Cryptanthus don't have a center cup as far as I can tell. ;-) They are terrestrial bromeliads, and therefore need moisture at the roots, as well as room to grow. I keep them outdoors in the shade to avoid sunburn. In colder climes, keep them indoors during winter to keep them looking their best. I left a c. warren-loosii out during the cold snap in California and it doesn't seem touched (it was on a somewhat sheltered patio)--it is in fact thriving.

Shiver,
I grow many crypts,and I try to keep water OUT of the vase,as it can cause leaf rot,especially if the temps are in the cool range,which can happen in your zone. I mostly bottom water them,having about 5-8 in a shallow tray,under flourescent lighting during the winter.The standing water in the trays helps humidify the plants for a few hours,as they absorb water,and helps the roots to grow down toward the water,rather than up toward the leaves,when top watered.You can add fertilizer to the water too,or add slo-release to the soil when potting. Either way works ok.
They go outdoors in the summer,and warm rain in the vases then is not a problem,as they dry out pretty fast. When I mist my indoor plants,including the crypts,I go back and remove any water in the crypt vases,just to be safe,tho leaf damage does'nt always occur.But if it will happen,you can bet it will be only on the expensive plants.Mother Nature's sense of humor.
Here's a couple of pics to illustrate what I mean.
Bob
{{gwi:437639}}
{{gwi:437638}}

Just to claify one point,cryptanthus do not have the typical 'vases' that other broms have,but they have enough of one to hold some water,perhaps 1/4 inch at the point of new leaf growth,and the surrounding older leaves,where they are attached to the stem.This is the area where leaf damage can occur,as new leaves are more sensitive.Cool and wet,is not good for most crypts. You may have just one crypt now,but chances are you will obtain many more in the future,and then the above info would be more applicable.
Bob

Thanks for the info----it's a darn good thing I asked about filling the "vase" (and received quick answers), cuz I was just about to pour water into it. Yikes! I won't be doing that now thanks to you good people. ;)

Bob, your plant collection is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing---I LOVE it when folks show their stuff.

Here is my ONE little crypt---I got it today at box store so I'm sure it's nothing rare or special, but it spoke to me. Hopefully this pic will work. GW used to have a forum where you could practice posting pics but I can't for the life of me find it tonight.

[IMG]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d125/shiver_/crypt-1.jpg[/IMG]

Yep, the link above doesn't work, just like I suspected. Try this:

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:80484}}

Very nice plant Shiver

For all,
one new wrinkle on photobucket that I noticed just recently is after you copy the photo in pb,the place you click on the html tag,or url slot,remains 'blue',(active)and you get the text of the pic transferred to GW,but not the photo,(as seen above).Why now,who knows? There's been a few changes lately on pb,to simplify use.
But just click your mouse in any open space,and the 'blue'html,or url,will return to normal,and then your photo will transfer to GW as it should.That is,one extra mouse click will do the trick.At least this is what happens on my computer,but may not occur on others.Personally,I'm not too sharp on these computer thingies.But the above works for me.
Bob

and sometimes it will give you a blank page and hang up or force you to refresh after you upload to see the photo

That is a very well formed and healthy crypt shiver.
For the record,its name is C.'Pink Srarlite',and is one of the most popular crypts sold,as is C.'Ruby',which is very similar,but has dark red and black striped leaves.Usually sold where you find 'Pink Starlite'.The two together make an attractive sight.
You may be already familiar with the fcbs.org site,but if not,check out the crypts there.
I found an old photo and shows C.'Ruby' in the front center,tho a bit overexposed.
{{gwi:447938}}
This other pic is one I took today,and shows that same plant,and it has bloomed and put out a bunch of pups,which yours will be doing soon,by the size of it.
{{gwi:447939}}

And here are a few more pics to get you interested in the variety of shapes and colors that will get you addicted ;)
Nothing fancy,just some of the more common types.
{{gwi:447941}}
{{gwi:447943}}
{{gwi:447945}}

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Bob what are those wide leaf crypts?

What a great collection, Bob.

Love the all the pics Bob---thank you so much for posting them! You may be surprised to know that I have NEVER seen a crypt for sale here in MN for the 10 years I've been addicted to plants. When I ran across the Pink Starlite (thanks for giving me the name) at Walmart of ALL places I almost fell over. I also couldn't believe it was so healthy, as for sure that place is not known for the up-keep and quality of their plants. Now that I see how many other beautiful varieties are available I'm drooling----and I can't even order them over the 'net yet cuz it's freezing here! :( Jeez, I've only been to this forum 3 times now and already my "wanted list" is expanding----various crypts, purple tillies....bring on the plant love (and the empty wallet)!

PS I have never seen a forum on GW where everyone posts so many gorgoeous pictures. This place is heaven....

I just found these crypts at Longs--not sure what they are named. Didn't like them when I first got into broms, but they do start to grow on you.

{{gwi:447955}}

Shiver, I'm glad you found your new cryptanthus,way up there in MN. I've seen them at Lowe's,Target,and K-Mart around here too.In spite of their lack of care at these stores,they do survive very well,and eventually give off some nice offsets.
On-line,they have them at Michael's and Tropiflora.I've obtained quite a lot on ebay as well,mostly from the 'Bromeliad Lady'.They've all been nice plants.Good hunting when it warms up.
Bob
PS: If you would like to see some of the more desirable ones,let me know,and Ill take some pics and post them,with their names.
There are others here on GW that have some top-notch crypts and I hope they will post some photos too.

philofan,
Thanks for the photo post. I can offer an ID on them for you,left to right; C.bivittatus'Ruby' (grown in shade,thus green/black instead of red/Black.It will turn to red/black if grown in bright light.)
The center one is likely C.bivittatus'LeRey'(close look-alike being C.'Marian Oppenheimer'which has both a wide leaf and narrow leaf clone).
The one on the right,I've not seen before,but being small,could be C.acaulis'Variegata' (any one else have an idea?)
bob

LOL ok i dont wanna know :)~

HDD,
I'm not sure which 'wide leaves' ones you mean.
In the 5th pic,the wide leaf one in the center rear,is
C.'Bello'#2',and if you also mean the one to the front right,its C.'Peaches'.
The last pic also shows some of 'Bello#2' at the top center.
If you have others in mind,please describe their location.
Thanks,bob

thats close enough Thanks :)

Hi Shiver, you're welcome !
You will find this forum is the world's best Bromeliad community.

Hey..Bob & Pholofan..I think your mentioned Crypt. from left to right should be:
The typical form of Crypt. bivittatus, Crypt. 'Le Rey' as you mentioned
and the last one is immature C. 'Marian Oppenheimer'
as I just got
Crypt. acaulis f. variegata from Michael, a special item !!!
it has yellow marginated band
with some median strips, here my recently potted up small pup, un-rooted yet.

{{gwi:447956}}

And here, for your inspiration Shiver, as Bob and Lisa had given to me last year,
and these are the result !!!
My Cryptanthus collection, in this pic, most of them came from
our generous good friend, Dr. Larry Giroux,
the editor of Cryptanthus Society Journal
which you or any Cryptanthus lovers should join.

{{gwi:447959}}

{{gwi:447961}}

{{gwi:447962}}

Crypt. 'Alpine Frost' and Crypt. 'Anne Collings' : both are Jim Irvin's hybrid
{{gwi:447963}}

Crypt. lacerdae typical form with the jewel Crypt. lacerdae 'Menescal'
{{gwi:447964}}

Crypt. lacerdae 'Menescal' comparing with its hybrid Crypt. 'Stephen Hoppin'
which named after the present president of Cryptanthus Society.
{{gwi:447965}}

Crypt. 'Hight Voltage': Jim Irvin's hybrid
{{gwi:447966}}

Crypt. 'Riptide' : Jim Irvin's hybrid
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A tiny & cutie, Crypt. microglazioui
{{gwi:447968}}

And these are the new cultivar that I, myself discovered and registered
in Cryptanthus Soc. Jourrnal : Vol. XXI No. 4 Oct.-Dec. 2006

Crypt. 'Dennis Cathcart'

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{{gwi:447970}}

And the honorary Cryptanthus for our Bromeliad Forum

Crypt. 'Lisa Vinzant'
{{gwi:447972}}

Crypt. 'Ken Vinzant' (it was supposed to quite early flower, as hot climate last month)
{{gwi:447974}}

More nice photos from Stephania.

That variegated plant you discovered is quite nice, as is "Lisa Vinzant'.

Most of the crypts here seem to be a single offset. Do they clump like the ones I have? And can I propagate them like other bromeliads? Split off pups?

Thanks for the great photos Stephania.
You surely have enhanced your collection since '06.
All looking good and colorful,and don't take up a lot of room.
That should help get folks started on collecting cryptanthus,and as Stephania mentioned,
joining the Cryptanthus Society and receiving their Journal is very rewarding.
Much growing information and articles,
and great color photos keep you up to date on new and old crosses,and species.
(don't leave home without it!) ;^)
Thanks for the ID's Stephania.
Will we see some photos from Lisa???
Bob

Bob, my Crypts are looking like hell right now, so I won't be posting any photos until I figure out what's wrong with them and fix it!

Stephania, I'm glad to see Ken V has taken so well to his new environment. Please do me a favor and put him next to a Lisa V. I know how your plants like to fool around...... ;-)