Greater New Orleans
Bromeliad Society
Come grow with us.
About US
The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society is a bromeliad hobbyist group based in New Orleans, Louisiana. G.N.O.B.S. is dedicated to the enhancement of our community and the cultivation of fellowship through our shared fascination with the growth, care, and beauty of bromeliads.
The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society is one of the current 48 affiliates of Bromeliad Society International (B.S.I.) as of March 2021.
The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society is one of the current 48 affiliates of Bromeliad Society International (B.S.I.) as of March 2021.
The Early History Of The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society
by: George Anderson
In this area, interest in bromeliads expanded with almost explosive force in the late sixties and early seventies. The only bromeliad society in town was the Louisiana Bromeliad Society, the second affiliate of the B.S.I. Their membership was closed at 36. Local hobbyists met to become acquainted at patio plant sales. There were many informal discussions about the need for another society.
An organizational meeting was held on September 13, 1970, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Poche, Jr. Those attending were Irwin and Patsy Poche, Eric Knobloch, Dot Harris, Paul and Bonnie Taliancich, Marion LeBlanc, Jerry Calhoun, Jean Phelan, Carol Spaulding, George and Ann Anderson.
Temporary officers were appointed as follows: president - George Anderson, treasurer - Dot Harris, secretary - Bonnie Taliancich. Irwin Poche, who worked for Channel Six (TV), was made publicity chairman. Paul Taliancich was given the task of finding a suitable meeting place.
The subject of dues was discussed at length. Finally it was agreed they would be $5 per person. All of those present then officially joined and paid up to provide operating capital. the present name of the society was then decided on. Long range plans included bulletin or newsletter containing meeting notes and educational information, a slide library, plant exhibitions and a plant raffle table at all meetngs.
The first general meeting of the G.N.O.B.S. was held on February 4, 1971, at the Milton Latter Memorial Library on St. Charles Avenue. This initial meeting established a pattern that we still follow. There was "show and tell," an embryonic plant raffle of plants furnished by Eric Knobloch and a slide program by Marion Leblanc, the president of Louisiana Bromeliad Society.
By adjournment our membership had climbed to 58. The minutes show this meeting to have been exceptionally productive. There was spirited discussion of just what the function and purpose of G.N.O.B.S. should be. It was agreed that we should put on a competitive bromeliad show. Nominating and by-laws committees were formed. Plans were made to apply to the state for a charter.
Our May meeting was held at Marg and Eric Knobloch's Mary Plantation. This affair was such a spectacular success that it was made an annual event.
The early history of G.N.O.B.S. would be incomplete without an acknowledgement of the tremendous contribution made by Eric Knobloch. He donated great quantities of plants to the raffle table, served on many committees and as an officer of the G.N.O.B.S. He wrote many articles for the newsletter - these with typical whimsey were always titled "Bromeliad Thoughts." Eric's experience in the Patio Planters, the Louisiana Bromeliad Society and the B.S.I. as second vice president made him invaluable during the formative years of the G.N.O.B.S. He enjoyed people and bromeliads equally and his rolerant and generous philosophy of life in many ways set the town for the organization. He was really without question the spiritual soul of G.N.O.B.S. in the early years.
Our membership continued to expand and by September we had outgrown the Latter Memorial Library and moved to the Science Building on the LSUNO campus. This meeting was highlighted by the installation of the newly elected officers in a ceremony conducted by Dr. Tom Pope of the Louisiana Co-operative Extension Service. Officers included: George Anderson - president, H. K. Webb - vice president, Eric Knobloch - corresponding secretary, Bob Wegmann - recording secretary, and Dot Harris - treasurer.
The end of our first year found us with 111 members. We were chartered by the state of Louisiana as a non-profit corporation and had become and affiliate of the B.S.I. We were prosperous enough to serve coffee at our regular meetings and buy publications for our newly organized library. Our balance in the treasury at the close of 1971 was $298.87.
Members who joined G.N.O.B.S. during this first year were considered "charter members." It is interesting to note that eleven of these original 111 are still members. They are Aline Adams, George and Ann Anderson, Tim Calamari, Dot Harris, Bernice Ische', Emile and Louise Malbrough, Lee Villemarette, H. K. and Chloe Webb.
Our first bromeliad show was held May 6-7, 1972, in the Kenilworth Mall Shopping Center. Thirsty-nine people entered 320 plants. Ruby Wiss won the fest foliage plant award and best plant overall with her Vriesea fosteriana. Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Clements won Neoregelia carolinae tricolor. George Anderson wond sweepstakes with 22 blue ribbons.
The first tour of members' home was held July 16, 1972. Those on tour included Aline Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Boe, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Wegmann, and Mrs. Irene Wilson. A second homes tour was scheduled for October of the same year and included Mrs. Jeanne Garman, Robert Souvestre, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wegmann. Another event in October was tn exhibit of Bromeliads at Longue Vue Gardens. G.N.O.B.S. members brought more than 150 plants to this display.
At the end of 1972 the G.N.O.B.S. had 156 members. The new officers were H. K. Webb - president, Earl Firmin - vice president, Dot Harris - treasurer, Bob Wegmann - recording secretary, Ann Anderson - corresponding secretary. Eric Knobloch was made an Honorary Board member.
An organizational meeting was held on September 13, 1970, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Poche, Jr. Those attending were Irwin and Patsy Poche, Eric Knobloch, Dot Harris, Paul and Bonnie Taliancich, Marion LeBlanc, Jerry Calhoun, Jean Phelan, Carol Spaulding, George and Ann Anderson.
Temporary officers were appointed as follows: president - George Anderson, treasurer - Dot Harris, secretary - Bonnie Taliancich. Irwin Poche, who worked for Channel Six (TV), was made publicity chairman. Paul Taliancich was given the task of finding a suitable meeting place.
The subject of dues was discussed at length. Finally it was agreed they would be $5 per person. All of those present then officially joined and paid up to provide operating capital. the present name of the society was then decided on. Long range plans included bulletin or newsletter containing meeting notes and educational information, a slide library, plant exhibitions and a plant raffle table at all meetngs.
The first general meeting of the G.N.O.B.S. was held on February 4, 1971, at the Milton Latter Memorial Library on St. Charles Avenue. This initial meeting established a pattern that we still follow. There was "show and tell," an embryonic plant raffle of plants furnished by Eric Knobloch and a slide program by Marion Leblanc, the president of Louisiana Bromeliad Society.
By adjournment our membership had climbed to 58. The minutes show this meeting to have been exceptionally productive. There was spirited discussion of just what the function and purpose of G.N.O.B.S. should be. It was agreed that we should put on a competitive bromeliad show. Nominating and by-laws committees were formed. Plans were made to apply to the state for a charter.
Our May meeting was held at Marg and Eric Knobloch's Mary Plantation. This affair was such a spectacular success that it was made an annual event.
The early history of G.N.O.B.S. would be incomplete without an acknowledgement of the tremendous contribution made by Eric Knobloch. He donated great quantities of plants to the raffle table, served on many committees and as an officer of the G.N.O.B.S. He wrote many articles for the newsletter - these with typical whimsey were always titled "Bromeliad Thoughts." Eric's experience in the Patio Planters, the Louisiana Bromeliad Society and the B.S.I. as second vice president made him invaluable during the formative years of the G.N.O.B.S. He enjoyed people and bromeliads equally and his rolerant and generous philosophy of life in many ways set the town for the organization. He was really without question the spiritual soul of G.N.O.B.S. in the early years.
Our membership continued to expand and by September we had outgrown the Latter Memorial Library and moved to the Science Building on the LSUNO campus. This meeting was highlighted by the installation of the newly elected officers in a ceremony conducted by Dr. Tom Pope of the Louisiana Co-operative Extension Service. Officers included: George Anderson - president, H. K. Webb - vice president, Eric Knobloch - corresponding secretary, Bob Wegmann - recording secretary, and Dot Harris - treasurer.
The end of our first year found us with 111 members. We were chartered by the state of Louisiana as a non-profit corporation and had become and affiliate of the B.S.I. We were prosperous enough to serve coffee at our regular meetings and buy publications for our newly organized library. Our balance in the treasury at the close of 1971 was $298.87.
Members who joined G.N.O.B.S. during this first year were considered "charter members." It is interesting to note that eleven of these original 111 are still members. They are Aline Adams, George and Ann Anderson, Tim Calamari, Dot Harris, Bernice Ische', Emile and Louise Malbrough, Lee Villemarette, H. K. and Chloe Webb.
Our first bromeliad show was held May 6-7, 1972, in the Kenilworth Mall Shopping Center. Thirsty-nine people entered 320 plants. Ruby Wiss won the fest foliage plant award and best plant overall with her Vriesea fosteriana. Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Clements won Neoregelia carolinae tricolor. George Anderson wond sweepstakes with 22 blue ribbons.
The first tour of members' home was held July 16, 1972. Those on tour included Aline Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Boe, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Wegmann, and Mrs. Irene Wilson. A second homes tour was scheduled for October of the same year and included Mrs. Jeanne Garman, Robert Souvestre, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wegmann. Another event in October was tn exhibit of Bromeliads at Longue Vue Gardens. G.N.O.B.S. members brought more than 150 plants to this display.
At the end of 1972 the G.N.O.B.S. had 156 members. The new officers were H. K. Webb - president, Earl Firmin - vice president, Dot Harris - treasurer, Bob Wegmann - recording secretary, Ann Anderson - corresponding secretary. Eric Knobloch was made an Honorary Board member.
COVID - 19 Response:
The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Society has taken the COVID - 19 pandemic seriously and has adapted its policies in accordance to the recommendations of the CDC and local authorities and will continue to do so. We conduct remote meetings, maintain social distancing, conduct open air events and meetings, enforce face mask policies, and limit attendance as needed.