What would you pollinate it with, Japie? I don't know if it's self-compatible or not, but it's not an automatic selfer.

How big is that plant? I'm not sure what triggered flowering, but it is that time of year on this side of the equator. A lot of Neos are blooming, so it may have initiated a bud before being sent. Stress can also trigger bloom, but it seems to be more common when it suddenly goes from a cooler climate/season to a warmer one, rather than vice versa.

Barbarian can grow large or medium, depending on growing conditions, but Michael also told me he thought the clone we are growing in Hawaii was better than the clone he had, so I don't know if there is really more than one clone of it or if it just looks better under our conditions. Even though a cultivar name is supposed to refer to only one clone, there are a lot of instances of very similar-looking siblings or F2s getting into circulation under the same name.

As I said, Lisa, the plant is only about 12 inches in diameter. I do not intend a self, my options will still be a bit limited, flowers that are definately forming at this stage, is correia-araujoi, Yellow Devil, Paula, Manoa beauty, Debbie, Pemiento, marmorata, Maggie's Pride, Marble Throat, zonata, cathcartii and coriacea. An odd lot! I would definately try and use c-a, Pemiento (for fun), coriacea and maybe cathcartii. I still have no clue as to what cathcartii is going to do - it is still green, but I like the form and the texture of the leaves. In the end I would like to go for form with rather subtle colouring as to have brightly or boldly coloured ones with bad shape.

So you think I can pollinate it, not just use it's pollen on other plants? And what do you think about my variety and chioces?

Sometimes you just have to follow your heart to decide what plants to hybridize. I've made some crosses that I thought would be a good idea, which produced no good results. On the other hand, once in a while, you try something on a whim, or it seems like a crazy idea at the time.... and the results turn out to be surprisingly good!
Right now I'm excited that I got 3 flowers of N. punctatissima rubra to open at the same time as N. 'Blushing Tiger'. In my imagination the outcome will be something similar to N. 'Tunisia', but first will see if I even get seed. ;-) Paul

You can pollinate it, but setting seeds does take energy away from pupping, so if that is a concern you might just use the pollen. It will still pup, in fact I've never had a problem with that where I am, but I heard John Arden say he always removes the inflorescence (on Vrieseas) when he's trying to encourage pupping.

I believe Devo did the c-a x Barbarian cross this year, so you'd be racing with him to see who gets seeds first. Shane Zaghini made White Diamond with Marble Throat and Barbarian (see link).

Neo. cathcartii should give you a pink cup, but whether that would carry over to the cross is anybody's guess. I wouldn't bother with Maggie's Pride or Yellow Devil, but that's just me. I've been kind of disappointed in my attempts to work with Debbie. So far the color has never come through.

If you use Manoa Beauty you should get some that preserve the Barbarian look, although it may not improve on it much. Use the database to check the other Barbarian hybrids on FCBS. You'll see that its distinctive markings tend to come through pretty strong.

Zonata is a big question mark. It could be very interesting or it could be complete rubbish. My bet would be the second one, but it's hard to know. I've been playing around with crossing zonated varieties with marmorated ones this year, just to see what happens. Some earlier attempts were disappointing so I gave it up for a while, but every so often I'll see someone else's cross in which the markings combine in an interesting way rather than cancelling each other out, so I figured I'd try it again now that I have some better material to work with. We shall see....

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:470623}}

I have always thought there were at least 2 forms of Barbarian. If you have a copy of Shane Zaghini's first book, "Bromeliads A Guide to the Beautiful Neoregelia" he shows pictures of Barbarian Light Form, & Barbarian Dark Form.

I know that Shane has used Barbarian in a number of his hybrids, and one of our local hybridisers has used Barbarian (Light Form) in at least one of his crosses, see link below. Your plant could be the light form...which I understand is a little smaller than the standard, but then you would be best to check this with Michael.

Based on Lisa's info above, it seems there are different clones around of the standard Barbarian as well. I have always ment to look into this in more detail, as the plant is very popular here....it is one of the many things on my "To Do List".

I think you could use the plant you have as a pollen parent for the cross to c-a. I have done this cross, and have a small batch of seedlings underway. My main goal is to achieve large plants with good form, that will pick up some of the Barbarian markings. (which based on other Barbarian hybrids they should). I know you are into landscaping Japie & could make good use of large c-a X plants with good size...great form and colour...and able to handle a range of conditions. So why not give it a try.

Here is a link that might be useful: Neo Margaret Rose

Lisa, thanks for the confidence, but I think Devo cross the finishing line way before me, my flowers still have a way to go befor they open! And I am definately going to try and match Barbarian and Marble Throat.
Paul, I sure am going to follow my heart, but I will also try some 'anticipated, calculated logic'. I just wish I could speed up the the clock to get winter over and done with so I can start fiddling!

Yes, Devo, I would very much like to have large plants I can use in landscaping. They do make a powerful statement. And they do get the uninitiated hooked solid!