Spanish moss growing on Lophostemon confertus in Sydney. It looks weedy, given that this area is a park.

Aechmea 'Stalker'. Nuff sed.

10 hours ago, metalfan said:

Aechmea 'Stalker'. Nuff sed.

Nice. A mutation from tissue culture.

I love it. Its like Ae. tayoensis...so different from an other from I have

6 hours ago, metalfan said:

I love it. Its like Ae. tayoensis...so different from an other from I have

Tayoensis is a bi!ch to grow.

I happen to have 3 A. tayoensis in pots right now and trying to decide where to plant them.  
 

Lots of different microclimates to choose from.

Suggestions appreciated!

I have 4 tayoensis. They do well here. In containers...I have 2 in containers and 2 planted inground in my greenhouse. I would like to plant one outside, (I am in 9A) but don;t think it is hardy here.

Foliage is rich brown with white strips.  Flower pink and white with touch of blue. 

Billbergia 'Vicky Chirnside'.

Edited July 18, 20214 yr by Paradise Found

I really enjoy all the photos here! Thanks so much to all who post. 
I am a novice with these but now have a fair number since so easy to grow in PR. 
Here is one that I can not recall where I purchased or if it even came with a name. 
I put it in the ground on a slight slope in what has become full shade. 

It is not close to my house and I just can’t recall what any blooms looked like.

It has pupped and invaded a path so a few months ago I pulled up most of the plants, stuck them in pots and now all are doing well but taking up too much space I need for young palms!

Please help with a name/growing suggestions so I can plant them out someplace soon. Thanks!!

I can post other photos if useful. They are nicely colored and trouble free.

On 7/28/2021 at 7:22 AM, Cindy Adair said:

I

I can post other photos if useful. They are nicely colored and trouble free.

More closeup pics of the leaf margins and cup.

This is one of my older hybrids from the grex Billbergia 'Stone Free'. It's difference is enough to register it apart as 'Soul Kitchen'.

On 8/15/2021 at 3:53 PM, Gonzer said:

More closeup pics of the leaf margins and cup.

Maybe this is not even a bromeliad but something else, like a tradescantia the way it spreads? I am obviously clueless.

Tiny teeth as I tried to show next to my fingers and very vigorous. Thanks for any ideas.

Cindy, I agree with you, it's probably Transdecantia spathacea.

Thanks Gonzer! 

Got some Spanish moss from southern Italy. Is it hardy in zone 7b? 

I always enjoy this thread so much. A big thank you to all of you guys for sharing your pictures. 
 

Unfortunately my bromeliads are not as pretty as yours. Not the right climate here (especially this year’s summer is really cold ) and the number of varieties available in Europe is nothing compared to the states.

 

anyway I’m happy to have my bromeliads as they’re just so easy to take care for. I’ve mounted some of them to a dead oak stem. 
 

keep the pictures of your beauties coming 

 

Ben

I’m curious, does anyone have any recommended websites that explain how to plant and take care of bromeliads? I planted a couple on a whim and they look pathetic as I have focused a lot more on my palms and bamboo. I am in zone 9a. Tks!

 There are so many beautiful broms out there!! You all inspired me to post a pic of my Alcantarea in bloom here in the Bay Area

Jeff, now that's a nice manageable sized one, the kind I prefer, unlike this one that I had to transport 2 weeks ago. Aptly named Alcanterea 'PITA'.

Billbergia pyramidalis flower show currently in progress. 

6 hours ago, Tampa Scott said:

Billbergia pyramidalis flower show currently in progress. 

Hard to find a better choice for a mass planting as your photo demonstrates.

 

On 8/28/2021 at 12:58 PM, Gonzer said:

Jeff, now that's a nice manageable sized one, the kind I prefer, unlike this one that I had to transport 2 weeks ago. Aptly named Alcanterea 'PITA'.

Did you need a special permit and escort down the roadway for height clearance???  Nice specimen, I don't recall seeing or knowing there is a variegated form or hybrid.  How long does it take for Alcantarea imperialis  to get to blooming size?

7 hours ago, Tracy said:

Did you need a special permit and escort down the roadway for height clearance???  Nice specimen, I don't recall seeing or knowing there is a variegated form or hybrid.  How long does it take for Alcantarea imperialis  to get to blooming size?

Nah. Quail's only 1/4 mile as the crow flies so I went REAL slow. Pam was behind me with her flashers. BTW, 'Pita' is a wild sport of Al. extensa which is normally green. Imperialis usually blooms when about 3' across.

Aechmea chantinii cv. 'Black'  brought inside to enjoy the flowers. 

 

 

This is the largest bromeliad I have Alcantarea imperialis "juileta".  Semi-drought tolerant between waterings.  a little sunburn at 106F , Will I ever get a flower?

 

Edited September 15, 20214 yr by Paradise Found

On 7/15/2021 at 5:32 PM, Billy said:

Here’s a few of my bromeliads scattered around the yard. Last time I counted I think I had 140 bromeliads but I’ve collected a bit more since then and many of the others have given several ke’iki (pups) Definitely a fun passion! 

After seeing your bromeliad post, I was able to recognize your home on Sheridan.  Looks like you have a bunch more in the back in addition to the ones in your front yard.  Nice variety!

On 9/1/2021 at 1:53 PM, Gonzer said:

mperialis usually blooms when about 3' across.

 

On 9/15/2021 at 4:47 PM, Paradise Found said:

 

This is the largest bromeliad I have Alcantarea imperialis "juileta".  Semi-drought tolerant between waterings.  a little sunburn at 106F , Will I ever get a flower?

 

We have our answer above on when to expect them to bloom.  My 7 month old pup has been tearing off the lower leaves which was fine when they were just the brown ones, but I don't appreciate when he goes after the still green ones.  This was a pup off the original one I bought and I have several other pups off this one now that are either growing in my yard or have been given to friends.

1 hour ago, Tracy said:

 

We have our answer above on when to expect them to bloom.  My 7 month old pup has been tearing off the lower leaves which was fine when they were just the brown ones, but I don't appreciate when he goes after the still green ones.  This was a pup off the original one I bought and I have several other pups off this one now that are either growing in my yard or have been given to friends.

Thanks Tracy, in that case it should bloom in a few more years even thou it is already 3' across.  It took two people to lift if out of the bed and hand truck to move it to the patio area. Sucker is heavy! I just notice it has a bunch of new growth inside that will come out over the winter. I'll bring the beast indoors for winter. 

Pups are so much fun at the age. I love them but they can get into every thing in the garden. Thats the only reason I have cats, you probably remember my big cat that pass away at 19 in 2012. Kooger was his name.  

Thinking of pups I have several on the bromeliad that I will pot up next spring. 

Thanks for the answer, 

Edited September 17, 20214 yr by Paradise Found

My understanding is that Alcantarea has pups at the beginning of the main plant's lifecycle rather than the end ??  "Hair pups" ??  Please explain, and describe the method to propagate these.

I bought a large plant from Rancho Soledad, and to my great surprise it is growing outdoors for me ! 

1 hour ago, Darold Petty said:

My understanding is that Alcantarea has pups at the beginning of the main plant's lifecycle rather than the end ??  "Hair pups" ??  Please explain, and describe the method to propagate these.

I bought a large plant from Rancho Soledad, and to my great surprise it is growing outdoors for me ! 

The only pups imperialis puts out in my experience are the scrawny grass pups. Others may have a different story. Most times they can be gently pulled off Mom and potted up. Problem is is that they are excruciatingly slow.

I remember 20-25 years ago when RSN first started bring their imperialis over from the island. Big 3 gallon plants. Pretty soon it seemed everyone and their mothers had 'em in their yards.

Maybe they are now common, but not in my neighborhood !  

So,... too slow,  perhaps I'll just buy another at Rancho Soledad on my next PRA.  (remember that term?)

20 hours ago, Gonzer said:

The only pups imperialis puts out in my experience are the scrawny grass pups. Others may have a different story. Most times they can be gently pulled off Mom and potted up. Problem is is that they are excruciatingly slow.

THe one in my photo was a pup off a plant I got about 14 years ago, and it started as a grass pup but by the time I pulled it off, the "cup" in the middle was about the size that a finger would fit inside,  I planted this one about 6 years ago, so this one isn't super old.  I'll have to get a photo of the largest I pulled off this one after planting it, so has to be within the last 5 years.  Not as fast as some bromeliads but I'm used to the glacier like speed of cycad growth.

 

19 hours ago, Billy said:

Yes, we're neighbors! I always refer to your house as "the dypsis/cycad house." Impressive collection you have to say the least! 

Next time I see you riding by, I'll have to invite you in for a tour of the back.  Now that I know the house, I can put the face with the name.  I think our boys did some surf contests together back in Junior high and into High school too when I still lived in Carlsbad, as I know I recognize you from surfing around the north county over the years.

Do Not pass up an invitation to visit Tracy's garden !

On 9/17/2021 at 1:47 PM, Gonzer said:

The only pups imperialis puts out in my experience are the scrawny grass pups. Others may have a different story. Most times they can be gently pulled off Mom and potted up. Problem is is that they are excruciatingly slow.

The grandchildren pups so to speak of my original plant... this was pulled off it's mother plant sometime in the last 5 years.  I have great grandchildren pups I could remove from this one if I so desired.  Maybe I just have a prolific pupper... I have seen that happen with some cycads, where one specimen remains a single caudex and another from the same seed batch turns into a prolific pupper.

1 hour ago, Tracy said:

The grandchildren pups so to speak of my original plant... this was pulled off it's mother plant sometime in the last 5 years.  I have great grandchildren pups I could remove from this one if I so desired.  Maybe I just have a prolific pupper... I have seen that happen with some cycads, where one specimen remains a single caudex and another from the same seed batch turns into a prolific pupper.

 

 

Yep, you got an unusual one Tracy. I should have worded my response differently. Grass pups make up the clear majority of offspring. Sometimes (rarely), as in your case, you hit the lotto with a plant like yours yer gonna be rewarded with normal pups. I'm wondering if that has anything to do most imperialis being tissue-cultured vs. being seed-grown.

2 hours ago, Gonzer said:

I'm wondering if that has anything to do most imperialis being tissue-cultured vs. being seed-grown.

Interesting thought.  I wish I could shed light on the origin of my initial purchase, but I have no idea if it was seed grown or tissue cultured.  I think I got it from Phil (Jungle Music), but I might have got it from Pam before she moved from the Carlsbad location, so a long time ago.

Can anyone ID this fuzzy little Tillandsia?

8 hours ago, palmsOrl said:

Can anyone ID this fuzzy little Tillandsia?

 

Need better shots.

4 hours ago, Gonzer said:

Need better shots.

Here we go...

6 hours ago, palmsOrl said:

Here we go...

 

Tillandsia tectorum, high light/direct sun, likes to dry out thoroughly between waterings