Someone gave me these bromeliads. I am not sure what kind they are and they are not in very good shape. A couple look like they are one step away from dying. Does anyone know of a good bromeliad site where I can learn about these? I know nothing about them and would like to try to save them.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG272
look good to me! I wish you luck.
The soil should be moist,and the top of the plant needs to have water in it,they do not need direct sunlight.
Here is a closer shot. The outer leaves took some damage from the cold. The flowers are in the process of dying. Some of the plants do have some pups. Hopefully, I can save them and get the pups to thrive.
I would go for the pups,I do not have any real experience with these,other than I got one cheap at Kmart,I was told the same directions i gave you,I kept water in the top,I got 4 pups off it.
I would take a knife and take the bloom off,it looks done.
Hopefully Kyle will come in soon and give his advice,he is the best I know,with all plants!
they look to be guzmanias...not certain though...im not an expert for sure but i do have quite a few....they do like to be more on the moist side, not wet....they dont have an extensive root system either, so i would keep them slightly underpotted.....they are funny plants for me..i can have 2 in the same kind of potting soil, side by side...one will be doing great and the other can just kill off...dont know..lol....best of luck with yours...wait as long as you can before you take any pups off...at least till they are apporx. 1/3 the size of the momma
happy gardening
cindy
Alright Brommom,did I do OK till you got here?Glad someone came in with good advice!
I grow all types of bromiliads and have found that the best potting mix is 3 parts orchid mix one part shreaded dried bromeliad leaves. I have also used decayed tree bark mixed with composted soild and shreaded dried bromeliad leaves when I don't have any orchid mix handy. I grow many around my trees, rich in organic matter, outside here in zone 8A. In the winter I cover all my beds with dead leaves. I never protect these broms in the winter unless we get below 28. I have a few others that I grow in terracotta pots. They are also outside all winter long, these sit in a pot holder that hangs on my fench under the breeze way. When it get below 32 I throw a towel on these. These get full afternoon sun and love it. I water often in the summer months since the mix really doesn't retain water at all. Plus I only water if the urn is empty. Their soil really don't need much moisture since they drink from the urn and this is where they are also fertilized if you do that kinda thing. Remember that bromeliads in the wild get nurishment when bugs and small birds leave deposits while stopping by for a drink from the bromeliad urns. Sometime these poor guys die inside the urn which provides extra nurishment for the bromeliad. I never feed them...I try to stay organic. Once a year I'll fill their urns with week manure tea. And yes, I also leave the mother plant attached until I absolute can't stand to look at her anymore...then I cut her off and chop her to use as a top dress for her babies or mix into the mix of potting new broms etc. I have treated them like this for years and have them producing pups left and right...have never lost one. I got all these tips from a lady that grew all kinds, infact some of the ones I have I got from her. Hope this helps....
I appreciate everyones input. These were some that were used in the local mall as christmas decorations. After christmas, they were just tossed to the side. a friend rescued about 18 and then gave me 8 of them.
Great find!
