Bromeliad Trunking

[Tampa Scott]

I picked this one up as Aechmea 'Little Harv' a few years ago. I am confused as I have not seen a 'Little Harv' with a actual trunk. This baby stands 48" tall with 19" of clear trunk. 

[Neil C]

That looks like a brom crossed with a cordyline.......bizarre!!!!!!

Regards Neil

[Really full garden]

It does look like A. Little Harv to me. I think this plant has been grown in less than optimal conditions for years and has never flowered so it just keeps growing up instead of pupping.

[Tampa Scott]

Here is a pup that was removed last fall. This youngster 19" tall with 4" clear stem. Both plants are growing in 80% sun. 

Edited March 21, 2019 by Tampa Scott

[Tampa Scott]

The original plant is showing new growth buds on lower stem at this time. 

[Tracy]

18 hours ago, Tampa Scott said:

This baby stands 48" tall with 19" of clear trunk. 

Very strange that it hasn't flowered and the main plant died.  All the Aechmea's I'm familiar with follow that simple pattern:  grow, pup, flower and old plant dies while new pups persevere to repeat the cycle.  Never seen one form a trunk like that!

[Gonzer]

Not common at all but it does happen occasionally (rarely occasionally!)

[Really full garden]

I have massive clumps of A.Little Harv growing in my beach garden. A few clumps are actually creeping up on palm trunks. They have reached a height of 3-4 feet. If I removed the pups they might look similar to your potted specimen.

[Tampa Scott]

Thanks for the replies! I will keep enjoying Little Harv. 

[Tampa Scott]

1 hour ago, Gonzer said:

Not common at all but it does happen occasionally (rarely occasionally!)

Will the pups produced return to normal? 

[Gonzer]

10 hours ago, Tampa Scott said:

Will the pups produced return to normal? 

Scott, no way of predicting that. Best case scenario is to separate the pups, pot individually, and wait.

[Really full garden]

Little Harv creeping up a Thrinax radiata .