Here is a dyckia fragrans that I have been growing as a potted single for a few years. It is 23 in. wide. This summer it has offset several robust pups. I prefer to remove the pups to prevent misshaping the mature specimen. We are having an extreme drought, so it has been watered regularly.
Here is a top view. It is just starting to form a double crown.
This plant has offset pups before, but none as fine as the ones this season.Here is one side of the trunk.
I removed the plant from the pot and set it on a wire ring tomato basket to reach the pups without getting jabbed or damaging the trunk. I even wore eye protection!
This is the other side of the trunk. The pups popped off easily using my fingers. I couldn't have done this in the pot.
Voila! None of them have roots. I assume roots will form once planted in a pot.
I have several different dyckias. A few of them do not set pups, it seems. I have a lot to learn about them.
Dyckias are a tough bunch of plants!! And pretty neat in spite of the barbs.
I have one dyckia. They must be slow growing. I have had it over a year and it seem to be slow growing. Do they take full sun or partial shade/sun?
Peg, Only a little full sun, but bright shade is good. You should move yours around until you find the brightest spot that it will grow without burning or bleaching the leaves. And water it frequently. At this time of the year, yours should be growing well if it gets water.
I fertilized with bone meal, espoma organic general plant fertilizer, a little blood meal and ozmacote. This stuff will not burn a plant, even if you use a little too much.
The best color is achieved with sun--but watch it closely because the sun moves over the summer.
This young D. leptostachia put on lots of color and robust size last summer when we had plenty of rain. It got a little direct sun, but mostly bright shade.
Which dyckia do you have?
Johanna
This is the dyckia I have.
Peg,
Your plant is another kind of bromeliad. It is an orthophytum, I have never grown one. Type bromeliad orthophytum in plant search. I think yours will come up. I do like the color.
Thanks for clarifying that. I grow lots of Neos and am just branching out to other broms.
