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Viv-suitable Peruvian Bromeliads

7.1K views 36 replies 10 participants last post by  Groundhog  
#1 ·
Hi all,

I'm looking for some suggestions on brom species that have done well for you in medium large sized vivs (24x18x24) that are native to Peru (mostly but Ecuadorian species would be ok too).

The tank will definitely be ventilated, not sure if I'll do fans or not at this point. I'd like at least some to be able to hold water, but suggestions for species that do not are welcome too.
 
#2 ·
SeeFrogtoFall on this, but I don't believe that any of the smaller neoregelia sp. are native to Peru (or cryptanthus, for that matter). In fact, western Amazonia is not particularly rich in bromeliad species; the hotbeds of bromeliad diversity are the Caribbean, northern Mesoamerica, the Panama-Colombia Darien region, and the Atlantic rainforests, i.e., Guyana, Bahia, Se Brazil (restinga), Paraguay.

Offhand, from the tropical Andes
:

Aechmea abbreviata*
Guzmania condorensis*
Tillandsia biflora*
T. lindenii
Vriesea dubia*

from Ecuador/Peru:

Tillandsia cyanea
T. dyeriana*
T. floribunda
Vriesea (Tillandsia?) espinosae


* denotes holds water

Now if you are willing to spend +/- an hour, go to fcbs.org and check out some smaller aechmea species. Also peruse the tropiflora.com site for aechmea and tillandsia.

Hope this helps.
 
#5 ·
That's right, Jon! I almost forgot about those. I have them growing in the greenhouse back home, and they've gotten quite big. Do you think they'll eventually outgrow a 24x18x24? Thanks for jogging my memory on those...they have very nice coloration as well. Any idea as to what species it is?
 
#4 ·
Thanks George. The only Neo. That I know of from Peru is N. tarapotoensis, but my brom knowledge is severely lacking. I'll take a look at your list and do some research on the species you mentioned.

I may have to broaden my parameters for suggestions since this area is so brom poor. Mainly what I'm after is a brom species that is different than the ones typically offered for viv use. I'm getting sick of constantly using Fireball. I like the look of things like Vriesea vagans and Vr. racinae, but I was hoping someone would suggest a species I haven't been introduced to yet. Anyway, thanks for you help and if you have any more insight into this now, I'm all ears :)
 
#8 ·
No idea. All I know is they came directly for Peru decades ago. Mine reach the top of the zoomeds I use, but not by much. Good contrasting color on them the the dark green/ purple undersides. I like the fact that they hold so much water. That type really provide so many lay spots for pumilio, which I believe the parents appreciate. I have Ryan's coming out like crazy now.