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I don't understand why I don't have a much older webpage than this one for Aechmea 'Fosters Favourite', I have been growing it since 1981.
It does well in the greenhouse here if it gets good light. It gets a bit ragged after a hard winter but recovers well. I have seen it planted outside in the most favoured gardens locally
but I haven't seen it prospering. Graf says: "'Foster's Favourite' (victoriana x racinae), upright rosette with striking lacquered wine-red leaves; pendant spike of coral red pear-shaped berries tipped with midnight-blue flowers." The Bromeliad Society International register says: "Foster, M.B. 1946 (Other cvs. = 'Black Jack', 'Red Ribbon', 'Candy Stripe' & 'Foster's Favorite Favorite') - Padilla said, "Upright rosette of shiny deep red-black leaves w/pendent spike having coral petals tipped w/blue" - First bromeliad to be patented; #898, 11/15/49. Seed Parent: racinae Pollen Parent: victoriana v. discolor" The Plant Patent (PP00898) says: "AECHMEA PLANT, Mulford B. Foster, Orlando, Fla., Application September 17, 1948. My present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hybrid Aechmea plant. It was originated by me through the process of cross pollination of two new species of Aechmeas discovered by me in the jungles of Brazil. One of these parent plants is now known botanically as Aechmea racinae and the other as Aechmea victoriana, both named and published subsequent to my discovery of them. I have reproduced asexually in my greenhouses in Orlando, Florida, considerable quantities of this new hybrid and its characteristics are definitely fixed. My new variety is distinctly and outstandingly different from any Aechmea known or described, especially with respect to its leaf coloring and the formation of its inflorescence. It differs from both its parents in color and leaf shape as well as in its inflorescence. Aechmea racinae has light green leaves both on upper and under surface; the flowers consist of yellow and black petals with orange-red ovary and sepals. The inflorescence is pendent. Aechmea victoriana, the other parent, has bicolor leaves with fern green above and bronze red on the under side of leaf. The inflorescence is semi-pendent; the flower petals are dark purple with a white edge while the ovary and sepals are of a dark red color. This new hybrid Aechmea more nearly resembles in form and color one of its parents, the Aechmea Victoriana. However, it is much more vigorous in growth and larger in size, and the most outstandingly distinguishing character is the rich coloring of the leaves. " |
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| 14th October 2014 | ||
