Hi All,
I have just done another walk around my yard as I am trying to sort out what is good or bad.
I found this lonely Bromilaid looking pretty sorry. It gets all day sun and the soil is VERY well drained, more on the dry side.
Is this the best place for me or should mum move me as I am not looking to good? lol
Thx Everyone,
Debi
Debi, I dont know if anyone ever responded to you or if your plant even survived. But.....mine have looked bad every now and then in the past. Usually, they have a small bloom down inside of the inner cup (not all of them throw a long spike for a flower) Once they bloom, they often die, to make room for the pups they are throwing at the bottom of each mother plant. If they are in very dry soil and sun, make sure the inner cup is filled with water. I just run the hose over mine once or twaice a week if there hasn't been any rain. I'm in Florida USA, and we have intense heat and drought from time to time, and mine still survive, although they do better in filtered light. I put mine at the base of my trees, and they have started to climb up the trunk of the tree, stacked ontop of each other.
It's possible you are giving them too much light, although I must confess I know nothing about the regional weather in Australia. I do know that if trends continue, someday there will be more Bromeliad Socrety members in Aus. than in the US. BTW the next World Bromeliad Conference will be in Cairns in 2008 (first time outside the US). We have met many Aussie growers during past conferences and you certainly gor beautiful plants.
We must remember that most of these epiphytes live in trees and compete with the host tree for sunlight. So many Bromeliads are more comfortable in light to moderate shade. Most of these plants also thrive in high mumidity with rain daily in the rainy season.
You might try moving some of your plants into a bit more shade and see how they respond.
Dave.
Thanks Guys,
I had forgotten about this posting because no-one did reply.
But I have a few more now.
I just got them yesterday and have not yet planted them. I am not sure og how much sun or shade they need.
I have seen some peoples gardens of bromilaids and they looked horrible and old and scruffy.
I do not want to do that, I want healthy plants that I can be proud of.
I appreciate your time, thank you,
Debi
Sometimes the ugliest plants can be revived with a little Tender Loving Care. Divide them, take off the dead leaves (split them down the center and pull to each side at the base) and pot them in your potting soil with a lot of Perlite for good drainage. Water in and mist frequently. They may surprise you with a bloom, but surely you will get some nice pups.
Good luck Down Under.
I agree with MotherNature4. Your last photo looks like Aechmea fosteriana (in the back - but could be Aechmea orlandiana) and some kind of Billbergia in the front (hard to say really). The Aechmea, however, looks like it has been in a bit too much shade. It should have shorter somewhat broader leaves. Fosteriana grows from long stolons which makes it easy to i.d.
Dave
Hi Guys,
Thanks so much for all your help and some names to look up.
This is a great site. I really enjoy meeting people with likeminded passions.
Thanks from a friend down under,
Debi
P.S. I don't suppose you may recognise these dried plants that came with a bulk purchase of plants? I didn't find them until I got home and was going through it all.
hey i was just lurking.... those dried plants look like basil seeds
Hi,
Thank you, I will have a look at some Basil and see what they look like.
Is it the "spice" basil that you are talking about?
Thks so much for your help,
Debi
yep. no problem...
