Cold Protection for your Bromeliads

Prior Planning for Proper Performance

We growers are forced to follow the weather forecast daily should the thermometer dip down below 50 degrees. At that time, we have decisions to make in a short period of time. Over the past 30 years we have fine tuned our actions. Ideally, a wind break on the west and north sides of the growing area should be in place. A large number of sheets, bed spreads etc.

readily available for covers, as well as clothespins. No plastic.

The day before the cold front, the plants should be well watered. If the cold is just passing through and staying only one day the plants should be covered overnight. In the morning the covers removed to

prevent a soggy mess of linens, should it rain.

However, if the cold stays on for a few days it is safer to leave them on.

There are a few plants that we bring right into the house. Among them are all the Aechmea fulgens group, all plants with inflorescense. Some of the small Billbergias and the tubular Neoregelias. The surveyor flags are useful to mark the plants to grab and take in. Below 40 degrees we cover everything especially the Cryptanthus.

We had the misfortune to have all of many thousands of Bromeliads freeze 20yrs ago. The meristems of the plants were protected by ice. As the tops rotted we frantically cut off the brown leaf parts and saved everyone, but it was heart breaking during the recover period.

We are blessed to have such growing conditions that enable us to grow under shade cloth, mostly 60% as well as a natural canopy. Our cold worries are usually only occasional and  causing only minor spot damage and ending about the end of February.

Maureen and Bill Frazel

Accredited BSI Judges Instructors