Bromeliads are n’t unmanageable to care for , but it ’s quite dissimilar from other types of plants . Once you understand what they take , you ’ll easy be able to keep yours thriving .
In this post I ’ll show you everything you take to know to be successful . From watering and humidity , to soil , light , flowering , pruning , fertilizing , pest ascendence , and much more , you ’ll chance it all right here .
Table of Contents
Bromeliad plant growing on a tree in nature.
Information About Bromeliads
Likeorchidsandstaghorn fern , most types of bromeliads are epiphyte . That means they grow on tree , rocks or other flora in nature , and they get most of their water and nutrients from the atmosphere rather than the land .
Some can be difficult to grow as houseplants , because they like humidness and can dry out out too promptly in the modal home ( especially during the dry winter months ) .
They are slow growing plants , and most of them will only bloom once in their life because they die after blossom .
Sad I know , but they usually have tons of babies before they die , so you ’ll get even more plants out of the deal ( but more on that later ) .
Flowers
Many people guess that the orotund colorful growth that makes bromeliads so democratic is the flower , which is a unwashed misconception . That is actually the bract , and not the flower .
The flush farm out of the colorful bracts . Some are large spikes , and others are tiny and insignificant . Learn all aboutbromeliad flowers here , include when , how often , and how long they bloom .
Where To Grow Bromeliads
If you ’re prosperous enough to live in a tropical climate where it never get below freezing , then you may grow bromeliads outside in your garden .
Otherwise they make wonderfulflowering houseplants , and are alsopet friendly plantsthat are safe to grow if you have qat or dogs . Woohoo !
Bromeliad Plant Care Guide
If you ’re fresh to growing these tropical beauties , you ’ll find that bromeliad care is much dissimilar than any other plant you probably have .
Since they absorb nutrients and weewee through their leaves , you ’ll postulate to take extra forethought in watering , alimentation , and potting them .
Proper Watering
One matter that ’s different about bromeliad plant care is that you do n’t irrigate them via the soil . Instead you should keep their center of attention cup fill up , and the growing medium on the dry side .
Indoors , plunge out the central vase and refresh it every week or so to keep it from move stagnant . Outdoors , you could flush it regularly to keep it clean , if necessary .
Also , be heedful about the type you apply , because they are very sensitive to the chemicals in unconstipated hydrant water . Rainwater , distilled , or filter are the best . Learn more about precisely how to water bromeliads herefor the best success .
Humidity Requirements
Bromeliads like humid air , so they do well in tropical climates . If you live in an arid region , then you should put misters around them .
Indoors you should mist your plant on a even basis if your home is dry . Or try putting it in a room that ’s naturally more humid , like a bathroom or in the kitchen close-fitting to the sinkhole .
You could also run ahumidifierduring the wintertime to aid keep the humidness degree uniform in the elbow room . Anindoor humidity monitoris handy to help you give your works the perfect amount .
Light
When it come to sunshine , bromeliads are n’t super fussy , and they make greatlow light indoor plants . But verbatim sunshine can burn the leaves , and they ’ll grow leggy if it ’s too dark .
For best termination , put yours in a smirch that make average to bright , collateral visible radiation . Asmall grow lighthelps a gross ton indoors if you do n’t have any sunny window .
Soil
Technically speaking , bromeliads do n’t need soil at all . They do n’t get their moisture and nutrients from the territory , they use their source to attach themselves onto trees , plants , or rocks in the wild .
you may mount yours on a log , Sir Henry Joseph Wood , or a circuit card , or plant it in a container . If you prefer to grow yours in a pot , you’re able to buya soil mixthat ’s specifically made for them , or use anorchid medium .
Otherwise , you may make your own soilless medium my mixingsphagnum moss , bark , perliteand / or other uncouth constituent materials .
Fertilizer
Bromeliads are n’t punishing confluent , so you do n’t need to fertilize the regularly . But , like any plant , they will benefit from the added nutrients – just verify to feed them sparingly .
Also , it ’s important that you always employ a natural , organic stigma . They are very tender to synthetic chemical , which can easily cauterize them .
If you ’d care to give yours a boost , habituate a one-half strengthliquid fertilizerorcompost teaduring the spring and summertime calendar month .
Pest Control Tips
While they do n’t normally have much trouble with hemipterous insect , sometimeshouseplant scaleormealybugscan become a trouble . So keep an eye out for these pests during your regular bromeliad care routine .
If you find any , do n’t habituate chemical substance pesticides . I recommendneem oil , which is a instinctive insecticide , or anorganic insecticidal soapto handle them . Always test any product on a leaf before spraying the whole plant .
Pruning
For the most part , you do n’t need to vex about pruning your bromeliad works . you could trim off dead or die leaves at any time .
geld off the flower bract after it dies back , but keep the plant life develop as long as you’re able to . Once it dies back completely , you may lop it out .
Tips For Propagating Bromeliad Plants
Like I mention above , most bromeliads will eventually fleet and give out after they ’re done efflorescence . This is a sorry fact of life .
But the beneficial word is that they usually have lots of babies before they die . As they come to the conclusion of their life , tiny pups will maturate around the radical of the primary plant .
you could remove these puppy once they ’re mature enough , or just allow them to grow after the female parent plant has died back . Get the fullstep by step tutorial for how to spread bromeliads here .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
There ’s nothing worse than watching your bromeliad plant life die , and you have no idea what ’s wrong with it . So in this section , I ’ll list some of the most common problem , and give you tips to fix them .
Flower turning brown, or the color is fading
Once the flower bract starts to rick brown or the coloring material fades , it ’s a signaling that the plant is done flower and is start to exit , which is a normal part of their life cycle .
alas , there ’s nothing you may do to keep reach the plant once it starts dying . But , do n’t thresh it out ! Keep it grow as long as potential so babe pups have meter to form and suppurate .
Leaves Turning Yellow
When the leaves start turning yellow , it stand for that your plant may be getting too much or not enough spark , or because of improper watering .
Keep it out of the direct sunlight , and irrigate it by fill the center loving cup , rather than moistening the land .
Brown Leaves
The leave of absence may start to look dry and crispy due to a lack of water or sunburn . They will also set out reverse brown as the plant naturally dies back after blossoming .
guarantee it ’s getting the right amount of light and moisture . If it just finished bloom , then prune the brown leaves off as they die back , but keep the greenish ones develop as long as potential to encourage pups to organize .
Bromeliads are fun to grow , and it ’s not that difficult to like for them . Now that you know all about what they postulate to flourish , you ’ll get the bent of it in no clock time !
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plant , then you postulate myHouseplant Care eBook . It will show you everything you need to acknowledge about how to keep every plant in your dwelling thrive . Download your copy now !
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