Blooming Bromeliads!

Hey everyone! This board has been kind of slow but I have a couple of blooms to share with you. The first is a first-time bloomer for me - Androlepis skinneri. I've had it about three or four years and I guess it finally got happy enough to bloom. It's just emerging so I'll try to post more photos as it grows. I love the way the white is tipped with pink. By the way, this is the most vicious bromeliad I own - not for the faint of heart!

Secondly, my Aechmea gamosepela are blooming all over the place. I have a clump in the front yard that gets full sun and a clump in the backyard that's in shade under an oak tree. They all bloom happily. This is probably my favorite bromeliad in that it's the one that first attracted me to bromeliads. They look like they should be growing on an alien planet! This is also a good first bromeliad for beginners; I find it to be a regular bloomer with little care needed.

Melanie

Those are lovely. I too have been waiting for bromelaid posts. I have mostly neoregelias and just bought four small pups of neo's that I just love.

Mine are all done blooming except for a couple of late comers to the party - sure do love all the different blooms - just beautiful.

These are my new babies.

Good for you Peg! New plants are always a good thing!

Here's a few more shots of the Androlepis since the bloom has come further out. Also, in the last photo, my Billbergias are starting to bloom.

Here's some shots from around the yard. I don't know the exact names of all these since I couldn't find their tags (and I didn't have gloves on to go exploring). So just for fun, here's some blooms and one of my favorite Neos!

Melanie

My crypanthus just finished blooming. Guess it will make a pup or two. Last summer I went to the Chicago botanical gardens. One of the greenhouses had bromeliads and orchids. It was lovely. Am looking forward for the chance to go to Florida and visit some of the growers and shops. It must be Unimaginable.

Peg, I visited a grower in Venice and it was amazing. He had 12 greenhouses full of bromeliads. It was overwhelming!

Here's another look at my Aechmea now that it's fully emerged. I have many of these around the base of that oak tree.

Melanie

I can't imagine going to a wholesaler. Must put it on my bucket list.
I too have a couple of billgerias blooming from neglect.

Walking around the yard today, I found another billbergia blooming for me.

I just figured how to post pics from IPAD.

These I kep in the house since I have never seen I have never seen them bloom

This is one of my NOIDS.

This crypanthus just finished blooming.

My Quesnelia quesneliana is starting to bloom!

Melanie

Here's an unkown aechmea that is blooming right now (picture 1). I love the rainbow of colors. Then, the orange and yellow guy is Aechmea caudata, currently living in my oak tree (picture 2 and 3).

Melanie

It's still too cold to put my bromelaid out. Tonight will be In the thirties. Wish we had spring weather all year long.

Nothing is blooming for me right now.

A few more bloomers today. My Quesnelia testudo is getting started. Then, my Aechmea is just starting to put out its bloom. I believe this is Aechmea bromeliifolia but I lost the tag so I can't be sure.

Melanie

Mellilong, I think you will find your Aechmea is A. Maculata. A. bromifolia has a very pronounced vase shape with a tightly closed throat.

http://www.orchidcourt.com/aemaculata.html
Scott

This message was edited Apr 19, 2013 11:51 AM

This message was edited Apr 19, 2013 11:54 AM

Melanie, from your March 24 post the first image of the unknown Aechmea looks very similar to A. Kertesziae. Look closely at the Sea one image of the below link.

http://growerjim.blogspot.com/2013/01/aechmea-kertesziae.html

Scott

Thanks Scott! It's hard to keep the tags with the bromeliads sometimes.

Melanie

Yep, I've lost my share of tags and shed my share of blood looking for them.
Scott

Just purchased a neo. Amazon pup. Can't wait to see it bloom.

I found another bromeliad coming into bloom today! I don't know why they've all decided to bloom, but I'm loving it. I'm not sure what the first picture is; it might be a smaller one of the bromeliad I showed above. The second and third pics are Aechmea serrata which I just purchased at a local plant festival.

Neo. Amazon...nice looking plant
http://allthingsplants.com/plants/view/180747/Neoregelia-Amazon/
Scott

The pic I saw Of Neo amazon looked better than that.
Guess that calls for a pic.

And here it is.
Sorry it is sideways.

Have any of you heard or dealt with DW Tropical Plants in Fort Meyers, FL. when I googled them last week DW was listed as "no such company".

First image is an almost open inflorence of Aechmea Bert. The second is of Neo. Olens grown in deep shade.
I just figured out how to take images with my Kindle Fire hd, so this is an experiment with uploading here.
Scott

This message was edited Apr 24, 2013 12:55 PM

Great pictures Scott! I love the Aechmea; I'm a sucker for all Aechmeas. Cute little Neo there, too.

Just put some of my Neo's outside. Will have to send pics.
I don't I own an Achmera. O'dude I am sure your weather has been just perfect for the,.

A few more in bloom.
1. Neo. McWilliamsii is a Brazilian species described in 1969 by Lyman Bradford Smith.
2.Neo. Super Fireball is a Bullis hybrid from 2005 created by crossing 'Fireball' and compacta
3. Neo. Treasure Chest, a Grant Groves-P. Waters hybrid from 2003. Parents are 'Pink Sensation x 'Royal Burgundy
4. Neo. Bob and Grace is a R. Larnach hybrid, Meyendorffii x'Beefsteak' parents from 2000.

Scott

This message was edited May 4, 2013 9:20 AM

This message was edited May 4, 2013 9:22 AM

My. Georgeous. Is Bullis hybrid a hybrid named after someone. I may have a couple looking as though they are ready to begin blooming, but are not as advanced as yours above. I lost about four or more broms in the greenhouse this year.

Beautiful plants and blooms being shared here. Thanks all....

A couple more.
1. Aechmea 'Del Mar'. Got this one in bloom, a bargain at $12.00.
2. Bilbergia nutans
Scott

Must I admit I lost them due to neglect. I had staph in January and again in March. In between that, DH had pneumonia again.

Rough winter. All is well now.

I sorry... but glad to hear you are both better.

I have found the greenhouse bromeliads need misting and regular watering. Mine stays a bit too dry to suit them.

Bullis nursery in Miami that specializes in bromeliads. They do their own hybridization often patenting their plants. Many local nurseries carry their stock down here in the Keys.

http://www.bullisbrom.com/

Scott

Thanks Scott. I am always surfing for broms