"Uncle Derek Says"

Aechmea 'Electra' / 'Electrica'

" Aechmea 'Electra' or is it Aechmea 'Electrica', see Bromeliad Cultivar Registry page 12. Odd things happen to Aechmeas if they have those reddish-brown striations on their leaves. Certainly, 'Kiwi' has odd flowers for a standard Aechmea fasciata with its much paler bracts and white petals with blue edges. But at least it is normal looking. The reddish-brown striated version of Aechmea 'Electrica' is very unstable as shown in photograph 1. Even when an almost normal offset is grown on, the inflorescence is likely to be odd. See photograph 2 where the centre spike does not come to a point. There is always the chance of a true monstrose form with photograph 3 showing real promise. If we could really stabilise this phenomenon then we could truly call it by our favoured name 'Compost'. If anyone knows how this variegated form came about please let us know. Secondly, if you have experienced similar happenings to Aechmea please give us details. We understand this variegated plant is circulating under the unofficial name of Aechmea 'Electra Rosea Lineata'. We cannot do much about anglicising Hummel's original name of 'Electrica' so this Sport will be listed in the BCR as 'Electrica Red Line'."

Aechmea 'Electrica' photograph 1

Aechmea 'Electrica' photograph 2

Aechmea 'Electrica' photograph 3

Aechmea 'Electra'

Aechmea 'Electra'

Aechmea 'Electrica Red Line'

Photo Credits:
Aechmea 'Electrica' 1, 2, and 3 - Jarka Rehak
Aechmea 'Electra' - Derek Butcher
Aechmea
'Electrica Red Line' - Geoff Lawn