Thanks mrdavid; I used orchid mix for this Til. 75% large chunky bits that are for Cattleya & Dendrobium and 25% smaller pieces as used for Cymbidium orchids. As long as it is not compacted or too much soil so that is does not retain water too readily. I have since moved to Coconut husk chunks and am finding that Broms are rotting like made it in! Sorry I do not know of Miracle Gro? Maybe not available in Australia. When potted up I simply hung my Creation up high in my bush house - no shade cloth; rather a lattice type wood (NOT CCA/Copper treated) cover. I live in a high-ish rainfall area and that was all it got really. I am glad this one flowered so beautifully; as it was the one that started the dreaded scale in my collection - so all has been forgiven; and a lot learnt! Enjoy

Hi everyone. Maria – Your plant is a bromeliad of the Neoregelia genera but as for a specific varietal name I can’t help you as there are hundreds in the same colour range including some species as well as many, many hybrids. Like the majority of bromeliads, these are “epiphytes” which means they are plants that grow on another plant, (usually a tree). They are not parasitic and don’t feed from the tree on which they are growing, but just use it as a host. Any nourishment is obtained from the rain as it mixes with leaf litter, combined with bird and small animal dropping located in the central vase and leaf axils of the plant. As this rots down it provides a very, very, dilute natural fertiliser on a continuous basis. You say, “This bromeliad was one of hundreds invading a tree”; if you remove “invading” and replace it with “growing naturally on”, you are describing the usual way these plants grow in nature. To grow them successfully in your own yard you need to either attach them to a tree so they can follow their natural method of growth. (If you chose this method, make sure they are attached firmly, because if they can move, the roots won’t attach, they will just continually break), or you can grow them in a pot. You’ve approached their culture similar to that of air plants such as Tillandsias and you say, “They have since been nestled in the connection holes of these plastic stacking tables, where I keep my adenium seedlings. Other than some obvious dryness, they are still alive after an entire two years as air plants”. True, they are still alive and are surviving, but they won’t be happy plants as they are “doing it tough”. The thing is, they will survive as you have found out, but by growing them this way you aren’t meeting all of the true cultural requirements of an epiphytic plant as they can’t attach to anything and they aren’t getting sufficient nutrition (Unless you are fertilising them). If you don’t have a tree on which to attach them, you can successfully grow them in a pot like thousands of other growers do, because these plants are very adaptable. When they grow on a tree, the roots primarily are just used as an anchor and the majority of moisture and nourishment is absorbed through the leaves. When they are grown in pots, their roots then play a more important primary role of taking up extra moisture and nourishment even though the foliage will still absorb some. All that’s required is a pot of a suitable size to accommodate the plant and a good quality “open and free draining” potting mix similar to the coarse bark based mixes used in which to grow orchids. Just water occasionally e.g. once a week in summer and each two weeks in winter with occasional early morning or late afternoon light spraying in between if the weather is hot. You can also (although it's not necessary) occasionally provide a half strength fertiliser applied monthly over the foliage as well as watered into the potting mix. Locate the plants out of the wind in a well-lit position (but not full sun) and you will find they should happily start growing and producing pups. Any comments I make are based on how I grow my plants here in our temperate region of Australia. You may need to make adjustments to suit your own growing conditions. However, basically if you try and copy how these plants grow in nature you should get good results. All the best, Nev.

pitter_col - Sorry I still can't help you personally, but can I have your permission to post these pic's on another site I use as it's very possible I'll find an ID there. All the best, Nev

Hi guys I am afraid I was a little bit naughty. As I got no replies, I reposted on Name that Plant forum. B. humilis was suggested. Too cold and wet. iochroma, suggested Fascicularia bicolor . This, I think, a very good candidate for it. It turns out that is is known to grow in old gardens in the area and is more than capable of coping with the conditions. We are currently in winter and down here that means rain and strong winds off the Atlantic. Once spring comes a visiting again, I intend to pay another visit., Hopefully it will have lots more bracts. Thanks for your inputs, guys. Fof