Aechmea gracilis
 

I've never really taken a photo of the flowers before, so this time around I did!

This plant I've had for about maybe 6 years, I don't recall. Since the time I purchased it from Rainforest Flora, it has grown to be a beast!

Easy to grow and a reliable bloomer. It is a species with a nice charm of its own.

Very cool!

Btw, I forgot to mention…

The species name 'gracilis' is not necessarily referring to the bracts and the flowers, rather, the plant can be distinguished from another similar looking species because the plant itself is "gracile", (aka "small"). The leaves on this species is actually somewhat short and broad, giving it an overall compact look.

Oh, and it is a bromeliad.

Nice one!

I recognized the genus Aechmea but has never seen this species. electric colors!

Very cool, love the colors too. Wish I could have one but I don't have the room :(

Do you grow a lot of bromeliads? I love that family. Many of them are pretty hassle-free growers, and bring lots of bright color to a plant collection.

I primarily stick to smaller growers, meaning my bromeliad collection is mostly tillandsias. I love Aechmeas, too, but many of the more commonly available species and hybrids get a bit large to grow on the light stands.

Before I started growing orchids, I was growing bromeliads and was bombing at it. Both my parents suggested I try something different. My mom was the one who suggested growing orchids, and I took her up on it. Sure enough, I was able to learn how to grow orchids better and faster than I did bromeliads. But I eventually went back to growing a few more bromeliads, and started figuring them out too.

I used to grow a lot of Tillandsias. I don't collect them as much anymore, but I do have a small group of them around.

One of the Tillandsias is a ginormous colony of Tillandsia lorentziana. I also got this monster from Rainforest Flora, (they're only a 30 - 45 minute drive from where I live). I've heard of this species being a rather stubborn bloomer, but these puppies just reliably bust out flower stalks once a year. They love super bright light. I grow them where I grow the Oeceoclades calcarata and the Laelia superbiens.

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This is not a terribly rare species. If you want to find one, they can be found somewhat easily. They don't always show up in the hobby, but you can catch one occasionally.

I have around 10 of the Match stick broms, They seem to bloom when ever the feel like it and grow fast to blooming size, I also grow other types of broms, I have Billbergia Queens tears in bloom right now its been blooming off and on all summer, it won't be long and you will have a few pots of Aechmea