Aechmea 'Bert' hybrid bromeliad hardiness

[Rivera]

I have an aechmea 'Bert' (a. orlandiana x a. forsteriana) F2 hybrid.

Supposedly it's a relatively hardy bromeliad, but if anyone wants to weigh in with their own experience, it would be much appreciated. Observations about the a. orlandiana x a. forsteriana F1 or F2 hybrid are welcome, as are hardiness and 'cool tolerant' observations concerning either of the two parent plants. 

I'm in cool humid San Francisco, generally mild but with a few chilly nights here and there in the winter. This plant will be accordingly placed in a modestly protected or well protected outdoor spot, depending. I (or more accurately, Bert) will be the guinea pig if need be.

Much thanks in advance for any opinions,

🤙Chris

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Rivera said:

I have an aechmea 'Bert' (a. orlandiana x a. forsteriana) F2 hybrid.

Supposedly it's a relatively hardy bromeliad, but if anyone wants to weigh in with their own experience, it would be much appreciated. Observations about the a. orlandiana x a. forsteriana F1 or F2 hybrid are welcome, as are hardiness and 'cool tolerant' observations concerning either of the two parent plants. 

I'm in cool humid San Francisco, generally mild but with a few chilly nights here and there in the winter. This plant will be accordingly placed in a modestly protected or well protected outdoor spot, depending. I (or more accurately, Bert) will be the guinea pig if need be.

Much thanks in advance for any opinions,

🤙Chris

Since S.F. rarely - if ever- drops below 32F you should be fine where you're located..  X Bert, and both species involved in the cross can apparently tolerate several hours of cold somewhere in the mid / upper 20sF. Hard to tell from the PDF which lists their hardiness whether or not that deg. of cold tolerance is connected to how dry they stay while cool or not.. Regardless, this is one of the tougher Aechmea overall.

On the other hand, while spectacular,  Racinaea dyeriana, formally included in Tillandsia, is a wimp when it comes to cold.. One night barely below freezing was enough to fry it ..even though i'd had it sheltered from excess moisture / cold winds under my patio during that cold spell when i lived in Clearwater.

We used to have a CA. Bromeliad guru on the board, but, for whatever reason he hasn't posted here in years. Nursery he was working for ( ...assuming he's still there ) in San Diego is a great source for plants, inc. some crosses he has done.