Hi B_A,

That Neo takemura X looks like a beauty. From the pic, I'd guess at that white stuff being dried algae. I've had the same thing happen a couple of times with plants that received the same splosh of 1/2 strength liquid fertiliser as the rest but didn't get as much of a flush from the watering system. Plants were perfectly healthy and the white dried algae could be rolled off with a finger fairly easily after wetting it.

Not sure about the AG and the Guz, but re the Neo with the pale ring just out of the cup, I've had exactly the same thing happen with a couple of Neos and foliage Vrieseas, and in each case the band has been where the leaves were level with the surface of the water in the cup on a very hot day. In one case, a V. fosteriana x platynema variegata hybrid with normally evenly-spread patterning, the plant ended up with a series of rings that you could use as a calendar of hot days.

That being said, I'm not sure if the band is necessarily the result of high temperature. It could equally be the result an extreme difference in temperature across a narrow band of leaf. I am guessing at this, but conceivably you could get this from chilling at the water surface due to evaporation on a hot day in summer, or chilling at the water surface due to cold air on a cold night in winter, or ..... ??????

Hope this helps. It'll be really interesting to see what others have to say. Cheers, Paul

Hi again BA. the green banding in Neo.s is a result of temperature fluctuations,in some like 'bob and grace' and 'avalon x concentrica' it develops best in autumn ,in middle of summer it can dissapear completely.the white stuff is indeed dried algea and does no harm,the quilling can happen to all Broms, if it was a problem with the plant then your pup would do it to. lack of humidity often gets the blame and can do it ,specially with Guzmania's , but i have seen it in very wet conditions as well,mind you some individual plants are notorious for doing it.but your plant is not truly quilled,it looks like it wanted to flower and then decided not to and sort of grow some leaves.so dont worry about any of your plants, the guzzie? can't help you, Bye bye .Jack

Thanks you guys. I'd like to remove the dried algae if possible, as the plant has the best colour, and it's kind of marred with the scurfy stuff. Any ideas on the best method. Meanwhile, I will try rolling it when wet, thanks Paul.
I'm glad the rings in the Neo aren't anything to worry about. I quite liked the effect, but just thought it strange as I've had the plant a couple of years now and it hasn't changed colour for quite some time, so Figured it was at its peak. I was also told that its very rare to get a pup from, and as it hasn't flowered, this could be why.
Hopefully someone out there will recognise my Guzzy. Its probably some hybrid grown for the wholesale market. The original purchase had one old mother and 15 pups! They were all quite small, but after splitting and repotting them, they have turned out to be a very large plant!
Anyway, as always thanks for your responses.
BA

Hi BA,

Probably the best solution with the algae would be if the plant was flushed out a bit more when it is watered, so the nutrients in the water held by the plant don't accumulate to a level where the algae go ballistic.

Now, why don't I take my own advice? By the way, if you ever feel that Neo would like to relocate southwards, I would be very happy to consider helping out.

Cheers, Paul

Maybe if it went south it would get more rings, is that what you're saying? he he.

BA,

Vinegar or diluted Metholated Spirits on cotton wool should wipe off your dried algae then wash off with water, I have used metho to remove scale off Neos then washed clean with water - it didn't seem to harm my neos.

Rick

That settles it then, I shall set to with a toothbrush, and maybe some metho, and gently scrub the crud off my babies.
Nev, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you're a funny man! he he I think I'll keep 'em here and nurse them myself. No one cares for my babies as much as me!
Rick, thanks for your advice too. I was wondering if a diluted solution of tea tree antiseptic (especially for plants) might work? What actually kills algae?
I had actually washed that particular plant out a couple of times previously, as it looked to have quite a bit of bird poo in it. Where I got it from, was overhung with Jade vine, and lots of little humming birds buzzing about.
Anyway, it has continued to grow algae, so really, I need to try and inhibit that eh?
Anyhoo, I'm very appreciative of the suggestions so far.
Wish I knew that Guzmania though........
BA

Hi B.A. just settle to it for some reason some plants just seem to grow it more than others ,one of my Vr.Aussie Beauties' just would not stop doing it and the others hardly did, go figure,its just one of those things, Jack

Thanks Jack. I've noticed that my Neos that haven't flowered yet in two years, are the ones that get it. I guess they just sit around too long, holding water. They're in good light too, so that encourages algae. I Checked in on them this morning, and such a heavy dew, they all looked lovely when wet!
I noticed I have a lot of that ripply leaf effect on alot of different plants. I read in another thread, that it was climate/temperature related, but I quite like the texture.
Happy growing
BA