Thanks for the photos cractpot...I do not think I have seen V. platnema var. platynema before...And those V reitzii are just fantastic plants. They had been under the radar here for awhile, only occuring in a few colections. but this summer, a whole lot came into flower, and now they are on everyones wish list. I see a little V hieroglyphica in the background...another one of the great sp.

Here is one of my fav. Vriesea sp. The one and only....Vriesea philippo-coburgii. The name fits the plant so well, a distinguished name that just rolls off the tongue...philippo-coburgii...

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I have found that philipo-coburgii looks good in any situation. Full sun to semi shade...in a group, or as a feature plant in a large pot. It handles our conditions very well...tolerating cold wet winters, hot dry conditions of mid summer, and coming thru' it all without even a mark on the leaves.

Would you believe that this group of plants all came from the original 2 that came into flower this season....and they are still producing pups....with the original pups now producing their own pups...and....hmmm...I think I am going to have a few philippo-coburgii spare....may try placing a few up into the trees.

Devo, do you happen to know the name of that form of philippo-coburgii? There are other forms of it that are not nearly so attractive. I haven't seen one like yours in years and I'd really like to find one.

Hi Lisa, I was not aware that there were different forms of philippo-coburgii...although, now I give it some thought it does not realy surprise me, as there seems to be different forms of every B Bromeliad....!

My original 2 were picked up from the sales table of our local Brom Society. They seem to be the same as all the others I have seen around the NZ collections. I have come across the odd one that has poor leaf tip markings, but put this down to just "one off". This 'form' is obviously the standard form we have here. It is the same as that pictured in Andrew Steens book...Bromeliads for the contemporary garden, P157. (the photographed plant is just grown in a little more sun). I have seen some photos of philippo-coburgii that were growing on the Sunshime Coast in Australia, & they seemed to be the same form as we have here.....nice defined dark leaf tips, with the very black base. Anyway, I will make some enquiries with collectors here to see if they know of a variety name for our plant. As it is a species, I know seed is available from time to time, so that could be an option. I had a nice batch growing from seed, but chucked it out after about 12 months, as my plants produce so many pups I do not have space for many more...!

Oh Devo, yesssssssssssssss I love V.philippo-cobergii

and yours are super healthy and gorgeous, thanks for sharing your pic.

Yep , you spotted what was my wee Heiroglyphica in the background, I know they are slow growers but I swear that one has doubled in size in as little as 7 months.

I also have V.platynema variegata and V.fenestralis which I also adore.

I think a philippo-cobergii is definately on my 'next' list.

Devo that Vrisea is my all time favourite so far.

I have just got one and I love it, mine is still twee but it is displaying the same habit and colour.
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