Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
AECHMEA 'Foster's Freckles'
Plant Common Name
Aechmea , Foster's Freckles Aechmea, Foster's Freckles Bromeliad
General Description
Resulting from a cross of the bromeliads Aechmea fendleri and A. orlandiana, 'Foster's Freckles' is a tender tropical perennial grown primarily for its lush speckled foliage. It forms a tall rosette of leathery, upright, broadly lance-shaped leaves with burgundy-brown spots. The light green leaves are edged with small sharp spines. The rosette may send forth a tall thick flower stem topped by a large spike-like cluster of small white blooms with showy scarlet bracts. The main rosette dies after flowering, to be replaced by offsets (pups) that form at its base.
This versatile plant requires bright light or dappled sun and a moist, well-drained, humus-rich growing medium (not heavy soil). Keep the central cup filled with water and mist the leaves regularly, especially in the heat and strong sunlight of summer. It makes an interesting conservatory or house plant, situated where its spines can cause no harm. In frost free climates it grows well outdoors attached to a tree, set in a wire basket or container, or planted in moist but fast-draining soil. Keep copper wire or containers (and any sprays with copper in them) away from bromeliads, as copper is toxic to them.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Epiphyte
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Light Green, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
SpottedMottled
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
