Help! Aechmea blanchetiana

I now have 6 of these plants but I am having issues. I originally saw the plant while on vacation in Miami and fell in love. I finally found them on the internet for sale (Tropiflora). I live in Georgia and was excited that these take full sun. However, I have had "bleaching" problems with the leaves. Is this an indication of too much sun? I first purchased 3 that received all afternoon sun. Since I assumed I ruined them, I purchased an additional 3 a couple of weeks ago, and they are in my front yard which receives sun from am to about 2:00pm. I trimmed the leaves on the original plants and have noticed no new growth. I have all 6 in pots, so that I can bring them inside during the winter. I really want these plants to work - any suggestions?

You might have put them in the sun a little abruptly. Some plants, and especially this time of year, like a gradual introduction. Seeing how green it is, I would guess the grower had it mostly in shade. Mine is in full sun and it's far more orange. The ones I've seen at USF Botanical Gardens in full sun are an even deeper orange-red. Try moving them into more sun over a few weeks and see how they do.

And don't worry about the original three. It's really hard to kill a bromeliad. I've got some that look dead but they have little pups coming out of the bottom. Several times I've gone to pull a bromeliad thinking that it's time had finally come, but then I'd see a little pup and realize I had to leave it for a while longer until the pup got big enough to split off. Even if you did "hurt" your bromeliads, they might just respond by pupping in an effort to save themselves.

Melanie

I agree with mellielong - this is one of the few Bromeliads (including Neoregelias) that can take full sun. Ironically, here in the middle of the country where the humidity is lower in Summertime, most Bromeliads burn up. Your plants will deepen to that copper color gradually, and the burned leaves you have now can just be neatly trimmed back with sharp sizzors. I guess you know that blanchettiana gets very large, so your house will be crowded come October.

Thanks for the tips! It is really weird, because the grower said they have them in full sun! Ugh! Anyway, I will move them tonight and see how it goes! And most definitely, all of the ones I saw in Miami were deep orange which is why I like them so hopefully they will make it! Thanks again!