I got this brom from W-mart for $6, and a few days later, it started to grow white stuff that looks like either mold or cotton on the flower. Is this normal or is my brom sick? What should I do to get rid of the white stuff? Thanks for your help. Tina
I am not an expert with this plant....try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the cup. If the white stuff foams then you have a problem.
Keep applying a few drops a day until it stops foaming.
Dump the water and then flush the cup with fresh water.
We can grow broms outside.
Hi Dale,
Thanks, I will try that and let you know.
It looks like it does not like water in its cup. I have some like that too. Although I have not tried the peroxide bit, I have found that once they start doing that they will never like standing water in their cup. You can put water in it but have to keep flushing it out daily or else the whole center will rot out.
Edit: The whole center will rot out if standing water left in it. If you let it dry out it should be ok. I just don't put water in mine and they do much better.
This message was edited Nov 1, 2009 3:16 PM
If you've ever been in the tropics and explored the insides of Bromeliad tanks, you quickly come to the realization that most of them can't have too much water. Almost all Neos are epiphytic, growing in the rainforest in the tree branches. Rotting leaves, animals, and excrement are how the plant receives its nutrients in nature, not through the roots which are only to hold the plants in place up in the trees. This natural Bromeliad "tea" is putrid, but provides a low-level steady source of fertilizer in the cup as well as all the leaf axils.
The centers of Bromeliads rarely rot unless physically damaged. If the "white stuff" bothers you, flush it out as suggested. Rain water is the best and easily collected (especially in Portland) by use of a barrel and downspout diverter. Kits are widely available.
Dave
Thank you for your help. Well, anyway, I now know better. Sadly, my brom died soon after early this spring when I planted it outside, hoping that it would recup. ;-(
