Indentifying some Garage Sale Broms

Hiya!

While garage sale hopping I came across an elderly lady holding a small sale and a sign marked "Plants --> Bromeliads." Intrigued, I asked her if I could take a peak at the plants and was ushered into the back yard. GORGEOUS! Broms and orchids everywhere. She was trying to sell a number of surplus broms and I was powerless to deny my urge to pick up a few. I've made this post to inquire whether anyone could help me identify them ( gotta research their care! ). Any hints or guesses as to the identity of their genera/species would be greatly appreciated =)








Thanks!
Tim

[Frogtofall]

Hey Tim. I'll do what I can to help you out here...



This is some sort of Aechmea. Almost looks like a better grown version of the last one you have pictured. Looks as if it was grown in low light.



These all look like Aechmea blanchetiana that have not gotten very much light. If they ARE A. blanchetiana then they can be acclimated to full sun and are a BRIGHT orangeish-yellow. Gorgeous!



This one is difficult. There are a few different species in a few different genera that look like this. Aechmea fasciata var. purpurea, Billbergia brasiliensis and even Hohenbergia correia-araujoi that looks like this. Since I can't see a bloom, I would say its an Aechmea fasciata var. purpurea based on overall shape and color/banding.



This is a Neoregelia hybrid of some sort. Its been kept in lower lighting as you can tell by the not so vibrant coloration. There are a few hybrids that look like this and it would be hard to distinguish unless you already knew the name. Just grow it in bright filtered sun and it should color back up for you.



These are also some sort of Neoregelia hybrid. Without a name it will be almost impossible to really know. Grow it like a Neo and it should do well.



I'm not really sure what this is either. It looks like some sort of Aechmea or Billbergia that was grown in low light and too much moisture. Just plant it where you plant the Neos and it should do fine.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the information and quick response Antone! The only thing that lingers in my mind is the lady's backyard - as far as I can tell, most of the broms were grown in high light (outdoors with little shading). The possible Aechmea blanchetiana was in the back of her yard in full direct California sun (she had a few of these prickly giants bursting in their pots; one had flowered and formed what I presume to be seed pods... blue-ish in color). Now that I think about it, she probably moved them around when she picked them out to sell. One plant that she didn't want to part with was an absolutely stunning large red bromeliad with lighter orange spots. Dropped my jaw and dragged it on the way out.

Edit: Oh, and as a side note (if it makes any difference), all of these broms had significant spiny protrusions alongt heir foliage. The possible Aechmea was a beast to clear the stems and leaves out of.

[xfrogx]

So how much were they if you dont mind my asking?

Got the lot for 15 bucks.

[xfrogx]

Originally Posted by Meowmix

Got the lot for 15 bucks.

:shock: :shock: :shock: