treated timber effects on bromeliads

Did you know that treated timber (containing copper) can damage your broms if water drips from it onto, or into your broms?
This one nearly passed away, but if you get it at the first signs of yellowing, tip out the water and move it from under the timber, and only water the soil, it might survive.

The damage begins as pale or yellowing areas on the leaf, but can get a secondary infection of either bacteria, or fungus. If you see black greasy spots, or soft rotting areas, remove these with scissors, so that it does not spread.
Apparently, galvanised steel can also damage your broms, so it's something to be aware of.
Sue

thanks for the tip weed-woman

*no worries* (whispering)

This happened to a friend of mine. She has a home built greenhouse, 2000 sq ft, that her husband built. The frame is treated lumber. When water started dripping on her bromeliads from the wooden frame, they started dying. She lost a ton of plants that way before she figured out what was going on.

Hi Goth, I have since heard that painting the timber witha few coats of paint can help. I will have to do some research, as apparently it affects all plants in one way or another, but broms cop it worse because the water goes to the centre, and the growth point.