Beginner Gardening: Did Lowe's play me fo' a sucka with this Bromeliad?, 1 by Plants4myPots

Plants4myPots wrote:
So, I went to Lowe's to buy Dremel Bits and somehow found myself wandering around the Garden Center, but putting the unexplainable tractor beam aside...

I found this Bromeliad on the clearance rack, and got excited 'cuz I've seen them here on DG and thought they were really cool. I totally noticed that the leaves were ratty - I figured that's why it was on clearance, but I also reasoned to myself... "it's a plant! It still looks relatively healthy... Take care of it, be patient, and the leaves will grow back" - it's been known to happen!

So I shelled out my five sheckles and brought the 'lil guy home. While dinner was simmering, I started Googling Bromeliads, and much to my dismay... the sites all say that it's a once flowering plant that doesn't live for more than a year or so after flowering, and makes pups to propagate. GRRR. My Bargain Brom already has a big ol' flower, and looks like someone "made it presentable" by ripping off dead stuff (and maybe any pups?!).

I'll probably re-pot it and just hope it still grows some pups. I'm pretty patient - when it comes to plants growing, anyway... I'm guessing the plant would probably like some fresh potting soil/coir mix. The soil it's in looks tired, and I don't like the little treasure trove of green fertilizer balls(?) I found just underneath the surface.

So, what do the pros think? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Rose