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Neoregelia ‘Raphael’

COMMON NAMES

Raphael Neoregelia

Neoregelia (nee-oh-re-GEL-ee-uh) – for Edward von Regel (1815-1892), German botanist

‘Raphael’ – cultivar name; parentage – (Neoregelia carolinae lineata x Neoregelia concentrica) x Neoregelia ‘Perfecta’; USPlant Patent #10719

GROUP 

Monocot

FAMILY 

Bromeliaceae

ORIGIN

Chester Skotak, Costa Rica

DESCRIPTION

Raphael Neoregelia is an herbaceous perennial that averages 12 to 14 inches in height and 18 to 20 inches in width with upright growth, arching leaves and funnel-shaped rosettes. It often has many offsets at the base. It has a slow to moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, strap-shaped, leathery, simple, glossy, an average of 10 to 12 inches long and 1 ½ to 2 inches wide, basal rosette in arrangement, and stemless. Outer leaves are medium and dark green in color with occasional tinges of pink and have creamy to white margins. Inner leaves around the central cup are a dark pink to reddish purple (more so as it blooms) and green with creamy to white margins progressing in age to more green with reddish tinges. Coloring can be more intense with higher light levels. The entire margins have small, sharp spines along the edges and it has parallel veins. It has a central tube-shaped cup.

Flowers are small, violet and white, and form deep in the rosette.

Fruit are ellipsoid, white, and about ½ inch long.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12.

LIGHT

Part shade – brighter light brings more vibrant colors; bright filtered light indoors

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes. This is a general recommendation. Some Neoregelia are more salt tolerant, but there is little documentation of ‘Raphael’ tolerance to salt.

SOIL

It will grow on most any well-drained soil or epiphyte mix that is moist and organic in nature.

WATERING

It prefers consistently moist soil. It likes to have water in the vase rosette, especially in the summer.

PROPAGATION

Separation of offsets at the base of the plant; tissue culture

PRUNING

Basically just removal of dead leaves to keep it tidy

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work. In general, Bromeliads are not heavy feeders.

PESTS

Mealybugs; Mexican Bromeliad Weevil; Boisduval Scale, Slugs

DISEASES

Bacterial Leaf Blight, Root Rots on overly wet soils

DEER

Seldom bothered

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Containers, interiorscapes, shade gardens, epiphytic sites, mass planting, specimen plant, tropical effect

TOXICITY

A search of ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this specific plant on any of their lists.

California Poison Control lists Neoregelia spp. as non-toxic.

University of California lists Neoregelia spp. as safe.

ASPCA lists Neoregelia spp. as non-toxic to dogs and cats.