Neoregelia " Norman Bates "

My friend took me with him, to the Brome nurseries today, he went to buy Guzmanias, so when we got there I asked the owner to show me anything unusual that he would consider parting with, and one of the things he showed me was this cross between Carcharodon " tiger " x " Hannibal Lector ", called " Norman Bates ", I did some fast talking, and came home with it, I really don't think he wanted to part with it, as it's the only one he had, it matures to a size of 2' x 4' like the Carcharodon Tiger, but has even more strips than the Hannibal Lector, Ed

oh Ed, stop your skiting! *turning green with envy*
What a lucky boy you are!
A bit more light and a little less fertiliser should see some lovely colours!
I'm a bit partial to N. 'Charcarodon Tiger' myself!
Sue

Thanks Weedwoman, I was wondering about that, cause I've got them all in a bit more light now, and the others are starting to show their colors, gosh I didn't know this one would get even more showy than it already is, Ed

I have Hannibal in alot of light and it is very yellow with brown stripes, and I've seen some lovely Carcharadon tigers with quite intense colours, obviously due to light exposure, so it makes sense your Norman Bates will take some sun. Morning sun should be ok untill it is hardened off a bit more. I can't wait to see how it changes for you.
I'm soooo jealous!
Sue

Thanks a lot Sue, I appreciate the info, Ed

What size is your plant? You can grow it in shade for a year or two untill it is quite large, using a medium ammount of fertiliser, then harden it in winter morning sun, gradually increasing it through spring and summer for full colour and large size. It will probably stay compact if it is grown hard from an early age. I use that recipe for alot of the colourful neos as most really only need light for the last warm season before maturity, to acheive great colour.
Aren't broms alot of fun?
Sue
Neo 'Yang'

It's about 16 inches across, and has been greenhouse grown in under 80% shadecloth, I have them where they get a good amount of light, albeit filtered mostly, but they do get a fair amount of direct sun also, they are under oak trees, I'm using Maxicrop liquid seaweed, and Maxicrop liquid fish, 5-1-1, I know I need something stronger, but this is what I use for my palms, I don't want to use Osmocote, as it falls out when I turn them over to empty out the water in the cup, I know I must do this cause I almost lost one, it started to rot in the center, and two of the leaves pulled out, I am very careful now, and it is ok, Thanks for the help Sue, as my main thing is palm trees, Ed

I talked that guy with the plant leasing business, out of these awhile back, are these Yang also Sue? thanks, Ed

They certainly look 'Yangish' Ed! he he. Hard to tell as they all start to look alot alike! Give it a bit of light and see what happens.
Remind me never to let you talk me out of plants if you ever come over this way!
I use nutricote (like osmocote) 90 day fert in spring on the neos, and spring, summer, autumn on guzzies and vrieseas. It seems to work for me, but I ahven't had to empty the tanks. Winter is usually quite dry, and spring to autumn is hot and usually we get regular rain. It is unusually warm now though, and I am watering every 2nd day, just to the tanks on the neos though, and that is to discourage any mossies from breeding. The broms in the garden get a water once a week if it doesn't rain, but thats all.
Have a quick look at the shade house last week
Sue

the other side (Vrieseas and guzzies)

That's a lot of color, looks great, love the stainless steel wire shelving idea, is that material intended for that purpose, or was that your idea? Ed

Its galvanised mesh, and yes, I did see it used somewhere else as benches, but I'm not sure what else it would be used for. Maybe fence panels? It helps keep the air circulation at a maximum. The cloth is 70% cream, so allows maximum light. It is a year old now, so some of the plants are about to head into their first summer. I have noticed some plants (neo prinsler, neo carolinae tricolour) need to be a bit more shaded, to keep the green. They look a bit washed out otherwise. The reds are strong, but the white ends up pink too, and the green goes a pale colour. I haven't moved them out yet though, and wondered if a bit more fertiliser might give them a bit more green. I don't want to make them too tender.
Sue

Cool!

Weed Woman , you seem to know your broms.
I'm thinking of getting into them a little more.

I'm looking at some threads to get some good tips on how best to grow them.
I have a few, nothing special. I find them so easy to take care of.

Whats your best advise for growing?

Hello Gardeners corner. There are a few different sorts of broms, so some need different levels of light, moisture and fertilising.
Generally, guzmanias need more shade, as do Nidulariums. A free draining soil mix is ideal and a spoon of fertiliser pellets to get them through spring-fall is a good idea.
Neoregelias have differing needs for light. Some can take full sun, some medium and some need shade to keep the dark glossy greens. The highly coloured ones (yellows and reds) usually can take quite bright direct sunlight, but its not a good idea to fertilise them too much, or they go green and tender and are likely to burn. A bit of fertiliser to get them a good size is a good idea, then ween them off it, as you introduce them to more light.
Vrieseas can take quite bright, indirect light, although I believe there are some full sun ones. Its best to do your homework before you purchase, and thats where buying named varieties can be helpful.
We have a bromeliad thread over in the Aussie garden forum http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1037235/ which you are welcome to come and look at for info, and theres the Garden web bromeliad forum also http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/bromeliad/ which is the place to go for technical advice.
If you google 'bromeliad care' you will find many websites with good info, and of course, plenty of plants to drool over!
I hope that helps a bit
Sue