A first for me, just want to share. Received in March 08 from a DG member.
Matchstick
I have never seen one of those up close enough to really see what it looked like, sure does look like matches. Very pretty though
Thanks. I really enjoyed it. DG member sent me 2 different ones, cant wait for the other to bloom.
That is Aechmea gammosepala. There is a variegated version (which is just as hardy) called Ae. "Lucky Stripes". Has the same bloom.
I have one but not like yours. I have had it for about a month now and the bloom on it is still hanging on, it is said with mine that the bloom could last for a good long while . I guess I will just have to wait for it to have it's pups LOL. Sounds funny doesn't it , makes you think of a dog having puppys.
I think I have the same variety, hard to tell from this pic.
Just from what I can see it looks to be the same. The blue ends just make this bromeliad outstanding. You can't help but notice it.
I have a whole garden of this, given to me by a friend. Next year I can't wait to see them blooming together. It should be a sight!
This is the variegated form, Aechmea Lucky Stripes. I have both the variegated and non0var forms, and they are hardy down to 20F without protection. Maybe lower, I don't know as its never gone below 20-22 here since I've been here and that was only for an hour or 2 on sporadic occasions. These make nice clumps of landscape plants in beds.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/Bihai/AeLuckyStripes.jpg
Your giving me zone envy. LOL Mine are potted and residing in my little make shift GH.
I hope I can keep everything going till SPRING.
I have BOP that blooms late fall after I bring them in the GH.
You can, they're tough plants. If you like the gammosepala, you should look for Aechmea calyculata. Its a cheery little bedfiller that is also called "yellow poker bromeliad" and "corncob bromeliad". Also quite hardy. I have them in some of my beds. They are blooming now
close up of the pokers
Just realized today almost all of my plants have blooms coming!
Group photo.
gardenpom, I have a question. I got a brom in the mail today and it looked like it was about half frozen but the pup was ok and the other one was fine too. what I need to know is if I cut the leaves back and planted it do you think it would hurt it or even survive?
I am by far a Brom expert, but I certainly would pot it up....I would think it will probably survive. Maybe one of the experts here can answer better.
Well I am going to try and save it . Just hope it makes it. It is a billbergia pyromidalis Fosters striate, and that is what the pups are too so if it doesn't make it I will still have a couple.
Hi you guys! Sorry I'm late! Nice pics of the matchstick Brom. Gardenpom, you will be impressed when they all flower together! Mine did this year for the first time (big clumps about 3 years old) with around 10-12 blooms per clump. They last for ages and fade to a hot pink colour.
Goth, I have the A.'Lucky Stripe' and it seems to be just as hardy and vigorous as its straight species. I wish we were able to swap international, but alas, quarantine is STRICT!
I also have A. calyculata and have finally seperated it after about 3 years and have planted it between the matchstick broms. I found that alot of the Aechmeas flower around the same time, (late winter to early spring here), and the neoregelias too, (Spring-summer) it must be a Genus thing?
Another good one for hardiness is A. 'Fosters Favorite' with its burgundy foliage and pendulous red/orange flowers. It is also very fast growing! I planted these amongst the other clumps for a bit of contrast. I will have to go get a pic tomorrw. Can someone remind me if I don't get back with it?
Sue
How they all look this morning.
Color starting to show.
Macro look.
Ooops, I will try to get the pic again tomorrow. We have alot of eucalyptus bark in the garden at the moment, and I can't keep up with it! (apologising in advance for the mess)
Your pics are lovely, Gpom, And you obviously love that feeling when awaiting for the bloom! (I know it well)
Sue
A couple of Brom pics from this morning.
Second shot.
oh no, I'm still slacking
OH, I have zone envy. Beautiful, I had to be content with my 1 little bloom. Now that I think abt it I also had zooming gas bills for the heat I needed.
Ok, the Aechmea gamosepala (Match stick Broms) are the larger green clumps in the middle/lower row. above them are the Aechmea 'Fosters Favourite' and below the matchsticks, are the A. calyculata. The top row is a giant neoregelia NOID and on the bottom, but you cant see them, are Vriesea flammea, which should climb and clamber over the rocks with time. Unfortunately, there is alot of gum trees dropping leaves branches and bark ontop all the time, leaving them looking a bit shabby. I have planted some triangle palms (Dypsis something) to protect them in time.
This is Vriesea flammea
Beautiful landscaping with the Broms....here are two more pics of blooms taken this morning.
The colors are beautiful.
Anyone would think you might be slightly obsessed! (nervous laughter)
Seriously, nice pics GP.
love the colors of Matchstick.
Photo taken today showing the bed of Bromeliads in bloom.
They look lovely gardenpom. After seeing the pictures I have just bought two matchstick plants :)
I would not be able to control myself if I could see a whole bed of Matchstick. Notice my zone. Sure are lovely.
Taken today.
The bed today.
Just adding a few more pics taken yesterday. They have passed their peak now but are still lovely.
2
3
