Thanks for the reply, Richard. You were dead on. I searched for Aechmea Primera and the pics I've seen looked exactly like mine. When you say free draining mix, do you mean something that drains easily? I read that I should put pebbles at the bottom so that water doesn't sit. Should I still add potting mix? I also read that bromeliads are air plants and that they don't even need soil. If that's the case, can I just have pebbles in the pot? What is your mix? Lastly, when the pup gets to at least half its mother's size, do I just take a knife and cut to separate them? Sorry for the many and elementary questions.

Thank you purplestar, 'muriel waterman' very much looks like the one, although the photos that I found online weren't as vivid or rich in color, so if not the same one, I know I am on the right track. Thanks paul t23, the camera that took these is a simple Canon Powershot Pro 1. It is basically an 8.0 MP point and shoot, but it has a very versatile lens and 7.0 optical zoom, with a very easy to use macro setting. If you can believe it, this brom looks better in person than on film, the picture just doesn't do it justice. Thanks for looking and more to come!

I don't know what your point is. The BCR has nothing to do with the plant in question. Maybe you have a better suggestion as to the identy of the plant? Seems to be mis-spellings in the above posts, my apoligies for mine. Here some reference points http://cgi.ebay.com/BROMELIAD-Neoregelia-MARGARET-Double-Plant-Sun-Lover-/350471600971?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item5199bc3b4b http://cgi.ebay.com/BROMELIAD-BROMELIADS-NEOREGELIA-MARGARET-/220800714931?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item3368bf88b3 The plant probably originated from Bullis.

Hi all. I got this from a friend and when I did it was about a half an inch from the rim and that was a year ago. Now its filled onto the rim. It blooms but I notice the buds and then the next day some are gone. Do the blooms only stay open for a day or less? He gets regular water.