ID and Instructions for ANOTHER Newbie

My first Brom was picked up at HD in the spring. I was drawn to the fact that the leaves (bracts?) hold the color (and an amazing color at that) rather than a blossom. It was in a 3" plastic pot (and still is). I placed it outdoors in a shady spot where I needed summer color. To my shock, it has grown incredibley, and the color is more intense than ever. Now the bad news... the first frost is expected tonight, so I brought it into my dry, dark house. So...

What kind of Brom is it?
and
Should I repot? If so, what kind of soil and container? Will it be OK in a low light setting, or should I put it under lights with the rest of my plants? (mostly c/s)

THANKS in advance!!!

This is a Neoregelia hybrid. I'd take a very wild guess at Blushing Bride, but since there are thousands of Neo hybrids, it's impossible to really know. It is good that you brought it in, since it is not hardy at all. You do have real good color for being up that far north. The challenge will be to keep it in color and conformation through the winter. There is no requirement to repot, but Neos can develop a good root system that will fill a 6" pot. I would unpot it (it may not be easy if it's root-bound as the roots are very adhesive) and if so, move it up to a 4 or 5". IMHO, the soil isn't too important. You just need a mix that has good drainage, retains some amount of moisture, and provides aeration.

I would be more concerned that it needs the highest light you can possibly give it (which frankly, won't be enough). If you put it in low light, the colors will slowly fade towards green and the leaves will tend to get thinner and longer. I have friends in New York City who grow everything under lights and you can do amazing things if you have enough intensity and the plants are really close to the tubes.
Dave.

Thanks for the info.! We did have a particularly wet and humid summer, which helped many of my tropicals. I took this photo in late August; as of today, it's about twice as large!!!

I put most of my plants under 6 shop lights. They are all quite happy, as long as I do not water often. One year I did not connect the lights to the switch by the door, so I left the lights on 24/7 all winter! They all grew beautifully!! I surmised that low light at a constant rate must mimick a winter; then they get their day/night experience when they are put out for the summer. The succulents I have that like brighter lights are raised higher on cinderblocks or overturned clay pots. I'm pretty relaxed about things, since I'm not a pro.

However, I've heard that Broms must be constantly wet- true? And, is this variety non- flowering?

Stunning plant and amzing colors for up North. They do flower but with these beauties the flowers are small and I myself buy them for the foliage. We do have some other types where the flowers are mosre spectacular.
Neoregelia are the most colorful Bromelaids ! My favorite !
I was told by seller to water in the top keep water there and water soil about once a week. Now mine are all outside in Florida so your watering needs will be different. But good idea to keep water in the cup.
our plant is so beautiful ! Thanks for sharing.

It's difficult, but try to collect a little rainwater for the cups.

From the wonderful people on this site, I've determined that my tap water is too hard. Brown tips on carefully tended sansevieras were my indicator! Since then, I've filled jugs with rainwater and moved them into the basement for winter watering.

Thanks to your identification, I can now surf the web for more info on Neoregalias! Sheesh, they're expensive! There is conflicting info. on their care, too, particularly with regards to light. "Lots" of light is a relative term, I guess! (One site made it sound like it would combust if put in direct sun!) Someone pointed out that fertilizer should be dilluted in the cup water. What kind of fertlizer?

Now- does anyone know how to pronounce Neoregelia? REE JELLIA, or REE GAYLIA?
(From someone who went around for 40 years calling cotoneasters "cotton-easters")

Melissa, If you google "Tropiflora" you will get a online catalog..some of the plants succulents and bromeliads are stunning...there is a picture there of a Neo REE JEEL YA...(how it is pronounced).. This plant looks identical to yours..the plant nursery is about an hour from me..an absolute delight to visit...sorry had trouble getting the URL to work..let me know if you see your plant. sue

Sue your an hour away WOW your lucky !

Sue, you DO get around!!! Maybe we should list the plants we don't have!!! LOL!

I thought I had thought of all the pronounciations! I thought it was like the word regalia.

I'll check out Tropiflora. I'm getting grocery money tomorrow! More spent on plants, less for food = happier, skinnier me!

But experience is the best teacher. If I can overwinter this specimen, then I should get another next spring. Of course, when have I EVER listened to common sense as far as plants are concerned???

Heads up!!! I dropped by a greenhouse near me and they were selling off their last few bags of "Bovung" dried cow manure, 25# for $3!!! And the Miracle Grow 25# bags for $4!!! Hey, the best $7 I've spent. I'm not crazy about the Miracle grow, but it can be ammended. Word: check those independently owned green houses; I don't think they can sell their backstock to suppliers like the chains can. (I may go back tomorrow and get the rest of their Bovung. I mean, how can can manure "go bad"?)

Very nice color! I like this one..