Bromeliad / bromeliaceae

Fatherland - the tropics of America.

General description: The family reads about 2000 species.

Common features: a small stem, leathery and strap-like leaves are collected in a central basal funnel that collects water. From the center of the funnel on the high peduncle there is a spectacular inflorescence (paniculate, spicate, racemose, etc.) with beautiful bracts. In many species, the upper leaves of the rosette change their color during the flowering period (red, yellow, blue). Later the flowering central funnel dies off, but there are daughter shoots. Usually blossom in the winter. They form pods - boxes or berries.

Most bromeliads are epiphytic plants, that is, they grow in nature on trees. , In a roomy appearance they are similarly placed on various fancy snags, creating, so-called "bromeliad trees". The roots of such plants are placed in a very loose substrate, very small in capacity and wrapped in sphagnum moss. Then the plant is screwed to the base with a wire or a fishing line. It is proud that the leaves funnel is sufficiently developed and retain water. Once a week it is necessary to spray sphagnum similarly.

A special group is distinguished - petrophilous bromeliads. They grow in dry stony Mexican prairies and the conditions for their maintenance are no different from cacti (a lot of light, a cool period of rest, outlandish watering, low humidity).

The group of atmospheric bromeliads absorbs moisture from the atmosphere by scales or hairs on leaves and it does not need a general soil substrate, only wet moss. But an important condition is the increased humidity of the atmosphere and they need a terrarium or a room fountain with water.

The remaining bromeliads can be divided into two impressive groups:

I. Occurring from places with a humid climate throughout the year (kriptantus, guzmania, vriesia, pineapple, etc.)

II. Occurring from places with droughty periods. Have a pronounced period of inactivity (bilbergia, ehmeya, neoregelia, etc.)

Recommendations for the care of bromeliads in group I:

Illumination : For most bright, but diffuse light. Exceptions are pineapple, cryptus. They love direct sunlight.

Irrigation regime : Abundant during the growth period, moderate in winter. To water with warm soft water. For plants with a developed basal rosette, it is recommended to pour water directly into the outlet, but only in summer, in winter it is better to soil, in order to avoid decay.

Humidity : Requires frequent spraying. They love a fresh atmosphere, but without drafts.

Temperature mode : Very fond of warmth, winter and summer.

Soil : Very good bore is needed. You can add charcoal and coniferous bark.

Recommended soil mixture: 2 elements of leaf humus, 1 share of humus, 1 part of peat and 1 share of sand.

The acidity of the soil is moderate, pH = 5.

The root system is shallow, the pots shall be shallow.

During the growth period, one needs to fertilize once a month with complex fertilizers for bromeliads or conventional ones in half. Diluted fertilizer is applied for irrigation or a spray route.

Breeding: The shoots that form at the base of the plant are usually rooted in soil heating. You can sow seeds, but they must be etched and sterilized beforehand. The soil for germination must be very loose (a mixture of leafy soil and sand or chopped moss and fern roots). Seedlings need high humidity, shading and soil heating.

Transplantation : Transplanted in the spring, at what time the pot is made tight (the roots begin to germinate through the drainage holes).

Pests : Affected by a spider mite (in a dry atmosphere, leaves and stems are braided with cobwebs), scabbards (brown plaques appear on the leaves and stems, leaving sticky excretions), mealybugs (covered with white cotton woolly fluff), aphids.

The plant is allowed to help finish with a soap solution, warm washing and spraying with an actinic (1-2 ml per liter of water).

Recommendations for the care of bromeliads in group II:

Illumination : For most bright, but diffuse light.

Irrigation regime : Abundant during growth, in winter rare, especially if the plant is kept in cool.

Humidity : Requires frequent spraying. They love a fresh atmosphere, but without drafts.

Temperature regime : In summer the temperature should be moderate, in winter it is cool (but not below 12 ° C).

Soil : Very good bore is required. You can add charcoal and coniferous bark.

Recommended soil mixture: 2 elements of leaf humus, 1 share of humus, 1 part of peat and 1 share of sand.

The acidity of the soil is moderate, pH = 5.

The root system is shallow, the pots shall be shallow.

During the growth period, one needs to fertilize once a month with complex fertilizers for bromeliads or conventional ones in half. Diluted fertilizer is applied for irrigation or a spray route.

Breeding: The shoots that form at the base of the plant are usually rooted in soil heating. You can sow seeds, but they must be etched and sterilized beforehand. The soil for germination must be very loose (a mixture of leafy soil and sand or chopped moss and fern roots). Seedlings need high humidity, shading and soil heating.

Transplantation: Transplanted in the spring, at what time the pot is made tight (the roots begin to germinate through the drainage holes).

Pests : Affected by a spider mite (in a dry atmosphere, leaves and stems are braided with cobwebs), scabbards (brown plaques appear on the leaves and stems, leaving sticky excretions), mealybugs (covered with white cotton woolly fluff), aphids.

The plant is allowed to help finish with a soap solution, warm washing and spraying with an actinic (1-2 ml per liter of water).

Tillandsia on a piece of bark

Bromeliad - bromeliaceae