Hello All, need ID for a Xmas Presant

It is beautiful and I do not know how it blooms, where they should be kept, how much water, etc.

I looked at the leaves and it seems like they have very small spines? nearer to the plant but as the leaves grow out they seem to get smoother.

Can anyone help with an ID and where I can get info to look after it correctly.

It also looks like their are two in it.

It is such a beautiful plant. I would like to try and keep it that way. lol

Thanks Everyone.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.

Debi

And a very Merry Christmas to you. What a lovely present, lucky girl.

Look under Vriesea
at this web site: http://fcbs.org/pictures.htm

This message was edited Dec 26, 2007 7:12 PM

Mother is right, it's definately a Vriesea. Vrieseas don't have spines on the leaves. Perhaps you're seeing something else.

fcbs.org and www.bsi.org both have good cultural information. In your zone you could put them outside in the shade. They won't take much direct sun without burning although the higher the humidity, the more they can take. If you notice that new leaves are longer/narrower, it's a sign that the plant wants a bit more light.

Watch for pups (offsets) forming in the lower leaf axils. These plantlets are fairly easily removed when 1/2 to 1/3 the size of the flowering mother plant(s). You can opt to keep a large clump (you will get 4-5 pups typically) and they will usually all bloom at the same time unless one is stunted by its "competition."

Dave

Happy New Year, Guys,

Thanks Dave for that link it was very helpful.

Have a Great 2008!

Debi