Bromeliads
by Bonnie Johnson
Nassau County Master Gardener Volunteer
Bromeliads, native to the American Tropics, are a large, diverse plant family. In native habitat bromeliads, known as epiphytes, can grow on trees or other plants; terrestrials grow in soil; saxicolous grow on rocks. They are found in a variety of climates from deserts to rain forests adapting from one habitat to another. Bromeliads vary dramatically; some have colorful foliage while others have exotic shapes. Most bromeliads are inexpensive and easy to grow. Some examples of the Bromeliad family are Spanish moss and pineapples.
Leaves may be green, gray, maroon, spotted or striped. The leaves can be grass like or broad and long. Leaves grow in a rosette pattern; some develop a cup or vase at the center which collects water and other nutrients. Inflorescence (flowering part) may arise from the cup or within the cup. Flowers are usually small and colorful but the showy part is the bract, which is a specialized leaf. Bromeliads bloom only once but the plant will live for about another year producing pups. Commonly cultivated genera include: aechmea, ananas, billbergia, neoregalia, tillandsia, and vriesa.
Tips to grow by:
- Most use regular potting mix; but epiphytes need bark mixture
- Water when dry; outdoor plants fill the cup, indoor plants do not fill
- Need good air circulation
- Lightly fertilize occasionally
- Tolerates a wide range of light conditions; but not direct sunlight
- Move indoors if freezing temperatures are expected
- Propagation by pups
- Induce flowering by putting mature plant (empty cup) in closed, clear plastic bag with a ripe apple for 7-10 days
Problems:
- Over-watering
- Cold weather
- Scale, mealy bugs, spider mites
Other Information:
- University of Florida website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
