Neoregelia ‘Van Durme Pink’ Mounted on Grapewood - Hanging or Sitting

Some bromeliads have a genealogy worth telling. This one does.
 
Neoregelia 'Van Durme' traces its origin to Belgium, where it was selected from the collection of a grower named Van Durme as a sport of 'Perfecta Tricolor'. It was later propagated extensively by Paul DeCoster, and over time divisions were distributed to several growers and released under different names: plants sent to F. Gruber in Colombia were released in the United States as both 'Van Durme' and 'Gloria'; material distributed to DeLeon in Florida was introduced as 'Inferno'; and plants acquired by Rainforest Flora were released as 'Van Durme'. Despite the different trade names, all of these plants share the same origin and are closely related.
 
The pink variant. This is the pink-selected form. It forms a flat to slightly funnel-shaped rosette with firm, broad, lanceolate leaves. The base color runs green to yellowish, but the plant is defined by strong reddish to pink markings—stripes, or patches across the foliage, with a green-to-cream margin visible on mature leaves. At flowering, the center turns a vivid pink to red, and the color display is notably long-lasting—which is precisely why 'Van Durme' has been commercially grown for decades. The flowers themselves are small and violet, tucked among the inner leaves.
 
Why mount it. Neoregelias are epiphytic, and mounting is how they grow in the wild. On a piece of natural grapewood, the rosette sits at eye level, the foliage arches freely, and the whole piece reads as a sculptural object rather than a plant in a pot. The soil-and-moss base at the point of attachment gives the roots something to grip and a moisture reservoir to draw from.
 
Two displays, one price:
• Hanging (12") — A compact vertical piece, strung and ready to suspend. Shows the rosette at eye level and lets the leaves arch outward.
• Sitting (10") — A shorter piece with a stable base, resting on a shelf, mantle, desk, or plant stand. More compact, easier to place.

Care Instructions:

Bright, filtered light. Aim for the kind of bright to semi-shaded position that suits Neoregelias—a bright windowsill indoors, or dappled shade outdoors. Too much direct sun can damage the leaves.
 
Watering the plant: Keep the central "cup" filled with fresh water. Refresh it weekly to prevent stagnation and mosquito breeding.
 
Watering the mount: The soil-and-moss base should stay moist but never soggy. This is the main difference from a potted Neoregelia—there is no drainage hole, so you are managing moisture by hand. Water the base lightly and let it dry somewhat between waterings. If the moss stays wet for days, you are overdoing it.