Hi, I am looking for advice (especially the voice of experience) for germinating terrestrial bromeliad seeds. I would especially appreciate knowing the secret for keeping the seedlings alive after germination and growing them on to plants. I have killed several species of terrestrial bromeliad (e.g., Puya and Dyckia) after easily germinating them in sandy soil mix. The problem is that they don't make/keep roots and eventually die as tiny little plants, about 1/8 or 1/4 inch tall. When they are bigger I have no problem growing them. They seem ideally suited to year round rain punctuated with 1-, 2-, or 3-month droughts as long as they have fast drainage. Sometimes they don't even insist on sandy soil, only fast-draining humus-rich soil. They are great companions for Crinum (see, I made a bulb connection), in the garden. The Crium do well in the ground, and the terrestrial bromeliads do well in pots--the contrast of leaves and flowers can be very nice. Please write to me if you know how to keep the darn seedlings alive. Conroe Joe