Got this bromeliad from HD. I've never seen bromeliads with thin almost grass-like growth. What kind is it?
What kind of Bromeliad is this?
Looks like a Tillandsia cyanea to me. Common at HD.
Lonny
It's probably either cyanea or lindinii. The two are very similar, but lindinii tends to have a longer spike.
Dave.
I think Cyanea too, I have one.
Tom
Thank you.
Have a Merry Christmas. ~~~ Carol
The fan on top never had any blooms and has dried up. It is not loose, but should I cut it off or wait till it is loose and ready to fall off? Since it didn't actually bloom does that mean it won't die?
Think of the blooming Bromeliad spike as a modified branch of the plant that has converted from foliage production to flower production. Most Bromeliads are strongly prone to growing a single branch; the growing tip inhibits the lower dormant buds from actively growing. If you remove or fold down some of the lower leaves you will most often see these dormant buds. These will "normally" grow only after the plant blooms or the central growing point is damaged. Of course pups do sometimes form as the plant is actively growing. These dormant buds become the "pups." I'm not sure anyone really knows why certain plants decide to throw pups at seemingly random times.
Dave
Does that mean it's suppose to dry up or did it dry up due to not enough moisture?
I'm assuming you mean the "fan-shaped" inflorescence...
If the air is too dry, Tillandsias and Vrieseas with this shape inflorescence (distichous) often can't get the flowers pushed out. (Also, sometimes the inflorescence develops a sticky substance that "gums up" the works.) "Normally," the flowers will bloom from bottom to top, poking out from one side then the other. Once the flowers are done, the inflorescence is too - the whole thing drys out, though it may stay attached for a very long time. If you didn't see the flowers (fairly large, purple) it's likely your humidity was too low.
Dave.
That's very possible.
Then will my plant die since it "thinks" it should have bloomed?
I keep mine moist. Bright light, feed about every other watering with half strength Miracle grow.
A fave plant of mine!
Tom
I bet it got too dry then.
Thanks for the information.
No no - it won't die. Ii will just branch out and produce more of itself for you to divide.