I am brandy new to Bromes and nobody where I live knows what osmunda fiber is....anybody know where I can procure some? And how I might explain it to the gardens centers here so they can order some in? thanks!
Osmunda source????
Osmunda fibre is made of a fern, so might not be a readily available resource. Pine bark, potting mix and pearlite are all ok for broms, as is coir peat, which is made from the husk of coconuts and can replace peat in a mix.
I have found that broms don't seem to be too fussy when it comes to the media, so long as it drains well when the weather is cold!
Sue
Thanks WW. My first bromes are arriving, and I was getting anxious! By coir peat, do you mean the sheets of coconut fiber used for those hanging planters, etc? If so, I have some for my hermit crabs, so that'd be ok. Would orchid mix be ok added into the potting mix be okay to provide drainage? Many thanks!
orchid mix is actually a great complete bromeliad mix! You can plant staright into it.
Coir is more like chips of the coconut husk, kind of woody but porous. It is usually sold in a block about 24" x 12" x 10", sealed in plastic. You then break it into your barrow and add water. As it soaks up the water, it expands. You can also use it for mulch around your plants. Its sold in the local hardeware stores here, so i thought you might be able to get it there http://www.nurseriesonline.us/content/CoirPeat.html This link might be useful for finding some locally.
I bet you'rw excited about your new bromeliads?
Sue
Hi WW: Yes, I am very excited. I had one poor little one (type unknown) interplanted in a Sanseveria plant that I also stuck a small pineapple cap (from the grocery) and a Euphorbea lactea. THat little guy was still alive (barely) when I pulled him the other day, and now my one Neoregelia has arrived. it is still wrapped in it's newspaper shipping (after a good soak and water into the well) while I was awaiting your answer. I do orchids too, so I always have orchid mix...I add that to my cacti and succulent soil mix as well. AS for the Coir, I get something like it, although it is totally smooth, for my Hermit Crabbies substrate. So now, if I want to plant these guys onto a piece of bark or into some driftwood, I would have to use some kind of fibrous material so that the plants could be wired on, right? But if planting into a pot, then I can use maybe a combo of the smooth coconut fibre AND orchid mix. Sound about right?
Yeah, that sounds about right. Apparently most bromeliads will survive tied to a log or tree with no soil at all, but I usually put a lump of sphagnum moss under them, because the one you tie on first usually has roots, so it's become accustomed to growing in media. The ones that pup off it afterwards will do better because they are accustomed to no media. Well drained is the key! It gets cold there in NY, is that right?
Yea, where we are it gets real cold in winter....than ks for your help!