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Following a few simple steps can keep you enjoying bromeliads, both indoors and out, for several seasons. Provide bright light without direct sun exposure. Maintain optimal humidity. Keep air flowing around the plants. Make sure the plants stay moist but not soggy. Provide adequate drainage. Fertilize sparingly.
How often do you water a bromeliad plant?
As bromeliads prefer to dry out in home environments, you only need to water your plant every other week or so. You’ll want to water both the soil and cup, making sure to keep the latter only halfway full to prevent rot.
What do you do with a bromeliad after it blooms?
To remove a spent bloom, use a sharp, sterilized blade and cut the bloom stalk. Make a clean cut as close to the remaining plant as possible without harming it. Once you’ve removed the bloom, you can toss it in the trash or compost. Don’t neglect your bromeliad just because it finished blooming.
Do bromeliads only flower once?
Bromeliads often have both striking foliage as well as flowers. However, a bromeliad will only bloom once throughout its lifespan. Plus, once it’s finished blooming, it signals that its “pups”—or little bromeliad suckers—are on their way. Once the flower finishes blooming, you’ll want to remove them.
How do you keep bromeliads blooming?
Use a well draining soil mix. Keep the center of the bromeliad filled with water and add diluted liquid seaweed or diluted compost tea once every two weeks. This will encourage the young bromeliad to flourish and grow up so it can be ready to bloom.
Should I mist my bromeliad?
You may need to mist a bromeliad regularly if the humidity is less than ideal (60%). Be sure to mist when your plant’s leaves are dry, but before they are exposed to any direct sun. For those living in climates with a colder season, you will want to consider planting your bromeliads in containers.
How do I know if my bromeliad is healthy?
One way you can be sure your bromeliad is turning brown because it’s drying out is to check the pups. If they’re healthy and looking good, then the plant is on the way out. If you’re keep the growing medium too wet, then the lower leaves will turn brown and ultimately turn mushy.
What months do bromeliads bloom?
First, let’s start off with a few facts: With a few exceptions, bromeliads only bloom once. However, the blooms last an exceptionally long time — months or even up to a year. Bromeliads grow and bloom year round. It’s always bromeliad season!.
When should I repot my bromeliad?
A young bromeliad can benefit from a repotting if they are outgrowing their container. This is best done in the spring. Most full sized bromeliads will not require a planter pot larger than 6 inches. Using a larger plant container than needed can lead to over-watering issues.
Why are the leaves on my bromeliad turning brown?
Brown and dry leaves are most likely caused by a lack of moisture. This could mean you’re not watering enough, your plant is in an environment with low humidity or a combination of both.
Is bromeliad an indoor plant?
Bromeliads make great low-maintenance indoor plants as they don’t require much sun and only need to be watered about once a week when kept indoors. As bromedliads love humidity, be sure to keep them away from air conditioning and cold draughts and mist with a spray bottle every couple of days.
Are bromeliads annuals or perennials?
Bromeliads are perennial monocotyledons — plants that have one seed leaf like lilies or corn, rather than two seed leaves like roses or beans. Their seeds have a food reserve, which means bromeliads can be grown like most other plants.
Are bromeliads succulents?
Are Bromeliads succulents? By definition a succulent is a plant which stores water in its fleshy leaves, roots, or stems. The bromeliad stores water in it’s “urn” and does not depend on uptake of water from roots. This storage of water within it’s leaves secures it’s place in this category.
What is the best fertilizer for bromeliads?
Feed urn plants using low-nitrogen 10-20-20 fertilizer, or use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to half strength. Apply the fertilizer to the center of its foliage rosette and water thoroughly to distribute the nutrients around the roots.
How much light does a bromeliad need?
In their natural habitats, bromeliads grow in the full range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Many bromeliads are quite tolerant, but the variegated plants will often become solid green if they are given too much shade.
How long does it take for a bromeliad to flower?
Blooming, with good care, generally will occur one to three years after separation from the parent plant. Most people have the best success getting bromeliads to bloom when they put the plants outside during the warm months of April to October.
What is the best way to water a bromeliad?
It is best to water your bromeliad with rainwater or distilled water. The chemicals that are present in some tap water can be damaging to these sensitive plants. Slow growth or browning of leaf tips are often signs of hard water usage.
Are bromeliads easy to care for?
Bromeliad plant care is easy and requires no special tools or fertilizers. These plants collect all the food and moisture they need with their leaves but need a little help from you in the indoor setting.
How do you know when a bromeliad needs water?
Watering bromeliads is no different than any other houseplant care; check your houseplants regularly for their soil being dry. Most plants need water when they are dry unless they are a picky plant, in which case, you should have some sort of direction as to how to handle the watering.
