New Bromeliad and would like ID, pleeze?

At least I think it's a bromeliad and it has a tag that says it is, but.....

I have never seen one in the stores like this and it looks like something I have called an "Earth Star"? Gotta love these big box stores. Tag on the plant says to keep moist but not soaking wet....guess what....dripping wet.

I have one more question.....I have a HUGE bromeliad that has flowered, faded, and pups all over the place. Do I leave the mother plant to pathetically wither away or should I trim it down so the pups can grow unobstructed?

Thanks, everyone, for any help you might be able to give me!

Sharon

Hi Sharon, I think you are spot on with the 'Earth Star' (Cryptanthus) I don't know the species though, but you could have a look on the FBS site http://d3684183.u30.infinology.com/pictures.htm
As to you pupping plant, I'm not sure if removal of the parent is neccessary exactly, but I leave mine on, unless it is really shabby and obviously deadish! If the pups are around 2/3 the size of the mother, I'd say its safe to remove her, or if they have got their own root system, but if not, they are actually using Mums root system to grow.
Sometimes, as the Mum begins to rot, her vase gets filled with, what I like to call, Bromeliad tea! I reckon this is good natural nutrients for the growing pups.
Can we see a pic of your HUGE bromeliad?
Isn't it annoying when you buy a plant with a generic label, and also the level of care is appalling? I wish I could get a job in a department store plant nursery! They'd have a better looking product, and less losses!
Thanks for posting here, and let us know how you go.
Sue

Looks alot like C. Elaine.

Dave

Cryptanthus 'Elaine' looks like a pretty good match. Thanks, Dave!

I've attached a pict of the other large Brom. I'll add one more that will show the dying flower. First pict shows some of the pups. There are 3 or 4 on just this one side and then at least a couple more on the other side. I'l also post one of the pict I took when I first got it last December.

Sharon

Pict of other side where the faded flower is.
Sharon

And lastly, what it looked like when I first got it.
Sharon

Thats an Aechmea fasciata , or hybrid of. Those pups in the first pic look a good size! I would probably tip the whole thing out and seperate/cut the pups from the mother and pot them on. I would still leave the Mum in the pot incase she produces another pup before she goes. Are you confident to pot up? You could just leave them, and remove the mother if you want. They are good size pups i think.
Sue

Thanks for the suggestions, Sue. I have never repotted a brom but I am not new to dividing and/or potting things in general. I have a greenhouse primarily for orchids. I'm also a cactus & succulent fanatic too. I just plain ol' love growin' stuff. I even bought a three plants that I believe are broms but they have very thin leaves and really neat small blue flowers. I'll post some picts when I get a chance.

What is the best media for the Aechmea fasciata pups? Do broms like to be potbound? Should the pups be repotted individually or as a group?

I DO so appreciate your help.

Sharon

A good free draining media of bark/pearlite/soil should be ok, and infact, orchid mix is ideal! The broms don't usually have large root systems, so a pot of a size that will support the plants without them falling over is required.
Aechmeas always look better when they are in clumps (in my opinion) but its up to the individual if you want to seperate them, because they should produce one or two pups each, per year.
I'm looking forward to seeing your pics of the other plant. Include some orchids if you can!
Sue
My A. fasciata, it has a different leaf shape to yours. There are lots of different forms.

Here you go, Sue.....couple of quick shots.

The first one with be the thin leaved plants and second one is a plant I paid three bucks for at Wally World. It has about doubled in size in just a few months. All are in my greenhouse.

Sharon

Next is one that has striped leaves.

Sharon

The first one is Tillandsia cyanea, and the second is a Neoregelia of some sort, and very nicely variegated. If you give that one bright light, and hold back on the fertiliser, it will probly go a bright shade of red! You could always cut a pup off and try it in different light.
Nice plants Sharon.
I too have unknown plants. This is a Bibergia of some sort.

And this is an Aechmea, similar to the "matchstick" one, (A. gamosepala) I think it must be a hybrid. It came out fully red, and now has little blue flowers. Its cute!