Since the first x Neophytum ('Lymanii') was bred in 1957 by Mulford Foster, only 20 other cultivare in this bigeneric genus have been recorded to date in the BCR. (http://registry. bsi.org/). Most show the strong influence of Orthophytum navioides used in about half the crosses, resulting in flattish, narrow-leaved, open star-like rosettes flushed red centrally and with a recessed pincushion-shaped inflorescence.

In 2001 Hawaiian breeder Lisa Vinzant of Olomana Tropicals nursery in Waimanalo, Oahu made this cross, recently registered as x Neophytum 'Supernova' (name originally suggested by Chanin Thorut).

Seed parent: Neoregelia ('Lambert's Pride x 'Painted Lady') x (macwilliamsii x 'Painted Lady').

Pollen parent: Orthophytum navioides

A resultant small seed batch was sown and seedlings grew slowly. Fairly early on, only one seedling showed real promise so the rest of the siblings were culled. Over the next 4 years through juvenile and near-mature stages, this lone specimen...