For the past 2-3 months, I have been watching the progress of my plain green bromeliad, which I think is a Catopsis [?]. This is my third flowering generation over the last 15 years. Its inflorescence is about 1.5 meters and alternately multi-branched. My plants grow virtually no roots if I set them into loose cobble within a pot. However, if planted in potting media, the plants grow roots and get bigger and a bit greener. The entertaining feature is that the plant produces dozens - yes dozens- of plantlets on the inflorescence. I gradually take the pups off when they are double the size of my fist. PLEASE help me with the botanical i.d., along with any knowledge of where this plant is native and the conditions. My plants grow in the full, dry sun of coastal San Diego [Sunset zone 24]. Of course I will gladly trade pups for Vriesea or sun-growing Alcantarea, Aechmea [medium/small], Tillandsia or your leatheriest Neo's.

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