It sounds like a Dyckia, but it could be a Hechtia as well. Or a Puykia.
Photo might help?

in my best calm and steady voice: I'll see if I can post a picture.

(My very first one...eek!)

Failed dismally with the photo thing. I suspect I don't have all the vital bits of software. Usually have the pictures turned off.

I'd still appreciate any suggestions as to type of Dyckia or links to sites with pictures of all or most of this plant set.

PS is 'Puykia' a cross between a Dyckia and a Puya? A google turned up blank on it, unfortunately.

Try poking around on this site, lots of dyckia photos. Click on "Bromeliad Information Page", then scroll down to "How do I grow it and what is it?"

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies

The short answer to my question is - No.

Thank you catkim for that valuable lead.

It's an Orthophytum saxicola var aloifolium - and where I'm going to get a label big enough I don't know!

Oh yes I probably misspelled Puykia. Oops did it again. I need to go back to spelling class! Glad you ID'd your plant, and yes a misspelled Puykia is a cross between Dyckia and Puya!

Hi all, This is my very first time post to the forum. I'm a Thai guy, 38s form Bangkok city, Thailand. My interest is Caudiciform and also terrestrial succlent bromeliad. I have the plant named Puckia 'Sparkle' #2 that I got from a nursery in Florida, it's said to be a bigeneric hybrid between Puya laxa x (Dyckia fosteriana x platyphylla) For me, this plant look ferocious but I like!!

Puckia Sparkle is the one I have too...I think its the only Puckia so far