For some years now, we in Adelaide have been growing a plant with the label (schwackeana x ensiformis) which had come to us from Queensland, presumably the Brisbane area. Recently it flowered and Olive Trevor was unable to give us any clues as to its origin. You see, I was ready to call the plant 'Vista Charm' and contacted John Arden as to his thoughts. He agreed on the differences where the influence of V. schwackeana is more evident in my plant and he could not relate it to his 'Vista Charm'. So I was in a dilemma because the 'new' plant needed a name if only to separate it from John Arden's 'Vista Charm'. I then had a brainstorm. Why not call it 'Derek's Dilemma'?
This may not have relevance but in 1984 'Manuscript of Bromeliad Hybrids and Cultivars by Brian Smith and in 1991 "Preliminary Listing of all known Cultivar and Grex names for the Bromeliaceae" there is a reference to this same parentage in a Deleon Catalogue #3 of unknown date. Clearly, whoever was responsible did not take any action. I wonder if our plant can be traced to this ancient hybrid.
The name perhaps sums up the feelings that some of us have in trying to catch up on the laziness of others. Lynn confirmed she was growing 'Derek's Dilemma' too so it must be fairly widespread around Queensland. If you have the plant please use the Cultivar name to save others in the future confusing it with 'Vista Charm'.
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