There are over 3,000 species of bromeliads native to the American tropics.
As with other botanical names, bromeliads are Genus name first followed by species or Cultivar name second..... i.e. Aechmea blanchetiana, Neoregelia compacta, Hohenbergia stellata.
There are two basic types of bromeliads: epiphytes (grow on trees) and terrestrial (grow in soil). Broms can also grow attached to rocks (lithophytes).
Bromeliads require little care and are among the most pest-free types of plants.
The pineapple is the best known bromeliad. Spanish Moss is another well–known type of bromeliad.
Bromeliads bloom only once, but that bloom can last for weeks and weeks! After blooming, the plant will use its energy to produce offshoots or "pups" which often found at the base of the parent plant.
The parent plant will begin to fade and eventually die, but this can take years after the first pup emerges. In its place, there will be several new plants which can be separated easily from the parent plant when they reach a third of the size or left alone to form colonies depending on your desired effect.
Broms are versatile and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be grown indoors, on trees, in pots, in the ground or mounted on driftwood.
Thin-leaved plants require less sun than thick-leaved varieties. 60% - 70% shade works well. There are also many varieties which will grow in full sun, even in south Florida!!!
Care is easy! Water two or three times a week but do not let the plants sit in water. Flushing the cups out is a good way to remove excess salts and debris that might accumulate.
One good potting mixture to consider is 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 ground tree fern. If you provide good drainage, air flow and humidity, these plants will serve you well and enhance your home and garden for years to come!
As with other botanical names, bromeliads are Genus name first followed by species or Cultivar name second..... i.e. Aechmea blanchetiana, Neoregelia compacta, Hohenbergia stellata.
There are two basic types of bromeliads: epiphytes (grow on trees) and terrestrial (grow in soil). Broms can also grow attached to rocks (lithophytes).
Bromeliads require little care and are among the most pest-free types of plants.
The pineapple is the best known bromeliad. Spanish Moss is another well–known type of bromeliad.
Bromeliads bloom only once, but that bloom can last for weeks and weeks! After blooming, the plant will use its energy to produce offshoots or "pups" which often found at the base of the parent plant.
The parent plant will begin to fade and eventually die, but this can take years after the first pup emerges. In its place, there will be several new plants which can be separated easily from the parent plant when they reach a third of the size or left alone to form colonies depending on your desired effect.
Broms are versatile and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be grown indoors, on trees, in pots, in the ground or mounted on driftwood.
Thin-leaved plants require less sun than thick-leaved varieties. 60% - 70% shade works well. There are also many varieties which will grow in full sun, even in south Florida!!!
Care is easy! Water two or three times a week but do not let the plants sit in water. Flushing the cups out is a good way to remove excess salts and debris that might accumulate.
One good potting mixture to consider is 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 ground tree fern. If you provide good drainage, air flow and humidity, these plants will serve you well and enhance your home and garden for years to come!