What I could gleen about it is that it becoming more popular, with the bulk of plants being supplied by Dutch and Belgian growers. It is a terrestrial but requires heat and warmth along the lines of Guz. musaica, lindenii and bismarckii. Not your run-of-the-mill supermarket Guzmania offerings.

I don't have this one, but I've seen it and it gets big (4-5' across w/ 3' flower spike). It can actually be grown either as a terrestrial or an epiphyte, but where you are I wouldn't try it as an epiphyte outdoors. In fact I wouldn't try it outdoors at all in L.A. Guzmanias in general are just more tender than Aechmeas, Neos or Tillandsias. They like shade and high humidity, and most need tropical warmth.

There are some high elevation species that like it cooler, but offhand I don't think this is one of them. gonzer, we have a real hard time keeping G. lindenii alive here because it's just too warm for it.

Thanks for that tip Lisa. Lindenii probably has the 'Goldilocks Syndrome'; too hot, too cold, I want it juuuuust right!

I have one conifera growing here in Rome, it is in a protected spot and probably never experience any frost, but temperatures very close to it yes, it is more than one month we have really cold weather. The plant seems to be surprisingly hardy! Worth a try outside I would say.
Tomas

I picked one up a month ago. It's still in bloom and I keep it indoors. It hasn't grown much since then. Quite stunning plant if you can get one.