I don't know but I want it. Has it always been striated like that?

Hi Jaga

I also would not mind to have one of those! Escpecially if it is an aechmea! But I rather think it is a neo. But, if it is an aech and growing in an overgrown spot with too little light, the leaves should have been much more strappy. I have an a caudata variegata and a caudata striata that both can illustrate that point. Since I got them, I planted them in a more open spot with much more light and the leaves are getting shorter and wider and more pronounced variegation. Then I have a very young neo pup wich looks a bit like you plant. But I doubt it, again, as this plant is a more recent hybrid and quite expensive - and huge, allready 1 meter from tip to tip!So I do not think that anyone having it, would neglect it.

Neo (carolinae variegata x Fairchild) X Bobby Hull:
{{gwi:507625}}

Aech caudata striata. Still with the old strappy leaves but also showing newer, shorter, wider leaves. And a clos-up:
{{gwi:507626}}
{{gwi:507627}}

And Aech caudata variegata:
{{gwi:507628}}
{{gwi:507629}}

But I do not think your plant is any of the above. I suppose, we will just have to wait for it to flower!

Japie

You may be onto something with the caudata striata, Japie. I hadn't seen that form of it and the bluish tinge down in the leaf axils and the blue-black spots seen in the side view would be consistant with some forms of caudata.

I agree, though, that if it weren't getting enough light it should be more strappy looking, so that is confusing. From the top view I would have said Neo too, but from the side it looks more upright.

Thanks all, But still 90 % sure its a Aechmea as this plant was split from 2, the other having a stolen base similar to A.Oleander and spines similar to A.Cauldata also thought along the lines of Japie that it could be a sport/cultivar or cross with A.cauldata. The closest we can find on the BSI is A.'compactor'We may have to wait for a flower.
Here's a close up shot of leaf - maybe it'll give some clue
{{gwi:507630}}

Jaga what does A.Oleander look like. I never heard of that one and didnt find it on FCBS site

Sorry HDD , bad spelling, I meant Orlandiana. But it doesn't resemble it in looks just in having that stolon base.

Do you have a picture of the stolon? That would help with the ID.

No Lisa, unfortunately no pic of stolon, guess we have to be patient & wait for the flower & do another post then.

Just to throw another possibility out there, could it be a Billbergia? There seem to be a number of forms of B. pyramidalis, many of them variegated. This one may not be a perfect match, but it's in the ballpark:

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:507622}}

Thanks for this posibility, you could be right. We are going to ask the person who we obtained the plant from if they can help us, failing that will take it to our bromelaid society to see if we can get some answers, will keep you posted. The flower should reveal some clues.

Hi Jaga,
I've been away for a few days, but now see your aechmea mystery. My guess is that it could well be Aechmea 'Pie in the Sky'. Am attaching a photo of one of my aechmeas by that name. I originally bought it as Aechmea pimenti-velosii variegated from a highly-regarded brom seller, but Uncle Derek has done the research and says it is 'Pie in the Sky'. It does have a strong, woody stolon, approx. 3-6cm long. Mine grow well epiphytically. In brighter light than what your aechmea has received, mine has stiffish leaves with a slight buckle, approx. 25cm high, with the flower spike extending well above the leaves.

{{gwi:507632}}

I suppose the truth will be known in the flowering.
Cheers,
Kerry

Kerry thanks for all your efforts. We think you've cracked it! Your picture looks exactly like our plant & so does the BSI photo. The flower will confirm it but we're pretty sure it's Pie In The Sky now. Thanks & thanks also to Uncle Derek.
What conditions does it like, do you have yours in the sun?

You're welcome Jaga. Glad to be of help. Uncle Derek wrote a brief article about it, as you have probably now read on the fcbs site. The reason why I immediately recognised it as Aechmea Pie in the Sky is not only because I grow it. As a particular favourite of mine, I have recently completed an artwork (cyanotype/drawing on paper) of that very plant, showing different stages of its inflorescence. Unfortunately, the onscreen image is much yellower in the leaves than the original artwork. But I had to study those leaf striations in great detail to do the hand-colouring, hence VERY familiar with that specific aechmea hybrid!
I grow all my Pie in the Skys in trees, and they survived the winter black frosts without a blemish. Their stoloniferous growth habit is ideal for mounting. Mine grow well in low dappled light to very bright light. They are smaller and tighter in form with brighter light. Here in my garden, northern N.S.W., they are just finishing flowering now.

Here is a photo of the artwork.

{{gwi:507634}}

Cheers,
Kerry

Kerry, I really do like that work of art...! What else have you done...?

Wow Kerry not only do we get our plant named but we also get a fabulous art work to go with it! What medium do you use & do you sell any?
I guess we have much in common Not only do we seem to own the same plants but I (A, not J) also indulge in oil paintings of vriesea's (just as an extension of my vriesea obsession.) Heres my version of the Vriesea Nova x R. Chestnut.
{{gwi:507635}}

Agatha (?), I also really like your wonderful vriesea painting - although the image is a bit small to see the detail - copywrite reasons? Yes it seems we do have lots in common. Have you created many brom paintings?
Thanks Devo - I have recently completed a series of 10 artworks of bromeliads - it was my post-frost therapy after the hideous winter my garden suffered from. I had already created many cyanotypes, but had not completed the hand-colouring. I exhibited the 10 works, framed, at the Aust. Brom conference a few weeks ago. But before framing, I had them scanned at high resolution for printing purposes. I am in the process of getting sets of 8 greeting cards printed from that series, as well as unframed poster prints, to sell on international eBay and nurseries/gift shops. Hope I don't end up with a garage full of unsold cards! The framed originals are for sale, but not cheap - they are very labour intensive.
Cyanotypes are a very early form of photographic imaging, using highly toxic chemicals (including cyanide) - like blue-print maps and plans of yesteryear. It is a complex process. I combine computer technology to create the large negatives, then expose the painted chemicals and negs to ultra-violet light (good old sunshine), rinse the paper in water, and then dried - resultant image is a blue-toned monoprint. Then I choose ones I like to selectively hand-colour with coloured pencils. Some I leave as straight cyanotypes, if they work well as is. All my brom artworks originate from photos I have taken from my own garden.

Here are 2 more. Again, the neo one has exaggerated colour, compared to the original. Hope you enjoy :)

{{gwi:507637}}

{{gwi:507639}}

Cheers, Kerry

Hi Kerry , yes, it's Agatha- most times when in GW it's both of us John + Agatha (JAGA) as it's our common interest, hope that does not confuse people. Thank you for sharing your artwork - I think it's great & it sounds very complicated & professional. We shall look out for your prints. I've only done 3 vrieseas to date , it's purely a fun, undesciplined & relaxation thing for me . I've never shown them to others - I guess the small image reflects that - not copyright! It does look quite different photographed compared with reality as well - you lose the texture & gloss effect. Anyway now that it's out there, here's a bigger image of same painting
{{gwi:507641}}

John and Kerry
Thanks for sharing. All very nice. You both are not only good gardeners but gifted artists too.

Gee thanks Albatross.... :)

Agatha, that's an interesting technique you have used. Looks like you have painted a top layer of white over coloured background of leaves, then carved the squiggly patterns into the wet paint, showing underneath colour?? Very effective, whatever your method.
Now that you have 'come out' as an artist, you might like to share your other paintings with us?... What size are they?

Cheers,
Kerry

OK my apologies Agatha. I got confused there for a while probably because I've seen a few pictures under your post with John in it but do show some more.

You are welcome Kerry. BTW I like your garden. Love how you have all those pretty broms on trees. So far I only have orchids and tillandsias on trees but will try with other broms soon.

Hey Kerry, you're pretty much got it right! I was trying for a rather rough effect with emphasis on the patterning & movement, in fact I used a bit of stick I found in the garden to make it all coarser- it's all experimental though (I don't have any training in painting techniques & would be too ill disciplined to do things correctly!)- the next 2 I did differently, with a knife . I guess the plants determine the technique - I pick them for the different directions the patterns `move'.
Here are the models:
1) Vr Tasman Hybrid
{{gwi:507643}}
2) Vr tasman Coconut Ice (had a tough life)
{{gwi:507646}}
My Interpretation- size of canvas is 400x300 mm
{{gwi:507649}}
BTW we have gone quite off topic , seems to happen quite a lot in our treads!

Well done, Agatha! You have certainly developed a unique style, disciplined or not. They capture the quality of each vriesea in a fresh, spontaneous manner - I am very impressed. Why don't you do some larger ones? I imagine a wall with a large painting like yours would make a real statement - maybe for that new house John is supposed to be building?
Yes. We are way off our original thread.....oh well.

Albatross - thanks so much for your encouraging words. I look forward to seeing some photos of your aerial sculptures in trees. Have fun.

Cheers,
Kerry

Thank you so much Kerry for the encouragement- Don't know when I'll get around to doing anymore but I'll think about a bigger one next time. At the moment we're a bit space poor! Funny you should mention the house cos we were just thinking that one of your cyanotypes, particularly The Pie in The Sky, would fit in nicely in our yet to be built gallery / entry space. (To be fair to John, who seems to cope it a bit(ha, ha), we've both been busy with work work, so not much time for building.) Perhaps we can see your full collection in another post - would you consider doing one of your horribly gorgeous snake!