Aechmeas tend to have a flower on a stem, usually a spike. After flowering, usually they form berries. The foliage is usually vase shaped.
Neoregelias flower down in the centre, on a dome shaped inflorescence. Their foliage is usually the feature more so than the flower. The foliage is usually an open rosette. I say 'usually' because sometimes there are variations to the rule.
I hope that helps. Anyone else care to add?
Sue
Your VERY BEST, MOST COOL, bromeliads?
Well, to me, the difference is usually really apparent. But there are a few cases where Neos can be a bit more upright and resemble Aechmeas...until they bloom. Then you usually know for certain.
Svplantingfool,
you asked to see a photo of my colony of Tim Plowman. I can't get out to the GH at the moment to take one because there are a lot of big outdoor plants stacked in the doorway due to the nasty cold spell, but here is a photo that was taken pretty recently
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/Bihai/QmarTP.jpg
This message was edited Jan 15, 2009 10:24 PM
Oh, just look at those beauties! Thank you. I definitely need to move mine, I really think the lack of light is cramping their style.
I hope your plants come through the arctic blast without too much damage. I'm ready for spring!
Sue, this makes perfect sense now! Ah! So much easier now. The bloom difference is much more obvious and very helpful!
So now I know that the ones I really like are the neoregelias! I'm more a "foliage" than flower person...
So, is it right to say the ones in the foreground here are neos?
Hi rob, yes, almost. The one to the very right front could possibly be a Vriesea, as they come in colourful foliage colours and patterns aswell.
I too am a Neoregelia fan, and have a nice collection of colourful ones. This is my bench showing some of the medium size growers. There is from the bottom, N. 'Amazing Grace', above and to the right is N. 'Shelldancer', the yellowy one is a sport off N. 'Golden King', then N. 'Blushing Tiger' and more. I love the shade house, it is always so full of colour!
Beautiful pictures.
The first flowers opened up today on the Aechmea mariae-reginae!
Great close up cathy! They look a little like the tiny flowers on a hohenbergia.
I've never seen an A. mariae-reginae in real life. Stunning. thanks
Sue
I've heard there are very few females in Oz. A Costa Rican endemic mariae reginae is one of the few dioecious bromeliads. Here's a shot of ours.
Ann
This message was edited Jan 18, 2009 7:48 AM
You're very welcome Sue! The camera does all the hard work.
That is a beautiful shot pogonantha! I looked up a photo of a female bloom and it's so pretty too. Here's a nice one: http://www.tropicaldesigns.com/jan06-3/Aechmeamariae.jpg
There's one other bloom coming on, I'll have to see what that one is, how exciting!
Your bracts are a deeper rose color than mine were. I wonder if there is some variability. How many do you have? Are they clumping together? Please keep us posted in case you get some boy meets girl action :) Ann
That is one gorgeous plant. drooling here .