Good job..I tried the apple on a couple and no luck so I took them to a friend and had it forel'd..I see progress in the bloom department

Hey, cool! So glad it worked for you!

I recently florelled some Neos and some seem to be forming buds more quickly than others (some maybe not at all). I think it has to do with the overall growth rate of the plant in general. Slow growers are slower to bloom and slower to pup too. Sounds like a no-brainer when you say it like that, but when you're trying to synchronize bloom for pollination it's a little frustrating.

Hi all,
reading the above prompts a question.I've 'apple'd'and floral'd over the years,but mostly let the plants do their own thing to get blooming.Other than a few,most of my plants have had moderate to small inflorescences,but usually have full flowering take place. But often, they're nothing like the inflorescences that the major grower/distributers have on their plants.For example,I recently saw a shipment of Paul's pictured plant at Lowe's,and the inflorescenes are a foot to 18" tall,real beauties. My question is,why don't I get those results,and what is it that they do that produces such large blooms? [or am I asking for trade secrets?].Any ideas ?
Bob

proper nutrients are essential on guz and Vriesea...takes twice the feeding of other broms but big rewards since they arent worried about turning the foliage green...as the bloom is all thats necessary

It could be nutrition, it could be they are growing a select clone with bigger flowers, or it could be the relative maturity of the plant. If you Florel something before it's fully mature the inflorescence will definitely be smaller.

I know they big growers fertlizer the heck outta the plants(Vriesea and Guzmania) to get bigger plants and more pups frequently

Out of curiosity, do the flowers of V. often self-pollinate? Seems like they would with the anthers so close to the stigma

Some do, but I don't think V. splendens will, in fact my efforts to get self seed off it were unsuccessful. It's not just proximity of floral parts, although that certainly helps. Some varieties are self-incompatible and require outside pollen, even if it's just from another clone of the same species.

I have a Billbergia I tried to self last year, and got nothing.

I just acquired a Vr splendens 'Major'. My first impression is that the leaf color is dramatically different from what I previously had. 'Major' has much lighter green to contrast with the dark bands. Very striking and beautiful!

Does anyone know more about this cultivar? I understand that it's been around a while and it was in demand. That's the extent of my meager knowledge on this cultivar.

Thanks for any input!

--Stitz--

Hi stitz,
I've not heard of 'Major' as yet ,and it sounds great...can we see a photo?
bob

Hi everyone ,this is from an old posting that i went thru,I also use apples to initiate spikes (when needed) works very well actually,as for other question raised,Vr splendens 'Major' is a line bred cultivar from the famous "Gulz" nursery ex Germany (they had the best of everything) this variety is quite big for a splendens almost a metre , very tall spike at least 80 centimetres if well grown. pale white/green background and big blocks of banded red/brown to allmost black, quite self fertile to and not very cold sensitive,in my book its the only splendens to breed from ,and you can get up to 4 pups in the centre,had approx 20 seedpods on mine last year all self pollinated,Splendens Variety splendens is the direct opposite,not worth the effort.Stitzelweller ,the plant was all the rage but was ousted in favour (by nurseries) for smaller types that packed in a box easier , the same happened to 'Juno' wich gave rise to other varieties. i have found that some plants can be self fertile one season and not the next, cultural or climatic ? or does a plant just want a rest ? finding plants of splendens 'major' for sale is not easy nowadays , i will post a picture when i get time to take photo. have found the older postings very interesting , cheers Jack

Hi everyone,

Jack I saw a plant on Ebay. It was advertised as Vr Splendrite (Giant)

Is this yet another clone, or do you think it's what is known as Vr. splendens 'Major' (mentioned in your post) or is it just a selling gimmick?
For some reason I don'y seem to be able to post the pic.

What are your thoughts?

All the best, Nev.

It's me again,

At last I've been able to attch the pic from my last post

{{gwi:451615}}

All the best, Nev.

Hi Nev, Vr,splendriet is a cross between Vr.splendens 'favoriete' and Vr.splendens Juno' (that DOES NOT MAKE IT A HYBRID EVEN IF THE LEARNED BOFFINS SAY IT IS,it is still a species albeit a man made 'variety') it is a bit similar to 'Major' but not as easy to grow,and more warmth loving ,sometimes the same plant is labeled as 'Splendriet' wich is the correct name ex europe, Jack. Ps, it does not matter how many time you cross one form of splendens with another form of splendens ,you still only get the species splendens ,but you will get some different forms,same for all species, so they are NOT a hybrid .just a line bred species,ok ? jack