Hey Nadsy,
Excellent prize!!! Congrats! What a whopper! You sure do have a rarity. :)
Curious about the Vr. reitzii - stunning brom. Are yours grown in shade? Do you think it might get broader leaves and dark tips if grown in a brighter spot? I understand they were grown from seed collected by Michael R. Do you think different areas of their natural habitat might determine slight variations?

You certainly have some great broms :)

Cheers,
Kerry

PS. Only 2.5 hours until ...... Luck!

Thanks Kerry, I'm certainly going to enjoy this one.

With the reitzii, both mine and Micks's are very similar in colour (leaves and flower stem) It really is a tough bird, it came through our Melb. winter without so much as one cold mark on the leaves, and out summers are dry heat and can go from 22 degrees to 43 degrees in the space of a day, so to answer your Q I think it could definately handle some more light and may very well colour up accordingly.

When you think about it both the Mezo and the reitzii are grown at high altitudes in their natural habitats but in warmer countries (as a general rule) than ours, so I think they are just tough as nails and very adaptable.

Nadine

Nadine,

I think you've cracked it with the reference to high altitude. My broms from high altitudes in countries close to the equator always fare better in winter than others from the same area/country, but lower altitudes. Best example in my collection is Tillandsia deppeana. Nary a blemish when we were hit with a record-breaking -8 C black frost this last winter. Other broms from more southern countries (in South America) also handle the cold better, with less importance to altitude - or rather a greater range of altitude in its natural habitat.

I wish there was a magic formula that we could use - like: altitude + latitude + proximity to water/ocean - light factor x growth habit divided by humidity requirements = the same conditions in my garden!

Too many variables for my poor brain to fathom! We just have to "grow and tell". But a bit of background information certainly aids better chance of success.

Would love to see progress pics of your Mezobromelia.

Cheers,
Kerry

Lol Kerry I reckon if we could get that formula down for the right altitude x latitude x water proximity we'd be very rich people :^O

I'm a bit lucky where I live, we are just on the base of the mountain, so higher than most and on the North facing slope. Being on a slope we tend to get a lot of winds which helps for any frosts not to settle, and makes for a nice alternative home for these two broms.

Will certainly keep you updated on the Mezo's progress, I'll be growing it hard outdoors as per Mick's suggestion.
I forgot to mention that I saw a flower (just in the starting process) on one of his more mature plants and it was so thick at the base that I could not get both my hands around it.

An absolute dinosaur for sure.