A pair of photos of a blooming purple Neoregelia bromeliad from Loja, which won "Best in Show, Native Bromeliad" at the 2009 International Orchid and Epiphyte Show here in Quito. I love the colour of this one!
I believe I have it here getting full sun through most of the day, it pupped last year and the pups are pupping this year :} I guess the sun contributes to the extra colouring on mine? I have been amazed at the amount of direct sun Neo bromeliads can take here. Can't say mine's won any awards on it's own though. This is of it's first flowering... it's cool how the flowers look like tiny birds beaks awaiting food.... sort of.
Yup, the sunshine is what does it for deeper colours on any bromeliad. The ones raised for competition are kept carefully in part shade, the way they'd be found in nature. Full-sun colouration actually disqualifies show broms.
Shame that they are being held back from their full potential, like having a croton indoors. I love foliage colour and I think my yard shows it.
