How To Care For A Bromeliad
Ask the Expert: Bromeliad care/literature?
I have a customer who would like some information and literature on how to care for her new Bromeliad plant. Do you have some printable information I could send her or do you have a suggestion of a website that may be helpful?
November 8th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Maegen,
These are the care instructions we give to our garden center customers when they purchase a Bromeliad
BROMELIAD
Care Instructions:
WHEN FLOWERING - Feed with a 20-20-20 fertilizer once a month. Do not let the soil dry out; evenly moist is the ideal state. Water the soil only. If you fill the cup and let it flow over into the soil, this water must be changed every 2 days. Conditions vary in each household or office, check by lifting the plant daily. The pot should feel heavy versus the rest of the plant. Water should not be dripping from the bottom, nor should it be sitting in an enclosed container holding water. The holes in the bottom of the pot are for good drainage. If the plant seems to lose its luster, you can always mist it with the same rate of fertilizer (only the plant – not the flower).
WHEN FINISHED FLOWERING – Cut the stem off inside the cup. Bromeliads flower once in a lifetime. After the blooming cycle, the mother plant will have offspring sprouting from the base which, at the proper time, will bloom. The feeding in this period is stronger. Use the same fertilizer at the same strength but with every watering. If you lose roots, turn to misting daily for two weeks.
FLOWERING - Bromeliads can be forced to flower after one year of growth. Drop a small slice of tomato, apple, or any fruit into the cup. The decomposition of this fruit will release ethylene gas and induce the flowering. If the plant is older it will flower with the change of seasons. Feeding in this period is stronger. Use the same fertilizer at the same strength but with every watering. If you lose roots, turn to misting daily for two weeks.
ENJOY
January 27th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I have a red bromelaid that I bought a couple of months ago. It has three flowers. It has lost its red lustre and started to brown. The tip has fell off one flower, and looks like the others will follow. I water the soil, and cups, and have misted too. I have had it living indoors with us until a few days ago, and have now placed it on the patios to try and save it. Is it sick, what should I do? Have read several websites but does not seem to describe my symptoms. Please help us. Thank You
January 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Jo,
What part of the plant is turning brown - leaves - flower - fruit? If it is the fruit (oval seed pods that occur after blooming - then browning is a natural occurrence. If the bloom is turning brown this also can be a natural aging process and although disappointing not detrimental to the plant.
However if the leaves are turning brown, that is another story. First unless you live in the very sounther tip of Texas or Florida or along the coast of California or southern California, bring the bromeliad inside - they can’t take temperatures under 28 degrees. Check for root rot - if your pot doesn’t drain well, the bromeliad maybe experiencing root rot. If this is the case re-pot the bromeliad into a pot with better drainage. Although pests don’t usually affect bromeliads, check for spider mites and scale. You will need a magnifying glass to see the spider mites. The scale will look like some kind of bump or cottony substance on the leaves. If you have either one of these insects you will need to treat with an insecticide.
Please let me know if any of these symptoms fit your plant - if not I’ll try to find more information for you.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
We have a bromelaide that had a big, bright leathery red spear-like flower in the center, encircled with green leaves. Flower was cut out, when it lost color. We had some “pups” along base of the plant. We cut back a few leaves to allow the “pup” room to get heighth. Watered the plant around the base. Now, notice “pups” are rotting. Leaves of main large plant are looking ill. What is happening to the “pups?” Please help
April 6th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Marijane,
Always cut the flower stalk out completely. When the plant delvelops pups it is best to remove them and pot them in their own pot. Make sure during the watering process that the soil is moist but not soggy. Don’t leave water in the cups of the plant. I would repot the main plant and any pups into individual pots with a peat based potting soil. good luck