accepted-name and cultivar-register resources before submitting.
- Ask about formatting, images, captions, rights, and deadlines early; those details often determine whether a piece can be used in a particular issue.
H3 For advertisements
- Use the advertising page to find the current contact, sizes, deadlines, and placement options.
- Advertisers are usually nurseries, suppliers, event organizers, or affiliated societies trying to reach committed bromeliad enthusiasts.
- Ask whether your ad will appear in print, online, or both, and whether you must supply finished artwork or can send text and images.
H3 A practical next step Write a short query first: your topic or product, intended audience, approximate length or ad size, and whether you have photos. Send it through the Journal contact route listed on BSI. That lets the editor tell you what is needed before you spend time on a full draft or final artwork.
H3 How to decide which route fits
| Goal | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Share growing experience or research | Submitting Journal Material | Edited for members and aligned with the Journal’s editorial standards |
| Promote a nursery, product, or event | Subscriptions & Advertising | Paid placement reaches readers directly |
| Reach local growers | An affiliated society | Local newsletters and events may be a better first audience |
If your main aim is reaching members rather than publishing an article, also consider BSI membership and affiliate society channels.
What is the BSI Seed Bank and how do I request seeds?
The BSI Seed Bank is a member benefit run by the Bromeliad Society International: a distribution service through which members can obtain bromeliad seed, alongside the society's cultivar register, journal and gallery resources. It is listed in the members area of BSI, which suggests access and ordering are tied to membership rather than being an open public shop. If you want to use it, the practical first step is to join or renew through the membership pages, then look for the Seed Bank link inside the member-only content.
What to expect
- Membership required. The Seed Bank appears under the members section, so you will likely need a current membership to request seed.
- A society service, not a nursery. Seed banks typically offer limited quantities from donated or controlled hand-pollinations, so availability varies by species and season.
- Different from the BSI Store. The store handles merchandise and publications; the Seed Bank is the seed-specific channel.
How to request seeds
- Join or renew your BSI membership and get access to member-only content.
- Open the Seed Bank page and read its current ordering instructions, since the request method and any charges are set there.
- Have your membership details ready and specify the species or listing you want, plus your shipping information.
- Expect to wait if a listing is out of stock, and follow any sowing guidance the society provides.
Practical tips for a first request
If you are new to growing bromeliads from seed, start with a small number of easy, fast-germinating types rather than a long wish list, and sow soon after the seed arrives because bromeliad seed loses viability quickly. Keep records of species, sowing date and germination rate; that makes later requests more useful and helps you compare results across seasons.
For anyone outside the society, the fastest route is to compare membership benefits first, then decide whether the Seed Bank alone justifies joining. If your main interest is identification or cultivation rather than seed, the society's culture brochure, journal archive and cultivar register may be more immediately useful.
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