I don't know of anybody that specializes in xNeomeas, richtrav, or even bigenerics in general. They're usually kind of oddball plants that people might have one or two of in their collection.

Ae. recurvata varieties work pretty well when crossed with Neos, but most of the other Aechmeas don't add much to the mix. No matter how big and branched the Ae flower is, the Neo side will invariably pull it back into a tight cluster on a very short stem. Few Aechmeas have foliage that can compete with Neos, so there's really not much of an advantage to doing them.

Can you tell me what it is about them that particularly appeals to you?

Michael has several

Lisa

I want to try them for landscaping, I kinda like the size and color of some of them. Right now I just have Flame and it's tough as nails

Richard

I have xNeomea 'Exquisita" and 'Strawberry'. 'Exquisita' does not seem as tough as 'Strawberry'.

Bo

Do you leave them out to the elements? It doesn't look like Exquisita has a hardy Aechmea for a parent. I've heard nice things about Strawberry but don't have one yet. I'd love to get ahold of Twilight or some of the other Australian crosses but don't know if anyone in the US has them.

Yes, almost all of my bromeliads are planted put except for some of my more expensive ones.

Bo

What all have they been exposed to?

Speaking of bigenerics, does anyone have xAnamea 'Dianne'?

Exquisita is growing in medium shade; winter temps as low as 28-29F. Strawberry is in high shade. Sandy soil with organic matter mixed in.

I suggest you read "Bromeliads for the Contempary Garden" by Andrew Steens. It has a very informative section on cultivation, temperature hardiness, etc.

Here is a xNeomea on eBay. I saved this in My eBay last night, but I see as of now it has gone out of my price range! But, maybe you want to contact the seller and see if he has any other varieties.

Yes I saw that, it's attractive but I've heard it's not the toughest Neomea around. I just got a 'Zydeco' in and am very pleased with it. The old 'Flame' is proving very easy to grow outside in the ground, and if anyone knows where you can pick up a 'Twilight' I'd love to try that one too

Hi Richtrav,

I have been looking at a few new registrations on FCBS, and came across some information on xNeomea Red Cloud. I would assume that this is the same 'Red Cloud' you talk about, as it came from Tropiflora. Here is the detail, just copied from the database.

NEOREGELIA Tropiflora's Red Cloud Mellica J* ?
?parents although Harry Luther suggests pineliana or farinosa may be involved. 48cm diam. Plant sold for many years as xNeomea 'Red Cloud' by Tropiflora without anyone querying whether it was a bigeneric. The plant had been imported from AU and it may have tenuous links with Grace Goode's 'Red Cloud' although this is unproven. The duskiness of the leaves may well have suggested 'cloud'. The new name is in agreement with Dennis Cathcart