bradisha,
The first pic I leave to our ID experts on GW,but the second pic looks like its Aechmea mariae-reginae,to me.
If so,it could be the male plant.You can compare yours with the photos on FCBS.
There is a possibility it could also be Aechmea bromeliifolia,which has a banded type leaf (can't quite see enough of the leaves of the blooming plant,but if that's a pup of it in front,that has the leaf banding I mean.This species is also fairly variable in shape.
1st choice--mariae-reginae
2nd choice-bromeliifolia
Any others have something 'for sure' ?

Bob

Thanks Bob740 I will look the names you suggested for the second photo.

The spines on the second plant dont look mean enough to be bromelifolia and I dont see the curl on the leaf tips

True about the spines on the Aechmea, HDD, but it's still closer to Ae. bromeliifolia than anything else. It could be another variety of it, or a hybrid.

Bob, check out the top part of page 65 in the Baensch book. That is the subgenus Macrochordion, and this is definitely in that group. The tubular vase shape as well as the floral arrangement give it away.

As far as the Neo................hoo boy. It's an olens hybrid, but which one?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:450839}}

Good points Lisa,and too,hdd.
But the pics of Ae.m-r are really spread out fully,as shown on fcbs pics.Sooooo,I'm changing my 1st choice to Ae.bromeliifolia,(or hybrid of it)
I'm so easy.Hope we hav'nt added to the confusion Bradisha.

Thanks for the input....always learning.
Bob

Thats it Lisa!! , Ae.bromeliifolia v Angustispica exact match!! thanks again bob740, Lisa and HDD . Now when my friends wonder around my garden and ask me the name of that brom I can answer like a real brom expert. Thanks close up pic I just took {{gwi:450843}}

Shoot, too late. Here's mine blooming today. I agree with hdd in that the spines are more wicked and spaced further on straight bromeliifolia.
{{gwi:450844}}

{{gwi:450846}}

Here's a possibility on the first one, but it's not the only possibility. There are lots of little spotty hybrids.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:450840}}

Nice showy pic of your Ae.bromeliifolia Bradisha. Lots of color,and the yellow petals turn black after blooming...a real visual contrast.
Also,another possibility on the Neo. would be Neo.'Match Point',having 'Mo Pepper Please' x 'Marcon' as parents,a hybrid by Jim Irvin.Here's a photo of mine in bloom.
{{gwi:450849}}
{{gwi:450851}}
(the photo on fcbs of this plant is perfect and huge,and not your average plant)

Hi gonzer I agree the spines on Ae.bromeliifolia v Angustispica is wicked but it is so lovely when blooming. Thanks again Lisaclv & bob740 I am sure the other neo has the Mo pepper please mix in it.