Bromeliads - home care, types and names, signs and superstitions

Flowers

Bromeliads are one of the most beautiful and amazing tropical plants, often grown by gardeners outside their natural habitat, particularly in our apartments. They belong to the Bromeliad family, which contains approximately 50 species. They are native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas.

The flower is captivating with its appearance, which even before it blooms has great decorative value. However, as beautiful as this plant is, it is also demanding. Maintaining high, tropical-like humidity indoors can be challenging, so caring for bromeliads requires certain skills.

Characteristics of the indoor bromeliad flower

The plant's most attractive exterior feature is its vibrant flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, from soft pink to purple. Thanks to the work of breeders, white and scarlet-flowered plants are also available. Bromeliad leaves, which can reach 50 cm in length, are large and stiff; some species may have small spines on their edges.

The leaves form a rosette to collect moisture in the natural environment. This same rosette is used for watering the plant indoors. Bromeliads don't have a well-developed root system, so the plant receives most of its moisture through the rosette.

Bromeliad flowers can be collected in both simple and complex inflorescences and have a double perianth. The bracts are brightly colored. Bromeliad fruits are borne in capsules or berries, which can fuse into a single fruit. The parent rosette typically dies immediately after flowering, but the lateral shoots remain, which can be used to propagate the plant.

With regular watering and fertilizing, bromeliads can bloom in their second or third year. The plant blooms only once during its life cycle, after which it dies.

Names of Bromeliad Species

The Bromeliad family includes about 3,000 species, but epiphytes, shown in the photo, are popular in floriculture – plants whose root systems are primarily used for anchoring themselves to tree trunks:

Aechmea;
guzmania;
Cryptanthus.

How to care for bromeliads at home

All bromeliad species have similar growing conditions, the most important of which is high air and soil humidity, so caring for them is not particularly difficult. Water the plant from a watering can only with soft, room-temperature water. A warm shower during hot weather will also benefit the plant. Boiled, settled water or rainwater can also be used for watering.

Note!

You can tell if the water you're using is unsuitable for watering by the tips of your bromeliad's leaves: they turn brown when watered with hard water.

Other signs that may indicate improper care:

dried leaf tips indicate that the air in the room is not humid enough, and there has been no liquid in the flower rosette for a long time (regular spraying and watering is necessary, carried out not only through the substrate, but also through the rosette);
Light brown spots on the leaves may indicate that the flower is in a too bright place (during periods of active sun the plant needs to be shaded);
If the leaves have become very dark, the room temperature is not high enough;
If the flower stops growing and the leaves become wilted and drooping, the plant is overcooled or is suffering from stagnant water in the substrate (the top layer of soil needs to be dried out and the plant should be watered as the soil dries out).

An equally important requirement for growing a flower is a sufficiently spacious pot with a drainage layer. The pot should have holes to allow excess water to drain, and a saucer to catch the water. Any water that accumulates in the saucer should be emptied daily. The saucer can also be used to maintain humid air: fill it with gravel or expanded clay, and place the pot on top. This will help prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged and will also humidify the air around the plant.

Substrate

Soil fertility isn't critical, but it should be slightly acidic and allow for easy aeration and drainage. The best solution is to use an orchid substrate. You can also make your own by mixing the following ingredients in a 4:2:1:1 ratio:

leaf soil;
humus;
pine bark;
sand.

Since the soil must be well-drained, charcoal or expanded clay can be added to the substrate. This tropical plant will not thrive in garden soil.

Location and lighting

The flower can be placed in either a brightly lit spot or in partial shade. The main requirement for the location is avoidance of scorching direct sunlight. If the flower is placed near a south-facing window, be sure to provide shade during the day using translucent curtains, gauze, or paper.

Important!

Varieties with dark green rosettes do not require too much bright light, unlike flowers with variegated colors.

During the cold season, bromeliads may not receive enough sunlight, so a grow light can be used for illumination. However, when using the lamp, avoid directing it directly at the plant; the light should be directed toward the ceiling.

Temperature

The optimal air temperature in spring and summer is 23-25˚C. In winter, it's best to maintain a temperature of 15-17˚C. If the temperature drops to 10-12˚C, the plant will die. Bromeliads do not tolerate drafts or cold air currents, so it's best not to install a fan or air conditioner in the room with the plant. Ventilate the room, but avoid opening the doors. If there's no draft, the plant can be left near an open window in warm weather.

Watering and air humidity

Bromeliads are moisture-loving plants that require regular but moderate watering. In summer, the plant can be watered once every 1-2 days if the top layer of the substrate has dried out. If the soil remains moist the next day, misting the soil with a spray bottle is sufficient. In winter, watering should be reduced to once a week.

Humidity should be between 60-80%. This level can be maintained by using a humidifier, placing the plant container near the aquarium, or by misting regularly (at least twice a day during warmer months). High humidity can be maintained by placing the bromeliad near other moisture-loving plants: combined transpiration will help maintain humidity at 70%.

Fertilizers and feeding

Fertilization is necessary during the plant's active growth period. Bromeliads are fed with mineral fertilizer solutions, which should be applied to the soil between March and August. Fertilization should be done every 20 days; in winter, once every 6 weeks is sufficient. There are two types of fertilizers:

root (applying fertilizer to the substrate);
foliar (spraying leaves with a fertilizer solution).

Remember!

Using the second method, the plant absorbs nutrients more quickly. When preparing a solution for bromeliads, keep in mind that the concentration should be 4-5 times lower than the instructions on the package.

Reproduction

Bromeliads can be propagated by shoots that form at their base. These shoots appear after the mother plant has flowered, but they will only be ready for planting in individual pots after 2-3 months, once they have strengthened and grown larger. The shoots should then be separated: it's preferable to do this by hand, as a knife can easily damage the mother plant's tissue.

Young shoots that already have their own root system should be planted in nutritious soil, the same as that used for mature plants. Before planting, be sure to moisten the soil. It's best to choose a fairly spacious pot right away, as once the shoots have grown into full-grown plants, repotting them won't be necessary for a while.

Rooting of the cuttings takes place within two months. During this time, it is important to maintain a stable temperature (at least 20˚C) and ensure the soil remains consistently moist, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. Bromeliads propagated from cuttings bloom in 2-2.5 years with proper care.

Transfer

Bromeliads don't need to be repotted frequently, as this can cause the plant to die. However, repotting is necessary if the roots have grown too large to fit into the old pot. The new container should be 2-5 cm wider than the previous one, depending on how extensive the root system has become. The material of the pot doesn't matter—bromeliads grow well in plastic, wood, and clay containers.

Remove the flower from its old pot, removing any old soil if possible without damaging the roots. Orchid soil is suitable for repotting. Add it to the pot and make a small depression for the flower. Water the depression with soft, room-temperature water, place the plant in it, and cover with soil. When repotting, lightly compact the soil to ensure the flower is firmly positioned in the new medium.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

The most common pests that appear on bromeliads are thrips, spider mites, and scale insects. General pest prevention:

maintain high air humidity;
Do not place freshly purchased flowers near bromeliads;
Inspect plants that are outside in warm weather every day.

Thrips are easily identified by their shiny marks and white spots on the plant's leaves. The insects infest the undersides of leaves, which quickly die if left untreated. Dry, warm air is a favorable environment for the pests. To get rid of them, spray the plant with an insecticide (Actellic, Fitoverm) and cover it with a plastic bag for 24 hours.

Spider mites often nest on the underside of leaves, which become covered with tiny white dots. Fine webbing on the leaves can also indicate the presence of the pest. Spider mites often infest dry areas, so the best prevention is regular spraying. If a pest does infest, the bromeliad should be treated with an acaricide or insectoacaricide (Bicol, Envidor, Akarin, Neoron). Three treatments should be carried out at four-day intervals.

Signs and superstitions associated with indoor flowers

Although there are few signs and superstitions associated with bromeliads, they are all positive. The flower is believed to improve mood and bring peace to the home. Caring for a bromeliad helps bring structure and stability to the daily routine. Growing bromeliads is beneficial for those whose lives and work are often filled with stress.

Bromeliads also help overcome self-doubt and unleash creativity. Therefore, it's a good idea to place the plant in a child's room or in the office of a creative individual. Caring for the plant helps relieve stress, promote positive thinking, and see the positive in any situation.

Bromeliads can become a symbol of the hearth and financial well-being. Because the plant requires meticulous care, it can teach its owners to approach their work responsibly, diligently complete tasks, and achieve their goals.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Do I need to repot my bromeliad after purchasing it?

Repotting immediately after purchase is not necessary. It's only necessary if the pot is too small for the plant and the root system protrudes above the surface of the substrate.

What needs to be done to make a bromeliad bloom?

In addition to following all the care instructions, you can stimulate flowering by placing sliced apples near the peas and covering them with a plastic bag. The release of ethylene from the apples will help the plant bloom.

How often should a plant be repotted?

Bromeliads should be replanted as rarely as possible and only when absolutely necessary.

What to do if brown spots appear on the leaves?

Brown spots may be burns from too much sunlight, which can cause the plant to lose its decorative appeal. Burns cannot be removed; completely scorched leaves can be cut off. To prevent burns, the plant should be shaded.

Where is the best place to place the flower?

Try to place the plant near a west- or east-facing window. The sun's rays in these locations are gentle even during the hottest seasons and won't harm the plant. This doesn't apply to varieties such as Cryptanus and Ananas, which are prone to sunburn and can grow well in south-facing windows.

Although bromeliads require careful care and constant monitoring, the flowering period will definitely be worth all the effort. Even if the mother plant dies after flowering, it's always possible to continue propagating this exotic flower from cuttings and enrich your collection with young specimens.