Yes, it could be Aechmea fasciata from the internet pix I looked at. I didn't leave the apple there for very long, about a week, maybe 5 days. Don't have a digital camera, will have to get back to you with a picture. Thanks, Florrie

Hey,Gonzer..is this something that can be propagated by seed?.That is, do they set fertile seed? How long would the seed need to ripen do you think? I would not mind having a hanging wall of this Tillandsia. Thanks for the I.D...ID hmm.Sounds Freudian overtones of a plantaholic..

Thanks for all the nice comments! And Matt, the garden is getting a bit crowded at the moment, so you're welcome anytime for a walk-through and I promise I won't frisk you! This morning, everything was wet and washed clean from the rain and there was a break in the clouds for the sun to come through. So I promptly got out my camera for another walk-through, but I had barely started when the rain started to come down again! And I forgot to add this one, specially for Gonzer. So you can get the 'whole picture' of one of the tillies I bought on your recommendation. Good choice! Japie

This is a Portea Petropolitana Extensa (I think) that will tolerate full sun in my back yard in Los Angeles, but I am less than 3 miles from the beach, and so 10-15 miles from the beach will be a very different microclimate, as it rarely gets above 80 degrees where I live. It does get to the mid 80s on occasion, but not for very long. Heat is not so much the problem as drying out. This is the same plant where it can get a small amount of shade. When it is hot, keep them hydrated - they do not like drying out for long periods but can save water inside their leaves. I believe that this plant is native to Brazil, and it is certainly hot there, but it is also humid. They do not grow wild in the desert, as far as I know, and I've only seen them wild in rain forests, or places that got fair amounts of moisture. The like to grow in places that have constant cloud cover or else under a canopy of trees.