A Neo. ‘Fireball‘ x carolinae ‘Dwarf’ hybrid, at about 10 inches is larger than the original ‘Fireball’, and flushes a nice red in strong light. Good in terrariums and its stoloniferous habit makes this a particularly good subject for hanging basket culture. Popular with landscapers.

This plant has become a superstar since its limited introduction a few years ago, finding a ready market at high prices at bromeliad conventions and shows. Now commonly used as a hardy landscape plant, it’s is a spectacular, large-growing plant with heavy reddish-brown bars across light green leaves. Large marginal spines line the wide, stiff leaves. A superior plant for hybridizing, Hannibal Lecter being an example.

It should be noted that this plant has no official botanical status. It was brought into cultivation by Chester Skotak after having found it in a Brazilian collection. Lacking a better description for now, it is being referred to as carcharodon cv. ‘Tiger’. The ‘real’ carcharodon is unknown and many not be in cultivation at all.

A cultivar of (Deuterocohnia longipetala ‘Silver’ x Pitcairnia burle-marxii) by Ray Lemieux. Narrow, spiny with soft, rubbery spines, deeply channeled, discolor leaves that are green on top and deep purple below. It has a tall scape with peach colored flowers. As far as we know this is the first of this nothogenera to be produced. The name comes from the fact that the spines are soft despite their appearance. Cultivate as a terrestrial bromeliad, bright shade, even moisture.

Neoregelia ‘Hannibal Lecter‘ An unusual, very decorative hybrid from Chester Skotak, with a name that reflects his famed, warped wit. Three clones exist, all selections of a grex resulting from the cross of Neo. punctatissima x carcharodon ‘Tiger’. In general, the plants are medium sized, to about 24 inches across, very stiff leaved with stout spines, and boldly banded with reddish-brown over green.

*VIPP plants are Offsets - NOT the mature plant in the photo

A nice, fairly large plant with a 30 inch rosette, apple green leaves with red tips and red veneer, heaviest towards the tips. The green shows through the red, forming spots.

A Jim Irvin hybrid named for a longtime active bromeliad enthusiast of the Caloosahatchee Bromeliad Society of Fort Myers, Florida, a cultivar of ‘Icecile’ x ‘Black Mystic,’ has 14+ lanceolate leaves forming a medium-large plant 20″ in diameter with a strong oval form, deep forest green in color with banding the entire length and edge to edge with narrow silver bands set widely apart.  The undersides have heavy silver scurf.

A Chester Skotak release from 2016, [(carolinae variegated "pink" x compacta) x Blast Off] x Pink Sensation.

The base color is glossy green with white variegation and it has a glossy bright red veneer that makes the plant stand out. The veneer is blotchy on the leaves which gives the plant a spotted look and is most noticeable in the newer growth.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This stoloniferous miniature, the parent of many lovely hybrids, is one of the all time best hanging basket plants. Little upright green vases are spotted in purple, with purple at the base and cross-banded with silver. Old plants persist, and clumps with hundreds of plants are sometimes seen.

A spectacular and fairly large grower has an upright open rosette shape to about 24 inches across. The inflorescence is a massive panicle of reddish orange berries that stays in color for many months. Extremely showy.

Both parents of this Ray Lemieux cross of Hechtia lanata x myriantha have some interesting characteristics that should express themselves when the plants grow out. The seed parent, H. lanata, has broad, scurfy, twisting and curling leaves in habitat, which is a tropical desert environment on nutrient poor cliffs.

In cultivation, seedlings of this species tend to have straighter foliage, at least here in sea-level Florida. The pollen parent, H. myriantha, is a giant grower, perhaps the largest of all Hechtia species. Anecdotal stories report that this plant can reach the size of a VW Beetle! The intent of this cross was to produce a large growing hybrid with twisted foliage and silvery scurf. Only time will tell if that will happen. 

NO HOLDING - MUST SHIP IMMEDIATELY

*TRIMMED LEAF TIPS

This form of cruenta has an upright, vase shape of 1.5 inch wide, stiff leaves. Taller than wide, it grows to about 18 inches tall and spreads to only 16 inches. The leaves are pale greenish-yellow suffused with red speckles and a red veneer from the tips inward. The leaf tips are red. The leaf undersides are scurfy grey with slight banding. This plant comes from the area of Pedra do Pontal, in Rio de Janeiro where it grows in full sun on rocks and sand.

*Plants are Offsets