My Billbergia pyramidalis 'Kyoto' are in full bloom today. The highly variegated sport seems to have a more slender flower, but that's the only difference I can see.



We came from here:
The thread "August Bromeliads 2020" in Bromeliads forum

I love that the sport has held the variegation.

Very nice and such pretty variegation on that sport!

Well I am here for the September Bromeliads. Like I have said I may be looking for Dyckia and
some new Tillandsia possibly as replacements for some of my succulents.

Be careful with the Dyckia, they have the most evil thorns. I had to get rid of all mne, at my age the skin is thin and so easily broken by thorny plants. I was afraid I would need a transfusion.

Same here. I've only ever had one, but it was evil, jumping out into the pathway and ravaging my ankles when I least expected it. I guess Will would keep them as house plants so surround them with something non-thorny to protect your hands!

Tropiflora usually has a small selection of Dyckia, some outrageously expensive. They also have a stunning collection of Tillandsia.

I will tell you now @dyzzypyxxy Elaine that all of my plants are outside and that would be the same for the Dyckia and the same for Tillandsia
So they have to deal with the weather and that might be one advantage of having Dyckia because they can take occasional freezing temperatures.
Here in Houston, TX we do get occasional freezes. And if they need to stay dry I also have a small Green House not heated so it would have to deal
with the temperature but would stay dry.

So I am considering Dyckia platyphylla; and Dyckia marnier-lapostollei; and D. beatea; and D. brevifolia and D. altissima
as well as Tillandsia diaguitensis and T. paleacea

Now I need to determine if any of these plants can deal with freezing temperatures on occasion in the winter.

Will, do you have a protected spot on a patio or deck? I used to use seedling heat mats in a protected corner of my deck for particularly tender plants in the winter. Like you , I lived in a place that had occasional cold spells and only needed the additional heat once in a while. These mats raised the temp just a few degrees and it really helped keep the soil in the pots warm enough.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=see...

Will, in your area, I would think your small greenhouse would offer enough protection from the occasional cold snap. The ground holds enough warmth to heat up an enclosed space so it won't freeze over night.

@Willinator

Will, I'm in zone 9b and we can occasionally dip below freezing and even into the upper to mid 20's every few years. I bought this pop up greenhouse to put up in the winter for those occasions. My FL native tillandsias have survived those occasions, but I've lost hybrids to frost before (tillies don't like wet and cold). As Elaine said the ground and day sun usually keeps it warm enough at night, but I've put a grow light in when many hours below freezing, This would not hold up to snow, but we don't get that here .

This is a good reference chart for cold hardiness on bromeliads. http://www.fcbs.org/articles/c...

I have two Dyckia plants, they can take the cold down to days in the 20's, so they're very cold hardy, I've never even protected mine.

My N. 'Outrigger' caught my attention today seeing the cup full of flowers.

WOW, those flowers look larger than most. I love the contrast in the colors.

Alice, The cup full of flowers was very striking today and very noticeable.

Nice bright lime colors with purple flowers, a stand out Scott.

Neoregelia kautskyi blooming, the flowers are white with purple tips.

Outrigger is beautiful with the color contrasts! I love it!
Sherri, yours is gorgeous too! Bromeliads certainly can be different and beautiful. I just wish they were more compact. Mine are taking up a lot of house space in winter.

Outrigger* has a few very tiny red dots and should also have some red banding. Hopefully the little stolonifera pup will show these traits as it is going to be grown in higher sun conditions.

*Lisa Vinzant hybrid named for the popular Hawaiian canoe.

What do you think @ScoTi, is it time to amputate this youngster? It has upended mom, she is all kattywampus now.

Alice, I say it is time to cut the apron strings and grow the youngster on its own. Mom just may reward you 🤞with another pup.

Thanks, that is what I am hoping. This little one grew far faster than any I have ever had.