I have become curious and have decided to run a same growing conditions situation test. As we know cultural conditions play a big role in the overall appearance.
Wrong names are all too frequently found on Bromeliads in the retail stores.
Here are two plants both purchased as N. Voodoo Doll.

The upper plant was purchased as Voodoo Doll from a Brom Society sale. The lower plant was purchased at a retail store as Voodoo Doll this Spring and they appear different as night and day.
Both plants are currently in the same flowering stage of their lives.
Booth plants have now had the soil washed from their roots and repotted in a Orchid mix. The plants will stay together and be grown in like conditions. I do not expect to see change in the two mature plants, but will wait for development of pups. The pup's will also be grown in exact cultural conditions.

Inquiring mind wants to know is this
wrong name labeling or growing conditions?
Stay tuned

That's a good test to do, Scot. I like them both, but don't have a clue on their ID's.

Good for you to take the time to run a test.
Broms..like crotons so vary with growing conditions that I am no longer confident of most plant names.

I'll keep an eye, I have three or four plants all tagged as Voodoo and all look a bit different. But I like them all.

Waykoolplantz said:Good for you to take the time to run a test.
Broms..like crotons so vary with growing conditions that I am no longer confident of most plant names.

I have also lost confidence in the names Mike.
This past weekend these were both labeled as 'Mend' in a home improvement store.

'Mend' is a Aechmea and the bottom plant in the Pic is a stolonifera type Neoregelia (Sassy) and the other looks more like a Neoregelia.
Here is a recent removed pup from my 'Mend' with a markdown Bromeliad (labeled Mend?) that was picked up a few months ago.

So true about the mislabeling at the home improvement stores. I think they have a lot of 'Mend' labels, because I've seen even a variegated fireball labeled as 'Mend' before.

Thanks for posting comparison pictures. For those of us who are learning this is helpful, or I may be more confused!

Here's my Voodoo that looks different than yours ScotTi.

I have a inkling that these mass production growers gas the Bromeliads for forced coloration. I have no proof of this. I just think it is interesting that you find a nicely colored Neoregelia that is not to large. You grow the plant to maturity and the pups produced are a lot larger.
Here is a example of a unknown I picked up. The original mom when purchased flowering had a 2' spread. The pups (now mature) produced have a 4' spread.

I suspect your inkling is correct, so many flowering plants are treated with growth retardants. They look nicer when they are small and full not to mention how much less expensive itis to ship a smaller plant. Can you imagine a grower trying to ship a brom with a 4' spread?

ScotTi said:I have a inkling that these mass production growers gas the Bromeliads for forced coloration. I have no proof of this. I just think it is interesting that you find a nicely colored Neoregelia that is not to large. You grow the plant to maturity and the pups produced are a lot larger.
Here is a example of a unknown I picked up. The original mom when purchased flowering had a 2' spread. The pups (now mature) produced have a 4' spread.

I was actually told by a grower they gas the plants for the beautiful coloring, I don't like that because it can change the looks completely of a bromeliad, once you place it in outdoor conditions. Of course greenhouse raised plants are grown under perfect temperatures and conditions, so they have a nice coloring and form to them, then change once grown in the garden.

That make sense, broms color up as they get ready to bloom and methane will stimulate flowering.

The methane is the reason if you put a bromeliad in a plastic bag with an apple, blooming is stimulated. I saw that in an article and may try it.

Maybe I will try a test to see if the guzmania from the store will bloom!

I have been tempted to try the apple in the bag on my Tillandsia cyanea. I decided today next time I am at Publix I will pick up a apple. If it works the cyanea should return to flowering in Sept./Oct.

I have had good luck with N. Mister Odean producing pups. The 2 original pups have grown pretty fast. The second round of 4 pups were removed today.


The original mother plant still looks good and I think she still has the will to give more.

ScotTi said:I have had good luck with N. Mister Odean producing pups. The 2 original pups have grown pretty fast. The second round of 4 pups were removed today.


The original mother plant still looks good and I think she still has the will to give more.

Do you keep that one in the sun, Scott, mine is really dark green, it may need to move in a sunnier location, it does have some offset.

Sherri, Mister Odean being one of my top favorites is being grown in my pool cage area. It receives sun from a hour after sunrise until sunset.

Good to know, Mr. Odean is moving to a sunnier spot today.

Good news! The original mother plant of Mister Odean is pushing another pup.
The great coloration has faded fast in the last few weeks.

Good news indeed Scott. That's about the color of mine, not as much dark colors though. I had to cut mom off, she was rotting, I have three nice offsets and put them in more sun, but they started to get sunburn spots so moved back to a morning sun and part shade afternoon spot. Guess to hot now to move to a really sunny spot.