The plants are available in the US but dupicating their growing conditions is the trick

Yes, they're growing the same varieties as we are.

Variegates can revert to an unvariegated state and back again, Barb, and so can other types of mutations. That happens all the time, but a plant that is a hybrid of two or more species cannot "revert" to one or the other of the parent species. They carry all the genetic material from both parents and will continue to do so even if they lose their variegation or "sport" into a different-looking clone. This is true whether we're talking about bromeliads or African Violets, or crotons or whatever.

Mutations can revert. Hybrids can't.

I have one that reverts on me consistantly..so much I gave up growing it N.'Kahala Dawn'

I suppose we could start a whole new thread about unstable variegated plants. Top of the list for me is Neo. 'Spots 'N Dots'. It's gorgeous with the variegation, and a real dog without. A majority of the pups that develop for me have been 'reverts'. Two more for the list are Vr. 'Gunther' and Vr. 'Shima Rhyu'.

so many plants and so little time :)

Without hurting hybridizers feelings --are a lot of the hybrids unstable.
Barb

variegated ones can be

Barb, it has nothing to do with whether it's a hybrid or not. Variegation, whether it occurs in a species or a hybrid, can often be unstable.

The hybrid nature of a plant, on the other hand, is totally stable, so it's not correct to say that the hybrids themselves are unstable. No hurt feelings, it's just a misuse of terms.

Neo. johannis 'De Rolf' can revert, and it's a species (not a hybrid). Ae. gamosepala 'Mardi Gras' will often revert to plain green, whereas gamosepala 'Lucky Stripes' will send out completely albino pups. I had a 'Lucky Stripes' sport to a 'Mardi Gras' too, but it's still the same species, whether the plant is variegated, albo-marginated, albino or plain green. These are all distinct cultivars, but that doesn't make them hybrids.

I read some where that variegated plants were created by introducing a virus which also weakens the plants when it comes to heat, cold and light tolerance

Hi all,
interesting and complex subject. If anyone is interested in the many details of Variegation,I would recommend reading Chapter 18,Variegation in Bromeliads,in the Bromeliad Society of Australia book,titled
'Growing Bromeliads'.
It clearly explains,with illustrations,the causes and types,(periclinal,mericlinal,sectorial),of variegation,and further explains and illustrates the nine forms of variegates in leaf sections. In a simplified way,it all depends on where the bud or pup exits from the epidermis of the mature plant,a bit of luck on what kind of color/variegation it will have.
This book,in my opinion,is one of the most informative books on growing bromeliads,and I recommend it for casual or serious collectors.It may be out of print,as my copy was dated 1988,but I'm sure it must still be available at book suppliers. Anyone having this book or knows someone who has one,can check Chapt.18 for variegation information.
Bob

I'm sure Mr Skotak could write a very informmative paper on variegation in bromeliads...that would be worthwhile reading for me

Barb, Just curious whether you've made it to Michael's yet?

Paul,speaking of Vr.'Shima Rhyu',here she be,in bloom and with some variegation still with it,even on the offset,but barely.
Bob

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CORRECTION !! above pic is not 'Shima Rhyu',but rather
Vr.'Lucille'variegata. (thanks Paul)
Well,anyway,its a variegated plant at least. ;-(
bob

Bob , yes the book put out by the Australian Soc. is very well done and a great price , I am sure it is still in print , or on the next of a long series of reprints .
Check on the links from fcbs it should be available easily .

Is this a good example of unstable or just a happy freak? Mother is on the left side.
For myself, I love that rebel leaf!

Bill. Louise
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Bill. 'Louise' is very unstable, Patris, and your plant is a good example. As long as it remains attached to the mother the nearly albino pup can keep going, but if you cut it off it doesn't have much chlorophyll there to keep it alive. The white tissue is very easily damaged too.

This is another one that can sport from albo-marginated to variegated (mediopicta). The albo-marginated cultivar is known as 'Louise', but when it's variegated it's called 'Perriam's Pride'. It's really all the same plant though, and is just a variant of Bill. distachia. Again-- not a hybrid.

BTW, Michael's lists a variegated Ae. zebrina called 'Unstable Mabel'. Much as I love zebrina, that name (and the price tag) scares me! Anybody seen this plant?

Mabel earned the name. Its a large Skotak plant...it throws albino, marginated, and variegated pups. I have a picture some where. I'll have to hunt it

Thanks Lisa

I was told by a commercial grower that tissue cultured plants can tend to be much more unstable than those that are not. I would be interested to hear other's opinions on this.

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Thanks for the Mabel pics, HDD! She appears to be mostly albo-marginated (to some degree or other), are there any leaves that go the other way? Zebrina is one of my favorite Aechmeas anyway, I'll have to think about this one.

liatris, what I've been told is that variegated plants can't be reproduced by TC at all, but I don't know enough about it to either confirm or deny that. I'd be interested to hear from anyone with direct experience one way or the other.