If you like tropical plant that needs very little care then the Bromeliads is a good choice because the plants are part of the pineapple family, comes with variety of colours and also provides spectacular kind during its full bloom. Below are some of the steps that you can do in order to care for a bromeliad plant.
What you need:
- Sunlight
- Watering
- Propagation
- Soil Requirements
Method:
- First of all, does not need direct sunlight but it can accept shading. It does not thrive well enough when the plants are placed in a bright location. You have to choose a sunny area which is away from drafts or that has cold air. The Bromeliads plant is suitable for warmer temperatures but should stay away from a furnace register, plus the plant also likes the air condition which is more humid rather than dry.
- The Bromeliad needs watering once in every one week or two because these types of plant is having a root system which is small, thus this does not allow it to absorbs the nutrients from the soil but from water instead. The plants gather water through its bracts which can be found in the center part of the plant. Therefore, you just have to pour water directly into the plant\’s well and then wait for a few minutes before tipping the plant slightly for draining off all the excess water. Always remember to keep the soil just slightly moist without it getting too wet because wet soil causes the Bromeliad losing its colourful leaves and may also die. You can also mist regularly to the surrounding of the plant for adding some humidity around it.
- When the time comes for the Bromeliad to blooms, its mother plant will start to produce \’Pups\’ around the bottom of it, thus enabling it (the young plants) to grow and be another Bromeliad in the making. As for the original plant, it will start to die along the way as the younger Bromeliad started to grow. You can also transplant the \’Pups\’ to another pot for growing if you like.
- In order to grow Bromeliad plants, you need to have soils with a good drainage so that it can provide a mixture of sandy soil. An example of a good choice for you to plant Bromeliads is by having an orchid potting mix. Other than that, whenever you pot the Bromeliad always remember to add a layer of either pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot enabling the soil to drain.
- Although the Bromeliads are a tropical plant, it can also grow in milder climates without the frosts. If you decided to place your plants indoor, you have to ensure that the plant received enough sunlight each and every day.
- The Bromeliads comes with several types such as Epiphytic tillandsias which need soil and the suitable place to grow them is on a wall or in the limbs or trunk of a large tree. It can also be supported by wire thus keeping them attached to their host and therefore keeping them in place rather than you bind them together completely.
- Another type is the Trichome bromeliads where you can plant them in your garden. Due to most of the bromeliads comes with a height and structure enabling them to avoid getting into any water. It is recommended that each of the plant is supplied within their cupped foliage.
- Other type is the normal Normal bromeliads – these are usually bottom-dwelling plants within a tropical rainforest and need to source their moisture and nutrients from the soil. Caring for this type of bromeliad should take little to no extra effort than most of the plants that already reside in your garden.
- One of the problems you may encounter in the Bromeliad plants is it may become the home for garden snails especially within the safety of their foliage.
Additional Reading:
http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Bromeliad
http://www.bromeliadplant.info/bromeliad-care/index.php
http://www.gardeningtipsnideas.com/2008/10/how_to_care_for_a_bromeliad_plant.html
http://www.plant-care.com/bromeliads-reblooming.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfraz/13307475/
