This Brazilian epiphytal bromeliad (from the Greek for “hidden flower”) is a lovely plant for a low table. It prefers subdued light which will intensify the brown and cream barred leaves, suggesting the markings on a pheasant’s feathers; and it grows only a few inches high, the crinkly edged leaves spreading horizontally.

In March, I found a cluster of tiny, upright green points in the center of my plant. They opened quickly into small triangular white flowers on short, erect stems, and for six weeks, two flowers opened every few days. In the Summer, I made the mistake of setting the plant where it received some sun, and the leaves faded to a dingy brown. No real harm was done to the plant, for in the Fall three vigorous rosettes of new leaves came from the center of the plant, a beautiful seal-brown in color, barred with wavy white lines, the under side soft grey.

The leaves are five to seven inches long and nearly two inches wide, tapering to a sharp point. The edges are sharply serrate. A light soil, rich in leaf mold, suits it well. It enjoys frequent syringing and moist air, but not wet, heavy soil.

Bromeliads can be grown very well in many different materials. River gravel, perlite, coarse granite, treefern fiber, fir bark, coconut fiber, cork bark, German peat, sand, coarse leafmold or mixtures. In fact, mixtures are preferable.

The following requirements are all necessary for success, so your mixture should have:

• Enough substance to hold the plant erect
• Good aeration
• Good drainage
• Some moisture holding capacity (never a great amount and never soggy)
• Ability to hold some fertility (does not leach rapidly)

A sample mixture could be as follows:

• 2 parts treefern fiber
• 1 part coarse granite or perlite
• 1 part Peat Moss
• Pot size can be quite small, but large enough to hold the plant upright!

A curved piece of broken pot inverted over the drainage hole (in clay pots) and covered to a depth of one third of the pot with broken crock or gravel, is good insurance that the drainage will never become clogged.

The leaf bases should not be set any deeper than the surface of the medium.

If the plant has little or no roots and will not stand up satisfactorily in the pot, it should be temporarily staked or tied.

NEVER USE GALVANIZED OR COPPER WIRE!

Bamboo or wooden splints are fine and they may be removed as soon as the plant is well rooted.

Never add strong fertilizer to the potting mixture. It will only rot the potting medium; it can also cause the roots and the base of the plant to rot.

The potting of Bromeliads which are epiphytic differs somewhat from that of ordinary plants as they have developed specialized root systems suited to their aerial habitats… this must be taken into consideration when selecting a potting media suitable for them.

As Bromeliad roots in nature function primarily as “hold-fasts” to their host tree, they have been thought for years not to need any nutrition at their roots… however they do respond to feeding to a certain extent.

Because their roots are exposed to the air in their natural state, they must have perfect aeration to do their best in cultivation. Certain species have a tendency to produce few roots, and usually in these the root systems are produced only during the early period of the plant’s life and hardly any after the plant reaches its mature size.

It is understandable, therefore, that the potting material used for this type should be of a durable nature. For the dry-growing bromeliads such as many Tillandsias, it is necessary to keep the bases of the leaves high. The potting media must be exceptionally well drained. This need for aeration makes this type most suitable for mounting on plaques where their roots are exposed.

For the Vrieseas, Guzmanias and moist growing Tillandsias, osmunda ( fern root fiber) seems to be the most satisfactory (most commercial Bromeliads are grown in a very well draining potting soil), as this holds a uniform moisture, gives adequate aeration, provides some food value and in addition, because of its firmness, is very convenient to hold the base of a new rootless offset steady until it forms its own root system.

However, most Bromeliads can be grown very well in many different materials. River gravel, perlite, coarse granite, treefern fiber, fir bark, coconut fiber, cork bark, peat, sand, coarse leafmold or mixtures. In fact, mixtures are preferable.

Bromeliads are some of the longest lasting house plants to provide color… months of color. But it’s possible to "squeeze" more flower time from them.

Little Background on How Bromeliads are Produced Commercially

Most bromeliads grow for months… but usually years from tissue culture or seeds, before going to market. Most of the plants found in the garden center are not full grown but about 3/4 size.

If the plants could reach full size, "monsters" of 28-36 sizes across could be decorating our homes, which would take up more space than the current coffee table!

To start the blooming process growers "treat" or "gas" their plants, forcing them to flower.

Depending on the time of year, light and other circumstances the bromeliad will begin to "bloom" in about 6-12 weeks.

Growers ship plants in different stages; some stages depend on the variety of plant grown.

• Breaking water
• Bud in cup
• Flower above cup
• Medium Color
• Full color

The Secret… to having Bromeliads last longer is just like cut flowers.

Here’s what to look for when buying Bromeliads or House Plants in general:

• Newly arrived plants
• Flower spikes just coming out of the cup
• Medium blush NOT full color
• Clean undamaged foliage
• Plants not dried out (soil or cup)

The two biggest shipping days in Florida nurseries are Monday and Thursday. Ask your local garden center when they receive new shipments from Florida. Plan your visit and purchase as new plants arrive.

By following a few simple "rules" you’ll enjoy more color from your bromeliad, possibly by an additional 2 to 4 weeks!

It may appear to be a trite statement to say that Bromeliads are living organisms that react to the conditions of their environment as do other living plants and animals.

They grow more slowly, so their reactions are considerably slower than most other plants. Strange as it may seem to most, there are those people, and a good number of them, who prefer to close their eyes when it comes to giving living plants the proper conditions that are necessary to maintain them in good health.

Ask yourself this question, silly as it may sound.

Would placing your child on a mantel to stay until he gathered dust be a satisfactory method of raising him, or do you get a feeling of satisfaction and even of elation out of seeing your daily efforts help round out his life and character so that he matures to be the kind of an individual you had planned him to be?

The same kind of thinking applies to growing plants with one very decided difference. That is that the plant requires only a small fraction of the time and effort that a child needs. But daily observation and a little know how really pays off.

One reason for starting addressing this in a strong manner is that Bromeliads seem to stand up well with no attention and do not wilt to show that they need care right now, thereby tempting you into a complacent attitude with means Neglect.

One of the things that make Bromeliads so popular for indoor color is the many different varieties available along with the many different looks. This image is of two different hybrids of Neoregelia . It’s easy to see how open one plant is and the other much more compact.

This is one reason you should find out the names of the plants you purchase. Just because it is a Bromeliad does not mean it will always have the same look or space requirements.

Vriesia has been grown for many years as a house plant, new varieties come and go. This image is a cart full of Vriesia Splenreit straight from the greenhouse. The plants will be cleaned and packed into boxes to be shipped to garden centers around the country.

For long lasting color for months in you home the Vriesia is a great choice.

The holidays are not too far away!. Soon everyone will be venturing into the attic or  bringing their decorations  up from the basement.

Here’s a unique use of Bromeliads to add color and interest to a Christmas tree. Now this may not be for everyone but don’t forget Bromeliads during the holidays. They provide long term color and make for long lasting gifts. Yes they are colorful but these houseplants and landscape plants can help you make this holiday season a "green" one! Plus they use no electricity!

Growers continue to make improvements of old time plants. Those plants which have stood the test of time and people like becuase for their color, easy care, novelty or whatever hits them. The Neoregelia ‘Tricolor’ is one such plants. It has been grown for decades with new improved cultivars adding to the mix.

Here’s another which will be making its way on to the Bromeliad scene in 2008. Neoregelia ‘Cookie’ is a new introduction in production but will not be available until sometime in 2008.  The picture does not do it justice. It will, without question add color to any home.

How about you? Whats your favorite Bromeliad?

After a Bromeliad flowers the plant will never flower again. However, the bromeliad puts out what many refer to as pups or offshoots. Some stay close to the plant and others like Neoregelia McWilliamsii send out more of a runner.