Bromeliad Care
Bromeliad Care
Light: Most Bromeliads prefer filtered or indirect sunlight. The leaves may burn or the flower color will fade when in direct sunlight. In a window, Florida room, a porch or under a tree is the best lighting.
Water: The absolute worst care for your bromeliad is to over water. Keep soil evenly moist to slightly dry, do not over-water or allow the plant roots to stand in water. Get to know your new plant feel the soil if dry - water. This should be about once a week. A small amount of water in the cup of the leaves and about a ½ cup at the base. Never use Metal watering cans, especially Copper. The metal is toxic to Bromeliads.
Blooms: Our plants are usually sold during their blooming period. The blooms usually last from 2 to 4 months. Most varieties have a very slow metabolism and will take up to two years to produce the next bloom. Bromeliads do not rebloom, but they will reproduce a small -pup- plant at their base, which is your next generation. This pup can be split off once it is a little more than 1/3 the size of
its Mom.
Fertilize: If you find it necessary to fertilize your plant (which will just produce new growth) use well balanced water based plant fertilizer at about ½ of the recommended application rate. We initially apply some time release to our new plants and if Im fertilizing the garden - they get it too. Nothing special.
Temperature: Bromeliads tolerate a wide range of temperature, with the ideal range of 55-85 degrees. Cooler nights actually enhance the color and prolong the bloom life.
Repotting: Repotting usually is only necessary when separating the pup (new growth) from the mother plant. We find that Bromeliads do better and reproduce faster when they are root-bound.
Soil: A porous soil or soil that can drain easily. The best mix is potting soil mixed with perlite, peat moss and some bark. Remember, the majority of our bromeliads are planted in our yard which is mostly top soil, oak leaves and sand.
Call us if any questions we are usually home!
