Bromeliads in general are one of the easiest house plants to care for. However, most of the disease problems come from the result of "less than ideal" growing conditions.
Low temperatures (in the 40's) and over watering as is the case of most house plants can cause the crown to root. The leaves may be tough but mechanical injury can also lead to disease problems or just an overall "unhealthy" look.
Bromeliads can handle a wide range of light exposure and intensities… everything from low light to full sun depending on the variety.
Your bromeliads will look much better when they receive the proper light levels. The “perfect” light level varies depending on the Bromeliad variety.
For example, Tillandsias and Aechmeas often carry a hard, thick gray-green coloring with “silver” or “fuzzy” hair-like scales on the outside. These varieties can withstand higher light levels than varieties like Guzmania with soft green leaves.
In your home, a window with a southern, eastern or western exposure should provide satisfactory light for a Bromeliad, but “watch out”… most varieties used as house plants must not be exposed to the direct sunrays.
Your Bromeliad will “talk” to you about the current state of the light it receives… if the plant leaves carry a yellowish or pale green look, the light level is most likely too high. On the flip side a darker than normal green with elongated or open leaves may mean the light level is too low.
Much of the light needs depend on variety. Thick, hard leaves will handle much more light than soft dark green varieties.
This past week I was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a weekend seminar. Whenever I visit places checking out the use of plants always ranks up high on the list… both indoors (house plants) and outdoor landscape.
Down a few of the hotel hallways you would find various places to sit and have more private conversations with other seminar attendees. Decorating these areas were both live and artifical plants and flowers.
There were several Bromeliad arrangements displayed on "hall tables" with some type of artwork above the flower arrangements. Getting feedback from a friend who traveled in from Canada proved to be interesting.
Immediately she saw the Bromeliads and remarked how nice it was to see "fresh flowers" after traveling from the cold, freezing north! She was very surprised when I showed her the Bromeliads in the picture were actually artifical. The quality is amazing. I ALWAYS prefer live plants over artifical but do understand their need and use.
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.
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:
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!
Watering is probably one of the top questions I receive on house plant care… and bromeliads are no different. Hopefully this information will provide some help in watering your bromeliads.
In their natural surroundings, bromeliads grow under many different conditions. My general rule on watering most houseplants is as follows. Water well, allow excess water to drain, allow to dry out before watering again.
Filling up the Bromeliad!
Most bromeliads you find in the stores today come with their own water tank, or”tank type" bromeliads. The reason for this name is because of the “cup” or “vase” formed as the rosette of leaves come together.
The plant holds water in this “tank.” Plants with cups should be filled, and not allowed to remain empty… however; inside they can run a little drier.
Tank Maintenance
Water should never “sit” for very long or it becomes stagnate and smelly! I like to flush the bromeliad tank out periodically with plenty of fresh water.
There are a couple reasons for this:
One problem with bromeliads outside is when the temps fall into the 30’s and water sits in cups… you may notice some damage from possible freezing water.
Some people (with plants indoors) mist their plant a couple time’s e a week in addition to watering because of the low humidity inside… however I don’t.
Water Quality
The quality of the water is important in my opinion with any house plant care. Tap water usually is fine for watering the pots and soil area. But for better results I prefer using rain, distilled or reverse-osmosis water for the tanks or cups. If you use city water, flush the plant and tank periodically to reduce chances of salt damage.
I know Bromeliads are considered tough and carefree as an indoor house plant, plus they provide long-term indoor color for months at a time. Most of the problems encountered with bromeliads grown inside are usually associated over watering causing rot. By following these watering guidelines:
Water well, allow excess water to drain, allow to dry out before watering again.
… you should be well on your way to having a healthy bromeliad to enjoy for months and months.
Can you remember back when you were in elementary school or junior high and did some kind of science experiment? I can!
At times I wonder what planet I came from when I come up with a statement like… "Growers should offer some bromeliad plants without flowers!" Often I listen to growers talk about "how" they can increase awareness of the plants they work so hard to produce. Their solution usually comes down to coming up with a new variety or planting in a different pot or finding new customer… something "extreme" like that.
Bromeliads are known for delivering great color both as house plants or in the landscape. In case you are not aware, probably about 99.9% of all the bromeliad varieties sold in the chains like "Home Depot", "Lowe's" and "Walmart" find themselves "forced" into flower. Once the plants reach a size the plants then "get gased" which forces them into flower about 6-12 weeks later depending on the time of year, light, heat and other factors.
So where am I going with all this?
A great way to "grow" some consumers is by bringing together the growers and big box retailers. How you say? I'd love to see one of those retailers … or all of them… use bromeliads as a way to teach some science and get kids interested in house plants. They can do this "creating" a bromeliad science experiment.
You may want to try this for yourself, if you have a nice size but old "unflowered" bromeliad around.
You can be the "grower" and force the plant to flower! It's not that hard to do!
Simply take a mature bromeliad (Aechmeas and Guzmanias are great for this) put the whole plant, pot and all, into a large plastic bag. Now toss in a ripe apple and set the "bagged" plant in a low-light place and out of any direct light. Leave the plant in the bag for few days, and then pull out the apple and plant. This should force the plant to "flower". Put the plant back into it's usual growing area.
Remember to give it some time… 6-12 weeks minimum to see some bloom happenings.
Although this science experiment is simple to do, the problem lies in students, in fact most people do not have any option to pick up an unflowered bromeliad to do the experiment.
My hope is that somewhere along the line one of these retailers will take the idea and run with it.
When we think of intense color often our mind darts off to a great paint job on a Harley, something with maybe flames or a high gloss gas tank.
Bromeliads have their version of a Harley also.
Bromeliad flowers may indeed add many more colors to the crayon box and you might stop for a brief moment and utter a wow under your breath. But when one group of Bromeliads - Neoregelia - wants to show their colors even the "business professional" and weekend Harley rider would need to put on an extra pair of sunglasses.
Mention the word "bromeliad" and you may pick up some quick stares - "bra… what"? Many people know what a bromeliad is… just not by that name.
The most popular of all Bromeliads would probably be the pineapple! The commercial edible bromeliad botanically known as Ananas comosus. I've visited the pineapple fields in hawaii and tasted the fruits… it can only be described as "candy."
However, the pineapple also has a few other relatives in the family. These other siblings dress in green, pink striped and cream leaves. When mature most Ananas boast a rosette of leaves 2 feet or more across.
Although the pineapple (Ananas comosus) may give us food for the table a smaller more "dwarf" pineapple - Ananus nanus - is more commonly grown as a house plant. Arching 12 to 15-inch grayish-green leaves surround a spike of red buds often resembling a pincushion. This miniture even gives a nice 2-inch high, edible pineapple. Ananus nanus is grown more as a novelty plant. If you want to start a conversation in the office or out on the pation with a cup of coffee… try a pineapple!
Throughout the day most of use words and terms which we assume people will know what we mean. If example, mention the word "cargo" and we think of containers on a ship.
Bromeliads have their own sort of a "mystery word." That word is - flower! Mention Bromeliad flower and most people immediately think the colorful spike is actually the flower… but it is not.
That big showy "flower" is a what is known as the inflorescence. What is an infloresence according to wikipedia - An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers on a branch of a plant. In botany, the term refers to the way individual flowers are arranged on the plant, which arise on the same stem.
Bromeliad flowers in reality are small and at times very plain, but when combined in a group they produce colorful masterpieces of natural art which can last for months.
One thing I love about the whole Bromeliad family is the wide variety of shapes colors and potential uses. They cross the boundaries of "political correctness" and economic status. They can dress up a trendy art deco South Beach condo as well as brighten up an apartment in Cleveland.
Most of the species grown as house plants or office plants show off primarily colorful foliage or bright "flowers" livening up any indoor space. The "Broms" at times seem to carry as many variations in foliage as you'll find in flowers. However, many of those colors "hiding" in the foliage need good lighting to show their stuff… often this means used in outdoor landscapes.
What kind of foliage and color variations am I talking about?
Everything from leaves of green to gray, maroon, deep purple (not the rock group), hot pinks and yellows with many colors in between. You'll find foliage spotted, striped, banded to one a treat for the ladies with "painted fingernails."
Yes a diverse group of plants they are… one that with a little opening of the eye can be used in many situations… even Rockefeller Center in the Summer!
