This normally happens when they mature near or after flowering, as they attempt to create offspring that will continue to grow after the mother plant slowly dies, post flowering. Too much water will cause the plant to rot. ... Those of you who grow bromeliads outdoors have no problem getting the pups to flower. Perhaps you’re into odd spiky “air-plants” that seem to grow with no care at all? This incredibly drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant species has about 100 cultivars. Do you love tropical, humidity-loving plants with vibrant and stunning flowers? I know that this piece barely even scratches the surface of the wide world of bromeliads, but I hope that it’s inspired you to try to grow your own. Care for the pups as you would a larger bromeliad. It's from these pups that you will get a bromeliad to flower from again. How about drought-tolerant, heat-loving plants that act a bit like succulents? Pitcairnioideae Sub-Family This sub-family of bromeliads developed over time in arid and high-altitude regions, which explains why it also has most of the succulent-like bromeliads. For varieties that have grasping roots, you can grow them in a soilless medium like perlite. Mealybugs suck sap from the flowers and leaves causing damage to the plant. This incredibly diverse family of monopods includes all of the above and a whole lot more. ... How To Plant Bromeliad Pups. It’s so common that I can’t help but to mention it! Most aechmea are epiphytes. Alternately, purchase mosquito-preventing pellets or dunks and put a tiny fragment into the water in the plant’s well — it will dissolve and should not hurt your plant, but it will provide a coating over the water’s surface that will prevent mosquito breeding. If you live in the most southern points of California, throughout Florida, or in Mexico, there is a rare pest which might make an appearance: the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil (Metamasius callizona). If you have outdoor bromeliads, be sure to empty their tank at least once per week, and every 2-3 days during peak mosquito season for your area. It’s not grown as a houseplant, although it can certainly be used as an outdoor ornamental. Dab the bugs with rubbing alcohol to kill them, and then wash off the leaves and pat them dry. It’s drought-tolerant and semi-succulent in how it grows, and while it’s slow-growing, it does tend to spread over time. Air plants generally require the least fertilizer, and often don’t need any fertilization at all. The container should be twice as big as the base of the pup. Leave the apple in the bag with the bromeliad for 7-10 days. Unlike most of the bromeliads which we’ve discussed up until now, this group has normal roots like most other plants do, rather than vestigial grasping roots or no roots at all. A: While it’s a bit complex due to just how many there are out there, there is a “bromeliad key for dummies” available from the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies. You'll still want to water the bromeliad, as you had previously. ... Find a pot that has multiple drainage holes and is no more than ⅓ larger than the root ball of the bromeliad you’re looking to plant. This is the largest-growing bromeliad that is cold-hardy in the southern regions of the United States. If this happens, take a bowl or tray with small rocks or pebbles in it and add some water, and place this near the plant. Your email address will not be published. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This pest is decimating the population of Floridian bromeliads. You should be able to at least identify the species, if not the specific cultivar, for most bromeliads by following that process. So how do I get a bromeliad to flower again here in the UK? They can be removed, though! … If fungicides and removal of the leaves doesn’t help, carefully separate any pups and dispose of the rotting plant. This is a bonus example for the Tillandsia species. While today we’re going to focus primarily on the bromeliaceae that are grown as flowering houseplants, we’ll also go over a bit of information about one of my favorite bromeliad fruits (the pineapple), as well as the carefree and easy-maintenance clinging-root varieties like Spanish moss or air plant, and even some of the drought-tolerant, succulent-like spiky varieties such as Puya. With air plants, tip browning is an indication that the plant may not be getting enough water. My bromeliad is only dark green rather than variegated like it’s supposed to be. This sub-family of bromeliads developed over time in arid and high-altitude regions, which explains why it also has most of the succulent-like bromeliads. These do not need to grow very large before flowering, and when they do, the flower stalk can get to 4’ tall. Seaweed solutions and compost teas are also popular, although heavily diluted with water. The bromeliad should recover and develop roots. Vriesea Plant Care Tips. It is very important to not overwater as this is the most common mistake when propagating bromeliads. Pitcairnia maidifolia ‘Stardust’, ‘Jim Scrivner’, ‘Verdia Lowe’. While we’ve barely scratched the surface on the three sub-families we’ve listed so far, there’s so many more sub-families from here. But an air plant can grow on a flat sandy surface like a plate, too. This usually happens just after it has finished flowering. Bromeliads, as a general rule, are pretty self-reliant and problem free plants. For aerophytes, a bed of dry sand is ideal. Indoors, it’s a bit trickier. If you don’t have access to those, you can mix an all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer at half of its normal strength and use some of that on a monthly or bimonthly basis. If you are opting for growing in perlite or wood bark chips, you can just reuse those. When the well is empty, use distilled water or rainwater to refill the leaf well, allowing the excess water to drain. Currently, no trials have been conducted on chemical agents to prevent this weevil, but a diluted foliar spray of an insecticide that works against beetles and other weevils is recommended. Do you enjoy the island flavor of roasted pineapple? You’ll also need to pay close attention to watering your pups as they require more water but, not over watering that can lead to root rot causing your newly born pup to die. A 4-6 inch diameter is adequate. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? The foliage tends to be banded or striped, and around the inflorescence is often quite brightly-colored in shades of red, yellow, pink or orange. While it primarily feeds on Tillandsias, it can occasionally feed on Guzmanias and Catopsis as well. While you can still use bromeliad mixes for these, they seem to prefer the drier, more rock-like feeling of perlite. You need to maintain some water in the leaf well, but it needs to be drained out and emptied at least once a week so it does not go stagnant and cause rot. Another good indicator that the offsets can survive on their own is the presence of roots. Finally, while this pest doesn’t prey on your plant, there is one other pest that bromeliads can bring to your yard: mosquitoes. But there are some fantastic resources online to learn more about bromeliads. I give it filtered water in its central cup and also along the edges in the soil. If you decide to remove the pups from the mother to plant separately, wait until they’re at least one third the size of the mother plant. Cut the pup as far down as you can, even below the surface of the soil. Empty out the plant’s tank or well and make sure the plant is dry. Pitcairnioideaes like the puya and pitcairnia do well in full light, but the pitcairnia also does well if it’s shaded for part of the day. Most are epiphytic or lithophytic. Terrestrial varieties like the neoregelias and aechmeas need some moisture around their roots, but not much. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This combination forces the stress to allow the plant to color brightly and flower early on. With a pair of pruning shears, cut off the flower stalk as close to the plant’s center as you can. Even the slightest sway from a breeze can jar it and prevent the roots from attaching. Each bromeliad only makes a single flower in its lifecycle. You can find it on their website. These can be divided from the mother plant and repotted. Neoregelias tend to have broad, mostly-flat leaves and are grown primarily for their multicolored foliage. To take an offset, use your hands and firmly grip both the mother and the pup and pull to separate them or use a sharp shovel, long knife, or small saw. It is recommended that you use a fertilizer with Nitrogen 3.0, Phosphorous 8.0, and Potassium 25.0. If the weather is warm or humidity is low, you may need to water more than once a week, but allow the leaf well to dry out on its own before you water it again, and be sure to clean the well regularly. When do Bromeliads sprout? If you are preparing an environment for an air plant, all you need is sand and a container. It is also helpful to plant a pup in a pot which can then be put into another pot as I have done here. Epiphytes develop minimal roots and absorb most of their nutrients through their foliage. A bromeliad does not have a large root system and does not need a large pot. Atop this is the flower spike, which is bright red and extends well above the foliage. While it’s not the pineapple most commonly farmed for the food industry, this particular species is far more likely to be raised as an ornamental. The flowers are actually bright yellow and open off either side of the head. At that point, separate out any pups that you wish to keep. Wood bark chips are also a good and visually-appealing option. The bigger the pups, the more root there will be. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. With most other bromeliads, tip browning is an indication that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight, and that you should move it to a location with more indirect bright lighting. This sub-family contains only 9 genera, but has nearly 1300 species! It has no roots, and holds on to trees by draping over branches. How to care for your Bromeliad Materials that can be used to mount. Plant them to separate pots, and they will eventually grow and flower. Over time, the soil you’re using for potting will start to get compacted, or you’ll have too many pups for your pot. Who’ after the TV series, and they’re stunning houseplants. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. Overfertilizing can also cause a residue on the plant’s foliage. Vriesea also tend to reds, yellows, and pinks in hue. Remember, these plants tend to either hold their own water supply or draw it from the air around them — they aren’t accustomed to soils that hold lots of water! As the apple goes from ripe to overripe, it produces small amounts of ethylene gas, which can stimulate your plant into flowering. If the soil is lightly moist but not wet, they should be fine. Guzmania lingulata ‘Scarlet Star’, ‘Droophead Tufted Airplant’. Another epiphyte species of bromeliad, the Tillandsia are sometimes aerophytes as well – plants which lack roots entirely, and which live on sandy soil. Popular genera include Guzmania, Vriesea, and Tillandsia. When the bract has died, the plant reproduces by growing offsets known as bromeliad pups. Examine the pups closely to make sure they’re intact before replanting. These cookies do not store any personal information. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started! Mist it with water occasionally between soaks (at least once a week and more in hotter, drier weather) so that the entire plant is moistened, but not dripping. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. Most bromeliads reproduce by what is called “pups” or offshoots – the plant forms a secondary plant at the original plant’s base. REMOVING OFFSETS (PUPS) Most bromeliads self-propagate by producing offsets, commonly known as ‘pups’ from around their stem or root areas. The red ones at each end are Fireball Neoregelia, the bigger ones in the middle are Super Fireball Neoregelia, darker green and red varigated Angel Face Neoregelia and I have never managed to figure out the … Propagation by vegetative means (pups) is by far the best and most satisfactory method for home gardeners. This is often an issue if you’re watering with tap water or high-mineral content waters, as when it dries out it leaves behind a residue. The bromeliad pups are very easy to remove. They are named after Anastasio Guzman, a noted Spanish pharmacist and naturalist who died in 1807. Once the pup is no longer top heavy, you can remove the stabilizing supports and continue to watch it grow! The BSI Bromeliad Cultivar Registry contains over 10,000 registered cultivars in its informational file. Still, there are new pups being produced by the bromeliad. While you can buy a commercial ethylene spray and use it in a diluted form to encourage flower production, the easiest method is done with an apple and a bag. If the leaves on your bromeliad are turning brown or soggy at the base of the plant, your plant may be suffering from root or heart rot. These soft bodied insects develop in masses and form waxy coatings and egg sacks on the bromeliads ’leaves, flowers and sometimes roots. These are also the most commonly cultivated, but that may in large part have to do with the ananas species, as you’ll see below. Drainage is key for all bromeliads. While that flower can last for months and months, it will eventually start to turn ugly, go brownish, or just look unpleasant in general. You can pinch off leaves that are starting to brown at the base of the plant to provide room for new growth. Once the pups are about 3 inches or 7.5 cm tall they will have their own roots. Most of these plants absorb water and nutrients directly from the air or from their leaf-wells, but they often live in trees or on rocks. My plant seems to be growing well, just set slightly back from a south-facing window. If the answer to the first question is yes, go on to the indicated location. If the roots are still underdeveloped, the plant might not stay upright in the pot, moving freely around, resulting in damage. It’s edible as normal pineapples are, but tends to be much smaller, and thus unsuitable for the food industry. If this is happening, your plant is probably not getting enough bright, indirect light. Use fresh bromeliad or orchid mix to repot them. The roots of bromeliad plants do not for in the ground, but form on top of environmental objects, such as trees, or rocks, which makes them air plants. Whether it’s one of the vivid Guzmanias, a soilless and air-loving Tillandsia, or any other species, they will bring a lot of beauty to your home or yard. A: If it has not bloomed before (as bromeliads typically only bloom once in the lifespan of a plant), ethylene gas can stimulate a bromeliad to bloom. These are some of the most popular bromeliad houseplants out there! Pups should begin growing soon even without a strong root system. The ananas from the tillandsioideae family also do well in full light. Popular species include Pitcairnia and Puya, among others. Allow these to grow on until they are large enough to physically separate from the parent plant. After soaking, remove it from the bowl and shake off any excess moisture. Their leaves create an indentation or well which holds a small amount of water for the plant, and they produce a single flower per plant. Aechmea distichantha ‘Brazilian vaseplant’, ‘Vase plant’. Avoid high nitrogen feeds as they elongate the leaves. People often grow air plants in open glass containers such as empty fishbowls, special blown-glass air plant “airiums”, or open-topped fishtanks. Pests aren’t common with bromeliads, but there are a few that appear from time to time. History of the Tradescantia Plant: The Wandering Jew, Low Maintenance Plants To Add To Your Workspace. Bromeliad pups can be safely removed when they are 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant. If the pup has no roots, you can tie it to a cork board or even a branch. However, don’t immediately throw it away – after blooming, it will likely form pups, and you can get new plants from the pups if you continue to care for the parent plant. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. That long, tendril-like mossy stuff that drapes nearly every oak or cypress tree throughout swamplands in the southeast US is, in fact, another bromeliad. الإنتاج الفني والإعلامي; الانتاج التعليمي التفاعلي; do bromeliads die after flowering At that time, carefully remove all of the plants from their pot. We recommend that you prop the plant in place with wooden sticks while the roots are growing. Probably the most likely puya for growing in a private garden, this species is variable. It handles shade very well, and is best grown under trees where it can benefit from their shelter. Selected varietals of Guzmania lingulata include ’cardinalis’, ‘concolor’, ‘flammea’, and ‘lingulata’. Or do you prefer your trees all draped in thick, swaying coats of moss? No, this particular species is grown primarily for the pineapple fruit, and is extensively farmed in tropical regions. The Brazilian vaseplant can reach about four feet across and has sharp spined leaves, but puts up a brilliantly pink inflorescence when it flowers. These plants will normally flower in 1 to 3 years. Of course, I had no clue how to actually make a wreath from Bromeliad pups and the dilemma haunted me for a while. The few problems that exist are listed below. You will need to repot your plants into a slightly bigger pot in spring every … Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Allow it to dry fully (1-3 hours) before placing it back in its normal container. If you answered “yes” to any of these, then you like some form of bromeliad. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. A little more about me. When these pups are about ⅓ of the size of the mother plant, they can carefully be separated from the parent plant and placed in their own container, or they can be left in place if you desire a large grouping. Bromeliads are native to Brazil. Insert the stakes near the base of the bromeliad pup. What’s your favorite bromeliad? If your plant has already bloomed, it is unlikely that it will ever bloom again. Hi, I'm Kevin. Vriesea splendens ‘Flaming Sword’, ‘Painted Feather’. Well-drained soil is crucial for healthy bromeliads, so fill the pot ⅓ full with Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix, which is specially formulated for low-water plants. This should increase the humidity near the plant and improve it. Leaves doesn ’ t discuss the bromeliad pup ; الانتاج التعليمي التفاعلي ; do bromeliads die after flowering but... They 've reached 6 inches in height over 10,000 registered cultivars in normal... Unlikely that it will ever bloom again other than to separate pots, and Ananas watch it grow whole! Need some moisture around their roots to anchor themselves rather than for nutrients it... That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the head your website the first question is,! For additional care information flower from again bract has died, the West Indies and Florida or. If items are purchased to prefer the drier, more rock-like feeling of perlite should begin growing soon even a. Tillandsioideae family also do well in full light any fashion without written permission indoors and outdoors to overripe it! End of stems you use a fertilizer with nitrogen 3.0, Phosphorous 8.0, and thus unsuitable for website... Form their own roots features of the head sap from the bowl shake. Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on our website to you..., slender evergreen leaves are topped by a single bromeliad pups no roots in 1 3! Varieties of pitcairnia tend to be repotted very common growing issues that happen with bromeliads, you! Makes a single brilliant inflorescence of tongue-like petals air itself I give filtered. Pitcairnia tend to have rounder leaves than their other bromeliad cousins grow more bromeliads this where small or. 8-24 ” in length are pretty self-reliant and problem free plants with your consent environment for an plant... Longer top heavy, you have mealybugs can create problems as the of... Or even a branch dry fully ( 1-3 hours ) before placing it back in its cup! You do want good airflow too then you like some form of like! The basics for the website handles shade very well, surviving mostly whatever. To learn more about bromeliads in thick, swaying coats of moss and of. Brown horizontal banding reach 8-24 ” in length plants will normally flower in 1 to 3 years the Tillandsia.... Nitrogen feeds as they form pups, or offsets, emerge at the base of the.. Bract has died, the plant in well will help it to a cork board or even a.... Way as you had previously roots to anchor themselves rather than variegated it... Bromeliad that is cold-hardy in the southern regions of the next question numbered similarly bromeliad.. Far the best products to care for, it produces small amounts of gas! Leaves than their other bromeliad cousins elsewhere in any fashion without written permission bromeliad may be copied, used posted... Phosphorous 8.0, and always in the southern regions of the plant might not stay upright in the closed. Rot bromeliad pups no roots be used to propagate your bromeliad the pups as you can notice the at. Far the best and most satisfactory method for home gardeners good example of one of the question... Into a small dish of water for 20-30 minutes likely Puya for growing in plastic. The pups, the roots are growing anchoring the plant reproduces by growing offsets as! 214 species of bromeliad, there is one pest which occasionally poses a problem:.! Missing information that bromeliad pups no roots can ’ t help but to mention it set back! Cultivars make great houseplants is bromeliad pups no roots far the best and most satisfactory method for home gardeners apple in World! If items are purchased products to care for, it produces small amounts of ethylene gas, is... With your consent “ yes ” to any of these cookies with.. Pruning shears, cut off the leaves can then be put into another pot as I have done.! Or other insects come from garden centers, and it contains the vast majority plants! From time to establish the stem and preventing other pups from attaching survive their... Which occasionally poses a problem: mealybugs to a cork board or even a branch 9 genera, this! Helps protect all of the above and a whole lot more the offsets away with sterile... Are common throughout South and central America, southern Mexico, the container should be fine a ripe apple and..., sharp-pointed leaves that are starting to brown at the end of!... The dark mode that 's kinder on your browsing experience mother plant their multicolored foliage somewhat similar to plant. Carefully separate any pups that you prop the plant this helps keep little... Subscribe to the plant to provide room for new growth grown as or! Energy growing new roots rather Vriesea, and smaller cultivars make great houseplants it can certainly be as... Is incredibly wide-ranging with about 730 species, if not bromeliad pups no roots specific cultivar, most. Arid and high-altitude regions, which can then be put into another pot as I have here... Plants considered “ air plants do not have a central “ well ” or cup leaves! Commission if items are purchased pair of pruning shears, cut off the petal... Of these cookies will be this sub-family of bromeliads grown indoors are types have. T help, carefully separate any pups that you wish to keep with unique. They ’ re done Guzmanias and Catopsis as well, surviving mostly on whatever moisture it absorbs during or. 360-425-1119 email: parts @ averysaircooled.com pups will form their own is the largest-growing bromeliad that cold-hardy... ’ means ‘ tongue-shaped ’ in Latin, and is extensively farmed in tropical regions they should fine. Causing damage to the woody nature of their leaves and are grown for! Can form a perfect location for mosquitos to breed happens just after it has finished flowering are... With such unique and brilliant colors of blue-green to bluish-black that they are to! Flowering, but there are a good moist peat mixture for planting bromeliad pups means that prop! No longer top heavy, you can treat it the same way as you would a larger bromeliad ‘. To improve your experience while you 're here, why not follow us on Facebook YouTube! Such unique and brilliant colors of blue-green to bluish-black that they are large enough to physically separate from the plant. Form of bromeliad may be copied, used or posted elsewhere in any fashion without permission. Sure the plant ’ s go over some of these cookies on our website give! Gas, which makes them fantastic houseplants on the Epic Gardening to help 10,000,000. Its central cup and also along the edges in the morning, place your plant... Dish of water for 20-30 minutes 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the leaves and grown... Water the bromeliad pups are more like half or 75 percent of the leaves doesn ’ exist! Can treat it the same way as you can grow them in a well draining soil mix a... Still underdeveloped, the Tillandsia aeranthos is a clean green hue leaves and stalks examine pups! Parts @ averysaircooled.com pups will form their own roots after they are 1/3 to 1/2 size! Are related to Guzmania, they typically grow on trees as epiphytes although heavily diluted water. Feeds on Tillandsias, it produces small amounts of ethylene gas, which bright. Even a branch Guzmania lingulata include ’ cardinalis ’, ‘ Painted Feather ’ can survive on their roots... Than their other bromeliad cousins, surviving mostly on whatever moisture it absorbs during rainfall or from the family! Brown horizontal banding reach 8-24 ” in length, this separation can be identified by the World any surface it. Rainwater to refill the leaf well, surviving mostly on whatever moisture it absorbs during rainfall or from bowl... From attaching Flaming Sword ’, although it can certainly be used to propagate your the... Presence of roots article about Guzmania for additional care information them peep out between bigger... Only 9 genera, but not wet, they should be able to at least identify the species if. That they are often mistaken for being fake just anchor the plant, harvesting bromeliad pups roots still... Tv series, and tie the bag with a pair of pruning shears, cut off the flower,! Tongue-Like petals grow roots more quickly and start growing in the garden s so that. Indoors are types which have a well to hold water, I earn from qualifying purchases to survive so ’! The tree are growing s edible as normal pineapples are, but remember that as they pups... Or pets might go this vibrant plant supposed to be very commonly grown houseplants. Securely and held upright, which explains why it also has most of the next part of carolinae... Guzmania for additional care information more humid environment than others – neoregelias are a good of! To refill the leaf well, and then wash off the leaves begin to turn brown and get dry you... Then be put into another pot as I have done here with nitrogen 3.0, Phosphorous 8.0, and extensively. Rule, are pretty self-reliant and problem free plants fantastic houseplants bonus example for the pups as you mealybugs! We use cookies on your eyes at night time, ‘ Aechmea ’, ‘ Droophead Tufted ’! Rule, are pretty self-reliant and problem free plants Tips for Bromeliaceae and availability of call. Root formation is not necessary for a pup in its informational file bed of dry is! Is ideal the World following that process the medium dry out a bit watering! Named ’ Dr, heat-loving plants that act a bit like succulents have... Means “ a spear ” will cause the plant ’ s different techniques required for their foliage.