New dark purple Bromeliad

[Al in Kona]

Bought this Bromeliad yesterday at Lowe's. It was labeled WERAUHIA sanguinolenta. Does that seem to be correct?

Tag says "Allow to dry between waterings - prefers full sun". See photos #1 & #2

I have another very large dark purple unidentified brom measuring 1.5m (5ft.) wide and tall including flower spike. Do you think this may be the same as the one I just got or different? Any comments appreciated. See photos #3 & #4

[popper1]

Werauhia sanguinolenta used to be a Vriesea. It gets about 3' across with a 4-5' spike. It is an epiphyte from Central America, I don't think I would let it dry out between waterings. It is very similar to the other large Vriesea & Alcanterea, when they flower you can probably figure out what you have.

[ariscott]

It does look like Werauhia. I won't put it in full sun though, unless your sun is less harsh than ours. Dappled bright light is better (if that makes sense). Michael (aussiearoids) should be able to tell you more. He is my brom guru....

Regards, Ari

[Neofolis]

Here is a picture of Werauhia sanguinolenta at Fairchild for comparison. This one is in a conservatory, but seems to get pretty direct sun for much of the day.

[aussiearoids]

Yes correct name , and both seem to be the same plant .. I agree with Ari , they do seem to burn in all day full sun .

I have some hidden under palms and Cordylines that seem to be handleing it well . No pups on these , but it will push up beside the flower spike and replace itself .

[chris.oz]

Not that it matters in Hawaii, I found the Alcantarea imperialis to be more hardy than the Werauhia

[Al in Kona]

Thanks everyone for your info. I find this plant will grow well here even if given a lot of sun. We tend to get a lot of afternoon cloud build up so that helps too.

BTW, is it very difficult growing these from seed (which is now forming on my biggest plant)?

What's the best way to do it?

[Mike4284m]

Werauhia are very slow from seed. Wer. sanguinolenta are relatively easy to come by and don't cost an arm and a leg so unless you want large quantities I wouldn't bother. That said, I have a few dozen two year old Wer. brachycephala that still look like blades of grass.

After blooming a single pup will arise from the center of the plant to replace the mother. These can be very difficult to remove and it's best to let it be.

[Mike4284m]

Make that Werauhia kupperiana that I'm growing from seed. Not Hoh. brachycephala.

[aussiearoids]

Al , sow on surface of media and have lots of patience . Frequent foliar feeding may speed things up . They are not fast ,

but I have my own seed coming on ones I have grown from seed , 7 years I think it took . I used sphagnum moss for the first 6 months and then pricked out into comm-pots . Maybe would be better to sow on cinders in pots .. maybe sow around some pots of Lic. mapu , and let them grow up together !!

btw here is a W.kupperiana , I also have seedlings that are taking forever to look like a Brom instead of grass !!

There is a great pic somewhere outv there in cyberspace of a W.kupperiana growing up high on a palm in Ecuador somewhere ,, I have it saved but do not want to post it here .. I will be mounting some of these Werauhias one day .

They are great as you know they will not spread like pup forming species .

[Al in Kona]

Thanks guys.

Michael, your pic above of W. kupperiana looks exactly like a bromeliad I have growing in part sun and which I had no idea what it was (pic #1). I got the small plant from a friend several years ago. If mine is the same as yours I now know what I have. What do you think?

While in Costa Rica in May we rode on a cable car type ride (see pic #2) thru the rainforest and I spotted & photographed this Bromeliad (see pic #3). That looks very similar also. What do you think?

[Mike4284m]

Thanks guys.

Michael, your pic above of W. kupperiana looks exactly like a bromeliad I have growing in part sun and which I had no idea what it was (pic #1). I got the small plant from a friend several years ago. If mine is the same as yours I now know what I have. What do you think?

While in Costa Rica in May we rode on a cable car type ride (see pic #2) thru the rainforest and I spotted & photographed this Bromeliad (see pic #3). That looks very similar also. What do you think?

Weird coinicidence, I too took a photo of a Wer. kupperiana while on that tram ride in CR . . . but 3 years ago. That's for sure what it is.

[aussiearoids]

Great habitat pictures there ,, WOW I just gotta get over there one day .

How much light do you think they were getting ?